Articles by Melissa S. Green
Melissa S. (Mel) Green is the editor (as of October 2011) & contributor to Bent Alaska. She also has her own blog at Henkimaa.com.
This weekend in LGBTQ Alaska (7/29/11): Fairbanks Ducal Ball & Hedwig’s last weekend
This weekend’s big events in Fairbanks are a late morning bar-hopping float down the Chena River and the Fairbanks Ducal Ball at the Blue Loon. In Anchorage, it’s the very last weekend to see Out North’s production of “Hedwig and the Angry Inch.” Those events and more, plus a preview of what’s coming up next week.
Freedom to Serve: New guide for LGBT servicemembers in a post-DADT world
It’s not a post-DADT world yet, but it will be after September 20 — and now Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) has prepared a comprehensive new legal guide to laws and policies related to U.S. military service as an LGBT servicemember once Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is finally gone.
Lesbian couple saved 40 from rightwing Norwegian terrorist
Hege Dalen and Toril Hansen — a lesbian couple — put their own lives at risk to save about 40 youth from the July 22 massacre in Norway. A total of 250 to 300 youth were rescued by Hege, Toril, and others camped near them that day. We salute their heroism.
DADT repeal certified, & Sen. Begich’s remarks on DADT at Anchorage Pride
Seven months after DADT repeal was signed into law, it’s finally being certified! This seems like a good time to post our video of Sen. Begich’s remarks at Anchorage Pride, and to again thank him and Sen. Murkowski for their votes to end this draconian law.
Focus on the Family leader’s antigay testimony demolished at DOMA repeal hearing
In a Senate committee hearing on a bill to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), Senators Al Franken and Patrick Leahy demolished testimony by Tom Minnery of the antigay organization Focus on the Family. Tom Minnery is a cousin to Alaska Family Council’s Jim Minnery.
Earn a Bronze merit badge for reading about Gay Rights!!!
I don’t want a Bronze Badge for reading about Gay Rights. What I want is my rights.
Judith Barrington, Valerie Miner, & other great writers in UAA annual reading series
Judith Barrington and Valerie Miner are among the writers participating in the Summer 2011 Northern Renaissance Arts & Sciences Reading Series from July 10–19 at UAA. This is the fourth year for the event, which is held annually in conjunction with the Master of Fine Arts Program in Creative Writing of the UAA Department of Creative Writing & Literary Arts (CWLA).
Anthony Romero of ACLU to speak Thursday at UAA
Anthony Romero, national executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Romero will be the featured speaker for Disparate Opportunity in America: The Ongoing Struggle for Equal Rights sponsored by the UAA Justice Center and ACLU of Alaska. The program will focus on recent developments in the continuing challenges faced by minority and underprivileged communities and the work of the ACLU in fighting for equal rights.
This one for you, James Crump
James Crump came to Alaska to find himself, and stayed in Alaska to share himself with us. His death on June 25 at Anchorage’s Pride parade was a blow not only to his family & friends, but also to our whole community. But just what is our community — and where do we go from here?
ICOAA’s 4th of July celebration — & a winning float!
The Imperial Court of All Alaska (ICOAA) float won the Judges Choice Award at the Anchorage 4th of July festival and parade. Paige, Empress 38 of Alaska, graciously accepted Bent Alaska’s invitation to post her account of the day’s festivities; photos and additional comments by Bent Alaska contributor Mel Green.
