St. Mary’s Episcopal Church will host two discussions on successive Sundays (February 19 and 26) on discrimination against LGBT Alaskans and on Proposition 5, the Anchorage Equal Rights Initiative. On Friday, March 2, Christians for Equality will hold a Prayer Rally for Equality, also at St. Mary’s.

A presentation about discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) Alaskans will be hosted by St. Mary’s Episcopal Church during the Adult Education hour, Sunday, Feb. 19, from 10:30-11:30 AM. Rev. Drew Phoenix, one of the clergy leaders of Christians for Equality, will discuss how discrimination impacts the lives of all citizens and answer questions. Please join the conversation as we explore this important issue.

All are welcome. The Youth Group is serving a pancake breakfast so grab a plate of great food and participate in the discussion! The pancake breakfast is a fundraiser for the Youth Group’s trip to Malawi in May — St. Mary’s is a partner with Malawi Children’s Village — an organization that provides care and education to kids orphaned by AIDS and who may be HIV-positive themselves.

On the following Sunday, Feb. 26, discussion will focus on the anti-discrimination initiative on the April 3 municipal ballot. If passed, Proposition 5, the Anchorage Equal Rights Initiative, will amend Anchorage’s equal rights code to provide the same legal protections against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or transgender identity that are already provided based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, marital status, age, physical disability, and mental disability. All are welcome.

• Date/time: Sunday, February 19 and Sunday, February 26, 10:30–11:30 AM
• Location: Pillsbury Hall, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 2222 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK (see map). Pillsbury Hall is in the main building (A-frame) — enter as if you’re going to the sanctuary, and church members will help you find your way.
• Further info: see the St. Mary’s Episcopal Church website

On Friday, March 2, Christians for Equality will be putting on a Prayer Rally for Equality in support of One Anchorage and Prop. 5, the Anchorage Equal Rights Initiative, also at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. This is for ALL people. Many, many GLBTQ folks have been hurt by churches, we are trying to do our part to stand with our sisters and brothers, friends and neighbors in this struggle for equal rights for ALL.

• Date/time: Friday, March 2, 7:00 PM
• Location: St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 2222 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK (see map)
• Further info: see Christians for Equality Facebook page

Is your event not on our calendar? No matter where you are in the state, if you’re running an event of interest to the LGBTQA community, we’d be glad to put it on the Bent Alaska events calendar. If you use Google Calendar, you can subscribe to our calendar at http://bit.ly/bentcalendar.