UPDATE: Anchorage protest is Noon at the Atwood building. Fairbanks is at 9:30 a.m. at City Hall. Check
the press release for details. Thanks.
Alaska is joining the national protest against Prop 8!
Rallies are planned in Anchorage and Fairbanks on Nov. 15 at 9:30 a.m., to coincide with the 10:30 a.m. west coast/ 1:30 p.m. east coast protests.
Many gay and lesbian couples from Alaska were married in California this summer, and many more want the option to marry. Alaskans held several No on Prop 8 fundraisers, wrote to friends and relatives in California urging them to vote No, and a few traveled there to work on the No on 8 campaign.
The passage of California’s anti-gay marriage amendment is also personal to gay and lesbian Alaskans because we experienced similar votes. Gay marriages were banned in Alaska by a constitutional amendment passed in 1998 after a mean-spirited campaign by our opponents, and our fellow Alaskans voted to take away our Court-granted family employment benefits in the advisory vote of April 2007. (The benefit vote was non-binding, and the benefits remain, for now.)
Twice in the last decade, we lived through months of public debate on whether we are citizens or abominations. Twice, a majority of our neighbors and coworkers voted against our humanity. We struggled to remain positive, productive residents of a state that does not consider us ‘equal under the law.’
Alaskans will protest the passage of Prop 8 on Nov. 15, in support of marriage equality and in solidarity with gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities protesting at the same time all across this country. Please join us!
Sunday, 9 November 2008 – 8:01 PM
| Comments Off on "The Laramie Project" Brings the Truth about Hate Crimes to Fairbanks
Matthew Wayne Shepard was an openly gay university student who was brutally attacked near Laramie, Wyoming in October 1998 and left to die, tied to a fence in the middle of the prairie. He died several days later.
“The Laramie Project” is a play by Moisés Kaufman and members of the Tectonic Theater Project about the reactions of the people of Laramie to Shepard’s murder. The play draws on hundreds of interviews with inhabitants of the town in the months after the incident and during the trial.
Theatre UAF is presenting “The Laramie Project” along with a panel discussion “Live and Let Live: The Local Context of The Laramie Project” after the 2 pm performance of the play on Saturday November 22.
“We really wanted there to be some kind of discussion, so the many issues raised in this get further attention and so people can feel really involved,” said Carrie Baker, local director of the play. “We wanted a forum for dialogue. If nothing else, if people to talk about this and other hate crimes, it is a step in the right direction.”
Panel discussion members will include Kayt Sunwood of the UAF Women’s Center, Peter Pinney of Cooperative Extension, and Chris Coffman of the UAF English Department.
“The Laramie Project,” presented by
Theatre UAF at the Salisbury Theatre, 8:15 p.m. on Nov. 14, 15, 21 & 22, and 2 p.m. on Nov. 22, 23. The discussion “Live and Let Live” follows the 2 p.m. performance on Nov. 22.
Tickets: $15 adults, $12 seniors, military and UAF employees, $7 students, available at the UAF Wood Center or the Theatre UAF box office:
www.uaf.edu/theatre/seasonRead the News-Miner article about the
local production of “The Laramie Project.”
Read the powerful editorial by current Juneau resident and former Wyoming resident Leslie Wood about Matthew Shepard’s murder and anti-gay hate crimes, printed last month on the 10 year anniversary of Shepard’s murder:
Remembering Matthew Shepard.
Friday, 7 November 2008 – 5:02 PM
| Comments Off on This Week in GLBT Alaska 11/7/08
Check out this week’s events from Alaska GLBT News.
For full listings, news briefs and up-coming events,
subscribe to AGN, the weekly email newsletter.
Juneau
SEAGLA Social Fridays 6-8 p.m.
Fairbanks
Irina Rivkin, plus Alma and Inna 11/8, 6:30 p.m. at UAF’s Schaible Auditorium
Fairbanks PFLAG Meeting 11/9, 4 p.m.
“The Laramie Project” Play and Discussion at Theater UAF, 11/14-11/23
Anchorage
Mr./Ms./Miss Gay Alaska Pageant Show 11/8, 8 p.m at Mad Myrna’s
Trans Support Group, Sundays 4-6 p.m. at the GLCCA
Hump Day Happy Hour, Wednesdays 5-7 p.m. with The Last Frontier Men’s Club
Alaska Women Write, Thursdays 6-8 p.m. at Immanual Presbyterian Church
Craft and Chat, Thursdays 7-9 p.m. at the GLCCA
Monday, 3 November 2008 – 9:48 PM
| Comments Off on Just Say No to Mike Kelly
“Make no mistake, provision of benefits to homosexual pairs will be just the beginning. Bets are on that the next lawsuits will come from shacked-up heterosexuals and common-law marriage folks who will claim the Supremes have treated them shabbily when compared to homosexual pairs.”
– editorial by Rep. Mike Kelly on partner benefits for gay and lesbian state employees (12/29/06)
Rep. Mike Kelly co-sponsored the $1.2 million advisory vote bill to block same sex employee benefits granted by the Alaska Supreme Court. Kelly is hoping his north Fairbanks district re-elects him to the state legislature. I’m hoping they don’t.
1) Sarah Palin endorses him,
2) His campaign ads are just as offensive as he is,
3) he is part of the lawsuit to stop or delay the abuse-of-power investigation of the Palins,
4) homophobic gay basher doesn’t even come close to describing him,
5) he, along with Palin and other homophobes in the Lege, spent 1.2 million to hold that nasty, discriminatory advisory vote on whether or not the constitution should be amended to prohibit same-sex couples from receiving the same benefits as hetero couples (which thankfully failed),
6) he’s Pete Kelly’s brother,
7) During his tenure as CEO of GVEA, the Intertie was conceived and permitted – the latter occurring without a Best Interest Finding made by the State- thanks to legislation sponsored by his bro,
8) he makes little effort to hide his disdain for the “little people” (i.e. everyone else except his bizness cronies),
9) he holds everyone else to a different energy standard than himself (we should all turn off our lights and conserve fuel, while he flies all over in his private plane),
10) he has a low opinion of Natives (although I am sure he would righteously deny it), and indeed of anyone who is not white, Christian, conservative, and hetero,
11) he writes vituperative, mean opinion pieces as a state legislator,
12) he’s buds with the sewer mafia and Seekins – need we say more?
Here is the political poll you’ve been waiting for, the big questions of our time: Will LGBT Alaskans vote for McCain and Palin, or for Obama and Biden? For Stevens or Begich? For Berkowitz or Young? Who do we support, and by how much? Inquiring minds want to know. (Well, I want to know – don’t you?)
Answer the 3 question poll in the right hand column here on Bent Alaska and we’ll see how the community votes. 60-40 for Obama? 70-30 for Begich? 80-20 for Young? (kidding!) Make your predictions below for how our community will vote.
There have been dozens of political messages on our email lists and newsletters. What does all this talk boil down to, what are the numbers? Take the poll, send the link to your LGBT friends in Alaska, and come back Friday for the results!
Sunday, 26 October 2008 – 8:15 PM
| Comments Off on UAF Fraternity Hosts YouthAIDS Fundraiser
Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity at the University of Alaska Fairbanks will hold a fundraiser for the YouthAIDS Foundation, according to the
News-Miner.
The
SigEp event runs from Nov. 1 to Dec. 1 in the UAF residence halls. The fundraising will help promote HIV/AIDS awareness and raise money for the YouthAIDS Foundation.
Students who live in the residence halls will be encouraged to put small donations in containers maintained by Residence Hall staff. Awareness information about AIDS and HIV will be given to students throughout the event.
Other donation containers will be available in the UAF Wood Center for people not living in the residence halls, but only students living in the residence halls will be eligible for the prizes.
Sigma Phi Epsilon, the largest fraternity in the US with over 14,000 members, partnered with
YouthAIDS to create an HIV/AIDS awareness campaign on college campuses. In addition to educating peers, SigEp brothers plan and produce events to raise funding for YouthAIDS prevention programs around the world.
Thursday, 23 October 2008 – 10:14 PM
| Comments Off on Westboro to Picket Fairbanks Funeral
UPDATE: Here is an update from the Alaska Patriot Guard:
“I want to thank you all for showing up to the Memorial, in spite of the cold weather, nasty wind and lack of sunshine. The 22 people in Fairbanks who took time out of their busy day to help with the Memorial and show Respect for the family of this Marine – you have my respect and admiration.
“Please, continue to Stand with me when a Citizen falls, if there may be a next time. You will never forget it, nor will you feel sorry for Standing there for the Families. God Bless You All.”
———
The Westboro Baptist Church – the extremists at GodHatesFags (dot) com – announced that they will be in Fairbanks to picket the memorial service for Cpl. Jason A. Karella, 20, of Anchorage, who died in Afghanistan on Oct. 9.
The memorial is at Fairhill Community Church (101 City Lights Blvd., Fairbanks) on Friday Oct. 24 at 4 p.m.
The Westboro news release says: “God Hates America, and God is killing our troops in His wrath. Thank God for IEDs” and “These soldiers are dying for the homosexual and other sins of America.” (The full statement is on their web site under Press Releases.)
Some in the Fairbanks LGBT community will be there “to peacefully stand against intolerance” in case Westboro members show up to picket.
The
Patriot Guard will also be there to “shield the mourning family and their friends from interruptions created by any protestor or group of protestors,” according to their mission statement.
“WB did not show at the funeral in Anchorage [on Saturday] and they probably won’t show in Fairbanks. But better safe then sorry,” said Christine Mahnken, the AK State Captain. “Anyone can join us and stand in a line with a flag, as long as they respect the grieving family. Wear WARM clothes!”
Tuesday, 21 October 2008 – 1:12 AM
| Comments Off on RAW 2009 Short Story Contest
UPDATE: Wendy Withrow won 1st place for “Frayed Yellow Rope.” The list of winners and honorable mentions is posted at
RAW. Thanks to all who entered the 2009 contest. The 2010 contest will be announced in the fall.
——-
Radical Arts for Women (
RAW) is giving away the most money yet for its 3rd annual short story contest, open to all women living in Alaska.
The fiction pieces must be between 250 and 5,000 words and contain some lesbian content. The deadline is Jan. 15, 2009.
The grand prize is $500, publication and an opportunity to read the story at Celebration. The second place winner will receive $300 and the third place wins $100. There is no entry fee.
In addition to the annual story contest, RAW produces
Celebration of Change and awards grants to Alaskan women in the arts.
Complete guidelines:
- Each entry must contain a cover sheet with author’s name, address, phone number and email and with the story’s title and word count.
- The short story must be between 250 and 5,000 words and contain some lesbian content. Stories should be on 8.5-by-11 paper, double spaced, 1-inch margins, no less than size 10 font. Do not put author’s name on the story. The fiction and lesbian stipulations may be interpreted by the author, but we are not seeking poetry or non-fiction. Erotica is acceptable. Electronic submissions are not accepted. Unpublished submissions only.
- Feel free to use a pseudonym, but let us know your real name in case you win a prize.
- Author must be a woman living in Alaska as of January 2009.
- Jan. 15 is the postmark deadline for entries.
- There is no entry fee.
- Winner receives $500 and the invitation to read her work at RAW’s annual performing arts production Celebration of Change in the spring of 2009 in Anchorage. The winning short story will be published on RAW and in the Alaska LGBT literary journal Naked Ptarmigan.
- Honorable mentions will be given at the judges’ discretion.
- Winners will be announced Feb. 15. For a complete list of winners, include an SASE with entry.
- Mail entries by Jan. 15 to Radical Arts for Women Short Story Contest, PO Box 244436, Anchorage AK 99524-4436.
Also, the
Naked Ptarmigan is accepting submissions: PO Box 244076, Anchorage AK 99524. Several of last year’s stories were published in the journal.
Friday, 17 October 2008 – 12:59 PM
| Comments Off on This Week in GLBT Alaska – 10/17/08
Check out this week’s events from Alaska GLBT News.
For full listings, news briefs and up-coming events,
subscribe to AGN, the weekly email newsletter.
EVENTS
Fairbanks
Friends Steve & Carol are both turning 50! Birthday Party 10/18, 8 p.m. at Jeff’s house.
Casting call for Drag Through The Ages, a benefit show for Interior AIDS Association (IAA), 10/18, 4 p.m. at Dance Theater Fairbanks. First rehearsal is Sunday evening.
Juneau
SEAGLA Social Fridays, 10/17, 6-8 p.m., 21 and over.
Anchorage
HIV Rapid Testing by Four A’s at the Hispanic Community Center 10/17, 4-6 p.m. for National Latino AIDS Awareness Day.
MCC Sunday Worship service with speaker Sara Gavit 10/19, 2 p.m.
ICOAA Chili Cook*Off 10/19, 4-7 p.m. at Mad Myrna’s. Prizes! $3.00 at the door includes chilli & cornbread.
ICOAA Annual Meeting 10/20, 6:30 p.m. in Mad Myrna’s showroom.
Hump Day Happy Hour 10/22, 5-7 p.m. with The Last Frontier Men’s Club at The Raven Bar.
Friday, 10 October 2008 – 3:33 PM
| Comments Off on This Week in GLBT Alaska – 10/10/08
Check out this week’s events from Alaska GLBT News.
Fairbanks
Anchorage
Out is In – Alaska Pride Conference 2008, 10/11, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. UAA University Center Mall.
Mad Myrna’s 10th Anniversary Disco Party, 10/11, 6-8 p.m.
Body and Soul: Breast Cancer Awareness Performance Poetry, 10/11, 7 p.m. at Mad Myrna’s.
Join PFLAG Anchorage for the film “It’s Still Elementary” 10/16, 7 p.m. at Immanuel Presbyterian Church.
Craft and Chat, Thursdays 7-9 p.m. at the GLCCA.
