Articles in Juneau
World AIDS Day events in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau
World AIDS Day is observed every year on December 1 to remember those we have lost to HIV/AIDS, to honor those still living with the disease, and to commemorate the theme of universal access and human rights.
Events including candlelight vigils are scheduled in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau. Click through on the city names to RSVP organizers about your intentions to attend.
- Day/time: Wednesday, December 1 · 6:00–9:00 PM
- Location: Out North, 3800 DeBarr Road
- Sponsor: Alaskan AIDS Assistance Association (Four A’s)
- Info: Join us for our annual World AIDS Day Candlelight Vigil to remember and honor all who are affected by HIV/AIDS. Vigil begins at 6 p.m. then afterward at 7 p.m. there will be a free showing of the movie “Life Support” starring Queen Latifah.
- Day/time: Wednesday, December 1, 4:00–7:00 PM
- Location: Interior AIDS Association (710 3rd. Ave.) with candlelight walk to 101 Dunkel St. (Morris Thompson Center)
- Sponsor: Interior AIDS Association (IAA)
- Info: December 1, 2010 Potluck, art, and open house from 4-5:30pm at the Interior AIDS Association. Candlelight walk at 5:30 from IAA 710 3rd Avenue to the Morris Thompson Cultural Center Theatre 101 Dunkel Street. We will have Anna Nelson, executive director of IAA opening and guest speaker Dr. Saltonstall from Anchorage and Father Scott from St. Matthews Episcopal Church. Other speakers TBA. Everyone is welcome to bring a dish to share for the potluck and don’t forget to dress warmly for the walk. Remember, this is Fairbanks and it will probably be cold!
- Day/time: Wednesday, December 1 · 6:30–9:30 PM
- Location: Baranof Hotel/Rendezvous
- Sponsor: Alaskan AIDS Assistance Association (Four A’s)
- Info: Join us for our annual World AIDS Day Candlelight Vigil in Juneau at the Baranof Hotel, beginning at 6:30 p.m. then come over to the Rendezvous for a free showing of “Rent” at 8 p.m.
Not In Our Town: Juneau
In the spring of 2009, the Juneau Human Rights Commission showed the video Not In Our Town to start a discussion about prejudice and discrimination in general and about specific incidents in Juneau. Now they’re working on the next step: setting up a local coalition on human rights.
The members of the Juneau Human Rights Commission have been working this past year on developing a Juneau Human Rights coalition of organizations and individuals here in Juneau. Juneau has many people of different ethnic origins and nationalities whom, in the past, have been victims of discrimination. Nationally, there has been an increase in groups promoting hate crimes towards racial minorities, gays and lesbians, and those of different religions and ethnic backgrounds. Bullying in schools has continued to plague communities around the country. To counter these concerns and to develop opportunity for dialogue among our citizens, the Juneau Human Rights Commission proposes to develop a local Human Rights Coalition.
The impetus for this has come from the efforts of the people in Billings, Montana, to confront hate crimes in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. When violence against racial, ethnic and religious minorities exploded in Billings, the people of that city, through various groups and as individuals, drew together to demonstrate their belief in the pluralistic values that have been the bedrock of our nation. They dubbed their efforts, “Not In Our Town”. Since then, “Not In Our Town” has become a national movement emulated in communities and cities across the country.The Commission members here in Juneau want to foster that movement here in Juneau for many reasons. We want to foster a high level of understanding, support and acceptance of all members of our community. We want there to be a forum where issues can be discussed. We want to support the school district in its efforts at reducing bullying in the schools.To better understand the nature of such a coalition and how it functions, we have invited Eran Thompson to speak at the Egan Library on the evening of November 3. Eran is from Billings, and while he wasn’t there during the initial period of the early 1990’s, Eran is current president of their “Not in Our Town” coalition. He will speak on the formation of the coalition, what it does, who belongs, how it relates to the community, and how it provides a forum for issues that Billings confronts.
This Not In Our Town video is an excerpt from a program they produced about communities uniting against hate.
Juneau sales tax discriminates against same sex partners
The Juneau Assembly may extend a sales tax exemption for seniors and their spouses to include same sex partners because the current policy is unconstitutional, the Juneau Empire reports:
A tax exemption policy on the City and Borough of Juneau’s books technically violates the Alaska Constitution, and Assemblyman Jonathan Anderson wants it corrected.He addressed the assembly on Friday and presented the problem and two ways of fixing it.The city code allows senior citizens to apply for an exemption to the sales tax. Their “spouses” who are under age 65 are allowed the same benefit.Anderson said that’s where the language is unconstitutional, and cited ACLU vs. State and Municipality of Anchorage, a 2005 Alaska Supreme Court case. Alaska state law prohibits same sex marriages, but on the same token the tax exemption benefit can’t exclude domestic partners or folks who can’t get married, the state’s top court ruled then.“The law says you can’t exclude people on basis of marriage when one group is excluded from getting married,” Anderson said in an interview. “To make our code constitutional, we need to add ‘and same-sex partners.'”The other option to fix the issue of violating the state constitution, is for the city to no longer offer a sales tax exemption for all senior citizens.Anderson noted the city already addressed this issue in other portions of its code, including establishing rules for providing benefits for domestic partners of its employees.City Attorney John Hartle said he had reviewed the information and found Anderson’s assessment to be correct.Hartle said if the assembly chooses to go the route of inserting the language “or same-sex partners” it will have to be sure similar documentation standards are implemented as with married couples.“I will suggest what is probably apparent,” said Assemblyman Bob Doll. “What we really want to do is insert the language, ‘or same-sex partners’ and proceed that way.”The finance committee will review the code amendment issue at its November meeting.“The assembly will have to decide do we remove it entirely or do we provide it for same sex partners,” Anderson said in an interview.
Free Coming Out Day films for Juneau
October is both LGBT History Month and National Bullying Prevention Month, which is sadly appropriate this year with all the recent gay teen suicides due to bullying.
In addition, National Coming Out Day is on October 11, and the Juneau community is recognizing the day, and the month, by screening two LGBT documentaries, one about families and one about bullying:
Free Films Sunday and Monday, October 10 & 11, at 6 pm, kick-off the new Conscientious Projector Film Series at the Nickelodeon Theater, sponsored by the Juneau Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.
In honor of National Coming Out Day, the October Films are co-sponsored by SEAGLA (SouthEast Alaska Gay and Lesbian Alliance) and PFLAG (Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays).
** Bullied is the new Southern Poverty Law Center release by an academy award nominee filmmaker documenting a true story of one student’s ordeal at the hands of anti-gay bullies. His story offers inspiration to those fighting harassment. 40 min
** Straight from the Heart interviews a wide cross-section of American parents including a police chief, a Mormon couple, an African American mother, and Bobby Griffith’s mother (the mother of Bobby from Prayers for Bobby) all speaking from the heart about their grown gay and lesbian children. 27 min
Optional discussion following both films. Snacks and admission are free. Donations are appreciated.The Juneau Unitarian Universalist Fellowship meets Sundays at 10 at the corner of Cordova & Foster in West Juneau and is a Welcoming Congregation, welcoming people from every class, nationality, race, gender and sexual orientation. For more information, please visit JUUF online.
The film Bullied is available free to schools from Teaching Tolerance, along with a viewer’s guide. Watch the trailer:
Gay AK: Get ready for late summer and fall events
Gay AK is a semi-regular column with short news items and up-coming events for LGBT Alaska. This week, we have a variety of late summer and fall events in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau and the Mat-Su.
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PFLAG Fairbanks has a booth at the Tanana Valley State Fair, which continues through August 14. The theme of the fair is “Barn in the USA.” Beverly designed an adorable PFLAG booth and Jenn did the art work (see photo). Stop by and say hello, or sign up for a shift and go to the fair free that day.
The LGBT Center in the Mat-Su Valley has closed due to a lack of volunteers and donations. However, the Wednesday Social continues at Vagabond Blues in Palmer at 5 p.m.
Juneau Pride Chorus begins rehearsing again on September 7, on Tuesday evenings 5:15 – 6:45 p.m. Potential new members are welcome to attend rehearsals. Email Juneau Pride Chorus for information.
Anchorage events
Come to a Meet & Greet at Bernie’s Bungalow on August 18, 5-7:30 p.m. to celebrate Alaska’s LGBT community and the 25th anniversary of Pride Foundation, a northwest organization that helps local LGBT projects and people through grants and scholarships. A 21+ event.
Northern Exposure 2010 is Alaska’s first educational SM and Leather convention, Aug 20-22. Three days of workshops, classes, parties and meals. Register at NE2010. (This is not specifically LGBT, but is a GLBT-friendly event.)
The gay and lesbian bowling league of Anchorage is getting ready to start another season. Our first league meeting is Sunday August 29 at Jewel Lake Bowl at 4 p.m., and our first day of bowling is September 12. Contact the Northern Exposure Bowling League.
The Imperial Court’s Coronation is traditionally held on Labor Day weekend, and Alaska Coronation 38 – “Kickin’ it old School…Back to our Roots” will be Sept. 2-6 in Anchorage. Visit the ICOAA for the schedule and tickets.
The annual Alaska Pride Conference is coming up: October 8-10 at Alaska Pacific University.
Gay cruise groups visit glaciers & towns of southeast Alaska
Five gay cruise groups visit the coastal towns of southeast Alaska in 2010, but the big all-gay cruises that sailed here last year went to other locations this year.
Juneau reception on August 15
The annual Pied Piper gay travel group joins a 7-night “Voyage of the Glaciers” cruise from August 13-20, docking in Juneau on Sunday August 15 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. aboard the Celebrity Millennium. A “Welcome to Juneau” reception will be held in the Jaded lounge from 4:30-7 p.m. If you’re in Juneau, come on down and say hello to the gay group!
The cruise sails from Seward on August 13, visiting Hubbard Glacier, Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait and Ketchikan before docking in Vancouver, Canada.
Out in Alaska Cruises
The gay-owned local travel company Out in Alaska is also running Glacier cruise groups in Southeast this year, 8 days between Seward and Vancouver, visiting Hubbard Glacier, Sitka, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan. All three trips are full, so I guess they are popular.
“New for 2010 we are offering voyages on 3 luxurious cruises with Holland America Lines to or from Alaska that can be combined with our Land Trips. These cruises are an easy way to see Alaska and you can even bring your mom, kids, and extended family.”
The spring trip was in May-June. The summer and fall cruises are on August 15-22 and September 12-19.
“With our local knowledge and expertise, Out in Alaska is your best bet for a fun and authentic Alaska Vacation. You will get the local insiders’ perspective on the Last Frontier while experiencing the real Alaska that most tourists miss.”
Check out their Land Trips for the rest of 2010, and bookmark Out in Alaska for the 2011 cruise adventures.
Aquafest
The other gay cruise group coming to Alaska this year is the annual 7 night Aquafest hosted group on the Norwegian Pearl, leaving Seattle on September 5 and returning to Seattle on Sept. 12, visiting Juneau on the third day, Tuesday Sept. 7 from 2-10 p.m.
Have you sailed in Alaska with a gay cruise or cruise group? Send your Alaska travel story to Bent Alaska, and I’ll post it on the blog!
This Week (and next) in LGBT Alaska 7/9/10
Several great events are happening this weekend, with two on Sunday: the Ray Boltz (Gay/Christian) Concert at MCC, and the Seven Deadly Sins Dinner at Mad Myrna’s… an interesting coincidence. On Saturday, the Comedy Hypnosis Show returns to Myrna’s. On Friday, the “Life’s a Drag” show in Juneau is a benefit for Four A’s and the ICOAA.
Next weekend’s events are also listed, including the Brandi Carlile concerts in Anchorage and Fairbanks, and the Pride Picnic in Juneau.
To get the LGBT events as a weekly email newsletter, subscribe to Alaska GLBT News.
Juneau
“Life’s a Drag” show and flogger making party 7/9, 8:30 p.m. at the Rendezvous Bar, $10 benefit for Four A’s & the ICOAA.
SEAGLA Social Fridays (6-8 p.m.) for GLBT people and our friends over 21, at The Jaded Lounge.
SEAGLA and PFLAG Annual Pride Picnic, 7/17, 4-8 p.m. at Skater’s Cabin.
Fairbanks
Brandi Carlile concert at The Blue Loon, Thursday 7/15, 8 p.m. Tickets HERE.
Angry, Young & Poor 2010, 7/17 noon-midnight, a (gay-friendly) music event at Ester Community Park.
ICOAA Ducal Ball XVIII: The Duck Awards, Pioneer Park, 7/17, doors at 7 p.m. show at 8. $15 for food and show.
Mat-Su Valley
Coyote Gardens Open Garden 7/17 from 10-5 and 7/18 from noon-4, garden tours by Les and Jerry to raise funds for The Alaska Rock Garden Society and the Willow Garden Club.
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
EverReady plays the Bear Paw Festival in Eagle River, 7/10, 1:00p.m.
Comedy Hypnosis (Summer Hump) Show 7/10, 9-10:30 p.m. at Mad Myrna’s. Tickets HERE.
Seven Deadly Sins 3.0, on 7/11 at 5:30p.m., Mad Myrna’s. Tickets $25 in advance for the 7 course meal and entertainment. Proceeds to benefit NE2010 and Identity Inc. Tickets HERE.
Ray Boltz Concert at MCCA, 7/11 from 7:15-9 p.m. Register HERE for FREE tickets.
LGBT Caucus of the Alaska Democratic Party meeting 7/13, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at ADP headquarters, 2602 Fairbanks Street in Anchorage.
Operaoke! 7/13, 9-10:30 p.m. at Myrna’s.
Identity & PFLAG Volunteer Appreciation Picnic, 7/15, 6 p.m. at Goose Lake Park.
Brandi Carlile concert at The Discovery Theater 7/16, 7:30 p.m. SOLD OUT.
Being LGBT in Juneau, 40 years apart
Sara Boesser, writer of the weekly News Roundup, and Lauren Tibbitts, leader of the JDHS Gay Straight Alliance, were interviewed on “Call Dr. E” on KTOO radio earlier this week. If you missed the live show, you can listen to “Being LGBT in Juneau” in the KTOO archive HERE.
The show should be very interesting: I’m just having my 40th high school reunion this weekend. The other guest, Lauren Tibbitts, just graduated this summer from the same Juneau high school I attended. I realized I was a lesbian while attending my high school; Lauren realized she was bisexual in the same high school 40 years later. The show will be reflections on some of the differences 40 years can make in the same town being a GLBT teenager.
Thanks to Sara and Lauren for sharing their perspectives as LGBT women in southeast Alaska, and to Dr. Elaine Schroeder for moderating the show.
Miss MeMe’s Glee-themed promo for HIV Testing Week (video)
This week is National HIV Testing Week, June 21-27, and the Four A’s made a great promo video, “MeMe’s Corner” starring the Imperial Court of All Alaska’s fabulous Miss MeMe in a Glee parody. MeMe knows best and she is lending her name to a very important cause – HIV Testing.
Watch “Miss MeMe’s Corner” and subscribe to the Four A’s YouTube Channel:
One of many free HIV testing opportunities that week will be at PrideFest on Saturday June 26. The Four A’s and the Municipality of Anchorage will be offering free HIV testing and free gonorrhea and chlamydia testing from 1-5 p.m. Just come visit the Four A’s booth.
There will be a week long series of events offering free HIV testing in both Anchorage and Juneau. It’s important to know your status for the health of yourself and your loved ones. Getting tested is quick and easy. All events will use an oral swab that gives results in 20 minutes.
The Anchorage testing dates and locations are listed below. The Juneau events were posted with the Juneau Pride schedule. Check out Four A’s at www.alaskanaids.org for more information about National HIV Testing Week.
Anchorage
Saturday, June 19
Mad Myrna’s
10 p.m. -12 a.m.
(530 E. 5th Avenue)
Monday, June 21
Teen Clinic at Transit Center Downtown
12:30 p.m. -2:30 p.m.
Four A’s Evening Hours
1057 W. Fireweed Lane, Suite 102
4 p.m.-7 p.m.
Wednesday, June 23
Four A’s Evening Hours
4 p.m.-7 p.m.
Friday, June 25
Mad Myrna’s
10 p.m.-12 a.m.
Saturday, June 26
PrideFest
1-5 p.m.
Get tested and know your status. MeMe says so.
Juneau adds Film Night to Pride Picnic and Hike
Juneau’s Pride events for June and July include a new LGBT Film Night benefit for Alaskans Together featuring the award-wining film Out in the Silence, along with a Pride Picnic at Skater’s Cabin, a hike at West Glacier, a drag show benefit for Four A’s, and local events for HIV Testing Week.
The First Annual Alaskans Together for Equality LGBT Film Fun-Raiser is on Thursday, June 17 at the Gold Town Nickelodeon Theater, 171 Shattuck Way. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. and the film schedule is below. Come for one segment or stay for the whole evening. Finger foods and refreshments will be available. Bring your checkbook and cash for the donation baskets. Membership in Alaskans Together for Equality, Inc. is available at all levels, from $10 up.
LGBT Film Fun-Raiser Schedule – June 17
6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Dramatic Narrative Shorts
Coming to Terms – College student deals with coming out by phone
The Manual – Sent to psychiatric institution as a boy, Sonny tries to help niece avoid similar treatment
The Call – Lesbian women interact with their sperm donor
Two Encounters – Hidden cameras reveal difference in treatment of blacks and whites in gay bars
7:15 – 8:15 p.m. Main Feature
Out in the Silence – Challenges of coming out and living in small towns and rural America
The film will be followed by an optional discussion in a breakout room led by Juneau Assembly member Jonathan Anderson
8:30 – 9:30 p.m. Humor & Love Shorts
Hi Maya – Mature women strike up relationship in hair salon
Float – Male love in the Bahamas
Hummer – Dinner party brings surprises for women participants
Watch the trailer for Out in the Silence:
Juneau’s other LGBT events for June and July include the Mendenhall hike, the Pride Picnic, the Friday social, a drag show fundraiser for Four A’s, and free testing during National HIV Testing Week.
Mendenhall Journey: June 19, 2010. Meet at 9:30 AM at the trail head of West Glacier Trail. Round trip is 5-6 hours, distance is 3.4 miles one-way, bring a lunch and water to drink, trail mix would also be wise, good footwear is mandatory. The hike departs promptly at 10 AM. Do not be late! Access directions: take Montana Creek Road from the Mendenhall Loop road, and follow the signs to the campground. Go past the campground entrance, and Skater’s cabin to the parking area at the end of the road. This trail is rated “more difficult” by the Juneau hiking trail guide. There is some rock scrambling/climbing involved to reach the ice caves.
Annual Pride Picnic with SEAGLA and PFLAG: July 17, 2010 at Skater’s Cabin from 4-8PM. Please plan to be there. Bring a salad and whatever you would like to drink, glass is not allowed. Firewood might be good depending on weather. Volunteers are requested to help with set up, breakdown, music, and a BBQ grill. SEAGLA will provide paper plates, cups and plastic ware that we already have. Also we will provide some burgers both meat and non-meat as well as hot dogs, and soft drinks. But if you can bring a salad or bake some cookies or a cake that would be great.
Friday Social: June 18, June 25, 2010. Each Friday after work from 6-8 PM, community members and their friends, both men and women are invited to get together. Drop by the Jaded Lounge in the Goldbelt Hotel, downtown Juneau to unwind from the work week. If you are over 21, you are invited to join us. Please try it out this Friday, or another Friday in the future. Come on out, and make a new friend today! Visit SEAGLA for future locations.
Drag Queen and King show: July 9, 2010 at the Rendezvous Bar. Marguerite the recently appointed Duchess of Juneau is planning a local Drag Queen and King show and recycled flogger making party as a fundraiser for Four A’s, at the Rendezvous Bar on Friday July 9th, and she’s looking for help. Donations of time, supplies, ideas and funds are welcome. Please email Marguerite.
National HIV Testing Week is an annual campaign coordinated by the National Association of People with AIDS to encourage people of all ages to “Take the Test, Take Control.” National HIV Testing Week is June 21-27, 2010. The Four A’s will be providing free testing (Oral Swab, results in 20 minutes) at closed and public locations for the whole week in Juneau. The public locations:
Tuesday, June 22: 7-10 p.m. at Rendezvous
Wednesday, June: 23 11-4 p.m. at Blaze and 4-8 p.m. at Four A’s
Thursday, June 24: 8:30 a.m.– 3:30 p.m. Free blood draws at Juneau Public Health (no appointment necessary) and 8-11 p.m. at Alaskan Bar
Friday, June 25: 4-8 p.m. at Four A’s
Free HIV Testing also available at Four A’s (174 S Franklin Street, #207/Above Heritage Coffee) during business hours, call 586-6089 for an appointment.
