E. Ross is the founder of Bent Alaska.
Monday, 25 August 2008 – 7:33 PM
| Comments Off on Kimberly Pace at the DNC: Women’s Brunch, AFL-CIO Rally, and Rep. John Conyers
Guest blogger Kimberly J. Pace is Alaska’s openly-LGBT delegate to the Democratic Convention in Denver. Here is her post about Sunday. (Read an interview of her by DemConWatch, and catch her daily updates here on Bent Alaska.)
I thought yesterday was amazing and then along came today! Our day started bright and early rising at 6:45 am and we were out and about by 9 am this morning. Our first stop was a brunch sponsored by the National Federation of Democratic Women. This was a great event with women from all over the country. There was a possibility that Michelle Obama might make an appearance but she was not able to attend. With the announcement of Joe Biden as the VP, the campaign has been scrambling. We hope to see her along with Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi on Tuesday.
After brunch we were off to lunch (turns out there is a lot of free food here, good food – you know, Kimberly friendly) which was sponsored by the AFT (American Federation of Teachers.) Yummy! We sat with a couple from New York. The woman is a 5th grade teacher and her husband is a Political Science Professor at Elmira College. Small world. Got even smaller when we learned that their son lives in Clifton Park, NY where my dad grew up. They are friends with the Clintons and Howard Dean. We were networking.
After brunch and lunch within 2 hours, we had an hour or so to fill, so we enjoyed exploring downtown Denver. We saw protesters, street musicians, and vendors selling everything they possibly can with Obama’s face on it. We’ve discovered that Denver is a great city in terms of disability access. I heard an interview with the mayor of Denver earlier today, and he was talking about all of the effort that was put into improving accessibility for the city. It worked! There is no place that I have wanted/needed to get to that I have not been able to.
We thought security was tight yesterday, today it was even more so. You couldn’t go a block without seeing at least two SWAT teams, Denver Police, Colorado troopers, and/or rent-a-cops. I expect that tomorrow will be even more intense security-wise.
Next stop: an AFL-CIO rally meeting. It was filled with impressive people with incredible stories. The man from one of the Democratic debates who spoke at Soldiers Field about how he and his wife lost close to everything, including nearly 1/2 of his pension and 1/2 of his health care benefits spoke. They had to make a decision about which one of them would keep the health insurance. In the end they chose him and he felt/feels awful. He is a proud man who has worked all of his life to support his family and it all comes down to working hard his entire life with very little to show for it. He is here to support Obama’s presidential bid as he believes that Obama will be able to do something not only for himself but also for families across this nation, some 40 million of whom are uninsured or underinsured. His story brought tears to my eyes.
At the same event, Ted Kennedy’s son Teddy spoke about the importance of America’s working class and its significance to the Kennedy family. I was surprised but he was actually quite eloquent. There is a rumor that Ted Kennedy might be well enough to attend some of the events in the next few days, I’m crossing my fingers.
Following the AFL-CIO meeting, we whisked ourselves into the next door ballroom for the tribute to Congressman John Conyers from Detroit, MI. I have been lecturing about Conyers and his impact on Civil Rights for years. Needless to say, it was a thrill to be able to listen to him and his passionate support for Barack Obama. Conyers is a man who has dedicated his life to the pursuit of not just civil rights but to human rights. It was a treat, to say the least.
It was a jam-packed day. Upon our return to our hotel, we saw our first celebrity: Al Franken, who is staying here with the Minnesota delegation. His wife told us that they would be leaving on Tuesday to get back to his senate campaign. With Tuesday being the primary, they can’t be away too long.
Tomorrow is shaping up to be a very busy day. Our state delegation meets at 7 am (most of you know I am not a morning person, so you can imagine how that will work out) and then we have several events planned, including something called “Unconventional Women,” the GLBT caucus, and then the convention itself kicks off officially with Jimmy Carter giving the first keynote speech. If time permits, we may be able to make it to the Molly Brown House (of Titanic fame) and possibly the Downtown Aquarium which is supposed to be amazing.
Till next time, I hope you are all well, and stay tuned for tomorrow night’s post . . .
Kimberly J. Pace is Alaska’s one openly-LGBT delegate to the Democratic Convention in Denver – and she agreed to blog about the convention for Bent Alaska! (Watch for her daily updates.)
She is also blogging for Fox News (yes, really) and for
DemConWatch.
DemConWatch interviewed Kimberly before the convention:
DocJess: Kimberly, I know this is supposed to be an interview about you as a delegate, but since you’re from Alaska, I can’t wait – how is the Ted situation?
Kimberly: I am just loving it. There’s an entire movement up here called “Retire Ted”. And it’s going very well, although it doesn’t seem to be getting the national press it’s grabbing locally.
It was always a case of which came first, the indictment or the election. So, I really don’t know anything about you, are you an Obama delegate or a Clinton delegate?
Obama, from way back.
Is this your first time being a delegate?
Absolutely, and I’m very excited and can’t wait to get there.
Is this your first foray into politics?
You should ask what I do for a living.
OK, what do you do for a living?
I’m a professor of Political Science.
What do you specialize in, and where do you teach?
I teach at the University of Alaska – Anchorage, and teach all forms of poli-sci with a concentration on Comparative Politics, American Government, and Constitutional Law. I’m also director of the Women’s Studies department.
What was your thesis on?
Disability movements. I worked on a comparative analysis between the ADA system in the United States versus that which exists in Europe.
Wow. But is this the first direct political action you’ve undertaken?
I’m a proud, life-long Democrat, and I’ve given money to candidates and causes, and packed my share of envelopes, and made phone calls, but this is the first time I’m really putting myself out there.
To what are you most looking forward?
That is so hard. I guess EVERYTHING. For me, this is not only a chance to represent the people who are sending me there, but also to take a look at the process and see if what I’ve been lecturing on for the last 20 years is really correct in the light of day.
Ed Espinoza, our resident Super Delegate here, says his advice for first time delegates is to wear comfortable shoes. Are you all set with that?
Actually, I could wear spiked heels and I’d be comfortable since I’m in a wheelchair. But yes, the rest of my delegation knows about it and will be properly attired. And we’ll all be in Alaskan Native attire.
Is that a kind of funky hat?
No, lots of people wear hats, and often state delegations wear the same hat – we decided to do something a little different and wear traditional garb – kuspuks.
Are you paying for your trip yourself?
No. I’m actually a union delegate for the AFT, American Federation of Teachers, and so they are paying for my trip.
In fact, while you probably know that the DNC requires all delegations to be half male and half female, here in Alaska, we also require our delegation be demographically representative, so we have Native Alaskans, African Americans, disabled people, and LGBT members of our delegations.
Since I’m openly gay, I’m looking forward to going to the Disability Caucus, the LGBT Caucus, the Women’s Caucus, and a number of Union activities.
I don’t know how to ask this politely, but are you concerned about being effectually shorter than most people, and still being able to see everything on the convention floor?
The DNC has said that there will be more disabled delegates than ever before at this convention, and they say that they’ve made special provisions, but we’ll see. I’ve heard that before.
Yes, as a country, and often as individual people, we’re not great to people in wheelchairs. I hate when I see people leaning over someone in a wheelchair, yelling, as if because one has musculoskeletal problems, they are also deaf. I really hope that you have great access. So when are you going to start blogging for us?
Probably on Saturday when I get there. FOX wants to give me some sort of movie-recording-phone-device, but I’m going to have to tell them that at my level, they’ll be getting a lot of butts.
A lot of humour potential there…while I personally will be looking forward to your on-site blogs, I’m also hoping that once you get home and you have time to think and process everything, you’ll write us a piece on how the convention does jibe with your lectures; how de jure and de facto fit together, as it were.
Absolutely!
Sunday, 24 August 2008 – 10:25 AM
| Comments Off on Are There Many Gay People Up In Alaska?
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Sen. Joe Biden, Obama’s choice for Vice President, has not said anything about gay Alaskans.
But last year, one of the other presidential hopefuls showed his knowledge of Alaska’s vibrant LGBT community at an HRC event in Los Angeles.
Melissa Etheridge asked former senator Mike Gravel about his support for same-sex marriage, then asked, “Are there many gay people up in Alaska?” Listen to his response:
We’ve been through a long, strange nomination process that ends at this week’s Democratic Convention. The clip shows a GLBT Alaska moment in that process. It also shows how far we still have to go: the current presidential and vice presidential candidates do not support same-sex marriage.
Friday, 22 August 2008 – 5:08 PM
| Comments Off on This Week in GLBT Alaska 8/22/08
Check out this week’s events from Alaska GLBT News, the email newsletter.
Fairbanks
White Trash Party with DJ Double D, 8/23, 9 p.m-? at Jeff’s house.
Homer
Wasilla
Ever Ready at the Great Bear Brewing Restaurant, 8/23, 8 p.m.-midnight
Anchorage
Four MCC Programs on the “Ex-Gay” Movement, Thursdays 8/21-9/11, 6:30 p.m. $6
Ever Ready at the AMVETS Post 49, 8/22, 7-11 p.m.
Northern Exposure Bowling League season registration, 8/23, 4 p.m. at Park Lanes
Benefit for Off the Rocks, 8/23, 7 p.m., at Out North, pay what you can. More info.
Hump Day Happy Hour with The Last Frontier Men’s Club, 8/27, 5-7 p.m. at the Raven every 2nd & 4th Wednesday.
Thursday, 21 August 2008 – 10:45 PM
| Comments Off on 1049 Daily US Newspapers Accept Same-Sex Wedding Announcements – But Only 339 Have Received Them
Q. Which of Alaska’s daily newspapers will print same-sex wedding announcements?
A. All of them – technically.
Alaska is one of only 9 states where all of the daily newspapers will print same-sex wedding announcements, according to a report this week from
GLAAD, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.
The Juneau Empire posted a
same-sex wedding announcement in May, and the Anchorage Daily News has printed several. The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner agrees to print them (but hasn’t yet) only if the wedding is legally recognized where it was performed. Alaska’s other daily newspapers (see chart) will print our wedding, union and commitment ceremony announcements – but none have been submitted.
The
Announcing Equality project asks us to send our announcements to local newspapers to increase LGBT visibility.
In cities and small towns all over the country, communities are seeing the lives of their lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) family members, friends and neighbors reflected in their media outlets. These stories will spur the kinds of everyday conversations that will change hearts and minds.
GLAAD first launched the Announcing Equality campaign in 2002, after working with The New York Times to open its weddings/celebrations pages to lesbian and gay couples. Six years later, the number of inclusive newspapers has jumped from 70 to 1049, and nearly 72 percent of all daily newspapers in the United States now accept wedding and/or commitment ceremony announcements for same-sex couples.
Unfortunately, most of these papers haven’t had a chance to run an announcement. That’s where you come in!
We’re urging you to recognize the celebrations and milestones in your life by sharing the story with the newspaper, and to share your story in other forms of media, from office newsletters and union periodicals to church bulletins, public radio, Facebook and YouTube.
And be sure to send the link to Bent Alaska!
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ALASKA
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Media Outlet
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City
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URL
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Will Publication Print an Announcement?
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Has Publication Printed an Announcement in the Past?
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Anchorage Daily News
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Anchorage
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Y
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Y
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Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
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Fairbanks
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L
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N
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Juneau Empire
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Juneau
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Y
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Y
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Peninsula Clarion
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Kenai
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Y
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N
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Ketchikan Daily News
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Ketchikan
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Y
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N
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Kodiak Daily Mirror
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Kodiak
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Y
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N
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Daily Sitka Sentinel
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Sitka
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Y
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N
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L = Newspaper will print announcements only if the union is legally recognized.
Tuesday, 19 August 2008 – 9:11 PM
| Comments Off on GLBT performances at Out North
Out North offers several performances by or about gays and lesbians during the next few weeks.
Joan Cullinane reprises her Under 30 performance of “Merrow” as a benefit for “Off the Rocks” this weekend. September’s Poetry Parley features selected works by lesbian poet Adrienne Rich, read by local women. In late September, Bill Bowers visits Anchorage and Homer to perform “It Goes Without Saying,” about growing up closeted in Montana, becoming a professional mime, and living through the AIDS crisis.
Tickets and information for the full 2008 season of live performances, the Global Lens, and the Manhattan Short Film Festival, are posted at
Out North: VSA Arts of Alaska.
————–
Off The Rocks Benefit:
The Return of UNDER 30 Past
Past Under 30 performers Morgan Hobkirk and Joan Cullinane reprise their works “Outside the Lines” and “Merrow” as a benefit for “
Off the Rocks,” a non-profit theatre program working with Akeela House and through a grant from the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority to help women dealing with alcoholism and substance abuse issues. Come join us for this pay-what-you-can event. Reserve seating available with a suggested donation of $15 on line.
7pm SAT Aug 23
PAY WHAT YOU CAN
—————————
POETRY PARLEY:
September’s Poetry Parley features an evening celebrating women in poetry. An all-female chorus of readers will present selected works of feminist poet Adrienne Rich that speak of, to and for women over the past several decades. Celebrated local poet Arlitia Jones will also present her own work. Poetry Parley is coordinated by J.W. Minton. Refreshments available.
7pm WED Sept. 3rd
FREE ADMISSION
———————-
It Goes Without Saying
A professional mime breaks his silence in this autobiographical tale about growing up gay and closeted in Montana, training with the great Marcel Marceau, and living through the AIDS crisis of the 1980’s.
$18.00 online; $20 at the door.
($1.25 per ticket online fee)
ANCHORAGE
7pm FRI Sept. 19
7pm SAT Sept. 20
4pm SUN Sept. 21
(Purchase tickets at Bunnell)
7pm THU Sept. 25
7pm FRI Sept. 26
7pm SAT Sept. 27
Monday, 18 August 2008 – 9:30 PM
| Comments Off on Fairbanks Duke and Duchess
Adonis and Brittany were crowned as the new Fairbanks Duke and Duchess of the Imperial Court of All Alaska (
ICOAA) at the Ducal Ball and Toga Party, held at the Carlson Center earlier this month.
The new Duchess and Duke: Brittany and Adonis
Pictured from left: Herman – member of the Court, Brittany – Duchess,
Ken (back) – reigning Emperor XXXV of Alaska, and Adonis (front) – Duke
Monday, 18 August 2008 – 9:03 AM
| Comments Off on Coronation 2008 Schedule
Their Most Imperial Majesties
Emperor XXXV Ken Butner & Empress XXXV Mary Bess Bohall
Cordially invite All Empires and Friends
to join them in beautiful Anchorage, Alaska for
Coronation XXXVI – A Tribute to Heroes
August 28-September 1, 2008
Sheraton Anchorage Hotel
Group rate ($129) available through August 28 and must be booked by phone.
Please call the Sheraton Anchorage at 907-343-3437 and request the “Imperial Court Rate” when making your reservation.
Schedule of Events
Friday, 29 August
- Dallas & Colorado Springs Cocktail Party 8pm – 9pm at Mad Myrna’s
- In-State Show 9pm – midnight in Mad Myrna’s Show Lounge – $10.00 (purchase tickets at ICOAA)
- Houston/Houchie Bear Party midnight – 2am on Mad Myrna’s Patio
Saturday, 30 August
- Myrna’s Bloody Mary Breakfast 10am – 11:30am – $7.00 (price does not include Bloody Mary)
- Brown Bear Bus Run 11:45am – 5pm Bus leaves from The Raven Bar – $15.00 (purchase tickets at ICOAA)
- Out-of-State Show, doors open at 8pm & Show at 9pm in Mad Myrna’s Show Lounge – $10.00 (purchase tickets at ICOAA)
- Las Vegas & Reno “Sin Cities Party” 1am – 3am at The Raven Bar
Sunday, 31 August
Monday, 01 September
- Victory Brunch 11am – 1pm at Mad Myrna’s Bistro – $25.00 (purchase tickets at ICOAA)
- The San Francisco Party starring Marlena! 3pm – whenever at The Raven
- Rotton Family Reunion 7pm – midnight at Mad Myrna’s
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ALL Events – Full Coronation Package – $100.00
(includes In-State, Bus Run, Out-of-State, Coronation & Brunch)
Friday, 15 August 2008 – 2:45 PM
| Comments Off on This Week in GLBT Alaska 8/15 – 8/21
From the newsletter Alaska GLBT News (
subscribe):
Juneau
SEAGLA members will meet and greet the
Pied Piper‘s Alaska gay travel group, Sunday 8/17 at 5-7 p.m. The Imperial Bar and Billiards.
Fairbanks
Enter the Tundra Buffalo Run in Denali Park, as a fundraiser for the
Interior Aids Association on Saturday 8/16. Register at Riley Creek Mercantile 2-4 p.m. $25 entry fee.
Kenai
Anchorage
ICOAA Emperor & Empress Voting 8/16 at the GLCCA 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Absentee ballots for download at ICOAA.
Bag Lady Sue Comedy Show, Saturday 8/16 at 9 p.m. Mad Myrna’s, $10.
MCC Board of Directors Meeting 8/17. Service at 2 p.m., meeting at 3:30 p.m.
Debate Party for Mark Begich, Wednesday 8/20, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Email M.E. for more information.
Thursday, 14 August 2008 – 2:45 PM
| Comments Off on Educate the media: Update on responding to the “ex-gay” conference
Alaska’s GLBT community will respond when the anti-gay Love Won Out seminar comes to Anchorage on Sept. 13. GLBT and progressive groups are planning events to educate the media and the community.
Wayne Besen, founder of Truth Wins Out, is coming to Anchorage to oppose the notorious “ex-gay” event.
“Love Won Out distorts gay life and conflates stereotypes with science, while selling false hope to vulnerable people,” said Besen. “We are looking forward to working with Alaskan advocacy groups to counter Focus on the Family’s false and destructive messages.”
The Anchorage Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) is hosting two events with Besen. He will present a workshop at the Thursday night Soul Food gathering on Sept. 11 ($6, dinner at 6:30, workshop around 7 p.m.) and will speak at the worship service on Sunday, Sept. 14 (service begins at 2 p.m.)
The Anchorage Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (AUUF) offered to host an event, and other GLBT-welcoming churches expressed support.
Celtic Diva announced Bloggers Diversity Week, with GLBT Day on Sept. 12, the day before the ex-gay conference. Other Alaskan bloggers have signed on.
Seventy-two people voted in the “How should we respond?” survey here on Bent Alaska! Fifty nine (81%) voted to “Educate the media and community with a presentation or forum.” Twenty-eight (38%) chose to “Show films on the damage done by the ex-gay lies.” Twenty-six (36%) want to “Protest outside the church during the conference.” And nine (12%) said “Don’t bother, just ignore them.”
A sample of the comments I received from community members are posted here: Your Words.
I’ll continue to post updates on our response, on the blog and in the Alaska GLBT News email newsletter.
