Articles by E. Ross
E. Ross is the founder of Bent Alaska.
Appreciating MCC’s Rev. Johnathan Jones
- Johnathan left Australia in 2004 when he was only 24 to accept a position as the pastor of MCC-Anchorage.
- He had already experienced a divorce from a heterosexual marriage and was a physical and sexual abuse survivor.
- He threw himself into the work and began building the church.
- He labors to lead a service that has wide appeal, because the congregation is very diverse.
- His sermons make positive references to the GLBT community.
- He quotes scripture that dispels the notion that homosexuality is condemned in the Bible.
- He made MCC known in the community.
- He works on the Identity Helpline and fields questions concerning homosexuality and the Bible.
- He is Co-Chair of the PrideFest 2008 Committee and leads the Gay Memorial & MCC Pride Service.
- He accepts numerous speaking opportunities at UAA and in the community at large.
- He gives interviews on radio talk shows about homosexuality and religion.
- He speaks out through Compass pieces in the Anchorage Daily News.
- He is often interviewed on TV when there is an issue in the news about the GLBT community.
- He lobbied the Senate and Congress in DC concerning the Matthew Shephard Act. (Equal Opportunity Law Enforcement Act and Equal Non-Discrimination Act.)
- He personally met with Senator Murkowski to discuss the bills. (She did vote for the Matthew Shephard Act.)
- Johnathan is a very personable young man who laughs easily and loves deeply.
- His sincerity is immediately apparent to all who meet him.
- He shares many of his life’s experiences with the congregation, demonstrating that one can survive all sorts of discrimination, prejudice, and abuse and still be a Christian.
- He is deeply loved by his congregation.
Margaret Cho’s Beautiful Tour in Anchorage – Tickets On Sale 4/4
“I want to explore the nature of beauty. What is funny and scary about it, why we often don’t feel beautiful because our society’s standards are so rigid and unattainable,” said Margaret.
Anchorage Women Dance the Night Away
Big Prizes in IAA Raffle
Update to ‘Juneau Responds’
Last night, at the KTOO studio with the panel and the Mayor, audience turnout was more than hoped for. We’d hoped for at least 20, but more than 30 turned out. It was a very moving experience. Our panel did a great job, and about a half dozen in the audience participated too. We were well represented by our city government: in addition to the Mayor, our Deputy City Manager was there, as was Jonathan Anderson – our elected Assembly member and current chair of PFLAG Juneau. Friends, family, parents, and allies all were there with us who are of the GLBT community. It was the first production KTOO has ever done with their new digital equipment – so we were part of history in that 21st century shift. KTOO’s staff, in particular Terry Tavel the producer – who also wrote the grant for this Anyone and Everyone – made us all feel very comfortable and welcomed. The studio was full of energy, rapt attention, and a lot of love.
I believe the final product from last night’s taping will make us all proud.
I’m just so grateful to everyone who is being involved and making this all possible!
Sara
Juneau Responds to "Anyone and Everyone"
by E. Ross
A woman describes an evening at home with her son, an evening that occurred many years ago but is just as clear to her today. “He reached over and turned the radio off and said the ten words that changed my life: ‘Mom, have you ever wondered if I might be gay?'”
Anyone and Everyone tells the stories of families from Utah to North Carolina and Wyoming to New York, all connected by a common thread – a gay or lesbian child. This poignant and often heartbreaking documentary by first-time filmmaker Susan Polis Schutz (also the parent of a gay son) reveals moments of ‘coming out’ to parents and the family process of coming to terms with a child’s sexual orientation.
The film features parents from a wide range of religions, ethnicities, and political leanings, discussing their initial reactions to their child’s coming out. While a few showed unconditional support, others struggled with the new information, fearing alienation from their extended family, their church, or their community. Some parents simply did not understand the universal nature of homosexuality, and that it can affect anyone and everyone.
Whether Japanese, Cherokee, Mormon, Catholic, or Hindu, these families all share a deep love for their children, along with the struggle for acceptance, both in their own home and within society as a whole.
Anyone & Everyone is airing on PBS stations around the country, often followed by a presentation on local resources and personal reactions to the film.
Anyone & Everyone in Alaska
In April, Anyone & Everyone will be shown across the state of Alaska, along with a panel discussion led by Mayor Bruce Botelho on resources for Alaskan families with gay kids. The panel will be filmed in KTOO’s studio in Juneau tonight, and supporters are encouraged to attend and to share their reactions to the film.
The Juneau chapter of PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) made the video available for preview and held several screenings prior to the discussion. They also spoke to Juneau’s Cooperative Council of Churches and sent a flier to the Juneau Human Rights Commission, the Statewide Suicide Prevention Council, and members of a recent Suicide Prevention Roundtable.
One of the screenings was held before a service at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. “The reaction was great,” wrote Sara Boesser, representing PFLAG. “During the service, the leader of the day spoke in his sharing time about how he had two older brothers, both of whom were gay, and he wished that there had been a movie like this to help his parents and whole family.”
Anyone & Everyone depicts PFLAG meetings where families get support and help. The national organization of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons, their families and friends through support, education and advocacy. With over 500 local chapters, PFLAG provides opportunities for dialogue about sexual orientation, to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity.
This film is especially important since up to 26% of gay teens who come out to their parents or guardians are told they must leave home. Of the approximately 1.6 million homeless American youth, 20-40% identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. Nearly 40% of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students report being physically harassed.
KTOO is showing Anyone and Everyone on Thursday, March 27 at 4:30 p.m. in the Conference Room. The panel discussion led by Mayor Bruce Botelho will follow the screening at 5:30 p.m. in the KTOO-TV studio. Anyone & Everyone airs statewide on April 17 on Alaska ONE and KAKM, followed by a half-hour production of Juneau’s panel discussion.
For information on the panel and broadcast, contact KTOO-TV or PFLAG Juneau. To learn more about Anyone and Everyone and to watch the trailer, visit www.anyoneandeveryone.com.
"Becoming a Man" in Anchorage
“I was born female.
I came out a lesbian.
Then I came out transgender.
Now, with legal changes and hormones, I live my life as a man.
I identify (pretty much) as a straight man.
But, mostly, people read me as a gay man.
That’s female, male, lesbian, gay, straight (but not narrow), and trans.
I live all of those facets of my identity, and make art about them.”
— From the desk of Scott Turner Schofield
Scott Turner Schofield, the first openly trans artist to be commissioned by the National Performance Network, is in Anchorage this week to perform “Becoming a Man in 127 Easy Steps” at Out North.
“Becoming a Man” presents true stories of Schofield’s personal transformation, including an army recruitment office where he tries to enlist and then “tells,” and a confrontation with his biological father.
Choose Your Own Adventure
Invited into the world of a childhood fort, the audience picks which of the 127 stories they want to hear. The stories focus on Schofield’s transition from female to male, exploring his origins, childhood and young adult life as a transgender person. Sometimes funny, sometimes shockingly honesty, these scenes last from 30 seconds to five minutes, featuring multi-media storytelling, aerial acrobatics and a decoder ring.
“Becoming a Man” is rated for Mature Audiences due to nudity, language and sexuality.
“There is full nudity, and it is the most un-controversial aspect of the show, though of course nobody will admit that until after they’ve seen it,” writes Schofield from his home in Atlanta, Georgia. “It’s a matter-of-fact primer on transgender surgeries done with lipstick and a trans body that is (gasp!) comfortable with itself.”
Contradictions and Comedy
Schofield has been the featured performer for events such as Unity Week, National Coming Out Day, Transgender Day of Rememberance, Pride and even Women’s History Month. His recently published book, Two Truths and a Lie, combines all three of his autobiographical plays.
Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls called him, “A provocative and compelling storyteller. [Schofield] helps us to look at gender in a new way, face our prejudices, and have fun while doing it.”
During a one week residency in Anchorage, Schofield will appear on radio shows, guest lecture a Women’s Studies class, and co-present theater workshops with director Steve Bailey.
The radio schedule includes Thursday 8:30 am on 90.3 KNBA with host Danny Preston, Friday 1 p.m. on 91.1 KSKA’s Stagetalk with host Mark Muro, and Friday 3 pm on 88.1 KRUA with host Caroline Willis.
Established in 1985 as Out North, VSA arts of Alaska provides a forum for underrepresented artists, especially artists with disabilities, artists of color, gay/lesbian/bi/trans artists, and social activist artists.
“Becoming a Man in 127 Easy Steps” plays Thursday March 27 through Saturday March 29 at 7 p.m. and Sunday March 30 at 4 p.m. at Out North, 3800 DeBarr Road. Tickets are $19 online and $20 at the door. Student rush tickets are $10 at the door with student ID.
Watch the trailer and visit Underground Transit for more on Scott Turner Schofield.
This Weekend in Anchorage
From the newsletter Alaska GLBT News (subscribe)
Becoming A Man in 127 EASY Steps 3/27-29 at 7 p.m. & 3/30 at 4 p.m.
Transgender performer Scott Turner Schofield brings his 127 step program on becoming a man in America. “I was born female. I came out ..” Read the article and Watch the trailer. $19 online, $20 at the door. Out North
Menopause the Musical 3/27 – 3/30 & Cast Party 3/27, 7:30 p.m.
Set in a department store, where four women with seemingly nothing in common but a black lace bra meet by chance. Join Planned Parenthood of Alaska on 3/27: the $65.00 package includes a show ticket and a reception with the cast at Café Savannah. Details: Planned Parenthood of Alaska. On the Menopause site, check out the trailer. For tickets: CenterTix (907) 263-ARTS.
TLFMC Last Saturday Brunch 3/29, 10:30 a.m.
This month’s TLFMC Last Saturday Brunch is held at the Sunrise Grill & Pancake House, 8201 Old Seward Hwy. Contact: Road Captain.
ICOAA Beach Party 3/30, 6 p.m.
ICOAA Beach Party with live rock, country and blues music by EverReady. $10 Mad Myrna’s.
The Witnesses 3/31
The Bear Tooth Theaterpub and Four A’s present The Witnesses, a movie directed by André Téchiné. “The time is 1984. The place is Paris. A young, handsome man . . .” More, plus a trailer.
Alaskan Bear Wins Mr. International Bear 2008
by E. Ross
The Bears of Alaska began the year with a great big Woof! For the first time, a local Bear won the title of Mr. International Bear at the IBR competition in San Francisco. Scott Turner of Anchorage competed in IBR Patrol – Bears in Uniform and is now Mr. International Bear 2008.
“We were all standing back there holding hands, trying to figure out which one of them was going to get it,” Turner said at a post-competition party, “and then they called my name and I was in complete shock.”
The other new title holders are Mr. International Daddy Ringo Nannings of Amsterdam, International Cub Bud Grundy of Southern California, And Mr. International Grizzly Dean Bruno of Boston.
“Great bunch of guys this year. I had a lot of fun drinking with all of them,” said Turner, “and the most fun was watching the other guys get their awards.”
Each year, The Last Frontier Men’s Club (TLFMC) sponsors Mr. Bear Alaska at the International Bear Rendezvous in San Francisco and Mr. Alaska Leather at the International Mr. Leather contest in Chicago. They also award titles for Alaska Bear Cub, Mr. Alaska Levi, Alaska Leather Boy & Ms. Alaska Leather. Title holders are chosen during Arctic Heat Weekend.
The International Bear Rendezvous is an annual gathering of bears and bear-lovers held in San Francisco. IBR is hosted by the Bears of San Francisco, who conceived of Rendezvous as a weekend of fun and fundraising.
Established in 1993, The Last Frontier Men’s Club is a non-profit social club. TLFMC provides bears, leathermen, cowboys, their respective admirers and other masculine Alaskan gay and bisexual men with the opportunity to meet and socialize. Although The Last Frontier Men’s Club is a members-only club, people from all aspects of the community are encouraged and welcome to attend any function that the club presents.
TLFMC posts photos and videos of local Bears. Here is the video announcing the new Mr. International Bear:
