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Sunday, 6 October 2013 – 5:19 PM | Comments Off on A long-overdue Bent Alaska update — October 2013

Bent Alaska’s blog will continue in hiatus indefinitely; but the Bent Alaska Facebook Group on Facebook is thriving — join us! A long-overdue update from Bent Alaska’s editor.

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This Week in LGBT Alaska 8/28/09

Friday, 28 August 2009 – 9:36 AM | Comments Off on This Week in LGBT Alaska 8/28/09
This Week in LGBT Alaska 8/28/09

The Assembly has until Sept. 8 to override Mayor Sullivan’s veto, and they need 8 votes in favor. Please urge Debbie Ossander (ossiander@gci.net) and all the Assembly members (WWMAS@ci.anchorage.ak.us) to Do the Right Thing and support an override.

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

UAF Gay-Straight Alliance tabling at New Student Orientation 8/31 from 12-2pm in the Wood Center.

Kenai Peninsula

“Hedwig and the Angry Inch” starring Atz Lee Kilcher, 8/28-8/30, 8 p.m. at Pier One Theater. Tickets $15 at the Homer Bookstore and Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic.

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

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

Northern Exposure Bowling League, 1st league meeting of the 2009/2010 season, 8/29, 4 p.m. at Park Lanes.

Mad Mike @ Mad Myrna’s 8/29, 10 p.m. – 2:30 a.m.

Sunday worship with MCC Anchorage, 2 p.m.

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

Ever Ready at the Alaska State Fair 8/31, 5-6 p.m.

Joy Harjo reading her poetry at Cyrano’s 8/31, 7 p.m. Tickets $10.00 at the door.

Anchorage Frontrunners, Tuesdays, 6 p.m.

You Are Not Alone: Teen Suicide Resources

Tuesday, 25 August 2009 – 5:18 PM | One Comment
You Are Not Alone: Teen Suicide Resources
Another school year has begun, and the Juneau School District created a new suicide prevention resource for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth, which is available for adults who work with teens.
“Gay and lesbian youth belong to two groups at high risk of suicide: youth and homosexuals.” The brochure lists 3 actions to take if you or a friend has a problem.
“The root of the problem for GLBT youth suicide is a society that discriminates against and stigmatizes homosexuals while failing to recognize that a substantial number of its youth are GLBT.” – from the report of the Secretary’s Task Force on Youth Suicide, US Dept. of Health and Human Services
The brochure gives Juneau-area and national suicide hotline numbers and mental health web sites that are accessible to all Alaska youth, along with general GLBTQ resources like SEAGLA, PFLAG and the Juneau Gay-Straight Alliances.
The brochure was funded by a grant from the State of Alaska, and is available for people who work with teens and places where teens frequent.
If you would like to receive copies of the brochure, or have suggestions for where they can be placed, please contact Juneau-Douglas High School Counselor Brendan Kiernan at this email address.

This Week in LGBT Alaska 8/21/09

Friday, 21 August 2009 – 12:19 PM | Comments Off on This Week in LGBT Alaska 8/21/09
This Week in LGBT Alaska 8/21/09
This week’s events from the statewide newsletter. Subscribe to Alaska GLBT News.

Juneau

RSVP cruise Reception 8/26, 3-7 p.m. at the Imperial Saloon. SEAGLA

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

Fairbanks

Voting for ICOAA Empress and Emperor XXXVII, 8/22, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at College Floral.

Parks Highway

Bac’untry Bruthers at the Trapper Creek Music Festival 8/21, 9 p.m.

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

Emperor and Empress Candidates Pancake Breakfast 8/22, 10 a.m.-noon at Mad Myrna’s.

Voting for ICOAA Empress and Emperor XXXVII 8/22, 10a.m.-8 p.m. at the GLCCA.

MCC Anchorage Garage Sale 8/22, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church.

Out North Garage Sale 8/22, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

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

Bac’untry Bruthers performs Saturday, at the Girdwood Blueberry Festival at 3 p.m and at Tap Root Cafe in south Anchorage at 8 p.m.

Sunday worship with MCC Anchorage, 2 p.m.

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

Anchorage Frontrunners, Tuesdays, 6 p.m.

Out North Season 25 Launch Party 8/27, 6 p.m.

This Week in LGBT Alaska 8/14/09

Friday, 14 August 2009 – 2:44 PM | Comments Off on This Week in LGBT Alaska 8/14/09
This Week in LGBT Alaska 8/14/09
This week’s events from the statewide newsletter. Subscribe to Alaska GLBT News.

Juneau

Juneau-Douglas Picnic: Spectacular Summer Diversity Celebration at Sandy Beach Saviko Park Shelter #1, 3-8 p.m. on Saturday, August 15. SEAGLA

Pied Piper tour group Reception 8/16, 5-7 p.m. at the Imperial Saloon. Cash Bar, Dance Music. SEAGLA

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

Fairbanks

PFLAG Booth at the Tanana Valley State Fair, thru 8/15. Fairbanks PFLAG

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 Night Divas Variety Show, 9p.m followed by Karaoke with Paige. Mad Myrna’s.

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

Jay Her’s Comedy Hypnosis Show 8/15, 9 p.m. at Mad Myrna’s, followed by DJ Mad Mike at 11 p.m.

Sunday worship and monthly potluck with MCC Anchorage, 2 p.m.

Emperor and Empress Candidates BBQ 8/16, 4 p.m. at The Raven.

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

Anchorage Frontrunners, Tuesdays, 6 p.m.

This Week in LGBT Alaska 8/7/09

Friday, 7 August 2009 – 2:39 PM | Comments Off on This Week in LGBT Alaska 8/7/09
This Week in LGBT Alaska 8/7/09
The next Ordinance 64 meeting is Tuesday August 11, and the Assembly may vote on the ordinance that evening. We need YOU in BLUE, sitting in the Assembly chambers on the first floor of Loussac Library, to show that we support them in passing the equal rights ordinance. Please attend!
This week’s events from the statewide newsletter. Subscribe to 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

Ducal Ball 2009 – A Fetish Ball 8/8, doors open at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m., to elect a new monarch for Fairbanks. Pioneer Park Civic Center. Fun, food, entertainment, and fetish-friendly attire (no nudity.) $15 at the door, 18 and older. (18-21 in a separate area.)

PFLAG Booth at the Tanana Valley State Fair 8/7-8/15. Volunteer at the booth for a 2-hour shift and enter the Fair free for the whole day. Email Mike to volunteer or visit Fairbanks PFLAG for more info.

Parks Hwy

Ever Ready at the Talkeetna Bluegrass Festival 8/7, 4-5 p.m. Mile 102 Parks Hwy, Talkeetna.

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

Compassionate Communication Workshops for Parents and Anyone Working with Children 8/6-8/8, 6:30-9 p.m. T-F, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.

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

Friday Night Divas Variety Show benefit for The Roscoe (Pet) Fund 8/7, 9p.m. $5, followed by Karaoke with Paige. Saturday DJ Mad Mike 8/8 at 11 p.m. Both at Mad Myrna’s.

Irina Rivkin performs 3 nights in Anchorage: Organic Oasis on Saturday August 8, at 7 p.m. Midtown Studio concert on Sunday August 9, at 7:30 p.m. with an optional audience-participation live-looping piece, 6407 Brayton Drive, $5-15 sliding scale. Tap Root Café on Monday August 10, from 7:30-8:30 p.m.

Sunday worship and monthly potluck with MCC Anchorage, 2 p.m.

TLFMC Potluck meeting & social 8/9, 6 p.m. at Mad Myrna’s.

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

Assembly meeting and possible Ordinance 64 vote, Tuesday 8/11, 1st floor of Loussac Library, meeting begins at 5 p.m but come early for a seat inside. Wear blue.

Anchorage Frontrunners, Tuesdays, 6 p.m.

This Week in LGBT Alaska 7/31/09

Friday, 31 July 2009 – 12:44 PM | Comments Off on This Week in LGBT Alaska 7/31/09
This Week in LGBT Alaska 7/31/09
This week’s events from the statewide newsletter. Subscribe to 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

BBQ to decorate the PFLAG Fair Booth 8/2, late afternoon, call 45-PFLAG for directions. The Tanana Valley State Fair is August 7-15 this year. Free admission for the day if you work a two-hour shift at the PFLAG booth. Fairbanks PFLAG.

Parks Hwy

Irina Rivkin‘s Denali concert 8/6, 10 p.m. at Panorama Pizza, Mile 224 Parks Highway on Carlo Creek.

Ever Ready at the Talkeetna Bluegrass Festival 8/7, 4-5 p.m. Mile 102 Parks Hwy, Talkeetna.

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

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

Yes @ Cuddy Park 8/1, 2 p.m.-1 a.m. Live Bands, DJs, Breakdancers, Outdoor Festival. Doors close at 11 p.m.

Sunday worship and monthly potluck with MCC Anchorage, 2 p.m.

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

Anchorage Frontrunners, Tuesdays, 6 p.m.

This Week in LGBT Alaska 7/24/09

Friday, 24 July 2009 – 3:16 PM | Comments Off on This Week in LGBT Alaska 7/24/09
This Week in LGBT Alaska 7/24/09

This week’s events from the statewide newsletter. Subscribe to Alaska GLBT News.
Join the ACT for Health Care Reform rally on the Park Strip, Saturday in Anchorage. The local organizers haven’t heard about the LGBT provisions that were added to the national Health Care Reform bill last week, so this is your chance to educate them about our health care needs.
Sunday is Sarah Palin’s last day as Governor of Alaska and people all over the state are celebrating with Quitting Parties. Also on Sunday is a memorial service for progressive ally Allan Tesche, at the Central Lutheran Church on 15th and Cordova, in Anchorage.

McCarthy

Irina Rivkin performs in McCarthy on 7/25, 8 p.m. at BMAC’s, and on 7/27, 6:30 p.m. at Wrangell Mountain Center & Hardware store, playing a concert plus audience-participation live-looping jam, $5-15 sliding scale donation. See her current tour schedule here.

Juneau

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

Fairbanks

March with PFLAG and carry the Key West Pride Flag in the Golden Days Parade, 7/25. Meet in the Carlson Center parking lot by 9:30 a.m. in space 36. Post-parade Picnic at Nussbaumer Park from 2-6 p.m.

Women’s Motorcycle Ride Saturday, 7/25 meets in the Regal/Goldstream Theater parking lot at 4 p.m.

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 Group & Potluck 7/24, 6 p.m. See The Anchorage LGBT Meetup Group for details.

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

Adult Comedy Hypnosis Show with Jay Her, Saturday 7/25, 9 p.m. $10 at Mad Myrna’s. Tickets available online here.

Mad Mike @ Mad Myrna’s spinning Electro, House & Trance, Saturdays 11 p.m.-2:30 p.m. with Special Guest DJ’s.

Sunday worship with MCC Anchorage 7/26, 2 p.m.

The Last Frontier Men’s Club Annual Meeting and Election 7/26, 6 p.m. Mad Myrna’s.

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

Self-Healing & Compassionate Communication Workshop for LGBT Community & Allies 7/27, 6-8:30 p.m. 1057 W. Fireweed, Suite 102 (Four A’s Building), United Way Conference Room. Please pre-register if possible.

Anchorage Frontrunners, Tuesdays, 6 p.m.

This Week in LGBT Alaska 7/17/09

Friday, 17 July 2009 – 5:02 PM | Comments Off on This Week in LGBT Alaska 7/17/09
This Week in LGBT Alaska 7/17/09
** The next Anchorage ordinance hearing is Tuesday, July 21 at Loussac Library. **
This week’s events from the statewide newsletter. Subscribe to 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

Women’s Motorcycle Ride Saturday, 7/18 meets in the Regal/Goldstream Theater parking lot at 4 p.m.

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

Midnight Soapscum: Goes to Hell! Final Episode, 7/17-7/18, 10:30 p.m. Out North Tickets $15 online or at the door. Saturday’s show follows The Big Fat Gay Wedding (see below.)

Integrity (Episcopal GLBT group) monthly potluck, fellowship and worship 7/17, 6:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Lake Otis & Tudor.

Gay-Karting with Adam & Steve 7/18, 2 p.m. RSVP required.

Barony of Spenard 7/18, 7:16 p.m. at Mad Myrna’s $5. Best in Theme Contest & Auction.

The Big Fat Gay Wedding 7/18, 7 p.m. Out North. Unions blessed & vows renewed.

Mad Mike @ Mad Myrna’s 7/18, (Saturdays) 10 p.m.-2:30 p.m. with Special Guest DJ’s.

LGBT & Supporters Community Potluck at Goose Lake Picnic Shelter 7/19, 1 p.m.

Sunday worship with MCC Anchorage 7/19, 2 p.m.

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

Anchorage Frontrunners, Tuesdays, 6 p.m.

Anchorage Equal Rights Ordinance Hearing 7/21, 5-11 p.m. Loussac Library. Equality Works.

This Week in LGBT Alaska 7/10/09

Friday, 10 July 2009 – 12:02 PM | Comments Off on This Week in LGBT Alaska 7/10/09
This Week in LGBT Alaska 7/10/09
This week’s events from the statewide newsletter. Subscribe to Alaska GLBT News.

Juneau

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

RFamily Vacations cruise visits Juneau aboard the MV Norweigan Star, Tuesday 7/14 from 7 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. SEAGLA

Fairbanks

PFLAG Fairbanks meeting, Sunday 7/12, 4 p.m.

Women’s Motorcycle Ride Night, Thursdays, 6 p.m. meets in the Regal/Goldstream Theater parking lot.

Homer

“Hedwig and the Angry Inch” performed live at the Down East Saloon, Mon-Wed 7/13-7/15, at 8 p.m. Tickets $15 at the Homer Bookstore and Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic. Show is a benefit for KBFC.

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 Group Night 7/10, 6 p.m. potluck and socializing, 7 p.m. movie. 2nd & 4th Fridays. An Anchorage LGBT Meetup Group event.

Ever Ready in Eagle River playing at the Bear Paw Festival 7/10, 8-10 p.m.

Midnight Soapscum: Goes to Hell! Episode #4, 7/10-7/11, 10:30 p.m. Out North Tickets $15 online or at the door.

Bac’untry Bruthers All-Night dRAGTIME Revue opening for the Dead Milkmen at the Brown Bear in Indian, along Turnagain Arm 7/11, 8 p.m.

Sunday worship and monthly potluck with MCC Anchorage 7/12, 2 p.m.

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

Anchorage Frontrunners, Tuesdays, 6 p.m.

Poetry Parley: works by Walt Whitman, plus local poet Joshua Garcia 7/15, 7 p.m. Free admission, and cake for Poetry Parley’s one-year anniversary. Out North

The PFLAG Anchorage & Identity, Inc. annual picnic at Valley of the Moon Park 7/16.

Alaskan Celebrates Gay Pride in India on Historic Ruling

Thursday, 9 July 2009 – 9:30 PM | Comments Off on Alaskan Celebrates Gay Pride in India on Historic Ruling
Alaskan Celebrates Gay Pride in India on Historic Ruling
India overturned its ban on gay sex last week, and Ryan from Juneau, Alaska was there to celebrate in Bangalore’s Gay Pride Parade.
The High Court in New Delhi ruled that gay sex between consenting adults is no longer a crime, overturning the 1860 anti-sodomy law, known as Section 377. “Moral indignation, howsoever strong, is not a valid basis for overriding individuals’ fundamental rights of dignity and privacy.”
Ryan is traveling in India and studying at the Visthar Center near Bangalore. In the post Welcome to Bangalore & the South India Artist Intensive, Ryan described the theater and dance workshops and his adventures in the city, then wrote about gay life in India and the historic court ruling:
Finally, it’s been a surprisingly eventful week in sexual politics in India. Last Sunday I found myself marching in Bangalore’s gay pride parade, which is a scenario I never would have envisioned. It certainly was no New York or Amsterdam pride, but it beat out Juneau’s gay pride parade—which consists of me walking down Franklin Street to get a cup of coffee. There were several hundred people and drumming and shouting—lots of people wearing masks, though, for the sake of anonymity in photo or video. That very day, the Indian High Court was reviewing section 377, which is the law used against gay people in this country (though it doesn’t refer to homosexuals verbatim). Thursday, the law was amended! Huge news. What this basically means, as someone at Visthar put it, is that homosexual lifestyles are now ‘recognized as non-crimes.’ Still not equal rights, but at least not outright discrimination. …Now this weekend, there have been counter-protests and demonstrations in some cities, some apparently violent.
It will be interesting to see how this continues to unfold here. I would at least venture to say that from what I’ve seen, the divide between rural and urban here, ‘liberal’ and ‘conservative,’ seems to be HUGE. As part of our cultural context class this week, we had a session discussing sexual minorities, and Visthar invited 2 gay men and 2 lesbian women to speak. It was incredible to me that all 4 of them—none of whom could have been older than 40—had attempted suicide due to their sexuality-combined-with-social/family-situation. Two had had their partners die in double-suicide attempts that they themselves had survived. It does seem that the situation here is behind the US by a few years or decades.
Check out his photos of India, and follow Ryan’s future adventures by subscribing to his blog Forging Ahead.
– hat tip to Maia of Own The Sidewalk