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.
“My partner and I just returned from seeing it and it is a MUST SEE,” wrote Dee. “We did not buy from the consession stand, due to the ownership of the theater (Mormon) but would not have missed the first day of this film… I urge the community and our allies to see this movie. We’re thinking Academy Award for Penn.”
“The Prop 6 part was disturbing because it reminds me so much of Prop 8,” wrote Elias, “along with the other dozen ballot measure campaigns I’ve been in.”
I agree that Penn gave an excellent performance, and that the comparison between winning Prop 6 and barely losing Prop 8 is heart-wrenching.
Gay and lesbian history is so hidden that many young adults don’t know about the struggle for our rights. Milk opens with the police raiding a gay bar, beating the customers and dragging them off to jail, simply for being gay. The scene uses real video from the late 60’s and early 70’s. We’ve come a long way.
Then in 1978, the newly-elected Supervisors, representing minorities who had never been represented before, voted to add ‘sexual orientation’ to the non-discrimination policy of San Francisco. They knew the gay community was an ally, and they understood that job and housing protection is an important civil rights issue.
I watched this scene in a movie theater in Anchorage, Alaska, where 30 years later we do not have ‘sexual orientation’ in the city’s non-discrimination policy. It isn’t in the state policy either. Or the national policy.
We still have a long way to go.
If you haven’t seen Milk, definitely see it. Remember to take the Milk Challenge — boycott the concession stand and give a donation to Alaskans Together for Equality, to off-set the ticket profit to the Mormon-owned and Prop 8 supporting Century/Cinemark.
Friday, 12 December 2008 – 4:25 PM
| Comments Off on This Week in LGBT Alaska 12/12/08
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.
The movie MILK opens today (Friday, Dec. 12) in Anchorageat the Century 16. Don’t support the Century/Cinemark CEO who donated $9,999 to Prop 8! Boycott Century’s concessions! Eat before you go and only buy the ticket, no food or drinks. Then take the Milk Challenge!
EVENTS
Fairbanks
Jeff’s Black and White Solstice Party 12/13, 9 p.m.
The movie Milk opens tomorrow (Friday, Dec. 12) in Anchorage, showing at 1:40, 4:35, 7:35 and 10:30 p.m.at the Century 16, across from Loussac Library. The message of Milk is timely, and the reviews sound great. (Watch the Milk trailer.)
Here’s the problem: We want to support a good-quality gay movie (and encourage the production of more gay movies) but don’t want to support the Mormon-owned Century/Cinemark whose CEO donated $9,999 to Prop 8, the California initiative that eliminated gay and lesbian marriage.
The solution: Boycott Century’s concessions! Eat before you go and only buy the ticket, no food or drinks.
Theaters don’t make much on admissions; most of their profit is from concessions. We can support the film and still deprive the theater of revenue.
Several people wrote in about the concessions boycott (thank you!) Jason suggested that we “sneak in our own candy” as an extra dig at Century.
Elias suggested that we offset the ticket fees to Century with a donation to Alaskans Together for Equality, the state LGBT rights group that takes on political issues like the ones Harvey Milk fought for. It’s a great way to support equal rights and, at the same time, withhold money from those who work against us!
Wednesday, 10 December 2008 – 6:23 AM
| 4 Comments
Today is December 10, International Human Rights Day. Today is also “Day Without a Gay.” We are asked to call in ‘gay’ to work, not contribute to the economy for one day, and spend the day helping others.
1. An economic Boycott. For one day, do not go to work (if possible) and do not buy anything. The LGBTQ community contributes $700 billion per year to the U.S. economy, but we don’t get the same rights as other citizens. Stop contributing to the economy for one day.
3. A day of Visibility. There are many ways to increase visibility for LGBT rights on Dec. 10. For example, wear a white knot for marriage equality (“because everyone should be able to tie the knot”) and pack your lunch instead of buying it.
Tuesday, 9 December 2008 – 2:48 PM
| Comments Off on Homo for the Holidays
Celebrate the holidays gaily with Alaska’s LGBT community!
In Anchorage, start celebrating this weekend with ICOAA‘s Snow Ball Winter Wonderland on Dec 13, and an early Christmas Party with The Last Frontier Men’s Club on Dec 14.
Enjoy Christmas events at Mad Myrna’s, including the “Toys for Nots” Fundraiser on Dec 19, and Miss MeMe’s Gospel Christmas on Dec 20. On Christmas Eve, be filled with the holiday spirit by MCC‘s Carol and Recital Service. The Community Center will be open from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Christmas Day, thanks to Mike, and cookies, muffins and sodas will be available.
Wrap up the season with New Year’s Eve at Mad Myrna’s and the New Year’s Day Cookie Exchange at the GLCCA.
In Fairbanks, don’t miss Jeff’s Solstice Party this Saturday. In Palmer, put it on the calendar to rock with Ever Ready on New Year’s Eve.
Do you know a GLBT holiday event in Alaska that isn’t mentioned? Tell us about it!
Sunday, 7 December 2008 – 3:09 PM
| Comments Off on Gay AK Odds & Ends
Recent LGBT Alaska-related items on the web:
Beauty Queen Sissy
“Among closed-minded straights, [sissy] is a devastating insult,” says the Advocate Magazine. So they give The Sissy Awards to the “biggest irritants” of the year. The winners of the 2008 award: Sarah Palin and John McCain. The announcement lists the anti-gay positions of the former running mates, including Gov. Palin’s refusal to sign the National Coming Out Day proclamation submitted by Alaskans Together. The Advocate points out that “Anita Bryant was also a former beauty queen and … a TV-ready smile can hide lots of homophobia.”
Gay & Lesbian Alaskans Do Our Part
Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Family is a new awareness campaign to encourage LGBT families to consider adopting children. HRC unveiled the effort as part of its “All Children – All Families” initiative.
Gay and lesbian parents are currently raising 4% of the nation’s adopted children, about 65,500 kids. The highest number of these families are in New England, the mid-Atlantic and the West Coast – and the highest percentages of gay and lesbian adoptive parents are found in Alaska, California, Massachusetts and New Mexico, according to PageOneQ.
More Gay Tourists in Juneau
RSVP Vacations announced a new all-gay Seattle to Alaska cruise on Holland America’s ms Westerdam, on August 23 – 30, 2009. The cruise departs from Seattle and sails to scenic Glacier Bay, with stops in Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan. The Seattle departure means they won’t be partying at Myrna’s with us in Anchorage, but SEAGLA will have more gay tourists to meet and greet.
From the Fringe
The Anchorage Daily News posted a Compass editorial by the president of a fringe Alaska Family group, complaining that far right issues, like anti-choice and anti-gay legislation, are not “fringe” issues. He is “willing to fall on the sword” for these causes, but does not consider this “radical.” To prove his (il)logic, he compares putting anti-gay discrimination into the U.S. Constitution to ending slavery in the British Empire!
Saturday, 6 December 2008 – 10:21 PM
| Comments Off on Meet MCC pastoral candidate Rev. Norman Van Manen
Rev. Norman Van Manen is visiting MCC Anchorage for the next ten days as a pastoral candidate. The community is encouraged to meet Rev. Van Manen during the Sunday and Thursday services, and to view his educational and pastoral history.
The Metropolitan Community Church of Anchorage, a GLBT-inclusive church, has been without a pastor since Rev. Johnathan Jones resigned in May, after four years of service.
“While MCC Anchorage has done a good job in keeping the church together since we’ve been in transition,” wrote Rev. Matthew Moak, the new Vice-Moderator, “the needs of the church have grown and we are headed in a new direction. A direction filled with hope, unity and love.”
Rev. Norman Van Manen will speak at MCC for two Sunday worship services. “What Shall I Cry?” is his sermon title for Dec. 7, and “Let’s Rejoice” is the topic on Dec. 14. The Sunday service begins at 2 p.m. and there is a time for fellowship after the service.
Rev. Van Manen will also speak at Soul Food, MCC’s mid-week dinner service, on Thursday Dec. 11 at 6:30 p.m. A $6 donation is requested for the meal. After this week, Soul Food will take a break for the holidays and will resume on January 9, 2009.
Vice-Moderator Rev. Moak will speak on “The humility in Christmas” for the Dec. 21 Sunday service. The community is invited to join MCC for a Christmas Eve Carol and Recital Service on Dec. 24 at 7 p.m. MCC meets at 7208 Duben Ave. in east Anchorage.
—-
Meet and greet pastoral candidate Rev. Norman Van Manen at MCC Anchorage:
Dec. 7, 2 p.m. Sunday worship service, with speaker Rev. Van Manen on “What Shall I Cry?”
Dec 11, 6:30 p.m. Thursday evening Soul Food, dinner and program with Rev. Van Manen.
Dec 14, 2 p.m. Sunday worship service, with speaker Rev. Van Manen on “Let’s Rejoice.”
Dream Boy (photo right),Queer Duck, and A Powerful Noise are showing this week (details listed below) and Half-Life shows next week.
Watch the trailers for Dream Boy and Queer Duckhere.
December 10 is International Human Rights Day. Don’t call in sick to work, call in “gay” and spend the day helping your favorite Alaskan LGBTA non-profit. Join the national reverse boycott Day Without A Gay!
EVENTS
Juneau
Domestic Partnership Planning Seminar 12/9, 5:15 p.m. Free. See the flyer for details.
Fairbanks
Drag*d Through the Ages, a benefit show for IAA, 12/5, 8:15 p.m. $10 at the door, $8 for students/military. Dance party after the show.
Anchorage
Anchorage International Film Festival (AIFF) 12/5-12/14
Ever Ready in Anchorage 12/5 & 12/6, 7-11 p.m. at the AMVETS Post 49.
TLFMC Cookie Exchange 12/6, 7 p.m. and Hump Day Happy Hour at The Raven 12/10 & 12/24 from 5-7 p.m.
Queer Duck, with Sex Drugs & Rock ‘n’ Roll, at The Bear Tooth, Sunday 12/7, 8:30 p.m. (AIFF)
Meet MCC pastoral candidate Rev. Norman Van Manen 12/7 & 12/14 at the 2 p.m. service, and 12/11 at 6:30 p.m. for Thursday night Soul Food. See MCC for details.
A Powerful Noise at the Anchorage Museum, 12/8 at 7:30 p.m. and 12/13 at 6 p.m. (AIFF)
Dream Boy at The Bear Tooth, and after-screening party with Director James Bolton at Mad Myrna’s, Wednesday 12/10, 7:45 p.m. movie, 10 p.m. party. (photo above)
Thursday, 4 December 2008 – 4:55 PM
| Comments Off on Light Up the Winter with More Impact Events
Join the Impact, the group that promoted the nationwide prop 8 protest, is coordinating an ongoing series of national LGBT events through February 12, the annual Freedom to Marry Day. The goal is to keep LGBT issues in the media, keep the momentum going within our community, and keep having discussions about gay rights with more and more people.
Some of their ideas are individual actions, like sending a postcard to Obama, wearing a white knotand participating in Day Without a Gay. Other events (LGBT Food Drive, Light Up the Nightandthe DOMA protest) require planning.
Which actions do you want to do in Anchorage, Fairbanks and/or Juneau?
Actions planned for specific dates
LGBTQ Food Drive – now through Dec 20: With the first national LGBTQ Food Drive for Equality, we will reach out not only to those who have worked alongside us, but to organizations and individuals that fear us and oppose our cause by donating to *faith-based* food pantries.
Day Without A Gay – Dec. 10: On December 10, which is International Human Rights Day, don’t call in sick to work, call in “gay” and donate your time to community service.Day Without A Gay lists local volunteer organizations that need your help. (Don’t see your favorite Alaskan LGBTA non-profit on the Day Without A Gay Alaska page? Send them the link so they can get on the list before Dec 10.)
Light Up the Night – Dec 20: On December 20th, join us again for a nation-wide demonstration, Light Up the Night for Equality. Hold a peaceful candlelight vigil in the commercial center of your city, in memory of the rights taken away and in support of the 18,000 marriages in legal limbo.
Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) National Protest – Jan 10, 2009: DOMA states that a) states don’t have to recognize same-sex unions from other states, and b) the federal government will not recognize those marriages, even if the state does. With DOMA in place, we cannot have full marriage equality.
Ongoing actions
Project Postcard: Make an impact on the next presidency. Send Barack Obama a postcard from your town asking him to follow through on his promises around equal rights.
Wear a White Knot: The White Knot is the symbol for marriage equality. It takes two traditional symbols of marriage – white and tying the knot – and combines them in a simple way to show support for the right of gays and lesbians to marry. Wear the knot and tell people why you are wearing it.
The movie Milk is opening in Anchorage on Friday, December 12 at the Century! Watch the trailer here: MILK
Unfortunately, Century/Cinemark is owned by Mormons who donated to Yes on 8. Some in the LGBT community are boycotting the Century and giving their movie dollars to supportive cinemas. Locally, we hope Milk will play at The Bear Tooth in a few months.
Others are calling for a big national turnout on the opening weekends, because record-setting attendance for Milk will make it easier to get funding for future gay-themed movies. The message of Milk is timely, and the reviews sound great.
What will you do?
1. See it this month at the Century (and not buy food or drinks, since they make most of their profit from the concession stand), or
2. Wait until The Bear Tooth shows it in the spring.
Queer Duck is an animated feature, and Dream Boy is a gay coming of age romance. For a special treat, go to The Gay-La, an after-screening party at Mad Myrna’s with James Bolton, the Portland-based director of Dream Boy.
The trailer for Dream Boy (2008):
The commercial for Queer Duck, the Movie, which came out on Logo in 2006:
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.
