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Gay-Straight Alliance wins UAF Diversity Award

Wednesday, 14 April 2010 – 8:34 PM | Comments Off

The Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) student group at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks won a Diversity Enrichment Award and $100 at the SOAR awards ceremony on Saturday. The GSA is leading the effort to add gays to the UA non-discrimination policy, participates in the annual Day of Silence against anti-LGBT bullying, and raised awareness about the controversial ex-gays when a workshop was held on campus.

The Diversity Enrichment Award is one of seven awards given to UAF student organizations and focuses on positive social change through community education:

Diversity Enrichment Award: To recognize a student organization that has demonstrated a significant commitment to enhance diversity on campus through efforts to promote a campus climate that respects and appreciates individual and cultural differences. Groups will be evaluated primarily on their educational outreach efforts. Groups can address any of the following elements of diversity: culture, race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, sex, age, and economic status.

The UAF Gay-Straight Alliance has shown a strong commitment to promoting campus diversity through educational outreach. Their leadership on campus issues effecting gay and lesbian students, staff and faculty has benefitted UAF, the UA system and the wider community. They are an excellent choice for the Diversity Enrichment Award.

The Gay-Straight Alliance participates in Day of Silence each April to bring attention to anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in schools. Last year, the GSA wrote stories and poems on a Silence Memorial and held a candle-lighting assembly in Cornerstone Park. They broke their silence with a screening of The Times of Harvey Milk and a discussion of GLBTQ issues on campus.

This year, Day of Silence is on Friday April 16. The students will be silent during the day, meet at 5 p.m. by the Wood Center for a Break the Silence yell, then gather in the Alumni Office Lounge for food and music. A Breaking the Silence Drag Show is on Saturday.

At the beginning of the school year, the UAF students and staff were confronted with a large banner advertising a pray-away-the-gay speaker with offensive and controversial claims. The GSA supported his right to speak, but were concerned that the huge banner created a negative school climate for LGBT people and our friends. They contacted Chancellor Rogers, made a colorful banner advertising the GSA meetings and hung it next to the anti-gay banner, organized a peaceful sit-down protest, tabled with materials from reliable sources when deacon Delgado spoke, and even attended his first speech to hear and respectfully discuss the presentation.

The GSA turned this difficult event into an opportunity to raise awareness and spark a dialogue with the Chancellor, the Regents and the UAF community. In return, they received an outpouring of support from the campus. GSA president Jessica Angelette summed up the experience:

“The GSA not only had people stopping by the meetings after the whole thing, but it was so amazing to see how much support we were getting on campus… For those who were once worried about how the campus feels about GSA being on campus, that week the speaker was here showed us our campus’ true colors. The support we recieved was a happy and welcomed surprise. I have never been more proud to be a part of this campus then that week.”

During 2009 and 2010, the students of the UAF Gay-Straight Alliance are traveling around the state asking the UA Board of Regents to add sexual orientation to the non-discrimination policy. They speak during the public comment portion of every open Regents’ meeting, explain their concerns about the lack of protection for LGBT students, staff and faculty, maintain a Facebook page to keep the community informed, organize email campaigns, answer questions from reporters, and respond to attacks from a statewide anti-gay group. Their dedication has won them the admiration of the Regents and the community.

The Regents decided in January that they will deal with the GSA’s request during this year. Regardless of the outcome, the UAF Gay-Straight Alliance is educating the Regents on why this policy change is essential for protecting diversity at the University of Alaska.

Congratulations to the UAF Gay-Straight Alliance for winning the Diversity Enrichment Award!

This Week in LGBT Alaska 4/9/10

Friday, 9 April 2010 – 2:08 PM | Comments Off

The LGBT Alaska events for this week

Juneau

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

Fairbanks

Join the UAF Gay-Straight Alliance for Day of Silence on 4/16 and break the silence at 5 p.m. in the quad area in front of the Wood Center.

UAF GSA’s Breaking The Silence Drag Show 4/17 at 6:30 p.m. in the Hes Rec in the MBS complex, $5.

Wednesday Social Group, contact Joshua for the location.

Kenai Peninsula

Celebration, an LGBT art show in Soldotna, through the end of April at Art Works gallery.

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

Ever Ready with Char & Teddy (guitars and vocals) live at Organic Oasis 4/10 at 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Equality Works Mixer 4/10, 7 p.m. with entertainment, education, and community-building

ICP Ball XVII: Magical Kingdom Masquerade 4/10 at Mad Myrna’s, doors at 8 p.m., show at 9 p.m. tickets $10, proceeds benefit the Imperial Court.

PFLAG Potluck & Silent Auction 4/15. 6 p.m. at Immanuel Presbyterian Church, to benefit Identity.

Youth Pride Prom at Kincaid Chalet 4/16, 6 p.m. no drugs, no alcohol, for ages 14-19 only (no college students.)

Tell UA Regents that fairness matters

Monday, 29 March 2010 – 8:00 PM | Comments Off

The UA system’s lack of protection for gays and lesbians is the topic of a front page article in this month’s UAA student newspaper The Northern Light. The article quotes Regent Kirk Wikersham as saying that he hasn’t heard much about adding sexual orientation to the non-discrimination policy:

“I haven’t heard anything antidotal regarding the issue when I travel to different campuses,” Regent Kirk Wikersham said. “I don’t know if (a policy) would pass right now. The board has not really spoke privately on the subject, but we decided at our retreat in January we would deal with it this year.”

Students have raised the issue before the board at every public regents’ meeting for over a year, sharing their concerns about the lack of protection for LGBT students, staff and faculty in the UA system. Apparently, Regent Wikersham needs to hear more.

Please contact Regent Wikersham and the other UA Regents and ask them to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the UA non-discrimination policy, to protect LGBT people throughout the UA system.

If you study or work on a UA campus and have ever seen, heard or experienced unfair treatment of LGBT people, be sure to tell the regents about that (without outing the people involved.) LGBT people who are currently being harassed are less likely to speak up for themselves, for fear of being outed or fired, so it’s important that we speak for them.

If you have friends at other campuses, especially the smaller ones, please ask them to contact the regents as well. There are LGBT people at every UA campus, and the regents need to hear from them and their friends.

“Seeing as this has been an ongoing issue for about 25 years, I don’t see it going away,” [Jessica Angelette, the GSA president at UAF] said. “There is too much press and public interest, and not just in Alaska but the entire nation.”

Outed Lesbian Sergeant returns to Alaska

Wednesday, 17 March 2010 – 8:49 PM | Comments Off

Jene Newsome, an Air Force sergeant stationed in South Dakota, was outed by city police, discharged under Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, and has returned home to Fairbanks with her wife Cheryl Hutson. They created a Justice for Jene! Facebook page, and ask us to contact the Rapid City mayor and council on her behalf.

Newsome served nine years in the Air Force before the forced honorable discharge ended her career. She lived according to the military’s Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy and never told them about her orientation.

But the Rapid City police did tell. They told the Air Force they saw a marriage certificate at Newsome’s home when they showed up with a warrant for Hutson, who was wanted on theft charges in Alaska. Newsome was not named on the warrant and did not commit any crime. The couple had married in Iowa, where gay marriage is legal just across the South Dakota border.

Please send an email to the Mayor of Rapid City, the Police Chief, and the City Council asking that:

1. the officers involved in outing Jene Newsome be reprimanded, and the police department issue an official apology to her, and

2. Rapid City implement a non-discrimination policy that includes protections for LGBT people and applies to the police department.

Rapid City Mayor Alan Hanks: mayor@rcgov.org

Police Chief Steve Allender: adminInt3@rcgov.org

Contact information for the Rapid City Council Members is HERE.

Newsome and the ACLU of South Dakota filed a complaint against the police for invasion of privacy, but the bigger problem is the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy. President Obama promised to support a repeal, and a majority of the public agrees that qualified gays and lesbians should be allowed to serve. Congress is expected to introduce a repeal this summer, and Defense secretary Robert Gates asked the Pentagon to start changing the policy. The third-party outing that ended Newsome’s career is yet another example of why Don’t Ask Don’t Tell must be repealed.

Keep up to date with Jene and Cheri on the Justice for Jene! fan page.

This Week in LGBT Alaska 2/19/10

Friday, 19 February 2010 – 5:00 PM | Comments Off

I’ve been on medical leave the last few weeks, but will return to regular posting when I’m able. Here are this week’s LGBT events from the statewide newsletter Alaska GLBT News.

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 1/29/10

Friday, 29 January 2010 – 9:34 AM | 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.

Fairbanks

UAF Gay-Straight Alliance Get-Together 1/29, 4:30-6 p.m. in the Alumni Lounge.

“Bears, Bears, Bears” Taco Feed 1/30, 7 p.m. for Bears and Bellies and their admirers. $5 RSVP.

LGBTQ Discussion with Heather Neville 1/31, 12-1 p.m. at the UUFF.

Wednesday Social & Movie “A Serious Man” 2/3, 7:30 p.m. at the Blue Loon. Joshua.

Mat-Su Valley

Lulu Small and the Small Band at Del Roi’s 1/30, Old Glenn Hwy just north of the Knik River bridge.

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

“The Laramie Project” Movie and panel discussion 1/30, 7p.m. in the Student Union Den, for Alaska Civil Rights Month, sponsored by UAA Women Studies.

Colleen Crinklaw’s “Soul Searching Tour” begins 1/30, 7-9 p.m. $10 at Mad Myrna’s.

Kodiak Bar and Grill GIRL PARTY 1/30, 9 p.m.

UAA’s “Out” 1/31, new time: 2 p.m. on Sundays, 2nd floor of the Student Union.

Memorial Birthday Party for Nicole Blizzard 1/31, 3:30 p.m. at Mad Myrna’s. Sign her memorial book.

Midnight Over Siberia: Re-investitures 1/31, 6 p.m. at Sub Zero.

LGBTQA Game Night at the GLCCA 2/3, 6-9 p.m. Anchorage Meetup group.

Church Life AK Special Prayer Vigil for Uganda 2/4, 6:30 p.m. at the GLCCA as part of the nationwide “American Prayer Hour.”

This Week in LGBT Alaska 1/15/10

Friday, 15 January 2010 – 3:11 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.

Juneau Pride Chorus rehearses every Friday, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Resurrection Lutheran Church. Marsha

Fairbanks

Continuing LGBT Discussion 1/17, 11:30 p.m. at the UUFF.

Wednesday Social at 9 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

Scott T. Schofield’s “Debutante Balls” 1/14-1/16 at 7:30 p.m. and 1/17 at 4 p.m. at Out North.

Prayer Vigil for Haiti 1/17, 11 a.m. at the GLCCA

Fur Rondy float planning meeting 1/17, 4 p.m. at Mad Myrna’s

Professor Gale Smoke reviews Judy Shepard’s book “The Meaning of Matthew” 1/21, 7 p.m. at Immanuel Presbyterian Church. Anchorage PFLAG.

Renown poet and author Nikki Giovanni 1/21, 7:30 p.m. A free event for Civil Rights Month at UAA.

This Week in LGBT Alaska 1/8/10

Friday, 8 January 2010 – 2:53 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.

Juneau Pride Chorus rehearses every Friday, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Resurrection Lutheran Church. Marsha

Fairbanks

Greek Gods and Goddess: Toga Party 1/9, 7 p.m. An Imperial Court all-ages event with food, fun, fashion show, dancing and live entertainment. $12 in costume, $15 in street clothes, at the Carlson Center.

LGBT Call for Action with guest speaker Harriet Drummond on 1/10, service at 10:30 a.m., conversation at 12:30 p.m. at the UUFF.

PFLAG Meeting 1/10, 4 p.m.

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

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

Sunday worship with MCC Anchorage, 2 p.m.

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

Pride Festival 2010 Planning Meeting 1/13, 5:30 p.m. at the GLCCA.

Scott T. Schofield’s “Debutante Balls” 1/14-1/16 at 7:30 p.m. and 1/17 at 4 p.m. at Out North.

Anchorage Assembly’s Drummond brings LGBT Call for Action to Fairbanks

Friday, 8 January 2010 – 6:51 AM | Comments Off

Harriet Drummond, a member of the Anchorage Assembly and a supporter of the recent attempt to pass an LGBT non-discrimination ordinance, will be a guest speaker at the Fairbanks Unitarian Church on Sunday, Jan. 10 for the program “The Anchorage Gay Rights Ordinance: Lessons Learned and a Call for Action.”

After the service, there will be a Community Conversation on Fairbanks GLBT Issues and Developing an Action Agenda, at 12:30 p.m. A light lunch will be provided, and potluck items are appreciated.

The Unitarian Universalist fellowship of Fairbanks is welcoming, open and affirming to all. UUFF is located at 4448 Pikes Landing Road, across from the Princess Hotel.

Other Fairbanks LGBT events this weekend:

The Imperial Court’s Greek Gods and Goddess Toga Party, 7 p.m. at the Carlson Center. Food, fun, fashion show, dancing and live entertainment at an all-ages event. $12 in costume, $15 in street clothes.

Fairbanks PFLAG is holding their first meeting of 2010 on Sunday, Jan. 10 at 4 p.m. Please RSVP.

Queer Alaska’s Annual Events

Friday, 1 January 2010 – 11:19 AM | Comments Off

Happy New Year! As we begin another year, we start a new round of annual events for LGBT Alaska:

Lesbian Short Story Contest (Feb. deadline) – Radical Arts for Women rewards women authors in Alaska for fiction with lesbian content.

Arctic Heat (February) – The Last Frontier Men’s Club chooses the next Bear and Leather titleholders.

Celebration of Change (March this year) – RAW’s break-up performance and art show celebrates women, music and the coming of spring.

Femme Fatale (April) – The Imperial Court closes the legislative session in Juneau with a benefit show for Four A’s.

Day of Silence (April 25) & Pride Prom – Alaska’s Gay/Straight Student Alliances wrap up the school year with National Day of Silence and Pride Prom.

Juneau Pride Chorus spring concert (May) – The Juneau Women’s Chorus welcomes spring with an evening of music and food.

Memorial Day Picnic (end of May) – The community Picnic and BBQ celebrate unity and the beginning of summer.

PrideFest & Pride Week (June) – The summer solstice diversity parade and festival displays our Pride in Anchorage, and Juneau holds a Pride Picnic.

Golden Days Parade & Tanana Valley Fair (July) – PFLAG Fairbanks brightens the local parade with a 45 foot rainbow flag and hosts a picnic afterwards, then creates a booth for the Fair.

Coronation (Labor Day weekend) – ICOAA’s late summer extravaganza invests the new Imperial Court of All Alaska and presents scholarships and awards.

Pride Conference (October) – Identity’s back-to-school conference is inspired by National Coming Out Day on Oct. 11.

Alaskans Together annual conference (October) – ATE hosts a statewide annual strategy conference.

World AIDS Day (Dec. 1) – Four 4’s and IAA recognize the battle against AIDS with memorials, celebrations of life, and red ribbons.