Headline »

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.

Read the full story »
News
Features
Society

Politics, religion, etc.

Commentary
Life

Arts, sports, & other stuff we do when we’re not at work. Or even when we ARE at work.

Home » Archive by Author

Articles by E. Ross

E. Ross is the founder of Bent Alaska.

Pamela’s testimony: Existing law does not protect

Wednesday, 29 July 2009 – 5:07 AM | Comments Off on Pamela’s testimony: Existing law does not protect
Pamela’s testimony: Existing law does not protect

Pamela Kelley, attorney and UAA Justice Center Professor, prepared the following testimony on AO-64, which was first posted here. Her actual testimony varied from these notes to address a case that was applied incorrectly by an opponent. Kelley’s explanation of that case (Oncale) is also worth reading and is posted HERE.

* * *

Thank you – Madame Chairman, members of the assembly, Mr. Mayor. My name is Pamela Kelley. I am a member of the Alaska bar, no longer practicing but now teaching undergraduates about the law. I live in Anchorage. I signed up, belatedly, to testify because I think the state of the existing law has been obscured during the public comment already taken.

Federal, state and local laws overlap in the area of equal rights in employment, public accommodations and commerce. The first inaccuracy I hear repeated in these chambers is the idea that existing law already provides the protections that the proposed ordinance would cover. It does not.

The Constitution’s equal protection clauses, at the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments, limit actions by the government – not private acts of discrimination. Nor are federal statutes helpful.

In Title 42 of the United States Code, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended reaches the area. Federal law here identifies those classes of persons against whom discrimination is illegal to include: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability. None of those terms – including “sex” as defined – reach lesbians, gays, bisexual and trans-gendered individuals. But that only sets the minimums. The state of Alaska law may reach additional classes. Upon examination, however, it’s apparent that the Alaska Human Rights Act does not expand the classifications to cover this.

AS 18.80.220. protects against discrimination based on: race, religion, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, marital status, changes in marital status, pregnancy, or parenthood. Sexual orientation and gender identity are not identified as protected classes by state law, either.

The second category of comments that is legally inaccurate suggests the proposed ordinance confers special rights. One of two things might be going on here. Either some might be confusing the concept of non-discrimination with affirmative action. Or, some erroneously consider equal protection a kind of zero-sum game.

First: Discrimination occurs when one possessed of differences from another is rejected by that other, solely based on that difference. Only certain forms of discrimination are illegal under state, federal and local law. Same treatment as everyone else – despite differences – is the foundation of equal rights law.

Different, in fact preferential, treatment is what is at the basis of affirmative action. Affirmative action is a term used to describe programs and policies that provide preferences in benefits or contracting to a protected class to make up for historically discriminatory practices directed at that class. Obviously not the ordinance.

That leaves me with the “zero sum game” fallacy. There is no finite pool of rights to which equal protection applies. Our religious neighbors, in the free exercise of their religion, as a constitutional right, are not released from their obligations to comply with the law. The right of free exercise of religion does not prevent the law’s application when the doctrine of a freely chosen religion suggests members violate public laws. The simple example is the prohibition against illegal drug use that continues to apply to a person even if her selected religion views such use as sacramental.

Equal protection laws are aspirational, in a way. I hope my home town aspires to accept all of its people for exactly who they are and will apply the law to them equally.

Thank you.

Tiffany’s testimony: To protect each citizen

Tuesday, 28 July 2009 – 4:49 AM | Comments Off on Tiffany’s testimony: To protect each citizen
Tiffany’s testimony: To protect each citizen

My name is Tiffany McClain, I’m a resident of downtown Anchorage, and a beneficiary of the civil rights movement that ultimately gave birth to laws to protect people of color, women, people with disabilities, and religious communities from discrimination in the public sphere and–in at least 108 cities across the country–also protect me from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. I’m here to urge Assembly members to vote Yes on a version of AO 64 that does not yield in its original purpose of protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people from discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations.

When I hear the arguments in opposition to AO 64, I can’t help but be reminded that in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1954 decision in the case of Brown v. Board of Education, there was a huge outcry from white segregationists who invoked their interpretation of Christianity to rationalize their objection to school integration. They argued that the Supreme Court was forcing them to disobey the laws of God, who had–in their view–created the races as separate for a reason. School integration, they believed, would inevitably lead to intermarriage between the races, which violated God’s plan for the universe. To them, integration was a sin.

I am very grateful–because otherwise I probably wouldn’t be standing here today–that in the face of such arguments, those in charge of making and enforcing the law recognized that they had a responsibility to protect each and every citizen from discrimination and that while people and churches have a right to believe what they want, the exercise or invocation of religion is no excuse for discrimination in the public sphere–I mean public schools, housing, restaurants, and employment. And I sincerely hope that Assembly members will do the same by voting Yes to protect LGBT people from discrimination in these aspects of public life.

At the last hearing, Assemblymen Gutierrez asked a man testifying against AO 64 if this was a black-and-white issue, if one side had to lose in order for the other to win. I strongly disagreed with that man’s answer in the affirmative. Our Constitution, our legal system, our government is all about compromise, about finding the right balance between protecting individual freedoms without allowing any group of people to run roughshod over the freedoms of another group. It hasn’t always been easy, but if we want our democracy to survive it’s a balancing act that we all have to commit to. There’s nothing black-and-white about any of this and to suggest otherwise is just as extremist a view as those who, back in the 1950s, were so certain that integration would lead to the destruction of the white race. Take a look around–white people are still here. And I believe that if this law passes tomorrow or next month, or next year that 60 years from now there will still be churches and schools that choose to preach against homosexuality and they will be allowed to exist–and should be allowed to exist–because that’s what our Constitution promises. But that promise can in no way be interpreted to mean that individuals should be denied equal access to employment, housing, education, and public accommodations just because of their sexual orientation and gender identity. That is all we’re asking you and the mayor to recognize.

Thank you.

Kathy’s testimony: There is indeed prejudice

Monday, 27 July 2009 – 4:48 AM | 2 Comments
Kathy’s testimony: There is indeed prejudice

In gratitude for the many speakers who testified in favor of the Anchorage equal rights ordinance, Bent Alaska is posting a Testimony series. May the wise words of our friends and neighbors heal us from the weeks of hate-filled hearings and give us strength to face the next stage of this political process.

* * *

Kathy’s Testimony

I’m here to ask the Assembly to do 3 things:

First, end the hearing on AO#64. We have seen hundreds of people come forward already. You have listened to Bible readings, hymns, personal confessions, sermons, grandstanding, and copious examples of wild and “unique” logic. I have heard you accused of graft, being moral dictators, and denying parental rights. You’ve been threatened with everything from eternal damnation to losing your assembly seats. On what other matter of municipal business would you countenance all this?

I have watched you remain remarkably polite, attentive, and respectful in the face of this onslaught, not to mention striving to keep a straight face. You know how much work and aggravation this public hearing has brought to you. Think of the fortitude required of those of us who are the objects of so much stereotyping, vilification, and venom. I’ve heard these hearings described as ‘municipally sanctioned gay-bashing.’ Enough. You have done your duty; little new information is coming to light; we have suffered more than enough. Move to end these hearings.

Second, the parade of testifiers surely has established without a doubt that there is indeed prejudice against homosexuals in Anchorage. Some of you question whether that prejudice leads to any actual acts of discrimination. I’d like to remind you of at least two testimonies the first night of the hearings that brought forward very clear, very specific, verifiable instances of blatant discrimination. Some may find these instances easy to discount as anecdotal, or cite lack of evidence of discrimination in public records. I remind you that if these individuals approached our very own municipal Equal Rights office, they would be turned away because our ordinances do not protect them. If you do nothing else as a result of these hearings, at the very least I urge you to direct your Equal Rights Commission to begin to document claims and collect data on discrimination against LGBT individuals.

Third, it is very risky for members of the LGBT community to come forward to speak, not only at assembly meetings, but even to acknowledge their sexual orientation in daily circumstances. “So what,” some people say, “my own heterosexual orientation is not a topic of discussion; homosexuals just want to flaunt their sexuality.” But in fact heterosexuals speak freely of their families, friends, and activities. They can share pictures, tease a spouse in public, complain about a mate, bring spouses to company events, hold hands in public, etc., clearly showing evidence of their heterosexuality in the normal course of the day. That they can do so without worrying about an employer or landlord taking action against them for being heterosexual is an unconscious assumption on their part, a part of their normal right to freedom of speech, expression, and association. LGBT people cannot take these rights for granted. Many find their safety, job security, and very survival depends on keeping their sexual orientation hidden, themselves hidden and silenced. I would challenge any heterosexual person present to live with such restriction and not find it a violation of inalienable civil rights. I urge you, Assembly members, to support this ordinance to bring EQUIVALENT civil rights to all citizens of Anchorage.

Gold, Fur & Feathers for Coronation 2009

Saturday, 25 July 2009 – 2:00 PM | Comments Off on Gold, Fur & Feathers for Coronation 2009
Gold, Fur & Feathers for Coronation 2009

The Imperial Court of All Alaska requests the Honor of Your Presence at CORONATION XXXVII – “GOLD, FUR, AND FEATHERS” CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF STATEHOOD, Sept. 3-7, 2009.
Enjoy Labor Day weekend with the Imperial Court: two shows, a bus run, a glacier tour, a victory brunch, the Rotten Family Reunion, plus the big night of Coronation itself in the Sheraton Ballroom!
Schedule, Tickets & Program Ads
The Coronation schedule is posted on the Imperial Court’s Coronation page and tickets can be purchased online. The two shows and most of the other town events will be held in Mad Myrna’s showroom. Sponsorship Ads for the Coronation Ball Program are a great way to advertise your business inexpensively, not to mention raising money for one of the Court’s greatest programs, the Scholarship fund. Share your business with hundreds of people. Ads must be received and paid in full by August 7. For more information, visit the The Imperial Court of All Alaska.

Pride Conference seeks committee members

Saturday, 25 July 2009 – 1:55 PM | Comments Off on Pride Conference seeks committee members
Pride Conference seeks committee members

It’s time to start planning for the annual Pride Conference in Anchorage! The Conference is sponsored by Identity and held in October on the weekend nearest to October 11, National Coming Out Day.
Johnathan Jones and Jasmine Stokes are the Pride Conference co-chairs for 2009, and they are looking for volunteers for the planning committee. “You do not need experience to help out, but any skills, connections & resources you have are welcome,” writes Jasmine.
If you’re interested, please contact Jones or contact Stokes. The first conference meeting is Thursday, July 30, at 6:30 p.m. in the Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Anchorage (GLCCA) on 5th Ave.

This Week in LGBT Alaska 7/24/09

Friday, 24 July 2009 – 3:16 PM | Comments Off on This Week in LGBT Alaska 7/24/09
This Week in LGBT Alaska 7/24/09

This week’s events from the statewide newsletter. Subscribe to Alaska GLBT News.
Join the ACT for Health Care Reform rally on the Park Strip, Saturday in Anchorage. The local organizers haven’t heard about the LGBT provisions that were added to the national Health Care Reform bill last week, so this is your chance to educate them about our health care needs.
Sunday is Sarah Palin’s last day as Governor of Alaska and people all over the state are celebrating with Quitting Parties. Also on Sunday is a memorial service for progressive ally Allan Tesche, at the Central Lutheran Church on 15th and Cordova, in Anchorage.

McCarthy

Irina Rivkin performs in McCarthy on 7/25, 8 p.m. at BMAC’s, and on 7/27, 6:30 p.m. at Wrangell Mountain Center & Hardware store, playing a concert plus audience-participation live-looping jam, $5-15 sliding scale donation. See her current tour schedule here.

Juneau

SEAGLA Social Fridays (6-8 p.m.) for GLBT people and our friends over 21, at The Imperial Bar, downtown.

Fairbanks

March with PFLAG and carry the Key West Pride Flag in the Golden Days Parade, 7/25. Meet in the Carlson Center parking lot by 9:30 a.m. in space 36. Post-parade Picnic at Nussbaumer Park from 2-6 p.m.

Women’s Motorcycle Ride Saturday, 7/25 meets in the Regal/Goldstream Theater parking lot at 4 p.m.

Mat-Su Valley

Mat-Su LGBT Community Center in Palmer is open M-F 5-8 p.m. (except 6-8 on Wed.) The social group meets Wednesdays, 5-6 p.m. at Vagabond Blues.

Anchorage

Lesbian Film Group & Potluck 7/24, 6 p.m. See The Anchorage LGBT Meetup Group for details.

The Diva’s Variety Show Fridays, 9 p.m. at Mad Myrna’s.

Adult Comedy Hypnosis Show with Jay Her, Saturday 7/25, 9 p.m. $10 at Mad Myrna’s. Tickets available online here.

Mad Mike @ Mad Myrna’s spinning Electro, House & Trance, Saturdays 11 p.m.-2:30 p.m. with Special Guest DJ’s.

Sunday worship with MCC Anchorage 7/26, 2 p.m.

The Last Frontier Men’s Club Annual Meeting and Election 7/26, 6 p.m. Mad Myrna’s.

Transgender Support Group, Sundays 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the GLCCA.

Self-Healing & Compassionate Communication Workshop for LGBT Community & Allies 7/27, 6-8:30 p.m. 1057 W. Fireweed, Suite 102 (Four A’s Building), United Way Conference Room. Please pre-register if possible.

Anchorage Frontrunners, Tuesdays, 6 p.m.

Irina’s tour, Frank’s podcast, LGBT Bowling, ATE thanks Senators, Newsletter seeks Helper

Friday, 24 July 2009 – 1:30 PM | Comments Off on Irina’s tour, Frank’s podcast, LGBT Bowling, ATE thanks Senators, Newsletter seeks Helper
Irina’s tour, Frank’s podcast, LGBT Bowling, ATE thanks Senators, Newsletter seeks Helper
Gay AK – Notes from LGBT Alaska
Ordinance Update
A new version of the equal rights ordinance was released today. Check it out, ask Mayor Sullivan to support it, and write a supportive letter to the ADN. Then come to Loussac Library on August 11 for the Assembly debate and possible vote.
LGBT News seeks Co-editor
Alaska GLBT News, the statewide weekly email newsletter, is looking for one or two people to help collect events and news from the local LGBT web sites for posting in the newsletter. Email Alaska GLBT News to volunteer.
Alaskans Together on passage of Matthew Shepard Act
Alaskans Together for Equality is grateful to our Alaska Senators Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich for voting in support of the Matthew Sheppard Hate Crimes Prevention Act,” writes ATE spokesperson Tim Stallard. “Many Alaskans called in to both Senators’ offices to request this support, which resulted in Senator Begich becoming a co-sponsor of the bill. This act will help enable gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered Americans to live happy, productive lives without fear of violence.”
Northern Exposure Bowling League
Northern Exposure, the gay and lesbian bowling league in Anchorage, is getting ready to start the 2009/2010 bowling season. We will have our first league meeting on Saturday, August 29, 4 p.m. at Park Lanes, and we’ll cover signup, registration and league setup. Our first day of bowling is the first Sunday after Coronation, Sept 13, and we will bowl every Sunday after that, barring holidays and League tournaments. For more info, email Stephen.
5 minute Frank
Frank Tano, formerly of Anchorage, makes a podcast called 5 minute Frank. “He frequently mentions Alaska and Alaskans,” writes Lisa. “It’s stream of consciousness, out gay humor. Very Frank. Listen to the later ones.” Listen to 5 Minute Frank here or use the iTunes link on Frank’s myspace page.
Irina Rivkin tours Alaska
OutMusic Awardee live-looping folk-world-harmony artist (and out lesbian) Irina Rivkin is on tour in Alaska. She is available for back-yard concerts, house concerts, festivals, summer camps, & live-looping workshops. (Contact Rose Street booking.) Listen to her music here and here (includes live concert video).
Irina’s Alaska tour dates so far:
7/25/2009, 8pm, McCarthy, playing a birthday party at BMAC’s.
7/27/2009, 6:30pm, McCarthy, Wrangell Mountain Center & Hardware store, concert plus audience-participation live-looping jam $5-15 sliding scale donation.
8/01/2009, 8pm, Fairbanks, House Concert, 1202 Heath Ave.
8/06/2009, 10pm, Denali, Panorama Pizza, Mile 224 Parks Highway on Carlo Creek.
8/8 or 8/7 – seeking concert in or near Denali or Talkeetna.
8/10/2009, 8pm, Anchorage, Tap Root Café, 1330 E Huffman (btwn Old and New Seward, across from Wells Fargo, look for the prayer flags.)
8/9 or 8/11, Anchorage area (Palmer to Girdwood) concert TBA.

Public Testimony Closed on Anchorage Equal Rights Ordinance

Wednesday, 22 July 2009 – 1:33 AM | Comments Off on Public Testimony Closed on Anchorage Equal Rights Ordinance
Public Testimony Closed on Anchorage Equal Rights Ordinance
The Anchorage Assembly voted to end testimony on the equal rights ordinance at 11:15 p.m. Tuesday night, after everyone on the speakers list either testified or failed to respond when their name was called. The Assembly has held 6 public hearings on the ordinance since it was proposed on May 12, and over 600 people signed up to testify.
On August 11, Assembly members will debate the ordinance without public input, and will vote on the ordinance when the debate ends, possibly on the same night.
Please write a letter to Mayor Sullivan and the ADN in support of the ordinance, and plan to attend the Assembly meeting on August 11.
Tuesday’s testimony represented a mix of arguments for and against the ordinance. Many opponents spent three minutes displaying their ignorance and fear of homosexuals, sometimes in pornographic detail, then said they were not homophobic.
Supporters spoke of families and friends, discrimination and inequality, history and progress. Chrissy said, “I, like the majority of Anchorage heterosexuals, support this ordinance.” The tolerant majority has spoken.
Bent Alaska would like to thank the many brave supporters who testified during the weeks of hearings, as well as those who attended the hearings and wrote about the ordinance. Your words give us hope and your attendance shows that this is a community effort.
To share that hope, several of the ordinance testimonies will be posted on the blog, along with letters to the Mayor and the newspaper. If you want your letter posted, please send it to Bent Alaska.

Ordinance Hearing #6 on Tuesday, July 21

Tuesday, 21 July 2009 – 1:19 AM | 5 Comments
Ordinance Hearing #6 on Tuesday, July 21
We need YOU at the public hearing on Tuesday to show Assembly members that people in our town want lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Alaskans to be protected from discrimination. If you haven’t already testified, now is the time to sign up. Don’t let opponents of equality have the last word!
The hearings are at Loussac Library (36th & Denali) in the Assembly Chambers on the 1st Floor. The meetings run from 5-11 p.m, but the Assembly does other business first and gets to the equal rights ordinance around 6 or later.
Wear blue—the color of peace and unity—and your Equality Works button.
Beware false information
At the last hearing on July 7, one of the security guards told people dressed in blue that the ordinance had already gone to a public vote and there was no reason for us to be there. This is false – the Assembly has not voted on the ordinance yet and is allowing more people to sign up and give testimony. As a security guard on duty at the Assembly meeting, it was unprofessional of him to give false information on the ordinance and try to limit our freedom of speech at a public hearing. Do not be deceived by wrong information about the ordinance and hearings, even if it comes from a library or Assembly employee.
Words of encouragement from our allies
Our allies on Alaska Commons and the pro-ordinance site SOS Anchorage.NET have written thoughtful and inspiring new posts for this hearing. Heather explains why she, a straight woman, is fighting for the rights of her friends and the community of Anchorage. She describes how she became involved in gay issues, and why she is involved this time:
I and they know that this ordinance won’t make hatred and discrimination go away, but it will give them somewhere to turn when they are harassed because of who they are. I will stand and fight with them, and with you, to make this community the place that it should be.
He [Jerry Prevo] has built his career out of hatred, and I am not willing to let him win this time. He is a pitiable man and a bully, but he does not dictate the behavior of the Anchorage community.
John reports on the hearings and why the ordinance is important for the future of Alaska:
I’ve heard and learned a staggering amount during these hearings. Some words have left me in absolute awe of the intelligence, bravery, and perseverance on display. Other words are harder to drink away.
For now, the fate of Ordinance 64 rests with the Assembly. We need to keep showing up, and keep reminding the Assembly that we won’t go away.
Hate, in no way, results in the betterment of a society. And we are foolish if we pretend that Anchorage is somehow immune.
Visit their blogs to read the posts, plus transcripts from the hearings and guest posts by Tonei Glavinic. They will live-blog today’s hearing, as will other local bloggers. Bent Alaska will add updates from the hearing on the Facebook wall and below this post.
If you are in Anchorage, please join us at the equal rights ordinance hearing, Tuesday at Loussac Library. Wear blue!

This Week in LGBT Alaska 7/17/09

Friday, 17 July 2009 – 5:02 PM | Comments Off on This Week in LGBT Alaska 7/17/09
This Week in LGBT Alaska 7/17/09
** The next Anchorage ordinance hearing is Tuesday, July 21 at Loussac Library. **
This week’s events from the statewide newsletter. Subscribe to Alaska GLBT News.

Juneau

SEAGLA Social Fridays (6-8 p.m.) for GLBT people and our friends over 21, at The Imperial Bar, downtown.

Fairbanks

Women’s Motorcycle Ride Saturday, 7/18 meets in the Regal/Goldstream Theater parking lot at 4 p.m.

Mat-Su Valley

Mat-Su LGBT Community Center in Palmer is open M-F 5-8 p.m. (except 6-8 on Wed.) The social group meets Wednesdays, 5-6 p.m. at Vagabond Blues.

Anchorage

Midnight Soapscum: Goes to Hell! Final Episode, 7/17-7/18, 10:30 p.m. Out North Tickets $15 online or at the door. Saturday’s show follows The Big Fat Gay Wedding (see below.)

Integrity (Episcopal GLBT group) monthly potluck, fellowship and worship 7/17, 6:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Lake Otis & Tudor.

Gay-Karting with Adam & Steve 7/18, 2 p.m. RSVP required.

Barony of Spenard 7/18, 7:16 p.m. at Mad Myrna’s $5. Best in Theme Contest & Auction.

The Big Fat Gay Wedding 7/18, 7 p.m. Out North. Unions blessed & vows renewed.

Mad Mike @ Mad Myrna’s 7/18, (Saturdays) 10 p.m.-2:30 p.m. with Special Guest DJ’s.

LGBT & Supporters Community Potluck at Goose Lake Picnic Shelter 7/19, 1 p.m.

Sunday worship with MCC Anchorage 7/19, 2 p.m.

Transgender Support Group, Sundays 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the GLCCA.

Anchorage Frontrunners, Tuesdays, 6 p.m.

Anchorage Equal Rights Ordinance Hearing 7/21, 5-11 p.m. Loussac Library. Equality Works.