E. Ross is the founder of Bent Alaska.
Wednesday, 4 February 2009 – 5:46 PM
| Comments Off on Knocked Down, Get Up: Inspiration from Creating Change
Tiffany McClain attended the
Creating Change conference last week in Denver. In this guest post, she describes the diversity of activists, the inspiring setting, and the lessons she brought home for Alaska’s LGBT civil rights movement.
——-
A Broad Definition of What It Means To Be an Activist
Sponsored by the
National Lesbian & Gay Task Force, the annual Creating Change conference is 5 days of inspiration, nuts-and-bolts training, and a little entertainment for campaigners, grassroots organizers, service-providers, faith leaders, community center workers, teachers, and artists who are dedicated to advancing the rights and quality of life for LGBT people in our country.
I attended a workshop with someone who serves LGBT youth with wilderness-based therapy, people who directed the LGBT center at their local universities, a young woman who is training the children of lesbian and gay parents to be advocates for LGBT families, another who honed her organizing skills by moving from state-to-state working on campaigns to fight anti-gay marriage initiatives, and queer youth of color who are fighting gentrification in New York City. During our closing brunch, we were entertained by The Kinsey Sicks, a drag a capella group that blends comedy and political commentary in their performances.
The diversity of individuals at the conference was a reminder that the future of the LGBT movement will be the collective success of people with different skills, talents, and passions. Not just the lobbyists and vote-counters but the teachers, not just the grassroots organizers but the artists, not just the people who see marriage as the ultimate goal of the LGBT movement, but those fighting the displacement of poor and working-class families from their neighborhoods. Creating Change is an opportunity for us to learn with and from each other, and to take these lessons back to our communities and places of work.
Living the Change We’re Working For
What was inspiring about attending Creating Change was not only the opportunity to train and brainstorm with other activists, but also the world that the Taskforce created for almost a week: a world where gender neutral bathrooms were located on every public floor of the hotel, where every downtown restaurant and even the Denver airport greeted LGBT people with welcome signs, where queer people of different races, ages, classes, abilities, gender identities and religions found common purpose and were comfortable enough to challenge each others’ prejudices. The organizers of Creating Change inspired conference-goers to continue advocating for change in our communities by showing us what change feels like.
“Get Knocked Down 7 Times, Get Up 8”*
If I were to sum up the theme of this year’s Creating Change conference in one word, I would say “resilience.” There were a lot of activists from California still grappling with what could have gone wrong with the Prop 8 initiative and trying to heal from the weeks of unfair back-biting and blaming that followed the election. But the disappointments of these last few months have not discouraged them from continuing the fight and working on the next strategy to advance the rights of LGBT people in California and across the country.
I sometimes hear LGBT Alaskans cite past defeats and the power of conservatism as a reason not to push for civil rights in our state. At Creating Change, I was reminded that very few LGBT communities and activists tasted victory before they tasted defeat. (And some defeats can be victories: 52% to 48% in CA is not a landslide. That’s a lot of people who believe that gays and lesbians should be able to get legally married!) My point is, if we want to live in a community as welcoming as Denver or Seattle, we have to be willing to build it ourselves—even if it means risking defeat along the way.
* Quote from Rea Carey, Executive Director of the National Lesbian & Gay Task Force
“I’m still trying to find new members, so beware!” writes Brianne “Your Highness is optional” on the new
Mat-Su LGBT Community Center blog. “If you see a Big Transwoman with a Lasso headed your way, run! and run fast lest you find yourself sipping steamy beverages and talking about the LBGTA community in the Valley.”
On Wednesdays at 5 p.m., Her Highness Brianne waits at a table in Palmer’s Vagabond Blues with a sign taped to a coffee can. Brianne and Jaime Rodriguez are resurrecting the Mat-Su LGBT Community Center, and the coffee group for socializing, support and discussion is the first activity.
Their vision for the Center goes far beyond coffee. “A functioning Valley Community Center can help create a real community where none exists, and provide a central clearinghouse for information, contacts and services, not to mention a fun and safe place for meetings and activities of all sorts,” Jaime wrote in the blog’s first post.
Safety is a big issue in the bible belt of Alaska. When journalists searched for LGBT Wasillans to interview during Gov. Sarah Palin’s vice presidential run, few were willing to talk on camera or give their real name in print. Jaime and Brianne were the only queer locals named in
this HRC video with ally Rev. Bess and a supportive therapist, although an anonymous lesbian spoke with her back to the camera.
About six or seven times a year, word comes from the Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Anchorage that people are asking about LGBT groups in the Valley, wanting to get involved or attend events. The Mat-Su population has swelled to 83,000, which means at least several thousand LGBT residents. There seems to be an unusually large transgender population in the Valley, and more bisexuals and closeted people than in urban areas of the same size.
“If we could organize, we could help break the conservative hold on the Valley,” said Jaime. “Six thousand queers is a powerful economic and political force, if we can harness it.”
The new Center rents office space in The Church of the Covenant in Palmer, where Rev. Howard Bess was pastor until he retired last year. They have a reception area, coffee nook, conference room, bathroom, and library space for the many boxes of books collected when the Center was active.
In 2001, a small group of LGBT men and women in the Valley met in a cafe in Wasilla to organize a community center. They moved to Palmer when Pastor Howard Bess offered the Church Meeting House. A weekly social support group drew about 20 people, and they added a potluck and movie night one Friday a month.
“By 2002, the LGBT Center had about 60 members on the email list,” said Jaime, the only remaining board member. “The support group grew, but was overwhelmed by people who needed a therapy group. A conflict arose between two members and attendance dropped. Only those who needed the group for therapy stayed, plus three or four of us committed to building the Center.”
Jaime and Brianne are ready to try again. They have the office, non-profit status, and start-up funds from the Imperial Court. What they need most is new members.
“I am not discouraged,” Brianne wrote last week when only two straight allies joined her for coffee. “There are lonely Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, and Allied people out there who could really use an avenue to meet and enjoy the company of other friendly people.”
“I invite you to participate in something that benefits you directly, your friends and loved ones, your acquaintances, and potentially even the straight segment of the Valley we all live in. Please help us, in whatever way you can: a donation, a chair, couch, bookshelf, your time, your service. What can you spare that will make our world that little bit better?”
Monday, 2 February 2009 – 11:09 PM
| Comments Off on Brother Outsider and Black History Month
February is national Black History Month, and the Anchorage Urban League is co-sponsoring a showing and discussion of Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin at the Anchorage Museum, along with Identity, the ACLU of Alaska and other sponsors.
Sunday, 1 February 2009 – 9:09 AM
| Comments Off on Joani’s Annual Sweetheart’s Dinner
Saturday, 31 January 2009 – 5:55 AM
| Comments Off on Alaskans Attend Creating Change
Creating Change 2009, The 21st National Conference on LGBT Equality, runs Wednesday through Sunday in Denver, and two Alaskan leaders are attending this year.
“I am excited about Creating Change,” wrote Tiffany McClain. “I’m really hoping that I learn something I can put to use in the campaign for Equality Works.”
“
Identity is sending me to Creating Change,” wrote Scott Turner, co-chair of Identity, Inc. “I will do my best to bring back plenty of good info on things we are working on locally.”
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (
NGLTF) sponsors and organizes Creating Change, “the nation’s pre-eminent political, leadership and skills-building conference for the LGBT social justice movement.”
This isn’t the first year that Alaskan activists have attended the national conference.
“Creating Change was very educational for me every time I went,” wrote Elias Rojas, also of Alaskans Together. “I think for Alaskans it offers understanding of the bigger GLBT issues that are happening across the country and the trends and issues.”
“Any Alaskan that makes it to the conference will come back with a fresh perspective.”
Friday, 30 January 2009 – 11:37 PM
| Comments Off on Dying City & Shakespeare’s R&J in Juneau
Two plays of interest to the LGBT community are being performed by the Thunder Mountain Theatre Project in Juneau, this weekend through mid-February: Dying City by Christopher Shinn, and Shakespeare’s R&J, adapted by Joe Calarco.
Shakespeare’s R&J explores issues of sexuality as four boys act out a secret production of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet to rebell against their oppressive school. Four male actors play all the roles, including the female characters, remaining in their boy’s school uniforms throughout the show. (pictured at right)
Dying City is about the cost of the Iraq war on a dead soldier’s wife and gay twin brother, and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. The author
Christopher Shinn is a recipient of the Robert S. Chesley Award, which recognizes the work of an emerging gay or lesbian playwright.
Thunder Mountain Theatre Project was founded in 2007 by Flordelino Lagundino. “We choose plays that act as a mirror to society by exploring the social, political, and cultural issues of our time,” says the Project’s
web site. “[W]e seek to provide theatrical experiences for all ages that speak to the rich diversity of our community.”
Dying City & Shakespeare’s R&J will be performed in repertory at the The Old Elk’s Hall, 109 S. Franklin Street, January 29 – February 15, 2009. Tickets are available at Hearthside Books. See the
Thunder Mountain schedule for dates and times.
Friday, 30 January 2009 – 4:37 PM
| Comments Off on This Week in LGBT Alaska 1/30/09
Check out this week’s events from Alaska GLBT News.
For full listings, news and up-coming events,
subscribe to AGN, the weekly email newsletter.
NEWS
MILK returns to Anchorage
MILK, the movie based on the life of Harvey Milk, got 8 Academy Award Nominations and is showing at The Bear Tooth this week, Friday-Sunday at 7:50 p.m. and Tuesday-Thursday at 5:30 p.m. Only 6 showings – don’t miss it!
Savage Love Live
Dan Savage will speak at UAA on Feb. 12 at 7:30 p.m., answering questions about virginity, orgasms, monogamy, and other “taboo” topics. Students with UAA ID get in free. General Public tickets are $10 and are available now at UAATix.
EVENTS THIS WEEK
Juneau
SEAGLA Social Fridays (6-8 p.m.) for GLBT people and our friends over 21, at The Imperial Bar, downtown.
Two Gay-Interest Plays at Thunder Mountain Theatre Project, 1/29-2/15, 7:30 p.m. Dying City by Christopher Shinn, and Shakespeare’s R&J, adapted by Joe Calarco.
Mat-Su Valley
Mat-Su LGBT Community Center social support group meetings to discuss LBGT issues in the valley. Mondays at 2 p.m. and Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Vagabond Blues in Palmer.
Anchorage
MILK showing at The Bear Tooth 1/30-2/1 at 7:50 p.m. and 2/3-2/5 at 5:30 p.m.
Gay Rights Dessert & Discussion 1/31, around 10:30 p.m. (after MILK) at the Modern Dwellers Chocolate Lounge.
Alaska Club/ICOAA Open House membership drive 1/31, 4:30 p.m. at Mad Myrna’s.
The movie Milk is showing at The Bear Tooth, Friday–Sunday at 7:50 p.m. and Tuesday–Thursday at 5:30 p.m. Only six showings — don’t miss it!
Milk is based on the life of Harvey Milk, an openly gay man who was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977.
Milk shows Harvey (played by Sean Penn) uniting the gay community under his charismatic leadership, adding ‘sexual orientation’ to the city’s non-discrimination policy, and defeating Prop 6, Anita Bryant’s crusade against gay and lesbian teachers.
He also faced the constant threat of assassination.
The issues are timely after the narrow passing of Prop 8, California’s ban on gay marriage, and relevant in Anchorage where we still do not have ‘sexual orientation’ in the non-discrimination policy of our city or state.
Milk received 8 Academy Award Nominations including best picture, best director (Gus Van Sant), best actor (Sean Penn) and best supporting actor (Josh Brolin).
The biggest crowds are expected for the Friday and Saturday shows at The Bear Tooth.
An unsuccessful opening
Milk opened in Anchorage at the Century Theater on Dec 12. A few readers saw it and sent comments, posted here along with my review. But Milk was removed from the schedule after only two weeks. It was the lowest-grossing film in the theater that month, according to a Century 16 employee.
“I was stunned and disappointed to say the least,” wrote Matt in an email to Bent Alaska. “I’m no political activist, but the news of the film’s Anchorage demise didn’t make me think too highly of the community.”
Why did Milk flop at the Century in December?
- The national LGBT community is boycotting the Century/Cinemark Theaters because the company is Mormon-owned and the CEO donated almost $10,000 to pass Prop 8. The LDS Church urged members to donate to Prop 8, preached their support from the pulpit, and may have violated their tax-exempt status as a religious organization by engaging so directly in a ballot issue. Protests have occurred outside Mormon temples, and many LGBT people refuse to support business owners who gave money to take away our civil rights.
- Alaska’s LGBT community already boycotts Mormon-owned businesses like the Century because the Utah-based Church was a main backer of Alaska’s Measure 2, banning gay marriage here in 1998.
- Milk opened at the Century in the middle of the Anchorage International Film Festival, where other gay-themed films were shown the same week.
- We knew that Milk would have a second run at The Bear Tooth, a GLBT-supportive theater.
These factors combined to make the Century opening almost a non-event. It’s no wonder that ticket sales were dismal.
The real question is why the Milk producers chose to open the film at the Century, despite the boycott. If it had opened at a Regal Theater, like Brokeback Mountain did at the Dimond, the results would have been different.
A strong second run
In contrast, The Bear Tooth is a favorite of the LGBT community, as much for the good food and progressive atmosphere as for the showing of LGBT films.
Go see Milk this weekend at The Bear Tooth. Learn how Harvey lead successful campaigns for gay rights, and prove that a gay-themed movie can be successful in Anchorage.
Wednesday, 28 January 2009 – 9:36 PM
| Comments Off on Town Hall to End Discrimination
Do you believe that all Anchorage workers deserve to be judged solely on their qualifications and merits of their work?
Do you believe that all Alaskans deserve protection from discrimination or harassment, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity?
Do you believe that no Alaskan should have to deny who they are in order to keep a job or an apartment?
Are you ready to bring change to Anchorage?
Join us for a Town Hall Meeting for LGBT Community Members & Allies
When: Wednesday, February 11, 2009, 7 p.m.
Where: Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 2311 Pembroke Street (near the Intersection of E. 24th and Boniface).
What: Learn about the current state of civil rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, & transgender people in Alaska, learn about Equality Works and our plans for protecting all Alaskans from discrimination, and learn what you can do to bring equality to Anchorage! (Need a ride? Contact
Tiffany)
Who is Equality Works?
Equality Works is a group of individuals and organizations working together to protect Anchorage residents from discrimination and harassment, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Our Coalition: Alaskans Together for Equality, Alliance for Reproductive Justice-Alaska, American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska, Anchorage Education Association, Identity, Inc., Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Metropolitan Community Church of Anchorage, and National Association of Social Workers-Alaska Chapter
Tuesday, 27 January 2009 – 6:21 AM
| Comments Off on Gay & Lesbian TV and Radio in Alaska
Do you want Alaska’s public radio and television stations to air programs for Gay Pride Month in June and Gay History Month in Oct?
Would you support a locally hosted LGBT radio show?
Ask and you might receive. The public radio station KSKA is asking listeners to suggest new program ideas, so now is a good time to request LGBT radio shows and topics.
KSKA does not currently broadcast any monthly or weekly gay programs, but they have in the past. They mention LGBT Alaskans about once a year. (
This interview is about the one gay AK story for 2008.)
The radio station is also connected to KAKM, the public television station. KAKM used to air the national LGBT news magazine “In The Life.”
Last April, they aired the documentary “
Anyone & Everyone” with a
half hour response filmed by KTOO in Juneau. That may have been the only LGBT program to air on Alaska’s public television station in 2008.
Public radio and tv stations in other states plan LGBT programming every year for Pride Month in June and
Gay History Month in Oct. Talk show hosts often interview local LGBT organizers before the local PrideFests and National Coming Out Day events.
