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This Week in LGBT Alaska 5/22/09

Friday, 22 May 2009 – 8:34 AM | One Comment

BREAKING: On Tuesday, May 26, the California Supreme Court will announce its decision to either uphold or overturn Proposition 8 and the thousands of same-sex marriages performed last summer! Check back Tuesday for the ruling.

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

Fairbanks

Dance Your Heart Out: Country Western 2 step lessons & dancing 5/22, 7:30 p.m. $12/drop in per class. Bovee Studio, 1845 Caribou Way, off College Rd. RSVP to Judith.

Bac’untry Bruthers at the Trapper Creek Festival 5/23, 8 p.m.

Juneau

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

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. Harmony Choir meets at the Center on Thursdays, 6:30 p.m.

Anchorage

Side Street Saturdays for LGBT writers, Saturdays noon-3 p.m. at Side Street Cafe.

Jay Her’s Adult Comedy Hypnosis show at Mad Myrna’s 5/23, 9 p.m. $10

Sunday worship with Rev. Norman Van Manen and MCC Anchorage, Sundays 2 p.m.

Transgender Support Group, Sundays 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the GLCCA.

The Big Annual Memorial Day GLBT Community Picnic in front of the Kincaid Park chalet 5/25, noon-5 p.m. Sponsored by the Imperial Court (ICOAA) which sells burgers, hot dogs, chips and drinks as a fundraiser.

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

Anchorage Frontrunners, Tuesdays, 6 p.m.

This Week in LGBT Alaska 5/15/09

Friday, 15 May 2009 – 11:13 AM | Comments Off

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

Bethel

Social reception for Alaskans Together for Equality 5/15, 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Bethel Community Services Building.

Fairbanks

Country Western 2 step lessons & dancing, three Fridays 5/15, 5/22, 5/29, at 7:30-8:30 p.m. $30 for the series, $12/drop in per class. Bovee Studio, 1845 Caribou Way, off College Rd. RSVP to Judith.

Pajama Party drag & variety show 5/16, doors open at 7 p.m. show at 8, at the Pioneer Party (Alaskaland) Civic Center.

Fairbanks PFLAG meeting 5/17, 4 p.m.

Juneau

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

Palmer

Anchorage

Equality Works BBQ Party & Fun-Raiser 5/15, 6:30 p.m. private home, please RSVP for directions.

De-HiBearnation Brown Bear Bus Run 5/16, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. meet at The Raven Bar (4th & Gambell) the bus leaves promptly at NOON! The Last Frontier Men’s Club.

Side Street Saturdays, an informal meetup for LGBT writers, 5/16 at noon in Side Street Cafe.

“Homosexuality, Christianity & The Clobber Scriptures” used by traditional Christian Churches to promote anti-gay messages, this week’s sermon at the Sunday service with MCC Anchorage, 5/17, 2 p.m.

Patio Potluck Picnic at Mad Myrna’s 5/17, 3 p.m.

Transgender Support Group, Sundays 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the GLCCA.

Anchorage Frontrunners, Tuesdays, 6 p.m.

Check the Anchorage LGBT Meetup group and the Men of Anchorage, Alaska Meetup group for informal gatherings.

Celebration Tickets, Team Alaska for Gay Games, and June Pride 09

Saturday, 9 May 2009 – 11:09 PM | Comments Off

Gay AK: Notes from LGBT Alaska

Get Your Tickets for Celebration

Celebration of Change tickets are on sale now at Metro Music, and at the GLCCA on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3-9 p.m. Want to be part of the show but don’t have an individual act? No worries! Join a crazy crew of fabulous females for the Celebration of Change Opening Number. This is your year to be involved in Celebration. Don’t miss it! Advertise in the Celebration 25th Anniversary program, $25 for a business size ad. Sponsored by Radical Arts for Women (RAW).

Femme Fatale raises $2,800 for Four A’s

Four A’s says thank you to everyone who came out to support Femme Fatale! The event raised over $2,800 for HIV positive individuals and prevention efforts in Southeast Alaska. Thank you for helping make the event a rocking success! Photos from Femme Fatale 2009 are posted on the Alaskan AIDS Assistance Association (Four A’s) Facebook page.

Designer and Athletes for Gay Games 2010

Looking for athletes, volunteers & t-shirt designers. Gay Games VIII will be held in 2010 in Cologne, Germany, and Alaskans are getting ready! Gay Games is the largest LGBT sports and culture event in the world. In 2006, Team Alaska took 20 athletes to the competition. Limited scholarships are available for 2010. We want a design for Team Alaska, and another for the International Association of Gay and Lesbian Martial Artists, which has an Alaskan coordinator. The designs will be used on t-shirts and possibly other items at Gay Games. Limited funds available for design and production. Prefer to use LGBT designer or interested persons. Anyone interested in Gay Games or in creating a design, please email Team Alaska.

New Fairbanks Gay Personals list

Fairbanks gays are invited to join a new Yahoo list focused on hooking up and finding someone special. To join, send a message to Fairbanks Gay Personals.

June Pride in Anchorage, Fairbanks AND Juneau

June Pride events are being planned in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau this year. The Fairbanks PrideFest is Saturday June 13. Anchorage Pride week begins on June 13, the night of Celebration of Change. The Parade and Festival on the Park Strip are on Saturday June 20. Juneau’s Pride Picnic Celebration is also on Saturday June 20, at Skater’s Cabin. Awesome!

Where to Find GLBT Alaska – Travel Businesses

Tuesday, 5 May 2009 – 8:50 PM | 2 Comments

Visitors, residents and travel professionals want to know where to find LGBT-owned and LGBT-friendly Travel and Tourism Businesses in Alaska. The current list is below.

Do you want to include your Travel and Tourism Business on Bent Alaska’s free Travel Business list? Do you know a gay-owned or gay-supportive travel business that should be here? Please leave a comment below the list or contact Bent through the address in the right hand column.

Disclaimer: This list is not an endorsement or recommendation for the businesses, only a recognition that they are owned by GLBT Alaskans and our Allies.

The main list of Businesses in Alaska is here: Where to Find GLBT Alaska – Business List.

Bent Alaska’s resource list for Alaska’s GLBT organizations, groups and publications remains one of the most often visited pages on the blog. There is also a list for GLBT Alaska’s Annual Events, and Seasonal and Recurring Events.

Alaska’s LGBT Travel Resources

Fairbanks
Tim Stallard
Out in Alaska
Alaska Adventure Travel
P.O. Box 82096
Fairbanks, AK 99708

Anchorage

Earth Bed & Breakfast
Hosts: Lori & Angel
1001 W. 12th Avenue
Anchorage, AK 99501
Phone: 907-279-9907
Fax: 907-279-9862

Arctic Fox Inn
327 E 2nd Court
Anchorage, AK 99501
907-272-4818
(toll free) 877-693-1239

A Wildflower Inn
1239 I Street
Anchorage, AK 99501
907-274-1239
(toll free) 877-693-1239

City Garden B&B
1352 W. 10th Ave.
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
Phone: (907) 276-8686
Fax: (907) 276-2358

Copper Whale Inn
440 L Street
Anchorage, AK 99501
(866) 258-7999
(907) 258-7999

Alaskan Leopard B&B
16136 Sandpiper Drive
Anchorage, Alaska 99516
Toll Free: 1-877-454-3046
Local: 907-868-1594

Mat-Su Valley

Karen Harris
Alaska Garden Gate B & B
950 S. Trunk Road
Palmer, AK 99645
(907) 746-2333

Juneau

The Silverbow Inn
Inn, Bakery, Catering, Cinema, Gallery
120 Second Street
Juneau, AK 99801
(907) 586-4146
(800) 586-4146
Fax (907) 586-4242

Haines

The Guardhouse Boarding House
PO Box 853
Haines, Alaska 99827
Phone: 907-766-2566
Toll free: 1-866-290-7445

Vat Chea: 1982 – 2009

Saturday, 2 May 2009 – 8:38 PM | Comments Off

Vat “Sean” Chea died on Saturday, April 19. He was 26 years old and worked as a cab driver in Fairbanks. Vat is survived by his partner in Fairbanks and his family in California.

A private celebration of Vat’s life was held on Sunday, April 26 at Club Alaskan, with his partner, his coworkers, and his friends in Fairbanks. There was a potluck and a silent auction to help with burial expenses.

“We had a good time remembering Vat and his goofy ways,” wrote Johnmichael. “Thank you GLBT community for your thoughts and prayers in my time of grief.”

While serving in the U. S. Army, Vat was stationed at Fort Wainwright. After his Army time, he chose to remain in Alaska.

“Vat and his partner usually had to work during local GLBT functions,” wrote Terry, “but often they would take a short break to greet friends before returning to the road.”

Friends are invited to view and sign his online Legacy Book.

Our condolences to all who knew Vat.

Vat Chea: 12/20/82 – 4/19/09

Dine Out, Fight AIDS in Fairbanks

Wednesday, 29 April 2009 – 1:01 PM | Comments Off

Dining Out For Life, a national event to raise money for HIV & AIDS organizations by eating at participating restaurants, takes place throughout the day on Thursday April 30 in Fairbanks and many other cities. The Fairbanks restaurants will donate a portion of their profits to Interior AIDS Association.

Participating restaurants include Lu Lu’s Bread & Bagels for breakfast, Ivory Jacks for lunch (11-5), Regency Cove for lunch, Trappers Tavern for lunch, and Lavelle’s Bistro for dinner (reservations recommended.)

Dining Out For Life – Fairbanks is sponsored by Denali State Bank and Interior Graphics & Printing. The national “Dining Out For Life: Dine Out, Fight AIDS” annual event is sponsored by Subaru.

Over 50 cities throughout the United States and Canada and more than 3,000 restaurants are participating in Dining Out For Life this year. Nearly $3 million dollars is raised annually to support AIDS service organizations throughout North America.

Read the News-Miner’s article and interview with IAA executive director Anna Nelson.

Watch the Dining Out For Life PSA with the Food Network’s Ted Allen:

This Week in LGBT Alaska 4/24/09

Friday, 24 April 2009 – 10:01 PM | Comments Off

This week’s events from 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

Birthday Party/Dance and Fundraiser for PFLAG & West Valley GSA, for friends 21 and over, at Jeff’s House 4/25, 9 p.m.

A celebration of life for Vat Chea, 4/26, 4 p.m. at Club Alaskan. Potluck and silent auction. Friends, 21 and over, are invited to attend; not open to the general public.

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.

Harmony Choir meets at the Center, Thursdays 6:30 p.m.

Kenai Peninsula

Homer Community Gathering 4/30, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at Maura’s Cafe next to the Bunnell Street Art Center. Email Homer PFLAG for more info.

Anchorage

ICOAA Imperial Crown Prince and Princess Ball 4/25, doors open at 6 p.m., Ball at 7, $10 at Mad Myrna’s.

Sunday worship at MCC Anchorage, 4/26, 2 p.m.

Tansgender Support Group, Sundays 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the GLCCA.

Join Identity’s “Graze to Raise” team, registration deadline 4/27. Register online at Alaska Charity Walk. (The Anchorage Graze to Raise is on May 1.)

“Living With Grief: Diversity & End Of Life Care” Seminar 4/29, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Wendy Williamson Auditorium, UAA, sponsored by Hospice of Anchorage. Rev. Van Manen, paster of MCC Anchorage, will speak on aspects of death, grief and loss in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered communities.

Queer Night Out 4/29, 7:30 p.m. Bluegrass at Tap Root Cafe.

Where to Find GLBT Alaska – Business List

Monday, 20 April 2009 – 7:07 PM | 8 Comments

Visitors, new residents and long-time Alaskans want to know where to find GLBT-owned and GLBT-friendly businesses in Alaska, so we can support the community with our consumer dollars. Here is the current list.

Obviously, it is not a complete list, and now is a good time to update it. If you are a GLBT Alaskan, or an ally of our community, and want to include your business on Bent Alaska’s free list, please leave your information in a comment below the list. If you know a gay-owned or gay-supportive business that you think should be here, please ask the owner to visit Bent and leave a comment.

Disclaimer: This list is not an endorsement or recommendation for the businesses, only a recognition that they are owned by GLBT Alaskans and our Allies.

Bent Alaska’s resource list for Alaska’s GLBT organizations, groups and publications remains one of the most often visited pages on the blog. There is also a list of GLBT Alaska’s Annual Events, and Seasonal and Recurring Events.

UPDATE: There are so many listings for Travel-related businesses, that I’ve added a separate post and linked it in the right hand column of the blog! Where to Find GLBT Alaska – Travel & Tourism

Alaska’s GLBT Business List

Anchorage

Mad Myrna’s (bar)
530 East 5th Ave
Anchorage, AK 99501
(907) 276-9762

The Raven (bar)
708 East 4th Ave
Anchorage, AK 99501
(907) 276-9672

Kodiak Bar & Grill
225 East 5th Ave
Anchorage, AK 99501
(907) 258-5233

Ginger Restaurant (LGBT-friendly)
425 W 5th Avenue
Anchorage, AK 99501
(907) 929-3680

Side Street Espresso (LGBT-friendly)
412 G Street
Anchorage, AK 99501
(907) 258-9055

Jay Her, Hypnotist
Anchorage, AK 99504
Phone: (907) 720-9909

Preview Sun & Day Spa
Stephen Nolan
1443 West Northern Lights Blvd.
Anchorage, AK 99503
907.245.0036

The Skin Bar (day spa)
inside Sunrise Sun Spa
(Huffman and Old Seward)

Custom Cleaning
Home or business cleaning.
Weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly.
Gift Certificates available.
Carol: 351-5100

Dee Gould
ORGANIZE IN SYNC
Personal Organizer
Member NAPO
907-301-6811

Liza Sims, CPCP
Cosmetic Tattoo
907-561-3937
4100 Lake Otis Parkway #205,
Anchorage AK 99508

F Ken Freedman Counseling
therapist specializing in GLBTI people
(907) 566-1708

Out North Theater (LGBT-friendly)
3800 DeBarr Road
(907) 279-8099
Mission: Art + Community = Change

Lea McDermid (LGBT-friendly)
Attorney, immigration law
310 K Street, Suite 200
Anchorage AK 99501
(907) 264-6755

Erin Hall Meade (LGBT-friendly)
Financial Advisor
Beckwith Meade Group
3601 C Street, Penthouse West
Anchorage, AK 99503
907.561.4433 Main
907.564.6603 Direct
800.770.7000 Toll Free
866.365.9750 Facsimile

JeaShoots
Jeannette Ramos, photographer
photo note cards on 100% recycled paper

Earth Bed & Breakfast
Hosts: Lori & Angel
1001 W. 12th Avenue
Anchorage, AK 99501
(907) 279-9907
Fax: (907) 279-9862

City Garden B&B
1352 W. 10th Avenue
Anchorage, AK 99501
(907) 276-8686
Fax: (907) 276-2358

Arctic Fox Inn
327 E. 2nd Court
Anchorage, AK 99501
(907) 272-4818
1-877-693-1239

A Wildflower Inn
1239 I Street
Anchorage, AK 99501
(907) 274-1239
1-877-693-1239

Alaskan Leopard B & B
16136 Sandpiper Drive
Anchorage, Alaska 99516
(907) 868-1594
1-877-454-3046

Copper Whale Inn
440 L Street
Anchorage, AK 99501
(907) 258-7999
(866) 258-7999

Eagle River

Mile 5.2 Greenhouse
17026 Santa Maria Drive
Eagle River, Alaska 99577
(907) 694-3978

Mat-Su Valley

Karen Harris
Alaska Garden Gate B & B
950 S. Trunk Road
Palmer, AK 99645
(907) 746-2333

Fairbanks

Tim Stallard
Out in Alaska (travel)
P.O. Box 82096
Fairbanks, AK 99708

Michael Bartels
College Floral
(flowers & gifts)
3260 College Rd,
Fairbanks, AK 99709
907-479-6926

Deirdre Helfferich (LGBT-friendly)
Ester Republic Press (newspaper)
PO Box 24, Ester, AK 99725
907.479.3368

Interior

229 Parks Restaurant and Tavern (LGBT-friendly)
Mile 229.7 Parks Hwy, near Denali National Park.
Specializes in locally grown produce,
organic/free-range meats and game
and is a member of Chef’s Collaborative.

Juneau

Perseverance Theatre (LGBT-friendly)
914 Third Street, Douglas, AK 99824
Tickets: 463-TIXS
Telephone: 907-364-2421

The Silverbow Inn
Inn, Bakery, Catering, Cinema, Gallery
120 Second Street
Juneau, AK 99801
(907) 586-4146

Haines

Alaska Guardhouse B & B
PO Box 853
Haines, Alaska 99827
(907) 766-2566
1-866-290-7445

Homer

Bunnell Street Arts Center
non-profit arts center (LGBT-friendly)
106 W. Bunnell Street, Suite “A”
Homer, Alaska 99603

Sitka

Neurobehavioral Consultants
Dr. Cindy Westergaard
201 Lincoln Street, Suite 1
Sitka, Alaska 99835
(907) 747-3743

Day of Silence in Fairbanks

Monday, 20 April 2009 – 12:42 PM | One Comment

High school and college students in Fairbanks participated again this year in the national Day of Silence on Friday April 17. Day of Silence is the largest student-led protest for creating safer schools, with more than 1,900 middle schools, high schools and colleges participating across the country.

Students at University of Alaska, Fairbanks, and at West Valley, Lathrop and Hutchison High Schools participated in the Day of Silence.

The National Day of Silence brings attention to anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in schools. This year’s Day of Silence was held partly in memory of Carl Walker-Hoover, who took his own life on April 6 after enduring constant bullying at school, including daily taunts about being gay, even though he did not identify as gay. Carl would have turned 12 on April 17.

UAF students wrote stories and poems on a Silence Memorial and held a candle-lighting assembly in Cornerstone Park for Day of Silence. They broke their silence with a screening of “The Times of Harvey Milk” in Schaible Hall and a discussion of GLBTQ issues on campus.

Three juniors in West Valley High School’s Gay-Straight Alliance club spoke to the Daily News-Miner about their participation in Day of Silence:

“Our school district seems to be really supportive of making sure everyone in the district feels safe, and they’ve done a good job at not tolerating harassment of any kind,” said Grace Matthews, GSA president. “I think we’ve tried to present this as helping everyone create a safe place where we can all feel comfortable in our own skin.”

“It gets easier each year,” Lachlan Gillispie said. “Each year, we hear less snide remarks, and people seem to be asking more questions before passing judgment.

“It’s important in my life,” Andrew Richard said. “There are a lot of people who are silenced when they shouldn’t have to be, and I’d like to think that something like today can help them feel supported regardless of what they believe.”

This year, the West Valley GSA students created a hallway display that brings together the viewpoints of Day of Silence and a counter event, sponsored by religious organizations and “ex-gay” ministries and held on the Monday following DoS. This so-called Day of Truth was established “to counter the promotion of the homosexual agenda and express an opposing viewpoint from a Christian perspective,” according to their web site. Students are encouraged to wear t-shirts and hand out cards with messages like “There’s freedom to change if you want to.” These students are not silent.

The West Valley GSA display says “There are times when silence has the loudest voice,” and quotes South African activist Desmund Tutu: “My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together.”