E. Ross is the founder of Bent Alaska.
Gay AK – Notes from LGBT Alaska
BREAKING: Hate Crimes Amendment Passes
The US Senate voted 63-28 Thursday night to include the Hate Crimes Act as an amendment to the must-pass defense spending bill. The added measure will “provide Federal assistance to States, local jurisdictions, and Indian tribes to prosecute hate crimes, and for other purposes.”
Both Begich and Murkowski voted in favor, and Begich is a co-sponsor of the original bill. The House passed a stand-alone hate crimes act in April, and President Obama supports it.
Episcopal Church passes LGBT measure co-authored by Alaskan
The Episcopal Church Convention approved two gay-positive resolutions: to open the ordination process to all individuals (D025), and to start the process of developing rites for blessing same-sex marriages (C056). Resolution D025 is a response to the restraint passed in 2006 on the election of gay and lesbian bishops in committed same-sex relationships. In the vote by orders, D025 passed the lay and clergy orders in the Diocese of AK, but not without dissent. Rebecca Snow, senior lay deputy from Alaska, co-authored the original version of D025 and
was interviewed before the vote. Mary Ellen Harris, an alternate delegate member,
describes the day the Convention passed D025 on the Alaska delegation’s blog. The national
Integrity (LGBT Episcopal) blog has a news roundup on both measures.
Eagle River/Chugiak Ordinance meeting
We believe that the LGBT community has more support for the equal rights ordinance in Eagle River/Chugiak than most people assume, but we need your help to make sure that the voices of those who support equality are heard. Please join us for an organizing and strategizing meeting in the community room of Jitters Coffee House in Eagle River, 11401 Old Glenn Hwy, on Thursday, July 23, at 6:00 pm and help us create and execute an action plan to let Debbie Ossiander know that she has constituents who support LGBT equality. Invite supportive friends, neighbors, and family members to attend this meeting and learn how they can get involved. Thank you.
Equality Works.
Top 4 on Bent Alaska
Self-Healing & Compassionate Communication Workshop
Are you in need of healing after the marathon of public hearings that have taken place this summer? Are you looking for effective ways to speak and hear compassionately in difficult circumstances? An evening introduction to
Nonviolent Communication (NVC) offers practical tools that help you to generate empathy for self and others, identify what’s at the heart of people’s behaviors, and create simple, profound shifts in awareness and speaking habits. NVC can be used in any kind of interpersonal interaction. Interactive learning invites participants to use their own real-life situations to experience the NVC process. Facilitated by NVC practitioner and teacher Louise Baquero Deerfield. The LGBT Workshop is Monday, July 27, 6:00-8:30 pm, 1057 W. Fireweed, Suite 102, United Way Conference Room. Please pre-register if possible. E-mail:
Tiffany McClain.
Is it too early to list Sarah Palin’s worst moments as Governor of Alaska? Change.org doesn’t think so. Their Gay Rights blog posted a list of her anti-LGBT moments the day after she resigned, although she had (and still has) a few more weeks as Gov.
The introduction to the list suggests that Palin is divorcing Alaska despite her support for traditional marriage, describing her as
“a politician who thinks that the commitment between a man and a woman is sacred above anything, but the commitment between a governor and a state’s population is disposable.”
Ouch. Change.org’s Michael Jones made a good list of 6 Palin anti-LGBT moments, but missed a few big ones. Here are Bent’s 4 additions, rounding out a full Top 10 List:
Signed $1.2 million Advisory Vote bill: Palin’s most harmful anti-LGBT moment, and one of her first acts as governor, was signing HB 4002, the statewide advisory vote on taking away same-sex partner benefits, at a cost of $1.2 million for the state and in opposition to a state Supreme Court ruling. That signature led to 3 months of anti-gay speech and a pitched battle to defend the benefits that had protected some families for 5 years (City of Juneau) and others for 10 years (University of Alaska.) The result of the non-binding vote was much closer than expected, and the failure to get a ‘mandate of hate’ stalled the move for a statewide benefits ban, which Palin advocated.
Censorship: As Mayor of Wasilla, Palin supported a religious group that pushed to remove copies of Pastor, I am Gay, by Mat-Su resident Rev. Howard Bess, from the public library. She used removal of the gay book as an employee litmus test, and fired a library director who said she would not remove the book unless it met the library policy guidelines for removal.
No Pride Month: Palin’s most recent anti-LGBT moment was refusing to acknowledge Anchorage PrideFest’s Gay Pride Month proclamation, although President Obama declared June 2009 as LGBT Pride Month in the United States.
Defended Carrie Prejean: In May, Palin stated her support for the now-ex-Miss California Carrie Prejean, who declared her opposition to same-sex marriage and became a poster girl for the anti-gay lobby.
Change.org’s list of Sarah Palin’s Worst Anti-LGBT Moments:
National Coming Out Day Stay in the Closet Day: Despite being urged by civil rights groups like Alaskans Together to officially recognize National Coming Out Day, Governor Sarah Palin refused to acknowledge a day that fosters acceptance of LGBT people. Sure, during her time as Governor she made official proclamations to recognize “Alaska Taiwan Friendship Week,” “Christian Heritage Week,” and “Biomedical Technician Week,” but giving the gays one day where tolerance and understanding are the norm was a bit too much for the Alaska Governor.
Support of Ex-Gay Ministries?: Sarah Palin’s hometown church in Wasilla actively promoted the ex-gay ministry “Love Won Out” by posting their ads in weekly church bulletins. These ex-gay therapy groups have been roundly criticized by science, religious leaders and politicians of all stripes, but nonetheless, Palin’s own church seemed to preach that homosexuality could be overcome.
Alaska and Traditional Marriage: Though she was just a few years removed from the Bachelor’s Degree that took her seven years and four colleges to get, Sarah Palin was a strong proponent of Alaska’s 1998 statewide constitutional amendment which banned same-sex marriage. Additionally, Palin told the Anchorage News in 2005 that she supported repealing many domestic partner benefits given to same-sex couples in Alaska, because DP benefits were anti-family.
The Three Amigos – Sarah Palin, Michelle Bachmann, and Phyllis Schlafly: They’re three of the most anti-LGBT people in the country, and the connection? Michelle Bachmann (who has called global warming a “hoax” and “voodoo,” and said that God is blessing the Iraq War) stepped in for Sarah Palin during a anti-choice award ceremony at the Republican National Convention this year. Phyllis Schlafly, the denmother of radical conservatives ’round the country, said that McCain’s selection of Palin as a running mate was “terribly smart,” at the time. Hmm…wonder what she was saying on November 5, 2008?
Let’s Define Marriage Federally: In a break with her running mate John McCain, Palin told the Christian Broadcasting Network in October 2008 that she wished the federal government would follow the lead of states like Alaska and work to ban same-sex marriage. Because fighting two wars and solving an economic crisis deserves to be side-stepped by knocking down marriage equality…..
A “Perversion and Degenerates” Ally: In March of this year, Sarah Palin had the task of choosing an Attorney General for Alaska. Her preferred candidate? Wayne Anthony Ross, a radical right-wing lawyer who has referred to LGBT people as “perverts,” “degenerates,” and “immoral.” Ross also had a resume filled with other star attributes, like defending a KKK art project, and representing nutjobs that harass anti-war protestors.
These are her worst anti-LGBT moments, but let’s broaden the question: What is on your Top 10 list for the Worst Palin Moments Ever?
Passports Magazine: The Insider’s Guide to Gay Travel posted an interview with local guide Tim Stallard, owner of Out in Alaska, an adventure tour company catering to GLBT travelers. The article also lists gay-friendly lodges, restaurants and B&B’s in Alaska.
“Tim Stallard believes that the best way to experience our 49th state is to get out and enjoy the wilderness,” reads the introduction to the online story. “His company, Out in Alaska, makes sure you do just that.”
Out in Alaska takes small groups of LGBT travelers and open-minded friends all over Alaska, often visiting Seward and Denali in addition to Anchorage and Fairbanks. They organize adventure travel, comfortable land tours, small boat cruises, and custom options like romantic remote lodge trips and corporate retreats, and have a full line-up of exciting trips for summer and fall 2009.
Passports: “Why did you choose to cater to LGBT travelers?”
Stallard: “Because LGBT travelers have a reputation for being avid, adventurous, and discerning travelers. However, straight travelers (especially Europeans) have gay travelers beat for recognizing Alaska as a world-class destination. No one was serving the gay market for real travel experiences in Alaska so I saw an opportunity to do that. Also, many gay people love nature and animals, but a majority of gay people live in highly urbanized cities, so gay Alaskan adventures seemed the obvious antidote! As I later realized, operating a gay travel business in Alaska also allows us to promote equal rights for gay Alaskans through our business networking and supplier connections.”
In addition to being an explorer, adventure guide and Fairbanks-based business owner, Tim is the Vice President of
Alaskans Together for Equality, a group dedicated to achieving full civil equality for all Alaskans.
Saturday, 11 July 2009 – 5:52 AM
| Comments Off on Golden Days, MPower, IAA, Irina Rivkin & Coronation
Gay AK – Notes from LGBT Alaska 7/11/09
PFLAG in the Golden Days Parade
Fairbanks PFLAG invites the LGBTA community to walk together in the Golden Days Grand Parade on July 25, starting at the Carlson Center and carrying the large rainbow flag from Key West. Let’s show Fairbanks our pride! PFLAG will also have a booth at the Tanana Valley State Fair in August.
Adam & Steve seeks Program Assistant
Adam N Steve, an Mpowerment Program in Anchorage, is seeking a Program Assistant to help coordinate a multi-level intervention HIV prevention program aimed at men who have sex with men, with an emphasis on community building and empowerment activities among gay and bisexual men ages 18-29. Read the
job description and
email Alex Barros, Director of Prevention at
The Four A’s in Anchorage.
Interior AIDS (IAA) Raffle
Enter the Raffle to support
Interior AIDS Association, drawing on August 8, 2009. Only 250 tickets sold, $100 each, with a grand prize of $11,000 and other prizes.
Irina Rivkin returns to Alaska
World-folk live-looping harmony singer-songwriter
Irina Rivkin will be back on tour in Alaska July 23-August 11
with new songs. If you would like to host or produce a concert (including a house concert or yard concert) or a live-looping workshop in Anchorage, Fairbanks or elsewhere, please
contact Irina.
Coronation Schedule & Program Ads
The Imperial Court of All Alaska requests the Honor of Your Presence at
CORONATION XXXVII – “GOLD, FUR, AND FEATHERS” CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF STATEHOOD, on Sept. 3-7, 2009. The preliminary schedule is posted. Share your business with hundreds of people! Sponsorship Ads for this year’s Coronation Ball program are a great way to advertise your business and support the Scholarship fund. Ads must be received (in JPG or PDF and “camera ready”) and paid in full by August 7.
The Imperial Court.
Friday, 10 July 2009 – 12:02 PM
| Comments Off on This Week in LGBT Alaska 7/10/09
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.
RFamily Vacations cruise visits Juneau aboard the MV Norweigan Star, Tuesday 7/14 from 7 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. SEAGLA
Fairbanks
PFLAG Fairbanks meeting, Sunday 7/12, 4 p.m.
Women’s Motorcycle Ride Night, Thursdays, 6 p.m. meets in the Regal/Goldstream Theater parking lot.
Homer
“Hedwig and the Angry Inch” performed live at the Down East Saloon, Mon-Wed 7/13-7/15, at 8 p.m. Tickets $15 at the Homer Bookstore and Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic. Show is a benefit for KBFC.
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 Night 7/10, 6 p.m. potluck and socializing, 7 p.m. movie. 2nd & 4th Fridays. An Anchorage LGBT Meetup Group event.
Ever Ready in Eagle River playing at the Bear Paw Festival 7/10, 8-10 p.m.
Midnight Soapscum: Goes to Hell! Episode #4, 7/10-7/11, 10:30 p.m. Out North Tickets $15 online or at the door.
Bac’untry Bruthers All-Night dRAGTIME Revue opening for the Dead Milkmen at the Brown Bear in Indian, along Turnagain Arm 7/11, 8 p.m.
Sunday worship and monthly potluck with MCC Anchorage 7/12, 2 p.m.
Transgender Support Group, Sundays 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the GLCCA.
Anchorage Frontrunners, Tuesdays, 6 p.m.
Poetry Parley: works by Walt Whitman, plus local poet Joshua Garcia 7/15, 7 p.m. Free admission, and cake for Poetry Parley’s one-year anniversary. Out North
The PFLAG Anchorage & Identity, Inc. annual picnic at Valley of the Moon Park 7/16.
Thursday, 9 July 2009 – 9:30 PM
| Comments Off on Alaskan Celebrates Gay Pride in India on Historic Ruling
India overturned its ban on gay sex last week, and Ryan from Juneau, Alaska was there to celebrate in Bangalore’s Gay Pride Parade.
The High Court in New Delhi ruled that gay sex between consenting adults is no longer a crime, overturning the 1860 anti-sodomy law, known as Section 377. “Moral indignation, howsoever strong, is not a valid basis for overriding individuals’ fundamental rights of dignity and privacy.”
Ryan is traveling in India and studying at the Visthar Center near Bangalore. In the post
Welcome to Bangalore & the South India Artist Intensive, Ryan described the theater and dance workshops and his adventures in the city, then wrote about gay life in India and the historic court ruling:
Finally, it’s been a surprisingly eventful week in sexual politics in India. Last Sunday I found myself marching in Bangalore’s gay pride parade, which is a scenario I never would have envisioned. It certainly was no New York or Amsterdam pride, but it beat out Juneau’s gay pride parade—which consists of me walking down Franklin Street to get a cup of coffee. There were several hundred people and drumming and shouting—lots of people wearing masks, though, for the sake of anonymity in photo or video. That very day, the Indian High Court was reviewing section 377, which is the law used against gay people in this country (though it doesn’t refer to homosexuals verbatim). Thursday, the law was amended! Huge news. What this basically means, as someone at Visthar put it, is that homosexual lifestyles are now ‘recognized as non-crimes.’ Still not equal rights, but at least not outright discrimination. …Now this weekend, there have been counter-protests and demonstrations in some cities, some apparently violent.
It will be interesting to see how this continues to unfold here. I would at least venture to say that from what I’ve seen, the divide between rural and urban here, ‘liberal’ and ‘conservative,’ seems to be HUGE. As part of our cultural context class this week, we had a session discussing sexual minorities, and Visthar invited 2 gay men and 2 lesbian women to speak. It was incredible to me that all 4 of them—none of whom could have been older than 40—had attempted suicide due to their sexuality-combined-with-social/family-situation. Two had had their partners die in double-suicide attempts that they themselves had survived. It does seem that the situation here is behind the US by a few years or decades.
Check out his photos of India, and follow Ryan’s future adventures by subscribing to his blog
Forging Ahead.
– hat tip to Maia of Own The Sidewalk
Wednesday, 8 July 2009 – 2:24 PM
| Comments Off on Palin and Gays Make the Queerest July 4th Ever
Gay Alaskans planned the queerest July 4th in years, with openly LGBT contingents in three Independence Day parades around the state. Then Gov. Palin announced her resignation on Friday, ensuring that all Alaskans – gay and straight – would have a downright queer 4th of July.
That’s So Palin
Palin’s resignation speech gave no real reason for quitting in the middle of her first term as governor, so Alaskans spent the holiday weekend speculating on why she did it. When bloggers wrote about rumors of investigations, Palin’s lawyer issued a statement warning reporters not to investigate and threatened legal action against Alaska blogger
Shannyn Moore. Threatening freedom of speech and freedom of the press, on Independence Day? That’s so… Palin.
Meanwhile, LGBT Alaskans in Homer, Anchorage and Ester added a festive touch of queerness to our local Independence Day parades.
Anchorage Something Fierce
Two floats brought LGBT creativity to Alaska’s biggest Independence Day Parade. ‘The Starship Something Fierce’ hovered around the Delaney Park Strip with the Queer Trek crew on the bridge, hosted by the Imperial Court’s Duke & Duchess of Anchorage. Youth 14-19 rode their own float, ‘Let Our Colors Bloom, Youth for Equality’ which was covered with rainbow flags and balloons.
Making History in Homer
The new Homer PFLAG chapter painted a rainbow skiff for the July 4th parade, cut ALASKA rainbow toe-socks from Safeway into colorful arm and leg warmers, added a hula-hooper in the truck, and paraded down Pioneer Avenue carrying signs saying “support”, “advocacy”, “respect”, “peace” and “equality” for LGBTQ people, their families and friends.
“We were received very warmly,” said PFLAG board member and hooper Catriona Lowe. “It felt like people saw us there, understood what we were about, and really appreciated what we were doing.”
This was the first time in Homer’s history that LGBTQ community members, and their friends and allies, marched in a local parade as an openly-gay contingent. Over 20 adults, 6 children, and 3 dogs marched with the float, making it one of the largest groups in attendance.
PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays)
burst onto the Homer scene a few months ago, sponsoring a booth at the health fair and the movie MILK at the Homer Family Theatre. The group decided to further increase its visibility by marching in the 4th of July Parade. Alaska also has chapters of PFLAG in Juneau, Fairbanks and Anchorage.
Ester Dyke on Bike
Dykes on Bikes (a.k.a. the Thursday Women’s Motorcycle Group) planned to ride in the irreverent Ester Fourth of July Parade, where it’s traditional to bribe the judges.
“This year there was only one Dyke on Bike,” writes Jeanne, coordinator of the women’s ride night, “but with an appropriate bribe (I gave a bottle of Gnarly Head red zinfandel to the judges) I, on behalf of all Dykes on Bikes, won the Most Colorful award.” A dyke giving the judges gnarly head?
And that wraps up our Queerest July 4th Ever!
Photos:
The crew of ‘The Starship Something Fierce’
‘The Starship Something Fierce’ float and truck
Youth float, ‘Let Our Colors Bloom, Youth for Equality’
Anchorage Youth float contingent
PFLAG marching group in the Homer July 4th parade
Homer PFLAG’s rainbow skiff float
Hula-hooper, Catriona Lowe
Dyke on Bike in Ester’s July 4th Parade
The Anchorage ordinance is alive and kicking, and today, Tuesday July 7, is Round 5 of the public hearings. Outside, the rockin’ Equality Rally on the Library lawn will have music, food, sign-making supplies and a special town hall meeting. Inside, the testimony on the non-discrimination ordinance continues in the Assembly Chamber on the first floor.
“We encouraged more of our supporters to sign up to testify,” writes Tiffany McClain of Equality Works, “so that opponents of equality do not get the last word in front of the Municipal Assembly. Many of those who signed up still haven’t had an opportunity to speak. It would be great if, once they finally get to the microphone, the Assembly Chamber is filled with friends and allies who are there to support them.”
To make sure you have a seat, arrive early – the doors open at 3 p.m. When you have a seat, you can take breaks and come back inside by giving your ID to the security guards at the entrance.
Don’t get off work until 5 p.m., when the seats will all be taken? Can’t stand to ruin another beautiful summer evening listening to hours of anti-gay bigotry? Not sure why we’re doing this?
Then rock with the rally on the lawn and come to the town hall. “Join the steering committee of Equality Works for a town hall meeting on the front lawn of Loussac Library before the testimony begins” writes Tiffany. “This is your opportunity to learn more about our strategy and future options, and to share your own ideas and concerns.” The Town Hall will be held on the lawn near 36th and Denali Street, at 5:30 p.m.
Dan Sullivan was sworn in as the new Mayor of Anchorage on July 1, two days before Gov. Palin resigned. Mayor Sullivan has not yet stated where he stands on the issue of LGBT equality, or how he will respond to the equal rights ordinance. Please
email Mayor Sullivan and respectfully explain why he should support an ordinance that will help to protect all Anchorage residents from discrimination.
———–
Dear Mayor Sullivan,
I wanted to write and thank you for keeping an open mind concerning the debate that is taking place before the Assembly concerning the rights of LGBT people. My name is Kelly and I split my time between Alaska and Kentucky and overseas. I own rental property in both Eagle River and Wasilla, and work for one of your largest employers in the city/state. Finally, I am a Christian, and I am transgendered.
Although it is my desire to have the Assembly grant us equal protection as afforded to us under the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution, it is not the purpose of my letter. Rather, my hope is to assist you in understanding Gender Dysphoria. I write to you because I am deeply saddened by the misinformation that has come from some of the local churches. As a Christian, it hurts to see these false accusations come from an institution that is to represent the One who came to save us.
Transgender individuals do not just wake up one day and wish to change genders. It is a condition that was caused
in utero, when the Androgen receptors were blocked from receiving the proper amount of hormones to mirror that of the one’s anatomy. Contrary to the information that was published on SOSAnchorage.org, there is scientific and medical data that backs this argument. Studies done from the Netherlands Institute for Brain Research have found the Bed of Nucleus Stri Terminalis (BSTc – part of the brain that identifies who one is) of a transgendered woman
mirrors that of a genetic woman and vice versa for that of a transgender male. Another study, done by the Prince Henry Institute in Melbourne, Australia, found
a genetic variation of the human genome that is believe to cause the disruption of the Androgen Receptors
in utero. Studies done on drugs such as PCP, DDT, and Diethylstilbestrol (DES) have also found a link to the cause of Gender Dysphoria.
I refer you to
a blog post that I wrote, along with the letter I sent to my Municipal Representative, Ms. Debbie Ossiander. It answers many of the questions concerning the cause of Gender Identity, in hopes that someday people will recognize this was not something we created, but something we were born with. Should you have any questions, or wish to learn more about people such as me, you may reach me via this letter.
I recognize the enormous responsibility you have to represent all the citizens of this great city and want you to know, you are in my prayers.
May God bless you in all you do.
Kelly
Gay AK – Notes from LGBT Alaska
Four A’s at PrideFest, Testing Day, and Drag Queen Bingo
A record breaking 200 people attended Drag Queen Bingo this year! The standing room only event won Best Non-Bar Event for Pride Week and raised over $2,800 for the Adam and Steve HIV Prevention program.
Four A’s marched for equality in the Pride Parade, showing that ABT equals “Anything But Tolerant” (photo below.) Mayor Matt Claman got tested on June 27, National HIV Testing Day, as one of 85 Mayors nationwide getting tested in the national campaign.
Pride Foundation’s Raffle With A Twist
An Alaskan non-profit will win $1,000 from
Pride Foundation again this year, and another could win the grand prize. What’s the twist?
If your name is drawn on September 15, 2009, they will make a $2,500 donation in your name to your favorite nonprofit. They will also give $1,000 to each of the most named organizations in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. Winning nonprofits must have a non-discrimination policy that includes sexual orientation and gender identity and/or expression. There is no cost to enter the raffle, and no donation required.
Enter the raffle here.ICOAA Applications for Emperor/Empress and Scholarship Program
The application for Emperor and Empress of the ICOAA is due on July 12. Applicants must submit the completed form, required documents, fees, and photo no later than 4 p.m. on 7/12 to the board meeting at Mad Myrna’s. Applications are
available online and at Mad Myrna’s or The Raven. The application for the 2009 Scholarship Program is also
available for download. The Scholarship application is due on July 31.
Gay Cruises Visit Juneau
SEAGLA posted this summer’s schedule of gay and lesbian cruise groups visiting Juneau:
- 07/14/2009 RFamily tour group visits Juneau aboard the MV Norweigan Star, 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- 08/16/2009 Pied Piper tour group visits Juneau 8 a.m.- 9 p.m. on the M/V Celebrity Millennium. SEAGLA Reception at a local venue, 5-7 p.m. Plan to be there!
- 08/26/2009 RSVP Vacations visits Juneau aboard the MS Westerdam, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- 09/22/2009 Olivia Cruises visits Juneau aboard the MS Veendam, 3 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
- 09/27/2009 Aquafest Gay tour group visits Juneau aboard the MS Zaandam, noon to 10:30 p.m.
