Sunday, 6 October 2013 – 5:19 PM
| Comments Off on A long-overdue Bent Alaska update — October 2013
Bent Alaska’s blog will continue in hiatus indefinitely; but the Bent Alaska Facebook Group on Facebook is thriving — join us! A long-overdue update from Bent Alaska’s editor.
Jerry Prevo is celebrating Gay History Month with a party honoring himself and his many years of spreading lies and prejudice against the gay community.
The invitation shown above describes Jerry’s main achievement in all those years at ABT: making sure Anchorage continues to treat gay people as second class citizens.
“This year Pastor Prevo … fought and won against making homosexuality an acceptable alternative lifestyle in our city…”
Remember how the ordinance opponents kept saying that it wasn’t about letting pastor Jerry decide the secular laws of our city… it was about bathrooms and businesses and other nonsense?
Well, Jerry thinks it’s all about HIMSELF – “he fought” – not a coalition of leaders, or the conservative churches of Anchorage, or any recognition of a group effort. Jerry claims a personal victory over the city.
This invite is proof that his real goal was – and has always been – to build his church upon a foundation of homophobia.
Jerry, it doesn’t take courage to demonize your neighbors for media attention and big donations.
(2) “Hedwig and The Angry Inch” on Saturday, 7 & 11 p.m at Mad Myrna’s
The cult fave “Hedwig” is coming to Anchorage in a live performance starring Atz Lee Kilcher (who opened for his sister’s concert in August) and a full band. The Homer shows were awesome, we can’t wait to see it at Myrna’s. Tickets are $20. Call for reservations (907) 276-9762.
(3) The Imperial Court’s Investitures on Sunday, 6 p.m. at Mad Myrna’s
The ICOAA cordially invites you to Investitures for the 37th Reign, hosted by Denali Emperor 37 Kevin and Aurora Empress 37 Miss MeMe. $10 includes a show with all the current title holders and a buffet. Join the ICOAA and have fun all year.
“The Lion King” is playing at the Performing Arts Center and the cast will perform a one-night-only cabaret at Mad Myrna’s to benefit the Four A’s and Broadway Cares. Tickets are $20, call (907) 263-2046.
Thursday, 24 September 2009 – 11:21 AM
| Comments Off on Hollis French on the Struggle for Equal Rights
This message of support came from Hollis French, a Democratic member of the Alaska Senate and chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He announced his candidacy for Governor in July.
——-
The Struggle For Equal Rights For All of Alaska’s Citizens Is Not A New One
In 1945, a state senator from Juneau speaking on an anti-discrimination bill said, “Who are these people, barely out of savagery, who want to associate with us whites, with 5000 years of civilization behind us?” Elizabeth Peratrovich, who was the guiding force behind the bill, responded by saying, “I would not have expected that I, who am barely out of savagery, would have to remind the gentlemen with five thousand years of recorded civilization behind them of our Bill of Rights.” Peratrovich’s remarks are credited with pushing Alaska’s Anti-Discrimination Act of 1945, one of the first anti-discrimination laws in a United States territory, through to passage.
Our constitution’s promise of equal protection under the law is still in the process of fulfillment. It seems as though each generation must renew the effort, expanding the boundaries of equality through activism, political discourse, or civil disobedience.
A few years ago, the civil rights issue being discussed in Juneau was whether same sex couples should enjoy the same [employment] 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.
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.
Tuesday, 22 September 2009 – 10:44 PM
| Comments Off on The Lion Sings and Tan-N-Test for Four A’s
We have two unique opportunities to raise money for Four A’s this week: the cast of The Lion King is performing a benefit cabaret show at Mad Myrna’s on Monday September 28, and Preview Sun & Day Spa is holding a Tan-N-Test fundraiser on Saturday, September 26.
“The Lion Sings Tonight” is a one night only cabaret by the cast of The Lion King to benefit Four A’s and Broadway Cares. The show is on Monday September 28 at Mad Myrna’s on 530 E. 5th Avenue. The doors open at 7 p.m. and the cabaret begins at 7:30. Tickets are $20 and will be available for purchase at the door or in advance by calling 263-2046.
Preview Sun & Day Spa is hosting the first ever Tan-N-Test fundraiser for Four A’s. Come to Preview on Saturday, September 26 from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and get a free tan when you make a donation to Four A’s. There will be door prizes, free HIV testing, food and the opportunity to support HIV positive individuals in Alaska.
Preview Sun and Day Spa is located in Northern Lights Village at 1443 W. Northern Lights, Suite X, near the corner of Northern Lights and Minnesota. For more information, call 263-2046 or visit Preview Salon online and the Four A’s.
Monday, 21 September 2009 – 1:07 PM
| Comments Off on KK editor, former ADN writer seeks Queer Alaska stories
Remember the local lesbian newsletter, Klondyke Kontact? Kim Wyatt, an editor of the KK and board member of RAW, has co-founded Bona Fide Books and wants to publish your stories of being gay or lesbian in the Great Land.
Queer in the Last Frontier is an anthology of literary essays thatexplore the experiences of LGBT Alaskans, the challenges and pleasures of being queer – for both newcomers and old-timers – in a place that is “isolated, conservative, and impossibly beautiful.” Bona Fide is also seeking essays for an anthology called Permanent Vacation: Living and Working in Our National Parks. The two calls for submission were posted earlier this month HERE.
Kim gave Bent Alaska the scoop on Queer in the Last Frontier:
Q. Why did you choose an anthology of literary essays on Queer Alaska?
A. I’ve always loved nonfiction anthologies, and received an MFA in nonfiction from UAA. Also, I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and living in Alaska was an eye-opener. I felt like I had a better understanding of queer life and the importance of community after my time here. (Plus, I really love the title!)
Q. What queer and writing activities were you involved in when you lived in Alaska?
A. I edited the Klondyke Kontact for a while, and one of my goals was to make it a newsmagazine. I did shepherd it from rainbow-hued Xeroxed paper to newsprint with art, and tried to bring some consistency to the columns and layout. I applied for grants from the Gill Foundation and other organizations to upgrade materials. I had a lot of fun working on the KK, and had the help of some great Alaskan women. I was also on the board of Radical Arts for Women. And as I mentioned above, I got an MFA at UAA, and wrote for the Anchorage Daily News.
Q. What qualities are you looking for in the essays?
A. Honesty and transcendence are ideal, but I’m probably partial to stories that make me laugh or cry. We’re really just looking for well-written explorations of queer life in Alaska. Or life in Alaska as it is experienced by someone who happens to be queer. You can write about relationships, the Northern Lights, or working on a fishing boat. Just tell your story.
Q. Will you be visiting Alaska to promote the book?
A. Absolutely. I try to get up there whenever I can.
Kim has a special greeting for all the Alaskans who remember her, especially the KK readers:
“Hello, Alaskans! I just got back from a backpacking trip with another former Alaskan, Val Garrison – the friendships I made there are lasting, because that’s just the kind of people Alaskans are. (And I would like to give a shout-out to the Wesleyan Wimmin’s Writing Wetreat!)”
photo: Bona Fide Books Publisher Kim Wyatt & Val Garrison goofing around in Yosemite 9/09.
The deadline for submitting an essay to Queer in the Last Frontier is February 5, 2010 and the word count is limited to 5,000. Writers will receive $100 for their story and one copy of the collection. Send to Bona Fide Books submissions with “Alaska” and the title of the work in the subject line.
We will be engaged in important strategic planning to determine the future direction of Alaska’s only statewide civil rights group focused on promoting the rights of Alaska’s LGBTQ population. This is an open meeting and all are welcome and encouraged to attend. Lunch will be held on site.
In order to help people from outside of the Anchorage area to be able to participate in the meeting, we are providing a limited number of scholarships to help defray travel expenses. If you would like to apply for a scholarship, please send an email containing your name, contact information, and a brief statement on why you would like to attend the meeting to Joseph Lapp.
ATE will also be making a presentation at the Anchorage Pride Conference on Saturday October 10, and we will be hosting a social and fundraiser after the Conference from 5-7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, 16 September 2009 – 8:59 AM
| 2 Comments
Update: It was awesome! Read A Diversity Dinner to Remember for the planned, unplanned and many inspiring moments of the evening. Thank you, John and Heather.
* * *
September is the Mayor’s Diversity Month, beginning just two weeks after Mayor Sullivan vetoed the Anchorage Assembly’s LGBT anti-discrimination ordinance. The main event of Diversity Month is the Mayor’s Dinner.
The evening of food, awards and entertainment was called the Diversity Dinner by Mayor Begich, but Mayor Sullivan changed the name to “Unity” after vetoing Ordinance 64, and invited Lynn Swann, an anti-gay Republican political candidate from outside, to give the keynote address.
The irony of his actions inspired allies John Aronno of Alaska Commons and Heather Aronno of SOSAnchorage.net to plan an alternate diversity dinner, with input from other bloggers and LGBT newsletter editors.
Please join us for a real diversity celebration, on the same night as Sullivan’s “dis-unity” dinner. True Diversity Dinner will be a wonderful evening of pro-diversity entertainment, speakers and awards:
September is our Mayor’s Diversity Month and September 25th is the Diversity Awards banquet at the Hilton in downtown Anchorage. Unfortunately, Mayor Sullivan is uncomfortable with the term “diversity” and has changed the name to the “Unity” Awards Banquet and celebration. The mayor has stated publicly that he does not celebrate the ways in which we are all different, but rather, the ways in which we are the same.
Some of us do not feel celebrated at all, and are organizing a true diversity celebration on the same night, in the spirit of the current administration’s own definition of diversity. We have rented the Snow Goose (September 25th, doors open at 7pm and festivities begin at 7:30). We wish it to be as diverse and multi-cultural as possible and much more fun than whatever will occur at the Hilton. And while the “Unity” Dinner will feature a silent auction and cost the small price of $60 a ticket… Ours will be only $10 (just to cover costs) and is quickly filling up with local performers, awards, and speakers including Assemblywoman Elvi Gray-Jackson, Diane Benson, and Shannyn Moore!
It will be a great night, after what has been a rough summer for many in our Alaskan family, and we hope you can join us. Tickets are available in advance through Borders Books & Music (and hopefully some place in mid-town or downtown, TBA.)
Awards in excellence in the representation, advancement, and advocacy of diversity will be handed out at the True Diversity Dinner. Voting has begun for the 6 award categories HERE on a tab of the main web site for True Diversity Dinner.
In addition to the True Diversity Dinner, there will be one LGBT event on the official Mayor’s Diversity Month calendar: A GLBT Open House at the Community Center.
The Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Anchorage is hosting a Diversity Month Open House with entertainment, door prizes and light refreshments to welcome our GLBT friends and allies. The GLCCA Open House is on Sept. 26, from 5-7 p.m. at 336 E. 5th Ave.
Tuesday, 15 September 2009 – 10:05 AM
| 8 Comments
Update: The UAF Gay-Straight Alliance used this event to spark a dialogue about the “ex-gays” and earned the support of the Chancellor and the community. Read about it HERE.
————-
The huge event banner hanging from the stairs in the UAF Wood Center this week reads: “GAY? LONELY? CONFUSED? Hear Ex-Gay Edward Delgado’s Compelling True Story: “From Sin’s Bondage to Christ’s Freedom!” ‘Straight’ for over 20 years and married to a beautiful wife & has two sons!” The banner also advertises free de-gaying counseling and links to anti-gay websites.
The UAF Campus Bible Ministries is sponsoring the pray-away-the-gay speaker from Exodus International. Delgado is scheduled to speak 14 times in 4 days, on Sept 15-18. He is not one of their regular speakers and is not listed on any Exodus web sites.
Students in the Gay Straight Alliance will hand out information on the truth behind the “ex-gay” lies, and peacefully protest during the speeches. They also want the offensive banner to be removed.
“We aren’t looking to stop the speaker, as he does have the right to speak,” writes GSA member Jessi Angelette, “but the banner is uncalled for. Many people from staff to students are offended by it and are working to have the banner removed.”
The GSA will be tabling on the theme “Stop the Hate” on Tuesday from 12 to 2 p.m. in the Wood Center Mall. They asked to table all week, but were told the table space was all booked up. (Who reserved so many tables for this event?) Instead, they will peacefully protest outside on Wed., Thurs. and Friday.
LGBT-supportive students, staff and Fairbanks community members are invited to join the GSA. They will gather each day at the Wood Center before the first speech, around 10 a.m. on Wed. & Friday, and 11 a.m. on Thurs. Several students plan to attend one of the speeches “all rainbowed up.”
People everywhere can help by emailing the following people about taking down the offensive banner: UAF Chancellor Rogers; the Director of UAF’s Office of Equal Opportunity, Earlina Bowden; and the Board of Regents (Cynthia Henry, Chair or the full Board contact list.) In your message to the Board of Regents, please also mention the need to add sexual orientation to the UA system’s anti-discrimination policies.
The American Psychological Association released a report in August saying that pray-away-the-gay therapies do not work and can lead to depression or suicide. Instead, the APA encourages therapists to try other options for helping clients, like support networks, education on gay issues, or switching churches.
In the video below, three former leaders of Exodus International, including co-founder Michael Busse, explain the failure of “ex-gay” counseling methods and give a public apology for the harm they caused to gays and lesbians while working for Exodus:
The very real consequences of DADT repeal; seeking survivor benefits for same-sex partner of Alaska shooting victim; waiting on SCOTUS decision about whether it will hear Prop 8 case; and other recent LGBTQ news selected by Sara Boesser in Juneau, Alaska.
In this month’s “Ask Lambda Legal” column, Lambda Legal answers a question about the federal government’s longstanding ban against donations of blood from men who have sex with men (MSM).
Alaska Pride Conference 2012 kicks off on October 5 with a First Friday showing at Tref.Punkt Studio of Love is Love, a photographic exhibit of LGBT couples from across the state.
United for marriage: Light the way to justice. The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments this Tuesday and Wednesday, March 26–27, in two cases about freedom to marry. Please join us on Tuesday, March 26, at the federal courthouse in Anchorage (7th & C) in a circle united for equality.
Pariah, a critically acclaimed film about a 17-year-old African-American woman embracing her lesbian identity, will screen at UAA on Friday, November 2, and will be followed by a discussion on acceptance in honor of Mya Dale. The event is free and open to the public.
Juneau
