Articles in Anchorage
This Week in LGBT Alaska 3/19/10
Juneau
SEAGLA Social Fridays (6-8 p.m.) for GLBT people and our friends over 21, at The Imperial Bar.
Fairbanks
UAF Gay-Straight Alliance meets 4 p.m Friday in the Alumni Lounge.
Wednesday Social Group Retreat Weekend 3/19-3/21. Contact Joshua for the location.
Mat-Su Valley
Mat-Su LGBT Community Center in Palmer is open M-F 5-8 p.m. (except 6-8 on Wed.) The social group meets Wednesdays, 5-6 p.m. at Vagabond Blues.
Anchorage
RAW’s Celebration of Change Art Show Reception 3/19, 7 p.m. at Kodiak Bar and Grill.
Integrity, the Episcopal GLBT Advocacy Group, meets at St. Mary’s 3/19, 6:30 p.m. All are welcome for the monthly (3rd Friday) potluck, fellowship and worship.
QrSA Youth Initiative Drop-In 3/20, 12-3 p.m. at the GLCCA.
Imperial Crown Princess/Prince XVIII Candidate Walk-about 3/20, 8:30 p.m. at The Raven, 10 p.m. at Myrna’s.
MCCA Sunday service 2/21, 2 p.m.
Miss MeMe’s Birthday Gospel Show 3/21, 5-7 p.m. fundraiser at Mad Myrna’s.
Anchorage LGBT Book Lovers Club 3/24, 6:30 p.m. at the GLCCA.
This Week in LGBT Alaska 3/12/10
Juneau
Emma’s Revolution/ Pat Humphries & Sandy O in Concert 3/18, 7:30 p.m. Juneau Pride Chorus opens the show at Aldersgate United Methodist Church. (Emma’s Revolution will also perform in Sitka and be live guests on KTOO radio.)
SEAGLA Social Fridays (6-8 p.m.) for GLBT people and our friends over 21, at The Imperial Bar.
Fairbanks
UAF Gay-Straight Alliance Meeting 4 p.m on Friday in the Alumni Lounge.
Wednesday Social at 9 p.m. Contact Joshua for the current location.
Mat-Su Valley
Mat-Su LGBT Community Center in Palmer is open M-F 5-8 p.m. (except 6-8 on Wed.) The social group meets Wednesdays, 5-6 p.m. at Vagabond Blues.
Anchorage
Over Coffee: A Conversation For Gay Partnership & Conservative Faith 3/12, 8-9:30 p.m. at Metropolitan Community Church.
OUT’s “Pop Superstar Night” Drag Show 3/13, 7 p.m. in the UAA Commons. Imperial Court judges, MC Paige, and stand up comedy by Colleen Crinklaw at intermission. Tickets $5, half of all proceeds donated to the GLCCA.
Holcombe Waller performing at Out North 3/12-3/14 at 7:30 p.m. & 4 p.m. on Sunday.
MCCA Chili Cook Off 3/14 at 3 p.m., following the 2 p.m. Sunday service.
Alaskans Together Anchorage organizing meeting 3/14, 4 p.m. at the GLCCA
Gay Games presentation and Team Alaska 3/17, 7 p.m. at the GLCCA
Words matter on DADT polls, but labels keep us apart
In the poll, 59 percent say they now support allowing “homosexuals” to serve in the U.S. military, including 34 percent who say they strongly favor that. Ten percent say they somewhat oppose it and 19 percent say they strongly oppose it.But the numbers differ when the question is changed to whether Americans support “gay men and lesbians” serving in the military. When the question is asked that way, 70 percent of Americans say they support gay men and lesbians serving in the military, including 19 percent who say they somewhat favor it. Seven percent somewhat oppose it, and 12 percent strongly oppose it.
Why must we care what word we use to describe ourselves in this world. Truly, no word can describe a person, or do much to resolve one person’s prejudice against another. The need to provide equal protection was conceived to protect people from the damage inflicted by a word or a combination of words. Because of equal protection under the law, I am not allowed to extend or deny to my fellow citizen access to basic necessities such as food, shelter or income because I may believe that a person’s character and worth can be defined by the color of their skin, their ethnic heritage or their ability to physically function at my level.We cut ourselves off from so very much in this world, from potential allies, acquaintances and friends, when we allow ourselves to place people in boxes defined by words, and bullet phrases based on physical characteristics, or even outward mannerisms. We certainly deprive ourselves when we rely on the comments of others to determine with whom we may be compatible. Many amazing, spiritually mature and gifted leaders have throughout human history declared that to understand someone, one must take the time to know that person as an individual. By no other means can one ascertain whether another human being be friend or foe.I wrote this comment, and I will end the article with it. May we all step out of our comfort zones in order that we find greater comfort in the companionship of others who we may not at first trust or understand. It works. I speak from experience. Some of the greatest lessons taught to me have been from those whom at first I did not trust:What I long for more than anything else is to have a person simply ask me about my life – not my lifestyle, my agenda, or attempt to define my label. I am, above all else, a human being. I do not wear my hair in a particular style, adorn my feet with a select brand of comfortable shoes or even regularly attend the most public of rallies or parades for the LGBT community. My parents love my partner, and her parents love me. We have the support of our family. We could not exist as a couple without that support (get back in there and work it out, then come talk to us later). I do not hide my life, but then neither do I try and define it with outward props or affectations. Should a stranger need to understand me better, I can offer no one word or combination thereof to dispel their discomfort. All I can do is to offer them a cup of coffee, a plate of food, and a moment of my time, and perhaps, should both our hearts be open and free from preconceived resentment, we might become better acquainted and less fearful of one another. This method alone has helped ease my way in life, and open doors that might otherwise have remained closed to me, and the love of my life. I thank all those neighbors, relatives, states, persons and more who took the time to get to know us and accept us with love and understanding.
Surfacing, New Pride site, Arctic Heat winners, Youth Drop-Ins, & DC Marriage
Arctic Heat 2010
Arctic Heat Weekend is here! Come out and support the men and women candidates for Alaska Bear Cub, Mr. Alaska Bear, Mr. Alaska Leather, and Ms. Alaska Leather during this weekend of Fur and Leather fun.
Here’s the schedule, from The Last Frontier Men’s Club:
Meet & Greet
Friday, February 26th 8 PM @ the Raven, FREE
This will be your first chance to meet all the contestants and judges for the contest. We’ll have food, raffle items, a slave auction, and other Men’s Club goodness. This is a great time to meet new members of the club and get information about club events.
Arctic Heat Competition
Saturday, February 27th @ Mad Myrna’s
8 PM Doors Open, 9 PM Contest Starts
Tickets: $10.00
All candidates will be judged on the following three areas: Bar Wear, Fetish Wear, and Full Title Attire. We’ll have live entertainment, door prizes, auctions, and of course hot hairy men, and hot leather daddies (of all genders.)
Victory Brunch
Sunday, February 28th @ Mad Myrna’s
11 AM Cocktail Hour, 12 PM Brunch
Ticket: $15.00
Celebrate the victories of our new title holders. We’ll have a delicious buffet style brunch and fun entertainment.
* * *
A note from the Men’s Club: The Last Frontier Men’s Club has dropped it’s membership fee. The club recognizes that during difficult economic times it maybe challenging to some of our members to pay dues, so we have decided to go dues-free. But we are still a members club, and you must submit a membership to be an official part of the club. This membership helps us verify that members are over 21, are male, and are currently living in Alaska.
Half Naked Pictionary is another Men’s Club event, happening on the 1st Wednesday of every month, at Mad Myrna’s from 9-11 p.m. Come have fun with half naked men this Wednesday! Hosted by Men’s Club President Tom.
PrideFest 2010 theme and dates announced
Kathy Griffin looks for gays in Anchorage
This Week in LGBT Alaska 2/19/10
Juneau
Pride Chorus “Eyes on Chicago” Concert 2/20, silent auction at 6:30, music at 7:30 p.m. at the Juneau Arts & Culture Center.
SEAGLA Social Fridays (6-8 p.m.) for GLBT people and our friends over 21, at The Imperial Bar.
Fairbanks
UAF Gay-Straight Alliance Meeting 4 p.m on 2/19 in the Alumni Lounge, and GSA Bowling in the Wood Center 3:30 p.m. on 2/20.
Jeff’s Jungle Party with DJ Nicole, for over 21 LGBT’s and allies 2/20, begins at 9 p.m. off Sheep Creek Road.
Wednesday Social at 9 p.m. Contact Joshua for the current location.
Mat-Su Valley
Mat-Su LGBT Community Center in Palmer is open M-F 5-8 p.m. (except 6-8 on Wed.) The social group meets Wednesdays, 5-6 p.m. at Vagabond Blues.
Anchorage
Wa-Wa Party: Memorial for Dan Cook (aka Cherresse) 2/20, 6-7 p.m. cocktails at the Raven, 8 p.m. show at Mad Myrna’s.
MCCA Open House 2/21, 3-4:30p.m. meet and greet the new board and other community leaders after the 2 p.m. Sunday service.
The ICOAA Monthly Business Meeting 2/21, 4-5p.m. at Mad Myrna’s.
Miss MeMe’s Gospel Show: “No Surprises” 2/21, 5 p.m. fundraiser at Mad Myrna’s.
2nd PrideFest planning meeting for Alaska PrideFest 2010: “A Pride Odyssey” 2/24, 6:30 p.m. at the GLCCA.
This Week in LGBT Alaska 2/12/10
Juneau
SEAGLA Valentine’s Dance 2/14, 8 p.m. at the Silverbow, all ages, everyone welcome. $10 suggested donation.
Social Fridays (6-8 p.m.) for GLBT people and our friends over 21, at The Imperial Bar.
Fairbanks
Wednesday Social at 9 p.m. Contact Joshua for the current location.
Mat-Su Valley
Mat-Su LGBT Community Center in Palmer is open M-F 5-8 p.m. (except 6-8 on Wed.) The social group meets Wednesdays, 5-6 p.m. at Vagabond Blues.
Anchorage
Hypnotic Journey: Jay Her’s Comedy Hypnosis Show 2/12, 7:30 p.m. Colleen Crinklaw opens with stand up comedy. UAA’s Wendy Williamson Auditorium. Tickets $20 at the door, cash only.
PrideProm 2010 planning meeting 2/13, 11:30 a.m. at the GLCCA.
“Sweetheart’s Dinner” 2/13, Cocktails at 6pm and Dinner at 7pm, at Mad Myrna’s. $20, annual fundraiser for ICOAA.
MCCA Retreat: “Newness” 2/13, 12-2 p.m. open to all.
Love Your Gay Neighbor Valentine’s Day Party 2/14, 3-4:30 p.m. At MCC Anchorage, after the 2 p.m. Sunday service.
New LGBT Book Lovers Club meets at the GLCCA 2/17, 6:15 p.m. showing the movie Jane Austin’s Book Club and choosing books to read and discuss.
Freedom to Marry Week 2010
“Every year, right around President Lincoln’s birthday and Valentine’s Day, symbolizing equality and love, supporters of the freedom to marry take action and promote conversations about why marriage matters to American families, gay and non-gay alike,” said Evan Wolfson, Executive Director of Freedom to Marry and author of Why Marriage Matters: America, Equality and Gay People’s Right to Marry. “This year, Freedom to Marry’s partner organizations across the country – from Rhode Island to Washington state – are organizing Freedom to Marry Week rallies, house parties, film screenings, and lobby days.”
