Articles by E. Ross
E. Ross is the founder of Bent Alaska.
NAACP’s first LGBT Town Hall: Gay Rights are Civil Rights
Comedian Wanda Sykes, who is performing in Anchorage next month, and CNN reporter Don Lemon headlined the NAACP‘s first ever LGBT Town Hall at the annual convention in Los Angeles last week, supporting same sex marriage and using humor to explain why ‘praying away the gay’ doesn’t work.
Julian Bond, former NAACP chair and veteran civil rights activist, gave a strong opening speech on the panel theme “Our Collective Responsibility: Overcoming Homophobia.”
He explained that the LGBT Task Force was formed in 2009 with the National Black Justice Coalition, and described the NAACP’s three-point mission to increase acceptance of black LGBT people in the African American community:
- strengthen the NAACP’s knowledge of LGBT issues and policies,
- build alliances with LGBT organizations, and
- advance awareness of LGBT issues as they relate to the programs and interests of the NAACP.
He also addressed several areas where conflict exists between the LGBT and the African American communities.
We know that black lesbians, black gay men, black bisexual people and black transgender people suffer a level of discrimination and harassment far beyond the level felt by straight black women and men.
If you disagree, or if your Bible tells you that gay people ought not be married in your church, don’t tell them they can’t be married at City Hall. Marriage is a civil rite as well as a civil right, and we can’t allow religious bigotry to close the door to justice for anyone….
For some people, comparisons between the African American Civil Rights movement and the movement for gay and lesbian rights seems to diminish the long, black historical struggle with all it’s suffering, sacrifices and endless toil. People of color, however, ought to be flattered that our Movement has provided so much inspiration for others, that it has been so widely imitated, and that our tactics, heroes, heroines and methods, even our songs, have been appropriated as models for others….
People of color carry the badge of who we are on our faces. But we are far from the only people suffering from discrimination…. They deserve the laws, protections and civil rights, too.
(Thanks to Metro Weekly for the partial transcript.)
There were several moments of controversy during the 2 hour discussion. NAACP President Benjamin Todd Jealous joined the panel and was asked why the organization has an anti-gay preacher, Keith Ratliff, on its board. Ratliff claimed in March that gay rights activists have “hijacked” the Civil Rights movement.
Jealous responded, “He did not say it in the name of the NAACP…. We have board members who hold all sorts of divergent views.”
The last speaker, transgender audience member Ashley Love, pointed out the importance of including transgender people in the discussion:
“The NAACP was founded because black people were being excluded from having a seat at the table,” she said. “So why would we as an LGBT black coalition exclude transsexual and transgender people, who are the most vulnerable, the most marginalized, the most endangered in the entire coalition?”
Other critics of the Convention noted that there were neither transgender nor bisexual members of the panel.
But the people at the town hall, and many of the news reports, agree that the first NAACP LGBT panel was a good start for the veteran civil rights organization, and could have a positive effect on the regional branches and thousands of members nationwide.
It Gets Better for Native American Youth
“This is for all the LGBTQ Native youth throughout the country. From the villages in Alaska, to the Islands in Hawaii, to every corner of Indian Reservations across America… It Gets Better… we are living proof!!”
If you or someone you know is feeling alone, call the Trevor Project, they can help: 1-866-4U-TREVOR.
Watch the new It Gets Better video from the National Native American AIDS Prevention Center:
Alaska hearts Pink Dot
Anchorage joined cities around the world on June 18 when we gathered a circle of people wearing pink – a human Pink Dot – in an Anchorage park to support the Freedom to Love. In addition to the dot, we made a big heart in honor of Love. Pink Dot Anchorage was an official Alaska PrideFest event. Here’s the wrap up report and photo from Pink Dot Anchorage Alaska.
Wanda Sykes + k.d. lang = Best. Weekend. Ever.
OMG! Wanda’s coming to Anchorage! Tickets are on sale now for the Dena’ina Center on Sept 17… oh, wait… that’s the same date as k.d. lang’s second night at the PAC. Whose idea was that? Where is the Lesbian Coordinating Committee when you need it?
Well, if you’re lucky enough to have tickets for k.d. lang’s Friday concert, then get your Wanda tickets for Saturday and you’ll be ready for a weekend of amazing entertainment with a lesbian twist, right here in Anchorage.
Wanda Sykes has been called “one of the funniest stand up comics” by her peers and ranks among Entertainment Weekly’s 25 Funniest People in America.
Her HBO Special “I’ma Be Me” has been nominated for Two Primetime Emmys. She’s already won 4 Emmys for other projects. Watch the awards on August 29 to see if she wins again.
In addition to her three television specials – “Wanda Sykes: Im’a Be Me”, “Wanda Sykes: Sick and Tired”, and “Tongue Untied,” all available on DVD – she can also be seen on HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and heard on Comedy Central’s “Crank Yankers” as the voice of Gladys Murphy.
In June, she was honored with the first Hope of L.A. award presented by Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa to celebrate the city’s LGBT Heritage Month.
Watch this hilarious clip from “I’ma Be Me” on coming out Black to her parents:
And this clip on how anyone could believe Sarah Palin’s “death panels” meme:
Don’t miss this show!
Wanda Sykes in Anchorage
Another Northern Stage Production
When: Sept 17 at 8pm
Where: Dena’ina Civic & Convention Center
600 W 7th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska
Cost: $48.50 and $68.50
(Actual price: $59.55 and $80.35 with the fees.)
Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com, the Sports Arena (named after the mayor who vetoed our rights), and Fred Meyer ticket outlets.
More Info: Wanda Sykes home page and the Anchorage event.
Melissa Etheridge Radio Show on the air in Alaska
Melissa Etheridge has a new radio show, and an Anchorage station is one of the first in the country to pick up the full show.
KNLT Lite 105.7 in Anchorage, a light rock station, plays The Melissa Etheridge Show on weekdays from 7pm – midnight. Between songs, Melissa tells stories, answers questions from listeners, recognizes people who give to others, and chats with her cohost about the topic of the day. Email your questions to The Melissa Etheridge Show or call her at (855) 637-2346.
Listeners outside of Anchorage, Alaska can hear clips from the show online at The Melissa Etheridge Show or can hear the full show online at Lite 105.7 FM.
Melissa was asked about her new radio show in a recent interview:
Windy City Times: Tell me about this radio show that I saw on your website.
Melissa Etheridge: I am doing a radio show and I am on Bangor, Maine and Anchorage, Alaska. It is taking over the country right from the top down!
I am always looking for ways to reach out, be part of this whole entertainment world and yet not leave my home. That is the plan we are working on. I was approached about doing a radio show. I love to talk. I love to do music and like to be on the radio. So we started it. I am really enjoying it a lot. Hopefully we will get some more stations.
Windy City Times: Fans can listen to it on your website.
Melissa Etheridge: You can listen to it on the Internet at http:// www.melissaetheridge.com .
Windy City Times: Is it a time-consuming thing for you?
Melissa Etheridge: It’s not bad. It takes me about two hours a day. It is a music and talk so a lot of music. That’s why it only takes me about two hours to record it. The radio stations put in the music that they want.
Bent Alaska has a question for Melissa:
You’re performing in Bangor, Maine on July 23. As the only other town to pick up your show, does Anchorage get a concert too? Alaska loves you! Please come play here.
In June, Melissa called Lite 105.7 and talked with Program Director Justin McDonald about the midnight sun and salmon fishing. Listen to the short clip online HERE.
Lite 105.7 also promotes an anti-bullying campaign, and local ally Colleen Crinklaw is the DJ on Saturdays and Sundays from 7pm – midnight.
Lite 105.7 plays “light rock classics and today’s favorites” and is one of several local stations run by Alaska Integrated Media (AIM), including alternative rock station The End 94.7 which was at PrideFest this year.
Photo of Melissa Etheridge by Craig O’Neal via Wikimedia Commons; used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
Why should LGBT college students return to Alaska after graduation?
Bent Alaska received a great topic request from an Alaska-raised grad student who is studying in the lower 48: What is it like to be an openly LGBT professional in Alaska?
I’m a new reader to your blog and 18-year Alaskan. I left Alaska to go to university in 2005 and stayed for medical school. I’m currently in my seventh year. At my university there are usually about 5 or 6 kids from Alaska each year and inevitably, most are gay. In my year, only one of the kids from Alaska was not gay (and he was an awesome dude!)
It seems like a lot of young gay Alaskans get out of Alaska as soon as they can — that’s old news. What I’m interested in are those Alaskans who are gay who left, but went back.
Why did they choose to return? How have their experiences been? What is it like to be an out professional in Alaska? Rural v. urban? What kind of community awaits them? Did they return with a partner?
I’d love to read more in depth about this issue!
OK, readers — what do you think? Did you return after graduating from an out of state school? Tell us your reasons for returning, and what it’s like for you as an LGBT professional in Alaska. Leave a comment below, or email us directly at Bent Alaska @ gmail .com (without the spaces), and we will include your response in the follow up post. Help this university student and others decide where to start a career after graduation.
And if you have a topic you’d like to see on Bent Alaska, please tell us about it!
Photo: A crowd of college students at the 2007 Pittsburgh University Commencement, by Kit of Pittsburgh. Via Wikimedia Commons; used in accordance with Creative Commons licensing.
Fairbanks Pride 2011: Parade, picnic and concert with Summer Osborne
Fairbanks Pride is rockin’ this year! In addition to marching in the Golden Days Parade with a ginormous rainbow Pride flag, PFLAG is bringing up Summer Osborne to perform at both the family friendly Pride Picnic right after the parade and at the Blue Loon that evening. Go, Fairbanks!
Juneau Pride Picnic on July 9th
July is the month for LGBTQ Pride Picnics in Juneau and Fairbanks! Here is an update from our friends at SEAGLA about the Juneau Pride Picnic on July 9, 2011:
You are invited to the annual SEAGLA picnic to be held July 9, Saturday, at Sandy Beach Shelter #2, the shelter with the fireplace. The shelter is reserved for the full day and the grills will fire up at 11 a.m. and at intervals throughout the day.
SEAGLA will provide some burgers, hot dogs, salmon burgers, buns and an ice chest with soft drinks. Everyone is asked to bring a side dish (salad, chips, deviled eggs, baked beans, desserts …. anything yummy to eat!!)
Please bring some firewood — especially if the weather is rainy and/or cool.
There will be games (horseshoes, volleyball, music, dancing, ….) and even a Hula Hoop contest if anyone dares!! Anyone wanting to do face paintings for the kids, and the kids in all of us, please feel free to bring and set up your space and show your talents!
Anyone with great music is asked to step forward, speakers will be furnished. A portable P.A. system or a Karaoke machine would be fantastic as well. There may even be a guest appearance by our newly crowned Duchess and Duke!
Anyone who cares to meet and discuss the picnic, or volunteer for the picnic or anything else they want to take on, are welcome to meet us at “Social Hour” at Jaded on Fridays at 6:00 p.m.
Updates will be posted on the SEAGLA calendar as the picnic date approaches, or on the SEAGLA Facebook wall.
Here’s to fun — and sun — on July 9th!!
Marriage victory in New York!
The New York Senate passed a marriage equality bill 33-29 on Friday night and Gov. Cuomo signed it, making New York the 6th state in the U.S. to legalize same sex marriage. A similar bill passed the New York Assembly last week, and passed the Senate amendments tonight. The new law will take effect in 30 days.
Kristara Live and In the Raw, a benefit for the Community Center
Kristara is back in Alaska for Pride with “Kristara Live and in the Raw,” a show to benefit the GLBTA Community Center, on Saturday, June 25 following the Pride Parade & Festival.
