Articles by E. Ross
E. Ross is the founder of Bent Alaska.
Federal judge rules DADT unconstitutional
A federal judge in Riverside, California ruled the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy to be unconstitutional on Thursday, saying that DADT is a violation of the 1st Amendment rights of gay and lesbian soldiers. The ruling came from a case filed by the Log Cabin Republicans.
U.S. District Court Judge Virginia A. Phillips said the policy banning gays did not preserve military readiness, contrary to what many supporters have argued, saying evidence shows that the policy in fact had a ‘direct and deleterious effect’ on the military.Phillips said she would issue an injunction barring the government from enforcing the policy. However, the U.S. Department of Justice, which defended ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ during a two-week trial in Riverside, will have an opportunity to appeal that decision.
The ruling: DADT unconstitutional – US District Court
The federal government is expected to appeal, and it is unclear what the status of DADT will be in the meantime. Judge Phillips has given the plaintiffs until September 16 to respond, and the Department of Justice must submit its objections by September 23.
LCR director R. Clarke Cooper: “As an American, a veteran and an Army reserve officer, I am proud the court ruled that the arcane ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ statute violates the Constitution. Today, the ruling is not just a win for Log Cabin Republican service members, but all American service members.”
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network: “We’re pleased by the judge’s decision, but this decision is likely to be appealed and will linger for years. Congress made the DADT law 17 years ago and Congress should repeal it. The Senate will have the opportunity to do just that this month and most Americans think the Senate should seize it.”
VIDEO: Anderson Cooper discusses the ruling with Jeffrey Toobin
Suicide Prevention Week
This week is National Suicide Prevention Week, Sept. 5-11, 2010. Because of harassment and prejudice, lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth are up to four times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers, and one quarter of young transgender people report having attempted suicide. The chances of a suicide attempt are 8 times more likely for LGBTQ youth who come from a family who rejects them.
Watch the new “Give a Damn” PSA featuring Judith Light, Modern Family‘s Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Lily Tomlin, and Parenthood‘s Mae Whitman educating people on suicide among LGBT youth:
The Trevor Project focuses on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. Their Y-CARE project is a guide for how you can help someone who is suicidal.
More Facts About Suicide and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth:
- In the United States, more than 34,000 people die by suicide each year (2007 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC).
- Suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15 to 24-year-olds, accounting for over 12% of deaths in this age group; only accidents and homicide occur more frequently (2006 National Adolescent Health Information).
- Suicide is the second leading cause of death on college campuses (2008 CDC).
- For every completed suicide by a young person, it is estimated that 100 to 200 attempts are made (2003 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey).
- Lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth are up to four times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers (Massachusetts 2007 Youth Risk Survey).
- More than 1/3 of LGB youth report having made a suicide attempt (D’Augelli AR – Clinical Child Psychiatry and Psychology 2002)
- Nearly half of young transgender people have seriously thought about taking their lives and one quarter report having made a suicide attempt (Grossman AH, D’Augelli AR – Suicide and Life Threatening Behavior 2007)
- Questioning youth who are less certain of their sexual orientation report even higher levels of substance abuse and depressed thoughts than their heterosexual or openly LGBT-identified peers (Poteat VP, Aragon SR, et al – Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2009)
- LGB youth who come from highly rejecting families are more than 8 times as likely to have attempted suicide than LGB peers who reported no or low levels of family rejection (Ryan C, Huebner D, et al – Peds 2009;123(1):346-352)
- It is estimated that between 20 and 40 percent of all homeless youth identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender (2006 National Gay & Lesbian Task Force: An Epidemic of Homelessness). 62% of homeless LGB youth will attempt suicide at least once—more than two times as many as their heterosexual peers (Van Leeuwen JMm et al – Child Welfare 2005)
Being a teenager is hard enough, but being an LGBT teenager with an unsupportive family can feel overwhelming. If you are a youth who is feeling alone, confused or in crisis, please call The Trevor Lifeline at 1-866-4-U-TREVOR for immediate help. You are not alone!
GLAAD media training in Anchorage
What would you say – and how would you say it – if a reporter, coworker or neighbor who is not yet an ally asked why we need LGBT rights? What are the best ways to get across our message of equality and be understood?
A top gay media strategist is coming to Anchorage next weekend to teach the LGBT community how to speak to the public and the media to advance equal rights in Alaska.
Adam Bass, a Senior Media Strategist at GLAAD in Los Angeles, is coming to Anchorage to offer a media workshop for the LGBT community and allies. Community members, religious and organization leaders, and allies are invited to come to the workshop.The event will be from 10am to 1pm on Saturday, September 11, at the conference room in the lower level of 1057 West Fireweed Lane.The workshop will focus on how to tell our stories and build support through media advocacy. By ensuring that the stories of LGBT people are heard through the media, we will promote understanding, increase acceptance, and advance equality.Participants will learn the ins and outs of communications strategy, talking points, media interviews, and the power of telling their story.Communications work, like lobbying or door knocking, involves strategy that can move public opinion about issues to accomplish a goal. This advocacy workshop will give you the resources you need to speak up about equality, to move public opinion, and to help make equality in Anchorage a reality!The workshop will be free of charge. For more information, please contact Adam Bass, Senior Media Strategist at GLAAD, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.
We can all be more media savvy to advance LGBT rights in Anchorage. Don’t miss this excellent opportunity.
Alaska Pride Conference 2010
The 17th annual Alaska Pride Conference will be held on Saturday, October 9, 2010 from 8 am to 4:30 pm at Alaska Pacific University in the Carr-Gottstein Building. The conference organizers are calling for workshop proposals and vendor applications. The forms are available for download at Identity, Inc.
Workshop Proposals are due by Sept. 15, and Vendor Applications must be submitted and paid in full by Sept. 30.
They have a special deal with the WestMark Hotel downtown for those who live outside of Anchorage, and have secured a block of rooms for just $75 a night. To make your reservation, please call their reservations department toll free at (1-800-544-0970). Ask for the 17th Annual PRIDE Conference sleeping room rate and they will be happy to confirm your reservation over the phone.
The AK Pride Conference is held every year in Anchorage, on or near National Coming Out Day (Oct 11). The mission is to facilitate unity within the queer communities of Alaska and our Allies, to promote equality for all, and to provide education and fun.
If you have any questions, please contact Johnathan or visit the AK Pride Conference 2010 Facebook page.
Four A’s 25th Anniversary
Did you know that 25 years ago this month the Four A’s was formed as an all volunteer agency that took helpline calls from volunteers’ living rooms about the new epidemic called AIDS?
For the next year, we will be celebrating and recognizing the incredible support we’ve received from the community for the past 25 years. This will include a marketing campaign taking a look at the past 25 years of HIV/AIDS in Alaska to illustrate how far we’ve come from those beginning days and culminate in a celebration event in February of 2011. Stay tuned for more as we kick off this 25th Anniversary Adventure!
“Did You Know” Fact:
The Alaska Department of Epidemiology announced the first three cases of AIDS in Alaska in August of 1983.
Watch for more 25th Anniversary “Did You Know” Facts in e-mails, our Facebook page and on our website throughout the year! Who knows, there might be a pop quiz…
Don’t forget the Arctic Siren’s Cabaret on Friday, September 3 at 7:30 p.m. at the Snow Goose Theater. Tickets are $15 and proceeds of this fantastic show will benefit the Four A’s!
Repeal of DADT will improve military readiness: new ads
A gay active duty marine speaks out against the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy in the third weekly ad by MilitaryReadiness.org. Mission critical personnel are still being discharged under DADT, which puts all service members in danger. Watch the newest ad:
MilitaryReadiness.org has the facts on DADT and the repeal:
» Approximately 14,000 men and women have been abruptly fired because of DADT since 1993. Tens of thousands more have voluntarily left the military because of the unnecessary burden of serving under DADT.
» The DADT policy violates the core values of every branch of the U.S. military.
» Congress should act to repeal the DADT law immediately. The Defense Department will create a plan to successfully manage the implementation of the new policy.
» The DADT repeal amendment to NDAA is completely respectful of the study and process set up by the Pentagon to address implementation issues.
» The American people overwhelmingly want the DADT law repealed. A majority of conservatives, Republicans, Independents, weekly church-goers, and even Tea Partiers also support the repeal of the DADT law.
» At least 3 Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and 3 Secretaries of Defense now support repeal of the DADT law.
The “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Lobby Day on Thursday, September 16, 2010 is hosted by Servicemembers United and the Servicemembers United Action Fund, the creators of MilitaryReadiness.org. The Lobby Day will focus on the DADT repeal amendment that will soon be debated by the full Senate. It’s time to get this done!
Gay AK: Music, Dance, Free Food & Guest Bloggers
Gay AK is a semi-regular column with short news items and up-coming events for LGBT Alaska.
The good news: my right shoulder should be healed in a week or two. The bad news: I’m right handed. I can manage the FB page, but would really appreciate a few guest bloggers so the blog doesn’t go silent. Any LGBT Alaskans with something to say? Here’s your opportunity. Send a few paragraphs to Bent Alaska.
Arctic Siren’s First Friday Cabaret at the Snow Goose is $15 a person to benefit the Four A’s. Friday, Sept. 3 at 7:30 p.m. (Doors open at 6:45 p.m.)
Womyn’s Dance, 10/9 at the Snow Goose. We’re back with new music and a new sound system! Come alone, bring a friend, an ex, a blind date or a gaggle of lesbians, but come on out to the Snow Goose the Saturday night of the Pride Conference. Doors open at 7:30pm and we’ll dance until around midnight.
Marcia Stuber has offered to throw an end-of-summer Women’s Retreat weekend at her resort in Sterling. Her cabins sleep 2-4, and she slashed the rate to only $100 per night per cabin. Located about a 9-iron from the Kenai River, this promises to be a weekend full of fun, fishing, friendship, campfires, music, an all-around blast! Alaska Red Fish Lodge
The long awaited revealing of the Fairbanks HAUS oF FUSION: Join Beyonca Fusion on her ultimate coming out on the town party event with the revival of the long lost tradition of Follies of Dollies: the ReMix. Downtown at the 310 1st Ave Banquet Hall on Saturday, Sept 18. Doors open at 8, drag show at 9. This is partly a benefit to “honor & give love to our dear friend Richard Welch, a pioneering community member who has been instrumental in the “art of the night” for many years.” $9 @ door, 21+ only.
NE2010 was “a RAGING success with over 100 attendees enjoying three full days of educational classes and workshops taught by 8 national presenters on the SM and Leather lifestyles. Attendees were spoiled with a bustling registration brunch, brown bag lunches sponsored by the ICOAA and an off the hook farewell Seven Course Sinners Dinner with 10 performers and awards.” The Dirty Dick Award was given to it’s 8th recipient: Sarha was proud to award it to the GLBT community of Alaska.
Every Sunday night, Kodiak Bar and Grill on 5th Street hosts a totally free BarBQ at 7 pm. Chicken, steaks, burgers, fish, (different meats, different weeks, it’s just a surprise) but always very good. Baked potatoes with sour cream, butter, shredded cheese, chips and dip. Of course, you are free to purchase your beverage of choice. Music and dancing after the dinner.
Meet actress Sheetal Sheth at her Alaska film premiere
Yes, it’s true! Join this hot actress for a Q&A session following her girl-gets-girl action in the Alaska premiere of two award-winning lesbian movies, I Can’t Think Straight and The World Unseen, playing as a double-feature at Out North on October 8 & 10. And it’s a benefit! Tickets go on sale at Metro in September.
The timing is great. It’s right before National Coming Out Day (Oct 11) and the same weekend as the annual Alaska Pride Conference (Oct 9 at APU in Anchorage) and the biannual Womyn’s Dance (Oct 9 at the Snow Goose). With the conference all day on Saturday, the dance Saturday night, and the films and Sheetal on Friday and Sunday, you’ll definitely want to Come Out and join us!
Maureen Suttman is the organizer of the premiere. She chose I Can’t Think Straight and The World Unseen (see the trailers below) partly because of their rich multi-cultural perspectives and the long term lesbian couple who created the films. She wrote to Bent Alaska:
They have earned over 30 international awards AND haven’t been screened here. I happened to cross emails with Sheetal and stepped out there and invited her, and she has been saying “yes” for the last 2 months about coming here. Alaska sure does help in sparking interest.
Last spring, I saw 2 films that have been gaining the attention of both lesbians and the greater GLBT community. One set in London and a romantic comedy, the other set in South Africa and a drama, they both take on multiple layers of culture without losing underlying relationship themes — and while bringing tremendous heart and thought provoking images to the screen. Looking more, I found that between the two films they have won over 30 awards from around the globe. Further research into the production house behind them showed that at its helm are 2 women who are long-term domestic partners (and moms to their boys). Shamim Sarif is an award winning novel writer turned screen writer turned director. Hanan Kattan is her partner and the films’ producer. Together they head London-based Enlightenment Productions and are gearing up additional novels to movies, music and television projects.
Thinking others here would be interested in the films and the women behind them, I found myself compelled to show them in Anchorage. I sought out permission from EP’s main office and am happy to report that on October 8th and 10th there will be a benefit screening of the films I Can’t Think Straight and The World Unseen at Out North. In addition, and by an incredible stroke of good luck, Sheetal Sheth — co-star of both films (and NOH8 campaign supporter!) is coming to join us and will be available for audience Q&A and after-film conversation. Tickets will go on sale at Metro Music and Books in September.
Since the films’ releases, Sheetal’s co-star Lisa Ray was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and underwent stem cell replacement treatment. Though now in remission, she was unable to work throughout treatment. Out of concern for her, there was an outpouring of fan support and a project to generate income for her was set up. The benefit film screenings will support both the Lisa Ray audio book project fund, as well as our own Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Anchorage.
“Check out Enlightenment Productions for more info on the films and the very creative gals behind them. More information on the Lisa Ray audio book project can be seen on Shamim Sarif’s blog.”
“Check out Sheetal at www.sheetalsheth.com. Her email address is there so why not leave her a message in anticipation of her visit? Personal experience suggests she will likely answer especially if you reference Alaska in the subject line.”
“Thanks and hope to see everyone there!”
Thanks to Maureen for inviting this internationally-known actress to visit Alaska with the premiere of these two great films! Let’s give Sheetal a warm Alaska welcome and fill that theater.
- Where: Out North, 3800 DeBarr Road
- When: Friday October 8 at 6:30 p.m., and Sunday October 10 at 1 p.m.
- How much: $15 for the double feature
Watch the trailer for I Can’t Think Straight:
Watch the trailer for The World Unseen:
Pentagon’s DADT spouse survey & letters from same sex partners
Following the biased DADT survey sent to members of the military in July and returned by less than 30% of those asked, the Pentagon has now sent 150,000 new surveys to the straight spouses of service members asking how their lives might be effected by serving with open gays and lesbians. Who will be surveyed next – their children, neighbors and pets?
The irony is that the people who carry the real burden of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy – the gay and lesbian service members, their same sex partners and family members – cannot be included without outing themselves and their loved ones and getting fired.
So each morning, SLDN is posting letters from family members and spouses of former service members impacted by DADT: “As the Pentagon sends 150,000 surveys to the heterosexual spouses of service members this week, we will continue to tell the stories of families that have felt the injustice of this terrible law. The Pentagon needs to hear the stories of ALL military families now.”
The first letter is written by Lynne Kennedy, partner to Capt. Joan Darrah, U.S. Navy (Ret.). They have been together for 20 years this December.
Dear General Ham and Mr. Johnson:
In 1990 – while working as a reference librarian at the Library of Congress — I met Joan Darrah, an active duty Naval Officer. I already knew about “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” but I soon woke up to the harsh reality that loved ones of gay and lesbian family members are forced to serve in silence, too.
Over the years, Joan had adjusted to living two lives — in the closet at work and out after hours. For me, it was a bit of an adjustment as I had been fortunate to work for an employer who valued my skills and expertise and realized that my being a lesbian in no way detracted from my ability to do a great job.
I knew that Joan could be deployed at any moment. She may be away from home for two or three years. I realized that being with an active duty military officer was even more constricting than I could have possibly imagined and I worried constantly about Joan’s well being. Yet, through it all, I knew our relationship was worth the compromises. I knew we had to make it work for Joan to continue to serve our Country.
There were so many things that we had to be careful about. For example, Joan had asked that I not call her at work unless it was truly an emergency. When we were out in public if Joan saw someone from work, I learned to “disappear,” until Joan’s co-worker moved on. We didn’t dare go to nice restaurants on Valentine’s Day or even Saturday nights. We could not show any familiarity while out in public. I went to parties at colleagues’ homes alone lest a guest I didn’t know learn that Joan was in the Navy.
The events of September 11, 2001, caused us both appreciate more fully the true impact of DADT on our lives and the reality of our mutual sacrifices. At 8:30 a.m. that morning, Joan went to a meeting in the Pentagon. At 9:30 a.m., she left that meeting. At 9:37 a.m., the plane flew into the Pentagon and destroyed the exact space that Joan had left less than eight minutes earlier, killing seven of her colleagues.
In the days and weeks that followed, Joan went to several funerals and memorial services for her co-workers who had been killed. Most people attended these services with their spouses whose support was critical at this difficult time, yet Joan was forced to go alone, even though I really wanted to be with her to provide support.
As the numbness began to wear off, it hit me how incredibly alone I would have been had Joan been killed. The military is known for how it pulls together and helps people; we talk of the “military family,” which is a way of saying we always look after each other, especially in times of need. But, none of that support would have been available for me, because under DADT, I didn’t exist.
In fact, I would have been one of the last people to know had Joan been killed, because nowhere in her paperwork or emergency contact information had Joan dared to list my name.
Whenever I hear Joan recount the events of that day, I relive it and realize all over again how devastated I would have been had she been killed. I also think of the partners of service members injured or killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. They are unable to get any support from the military and they must be careful about the amount of support they offer to their closeted service member loved ones.
The events of September 11th caused us to stop and reassess exactly what was most important in our lives. During that process, we realized that this discriminatory law was causing us to make a much bigger sacrifice than either of us had ever admitted.
Eight months later, in June 2002, Joan retired from the U.S. Navy, and I retired from the Library of Congress. If it wasn’t for DADT, we might both still be serving in our respective positions.
The second letter is from the mother of a former army sergeant fired because of DADT, and the third letter is by a retired military sailor whose partner was fired because of DADT.
Visit the SLDN blog Frontlines to read those letters, and return on Thursday and Friday for the next letters.
SLDN is also urging supporters of repeal to call, write, and schedule meetings with their senators as the defense budget, which contains the repeal amendment, moves to the floor. Alaska’s Senator Begich supports the repeal, but Sen. Murkowski has avoided the issue in the months leading up to yesterday’s primary election. Will she be more likely to support the repeal of DADT if she wins the party nomination, or if she loses it? (As of this writing, she is behind, but the race is too close to call.)
Primary election: Hollis and Ethan on LGBT rights (results)
UPDATE: Ethan Berkowitz and Diane Benson will run for Gov. & Lt.Gov. on the Democratic ticket against Republicans Sean Parnell and Mead Treadwill. The big news from Tuesday’s primary election is that Tea Party candidate Joe Miller is leading Sen. Lisa Murkowski for the GOP nomination for her senate seat!
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Alaska’s primary election is Tuesday August 24, and the main contest on the Democratic ticket is between progressive Hollis French and moderate Ethan Berkowitz, two Anchorage LGBT allies running for Governor. Only one will take on the Republican candidate in November. How do they compare on LGBT issues?
The French campaign sent a flyer to Bent Alaska a few days ago, reminding the LGBT community of his support for partner benefits in the legislature and for the Anchorage equal rights ordinance.
The small print on the poster is paraphrased from his statement on the rights of LGBT Alaskans, posted last fall on Bent and currently posted on French’s campaign website.
“A few years ago the civil rights issue being discussed in Juneau was whether same sex couples should enjoy the same rights as heterosexual couples. In 2005 the Alaska Supreme Court ruled unanimously that they should, but some legislators objected, and in 2006 they introduced measures to amend our constitution to shrink the meaning of ‘equal protection under the law.’
“I fought that measure as a member of the Judiciary Committee and I fought it again when it came up for a vote before the full Senate. The debate spilled over into 2007, when an advisory vote asking whether our constitution should be amended was placed on the ballot statewide and it narrowly passed. In response another constitutional amendment was introduced in the Legislature, and I was proud to help other like-minded legislators defeat it.”
Yes, French is an ally. But the poster’s big print claims that he is “the ONLY candidate for Governor to OPENLY support the Alaskan GLBT community.” How is that true? I asked for clarification, but did not get a reply.
Ethan Berkowitz is also an ally, and he was endorsed by the national LGBT rights group HRC in 2008 because he supported same sex benefits in the legislature. His statement on the HRC endorsement was posted on Bent during that election.
“I am proud of my record on civil rights. During my ten years in the Alaska State House, I fought to protect the personal liberties enshrined in the state constitution and to defend individual civil rights against the tyranny of the majority. Those positions might not always have been popular, but they are founded in the belief that the rule of law extends constitutional rights to all Americans, and protects minorities against institutional prejudices and bigotry like racism and sexism. That’s why I stood for subsistence rights. That’s why I spoke out for same-sex benefits, and against changes to the state constitution. That’s why I know that a better future for this state and this country means living up to the values of ‘liberty and justice for all.'”
The Berkowitz statement isn’t focused on LGBT rights like the French statement, but he does openly state his support. (And so did former-candidate Bob Poe.) So what’s up with the “only” stuff?
Well, anyway, here’s how they compare on visible support for the LGBT community:
1. The French statement in support of gay equality is on his campaign website and highlighted as an issue. The Berkowitz statement was on his website in 2008, but is not on his current site.
2. The French statement focuses on LGBT rights, discussing his support for both partner benefits and the Anchorage ordinance. The Berkowitz statement lists his support for civil rights in general, and only mentions LGBT Alaskans twice, briefly. (See the paragraph quoted above for one mention.)
3. Both supported domestic partnership benefits at the state level, and the Anchorage equal rights ordinance. Berkowitz attended the first ordinance hearings, while French issued a written statement against the mayor’s veto of the ordinance. It’s the same French statement linked above, and includes this on the ordinance:
“This year’s effort to expand the meaning of ‘equal protection’ was the ordinance passed by the Anchorage Assembly that would have prohibited discrimination in jobs and housing based on sexual orientation, much the same way that discrimination is prohibited based on race, gender, age and religion. As we all know, the measure was vetoed by Mayor Sullivan and the Assembly was one vote short of an override. That setback for the civil rights of Alaska’s citizens will someday be righted; perhaps through a citizen’s initiative, or perhaps through the election of a new mayor, or through the election of one more equal-rights minded assembly member.“Thus, the struggle goes on. The tide of history is clear, though. We are on the right side of this issue, and we will prevail.”
4. The French campaign created and sent a flyer, reaching out to the LGBT community and reminding us of his support. The Berkowitz campaign didn’t produce anything on LGBT issues during the current election, as far as I know.
It seems fair to say that Hollis has been more openly supportive of the LGBT community in this election, especially in writing. But the main difference between their campaigns is not about their mutual support for LGBT issues – it’s about the gas pipeline and energy taxes. (Note: the link goes to an article on the ADN, which has now endorsed French.)
Either way, we will have an ally to vote for in November. Which one has the best chance of winning that election?
