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This Week in LGBT Alaska 12/18/09

Friday, 18 December 2009 – 6:24 PM | Comments Off

This week’s LGBT events from the statewide newsletter Alaska GLBT News.

Juneau

SEAGLA Social Fridays (6-8 p.m.) for GLBT people and our friends over 21, at The Imperial Bar, downtown.

Gay-Straight Alliance at JDHS, Wednesdays at noon.

Fairbanks

Jeff’s Holiday Bonfire Dance Party 12/18, 9 p.m.

UAF Gay-Straight Alliance, Mondays at 5 p.m. in the Women’s Center (Eilson 112). Jessi.

Wednesday LGBTA Social at 9:30 p.m. Email 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

Holiday Open House at the Gay and Lesbian Community Center 12/18, 5-7 p.m.

EverReady in Eagle River 12/18, 9p.m.-1a.m. at Tips Bar.

Friday Diva Variety Show, 9 p.m at Mad Myrna’s.

Anchorage Youth Initiative Holiday Drop in/Hang Out 12/19, 12-3 p.m. at the GLCCA.

Snowball 2009 with the ICOAA 12/19, 7-11 p.m. at Mad Myrna’s.

AMP Holiday Party 12/19, 3-7 p.m. RSVP Required.

Sunday worship with MCC Anchorage at 2 p.m.

Miss MeMe’s Gospel Xmas Show 12/20, 5 p.m. at Mad Myrna’s.

Assembly demotes Ossiander, chooses Flynn as Chair

Wednesday, 16 December 2009 – 3:27 AM | 3 Comments

Surprise: the Anchorage Assembly played a political game of musical chairs Tuesday night, voting out the conservative Debbie Ossainder and choosing Patrick Flynn as the new leader, with Mike Gutierrez as the new vice chair.

In Ossiander’s brief time as chair, she rubber-stamped Mayor Sullivan’s agenda against the majority and was unable to provide a balance to his veto-heavy style. Flynn better reflects the Assembly’s positions.

Debbie Ossiander is infamous in the gay community for being the roadblock to the passage of the equal rights ordinance that would have added LGBT protections to the city’s nondiscrimination law.

As chair, she overruled a motion to limit repetitive testimony and instead allowed hundreds of religious opponents to preach anti-gay hate at the hearings.
She allowed Wasilla residents to testify on the Anchorage measure, dragging out the hearings for months.
In her comments before the vote, she admitted that LGBT people face prejudice and discrimination in Anchorage and need protection, then voted against the measure anyway.
She could have been the deciding vote against the mayor’s veto, but instead she chose a legacy of caving in to pressure and supporting an agenda of hate.

Patrick Flynn and Mike Gutierrez both voted in favor of the non-discrimination ordinance. Flynn introduced the version of the ordinance that was passed by the Assembly 7-4 and vetoed by the mayor. Gutierrez, the Assembly’s only Hispanic member, supported the ordinance as a civil rights issue.

Congratulations to the Assembly and the new leaders!

stories at KTUU and the ADN.

Do you give to the (anti-gay) Salvation Army?

Tuesday, 15 December 2009 – 4:19 AM | 4 Comments

If you’ve been in a grocery story or mall recently (and who hasn’t?), you have seen and heard the Salvation Army’s Christmas bell-ringers collecting donations for charity. Straight bell-ringers, because the Salvation Army does not hire gays.

And many gays do not give to the Salvation Army, choosing to give money to charities that do not discriminate against us instead of those that do.

In addition to not hiring gays, the Salvation Army actively lobbies for anti-gay laws, calls gay couples with children ‘pretend’ families, and promotes celibacy as the only option for gay Christians.

But the Salvation Army is not the only option for giving. Queer Alaskans who want to donate to nondiscriminatory charities have many choices. Three local charities with good records are Beans Cafe and homeless shelter for adults and Covenant House for homeless youth, both in Anchorage, and the Street Outreach and Advocacy Program for homeless kids in Fairbanks.

The Salvation Army works on a much larger scale, and some gays and allies say that justifies their donations.

Do you put money in the Salvation Army buckets?

Christmas Music, Youth Drop-In, HIV Survey & Gifts for Change

Saturday, 12 December 2009 – 3:37 PM | 2 Comments

Gay AK – news for and about LGBT Alaska

Youth Initiative “Drop In/Hang Out” kicks off in Anchorage

The Youth Initiative program is ready to offer a safe place for youth to hang out with their peers and adult facilitators. The two facilitators are Johnathan Jones and Ginger Blackmon, community leaders with youth work and education training. To kick off this exciting new program, we’re hosting a special holiday drop-in/hang-out for teenage youth (13 to 19) at the Gay and Lesbian Community Center on Saturday Dec. 19 from 12-3 p.m. The entire center will be set aside so that the youth can use the space as they like. The youth will have the opportunity to meet with the facilitators and let us know exactly what it is they would like to do and how they would like to see the Youth Initiative develop. Because this is a special event, holiday gifts and pizza will be provided. And not just lousy gifts, but cool gifts. If you are a LGBTA youth, you don’t won’t to miss this! For more info or make a donation to support the program, please contact the GLCCA.

HIV Prevention Online Survey seeks rural Alaskan men who have sex with men

The University of Alaska, Department of Health Sciences, has asked for our cooperation in spreading the word about a new online survey. The online survey is primarily targeted for “men who have sex with men” who live in or are visiting rural Alaska. The survey is HERE. If you have questions, please direct them to Dr. Nancy A. Nix, Assistant Professor of Public Health at UAA.

Christmas Music Service and MCC news

The MCC Christmas Music Service is Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. Please join us for refreshments, scripture readings by Dianne O’Connell, music by James Gray, Kevin Holtz and the MCCA choir, and a message by Sara Gavit and Matthew Moak. The monthly MCC potluck will be on Sunday Dec. 20th. Feel free to bring a dish to pass or just join us for a great time of food and fellowship after the service. Step by Step, the Wed. Bible study, is taking a break for the holidays and will meet again starting on Jan 6, 2010. The Annual Congregational Meeting is January 17, 2010. Thank you to all those who have donated food and clothing items for Covenant House. We will be packing up the boxes in the next week or so. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of those who so desperately need it. Metropolitan Community Church

The Affirmation Declaration

The Affirmation Declaration expresses the convictions of Christians all over the world and was written in response to the infamous anti-gay Manhattan Declaration. The Affirmation Declaration corrects errors that have been preached in the pulpits of many churches for far too long. Please read The Affirmation Declaration and sign it if you are willing.

Help needed for Kuani’s Kidney Transplant

Kuini AhDar is in need of a kidney transplant. Her friends and co-workers are working with the National Transplant Fund to raise the amount that insurance and other sources won’t cover for the surgery. The Friends of Kuini have organized a fundraiser at the Snow Goose Restaurant on Third Avenue in Anchorage from 6:30-9:00 p.m. on Thursday Dec. 17. Light appetizers and entertainment will be included in the ticket price of $35 per person, with a cash bar and silent auction. If you cannot attend, but would like to make a tax deductible contribution in Kuini’s honor, please call 800-642-8399 or go to The Transplant Fund and enter “AhDar” in the patient box on the homepage. If you can volunteer for the fundraiser, please contact Lori. Thanks

Gifts for Change to benefit the Four A’s

Do your holiday shopping with Four A’s this year by giving those on your list Gifts For Change. The Four A’s Gifts For Change program provides donors with another option for special occasion gift giving and it also supports individuals living with HIV/AIDS in your community as well as prevention efforts across the state. It is truly the gift that keeps on giving and is a meaningful way to celebrate the holidays with your loved ones while impacting your community at the same time. Four A’s will send the recipient a card recognizing the gift and your name (amounts will only be acknowledged if you choose that on the form.) For more information, or to arrange a Gift For Change with a credit card over the phone, call (907) 263-2046 or use the online form HERE.

A Lesbian Bishop

The Episcopal Church has elected a second LGBT bishop! Rev. Mary Douglas Glasspool is a partnered lesbian and was chosen as the Assistant Bishop of Los Angeles. In 2004, openly gay Rev. Gene Robinson became the Bishop of New Hampshire. Congratulations to Rev. Glasspool and Los Angeles.

This Week in LGBT Alaska 12/11/09

Friday, 11 December 2009 – 4:02 PM | Comments Off

Happy Hanukkah! The Anchorage International Film Festival continues through Dec. 17, and the annual MCC Christmas Music Service is on Wednesday 12/16 at 7 p.m.

This week’s LGBT events from the statewide newsletter Alaska GLBT News.

Juneau

SEAGLA Social Fridays (6-8 p.m.) for GLBT people and our friends over 21, at The Imperial Bar, downtown.

Fairbanks

4th Annual Gruvn Christmas Toy Drive with Wet Thunder 12/11, 7 p.m. $5 at the door to benefit Interior AIDS Association. Please bring a new unwrapped toy.

UAF Gay-Straight Alliance movie night 12/14, 5 p.m. in the Women’s Center (Eilson 112). Jessi.

Wednesday LGBTA Social around 9:30 p.m. Email 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

Lesbian Film Night 12/11, 6 p.m. RSVP for location: LGBT Meetup group.

Friday Diva Variety Show 12/11, 9 p.m at Mad Myrna’s.

Second Saturday in Spenard 12/12, 9 p.m. Music, raffle and auction at the Spenard Roadhouse to benefit Four A’s.

Holiday Tapas Taster 12/13, around 5 p.m. at Mad Myrna’s.

“Your mind is not your enemy” 12/13, 1-3 p.m. Talk on Tantric Buddhism at the A.T.O.M. Center by an LGBT-friendly rinpoche. Contact Bird for more info.

Annual Christmas Music Service at the Metropolitan Community Church, Wed 12/16, 7 p.m. Free and open to the community.

Human Rights Day and Sullivan’s Hypocrisy

Friday, 11 December 2009 – 7:41 AM | Comments Off

Yesterday was International Human Rights Day and the theme was “Embrace Diversity, End Discrimination.” So Mayor Dan Sullivan – who vetoed an LGBT non-discrimination ordinance passed by the Anchorage Assembly – proclaimed Thursday as Human Rights Day, quoting the “everyone-except-gays” anti-discrimination law as proof that he is committed to “civil and human rights for all Anchorage residents and visitors…”

WTF??

The Anchorage Human Rights Day proclamation touts the straights-only anti-discrimination law, proclaims the day, and ends with the message that the mayor “encourage(s) all residents to work together in the coming year on ways that we can achieve greater progress in respecting, protecting, and fulfilling the full range of human rights contained in the Universal Declaration.”

… so he can veto them?

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed in 1948 and did not include sexual orientation or gender identity. That explains why the mayor respects not the full range of human rights but the full range contained in the Declaration. Clever… and hypocritical.

But the official Human Rights Day statement does include gays.

The statement begins with the sentence, “The concept of non-discrimination lies at the heart of human rights.” UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay lists the successes first, the international laws and treaties on non-discrimination which protect people throughout the world. Then Pillay describes the discrimination we still need to address, against women, indigenous people, racial and ethnic groups, religious groups, refugees and migrants. Gays and lesbians are named in the conclusion, which also describes the harmful effects of discrimination on society and closes with a call to action to help end discrimination (from someone who has not recently vetoed a non-discrimination ordinance and thus has credibility on the issue):

“Many other groups face discrimination to a greater or lesser degree. Some of them are easily definable such as persons with disabilities, stateless people, gays and lesbians, members of particular castes and the elderly. Others may span several different groups and find themselves discriminated against on several different levels as a result.

Those who are not discriminated against often find it hard to comprehend the suffering and humiliation that discrimination imposes on their fellow individual human beings. Nor do they always understand the deeply corrosive effect it has on society at large.

Discrimination feeds mistrust, resentment, violence, crime and insecurity and makes no economic sense, since it reduces productivity. It has no beneficial aspects for society whatsoever. Yet we continue to practice it – virtually all of us – often as a casual reflex, without even realizing what we are doing.

I would therefore like to encourage people everywhere – politicians, officials, businesses leaders, civil society, national human rights institutions, the media, religious leaders, teachers, students, and each and every individual – to honour Human Rights Day 2009 by embracing diversity and resolving to take concrete and lasting actions to help put an end to discrimination.”

In support of Human Rights Day, a new Yale study shows that gay people suffer more anxiety and depression in states with fewer gay rights. The American Journal of Public Health reported that LGBT people living in states that don’t have LGBT-inclusive protections suffer higher rates of psychiatric conditions such as anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.

The study concludes: “Policies that reduce discrimination against gays and lesbians are urgently needed to protect the health and well-being of this population.” More proof for why we need to pass ENDA.

For a brief moment, I wondered if Mayor Sullivan was making proclamations like Human Rights Day and November’s Say No to Bullies Month as a trojan horse strategy to get the social conservatives more comfortable with the idea of civil rights and reduce the tension around gay issues so they won’t blow up the federal building in downtown Anchorage when the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy is repealed. But sadly, it’s more likely a cheap strategy to tell the racial and ethnic minority groups that he is willing to give lip service to their rights (no real power, of course, just empty tokens of appreciation) in exchange for their votes on a second term as mayor… where he will continue to oppose our rights.

Happy Human Rights Day, Anchorage.

Gay Movie Night at the Anchorage Film Festival

Tuesday, 8 December 2009 – 7:24 PM | Comments Off

“American Primitive” is this year’s gay movie at the Anchorage International Film Festival, showing at the Bear Tooth on Wednesday Dec 9 at 8 p.m. and followed by an after-party at Mad Myrna’s. Tickets are $7 for the movie, and the party is free.

American Primitive is set in Cape Cod in 1973. A widowed father relocates to Cape Cod with his teenage daughters to begin a new business and a new life, and struggles to withhold a secret that would tear the family apart. Ideas of sex and identity are questioned, topics that seemed to be on the tip of everyone’s tongue in the early 70s but were actually still taboo.

Here’s the trailer:

Meditation, Grants, Facebook, Arctic Heat, and lots ‘o news

Saturday, 5 December 2009 – 10:38 AM | Comments Off

Gay AK – news for and about LGBTA Alaska

Good News, Bad News

In national news this week, DC approved gay marriage, New York defeated gay marriage, and New Jersey said they are almost ready to vote on gay marriage. Washington state’s expanded domestic partnership law took effect on Thursday. Atlanta GA elected the first openly lesbian African-American state senator in the U.S., and Campbell CA elected the youngest openly gay Asian-American mayor. Meanwhile, Christopher Constant of Anchorage went to the Victory Fund conference to get ready to run the first openly-LGBT candidates for anything in Alaska. Email Chris at constant(at)alaska.net to see how you can help. We have work to do.

In local news, Gov. Parnell appointed Judge Craig Stowers, a conservative Christian, to the Alaska Supreme Court. The anti-gay and anti-choice groups are thrilled. Speaking of anti-choice and anti-gay, the same local groups that strongly oppose granting protected status to gays are pushing a new ballot initiative to give personhood status to fetuses so that abortion will become murder. They’re doing this in several states, and the Alaska version was just introduced.

Facebook: Hold Sullivan Accountable & Church Life Alaska

Two interesting new Facebook pages: Hold Mayor Dan Sullivan Accountable was created by a young man who lists the ordinance veto as one of many reasons he is concerned about our mayor. Church Life Alaska is a Christian Church for the LGBT community of Anchorage and Allies. If you know about a new local LGBT-related page or group, please share it on Bent’s FB wall.

Arctic Heat 2010 seeks volunteers and candidates

Arctic Heat will be in February 2010 and we are looking for people to help plan and produce the event as well as those interested in running for the following titles: Mr Alaska Leather, Ms Alaska Leather, Mr Bear Alaska, Alaska Bear Cub. Other titles are being considered and will be included if people show an early interest in assisting. Please contact The Last Frontier Men’s Club if interested.

Identity and ACLU win Pride Foundation grants

Congratulations to Identity, Inc. and the ACLU of Alaska for being the two Alaska non-profits awarded new grants by the Pride Foundation on Wednesday.

Gay-friendly Meditation Center & “Your mind is not your enemy”

Bird Trungma is opening the Dharma Joy of Enlightenment Buddhist Meditation and Study Center of Anchorage, and is giving a talk called “Your mind is not your enemy” on 12/13, from 1-3 p.m. at the A.T.O.M. Center, 4025 Raspberry Road, requested donation $25.

Bird is bisexual, with a preference for women, and was “a student of the Tibetan Buddhist guru, the Vidyadhara, Venerable Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche since the 1970’s. He was the first Buddhist guru to not only accept gays, but to appoint an openly gay man, Thomas Rich, as his Regent, meaning his chief student and acting guru to all of the rest of us. Besides being the first gay person appointed to such a high position, he was also the first Westerner so appointed. Thomas Rich was given the name Osel Tendzin by Trungpa Rinpoche and acted in that capacity during the 1970’s and 1980’s, prior to his death from AIDS. I knew him personally and loved (and still love) him very much.” For more info on the Center and the talk, email Bird at Joy of Enlightenment.

This Week in LGBT Alaska 12/4/09

Friday, 4 December 2009 – 2:45 PM | Comments Off

The Anchorage International Film Festival begins today, and it’s also Art Walk First Friday.

This week’s LGBT events from the statewide newsletter Alaska GLBT News.

Juneau

SEAGLA Social Fridays (6-8 p.m.) for GLBT people and our friends over 21, at The Imperial Bar, downtown.

Fairbanks

LGBTA Christmas Concert Gathering with the social group, Sunday 12/6, 4 p.m. for the Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra Christmas Concert in the David Concert Hall, UAF. Tickets here, and email Joshua to RSVP.

UAF Gay-Straight Alliance meets Mondays at 5 p.m. in the Women’s Center (Eilson 112). Jessi.

Wednesday LGBTA Social around 9:30 p.m. Email 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

Kristara is co-hosting the Friday Night Diva Variety Show 12/4, 9 p.m at Mad Myrna’s.

Comic Mike Lebovitz 12/5, 8 p.m. performs at Mad Myrna’s and part of the proceeds benefit the YWCA.

Sunday worship with MCC Anchorage at 2 p.m.

Gay, Joyous and Free AA Meeting, Mondays 6:00 p.m. at the GLCCA.

“American Primitive” showing at the Bear Tooth 12/9, 8 p.m. as this year’s Gay-La gay movie with the Anchorage International Film Festival. Followed by an after-party at Myrna’s around 10 p.m.

Alaska observes World AIDS Day

Tuesday, 1 December 2009 – 1:30 PM | Comments Off

Today, Dec 1, is World AIDS Day and Alaskans will remember those lost to HIV/AIDS, and honor those living with HIV/AIDS, by holding candlelight vigils in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau, and by wearing red ribbons.

“Universal Access and Human Rights” is the 2009 theme for World AIDS Day, “doing everything we can to support countries to reach their universal access goals for HIV prevention, treatment, care and support – all the while protecting and promoting human rights,” said UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé.

Unaids.org reports that there are currently 33.4 million people worldwide infected with HIV and 2 million of those are children. Last year saw nearly 2.7 million new cases of HIV.

To help HIV prevention, treatment, care and support in Alaska, make donations to Four A’s (southcental and southeast) and IAA (interior), and visit Four A’s for the list of locations in Anchorage and Juneau that have a paint can full of free Red Ribbons.

Alaska’s World AIDS Day events

Anchorage:

Join Four A’s for the annual World AIDS Day Candlelight Vigil, at 6 p.m. in the UAA Wolf’s Den (Student Union/Bookstore Building). Four A’s also co-presented the documentary “Sex Positive” with the Bear Tooth on Monday night as a World AIDS Day event.

Juneau:

Join Four A’s for the Juneau World AIDS Day Candlelight Vigil at 6:30 p.m. in the Baranof Hotel. Four A’s is also sponsoring a free showing of “Life Support” on Wednesday, December 2 at the Gold Town Nickolodean Theater at 8 p.m.

Fairbanks:

Join Interior Aids Association for a World AIDS Day Walk and Vigil on Tuesday, Dec 1. Meet at IAA at 5:30 p.m. for a Candle Light Walk to First United Methodist, 915 2nd Ave. and a service and potluck at 6 p.m.

Homer:

HIV testing is available today and every day without an appointment at Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic. Red ribbons are located at KBFPC, K-Bay Caffe & Two Sisters.

– photo: Alex Barros reminds drivers to wear a red ribbon for World AIDS Day. Supporters of Four A’s stood on the corners of Northern Lights and New Seward, and Northern Lights and Minnesota, in Anchorage this morning.