Bent Alaska is one year old today. 

When I became the editor of Alaska GLBT News a year ago, I saw in the Readers’ Survey that you wanted photos, videos, and reports of the events listed in the newsletter. So I created Bent Alaska, a blog that could contain all of that and much more. 

It’s been quite a year. I’ve had the great pleasure to meet dozens of interesting LGBT people and our allies from all over the state, and to tell you about them and their events week after week. I’ve learned about Alaska and blogging and news writing and the LGBT community. I even won an award for Bent from the Imperial Court. (Thank you, ICOAA!)

And it’s all because of you: You’ve sent news of our community’s weddings and funerals, dances and drag shows, protests and parades. Your reports and photos keep us connected across the vast distances of Alaska, and beyond to our friends Outside. Your knowledge and opinions inform the LGBT communities and allies in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau and rural Alaska. Your words give comfort to gays new to Alaska and long time Alaskans just coming out, isolated Alaskans looking for ‘family’ and family members needing support. Your comments engage others who search for signs of queer life in Alaska. 

Bent Alaska and Alaska GLBT News would not be possible without the many, many people who take the time to write messages, send photos, forward links and add comments. I’m just the messenger – without you, there wouldn’t be anything to say. 

Thank you for this incredible year.