Articles in Alaska communities
Arson? Anchorage Gay Float was torched *UPDATES* AFD needs our help!
UPDATE 3: The Butners have verified that the insurance inspector has not made a final report. That information came from a usually reliable source, but is incorrect and has been removed from the main post. My apologies to the Butners and the community for this series of misunderstandings and updates.
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UPDATE 2: The Anchorage Fire Department has now posted their report HERE. “At this time, the cause will be listed as undetermined. The AFD Fire Investigator is seeking the public’s help in identifying an unknown white male who was observed in the area by a witness only moments before the fire was discovered. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Anchorage Fire Department’s Arson Hotline 267-5060 or Anchorage Crime Stoppers (561-STOP).” So it was probably arson, but they call it undetermined until they catch the guy.
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CORRECTION: [The report stating that the fire was arson came from the insurance fire inspector. — this information is incorrect and has been removed from the post.] The Anchorage Fire Department is still seeking information that will lead to the arrest of the potential arsonist and has not released a report yet. [The report is released and linked above.] Apologies for the confusion.
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The Anchorage Fire Department has concluded [correction: is seeking the public’s help in identifying an unknown white male who was observed in the area by a witness only moments before the fire was discovered and may have] deliberately burned down a Gay Pride Float two days before it would appear in the city’s 4th of July parade.
The fire also destroyed the garage and damaged the house of Ken and Paula Butner, allies who kept the Imperial Court’s float in a car tent in front of the garage. Their daughter was awakened around 5:30 a.m. on July 2 by the sound of paint cans exploding outside her window, and she woke the rest of the family. Luckily, no one was injured.
“They have finally finished the investigation, and said that it is not our fault or an accident,” wrote Paula. “They said that it was started by someone! They are still asking for information from anyone who may know who started it.”
The LGBTA community rallied and built a new float in less than 48 hours that included burned pieces salvaged from the original. They named the new float Phoenix Rising, and it won the Grand Prize in the July 4th parade.
Meanwhile, the city Fire Inspector labeled the fire “suspicious” and asked the state to assist in the investigation.
“This has been a horrible situation for everyone involved, and worse to know that this may have been a targeted crime,” wrote Miss MeMe, Empress of the Imperial Court of All Alaska.“I have been incredibly proud that our community has shown great courage and Pride, and I know that we will continue to work together to conquer hate towards our community and its allies. We also continue to support the Butners during what has been a challenging time for them, and continue to be grateful for all of the support they have shown the LGBTA community over the years.”
A fund was set up to help the Butners repair their home and rebuild their garage, with security cameras and a big enough garage to store the float inside. A fundraising dinner has been announced for August 14 to replace the destroyed float equipment.
“Insurance will not cover the sound equipment belonging to Daphne Do All LaChores, emcee of Drag Queen Bingo and PrideFest Parade announcer,” wrote Phyllis of Identity, Inc.Hence, a fundrai$er to replace the equipment—a spaghetti feed with salad on Saturday afternoon, August 14, 2010, from 1:00 to 5:00 pm at Guido’s, 549 W. International Road. Tickets $10.00 per person, $5.00 under 10 years old. $5.50 of every adult ticket sold will go to Daph. There will also be a 50/50 split the pot and silent auction to raise funds for the equipment.”
Daphne rode the Imperial Court float and dished to the crowds at both the July 4th parade and the Fur Rondy parade in February, and is co-host of the Friday Night Diva Show. Daphne and the Butners have organized the creation of the Imperial Court’s annual float since 2002.
“We lost our trailer and all of the sound equipment, tools and supplies,” Daphne commented on Linda’s photo essay of the fire. “Ken and I started to upgrade the space into a workshop and storage facility to house all of the decorations and scraps of previous award winning floats. It’s all gone now.”
Tickets to the spaghetti feed fundraiser are on sale at the Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Anchorage, 336 East 6th Avenue. Cash or check donations will also be accepted.
If you have any information that might lead to the arrest of the arsonist, please contact the Anchorage Fire Department.
When Mayor Sullivan vetoed the equal rights ordinance last year, he said there was no evidence of anti-gay prejudice in Anchorage. Does he still think that? No one was injured – this time. What will it take for the mayor and city assembly to pass and sign, or override the veto and approve, a law that protects the LGBT residents of Anchorage?
– hat tip to Linda of Celtic Diva for her report on the fire, and the photo of the burned float. The Phoenix Rising photo is from Daphne’s Facebook page.
Answers to "Why do you need a gay parade?"
A straight couple asked this question at the Alaska PrideFest parade and I posted my reply on the blog after reading the answer Homer PFLAG gave to a similar question about their float in the July 4th parade. The post got an interesting comment, and when I shared the link on Bent’s FB page readers gave even more great answers – as I knew you would. (It’s true, the readers are my best source of ideas. How did I do this blog before setting up the Facebook page?)
Our answers form a wonderful set of responses to anyone who faces this question, and show the diversity of Alaska’s LGBTA community. Are the PrideFest committee chairs taking notes?
Jennifer from Homer PFLAG began the discussion with her letter on the emcee who dissed the LGBT Youth float in their July 4th parade:
“Some people have said, “Why do those gay people need to have a special float in the parade at all?” I would answer, that the reality of discrimination and ignorance towards LGBT people is very real in Homer, Alaska—particularly for young people.”
I faced a similar question at Alaska PrideFest in Anchorage, struggled with the negative implications of the words “you need” and replied,
“Well, why do we need a July 4th parade?” I asked. “We don’t – we have it because we want to celebrate our country.”“Even if we didn’t need a gay pride parade, we’d want to have it to celebrate the LGBT community. We celebrate our LGBT groups, mostly run by volunteers, we celebrate the LGBT people in Alaska, we celebrate our friends and allies, and we celebrate that we can have a gay parade in Anchorage, that we have the right to peacefully assemble and celebrate our community. Like the 4th of July parade.”
First, a reader made good points in a blog post comment:
I would have also mentioned that the Pride Parade comes at the end of Pride Week, which is celebrated in cities all over the country… during a month proclaimed by the President of the United States!The LGBT celebration is no different than that of February and African-American History Month, or March and American Red Cross. Cheers for sticking to your guns, and educating… without getting up on a soap-box… LOL!
Then the FB readers jumped in with these interesting comments:
Why have a parade at all? To express our pride in something, to show how far we’ve come, to make known that we all are great. Parades are great shows of triumph. We have a gay pride because, hello, we’re in the 21st Century, not the 18th. We have a gay pride because we’re proud, too.Because it’s much friendlier than an equal rights march.Processions have in all peoples and at all times been a natural form of public celebration, as forming an orderly, and impressive ceremony. Symbolic processions were an important tool in the non-violent protest of Gandhi. Marches on Washington include formal processions. I think for us, as a community, to have the parade we are demonstrating our heritage as well as our unity as a community.Why? Simple….as a community WE ALL are largely invisible….how else are we to show that we are here?In one respect, it’s less about being proud of ourselves and more about showing ourselves to the world at large. We’re showing the richness of our diversity and the support we enjoy from our friends and family. But just as much as highlighting our differences, we’re celebrating the things that make us like everyone else, we love, laugh, party and share our lives with friends and family just the same way everyone else does.Is “Why do we need a gay parade? the real question or is it more “Why must you publicly flaunt your gay selves? You know some folks are just not comfortable with anyone who does not fit inside their closet.Unless every GLBT turns purple tomorrow they’ll never know we are even here….THATs why we need a parade. Without it how will they even know we exist? If they don’t know we exist then laws or omissions will be made to make out lives even MORE unequal.To liven things up!The answer to the question should it have been asked by someone who is not comfortable with gays is this: We do not need a gay parade, but you do.To raise awareness that gays are everywhere/can be anybody and to celebrate that we are not alone!I have met so many people who are still struggling to come out of the closet. When I was in the closet I felt ashamed of who I was as a person. Its important to see people who can assert their own identity for everyone who is still struggling, because no one should have to feel ashamed of who they are.I love the ideas expressed here (it WAS one of our bigger parades)! With what happened to the Imperial Court’s float showed the entire community who and what we’re about. We are a loving, inclusive, and as expressed here, diverse community. Our friends, family, and allies especially showed true colors and really came together. I couldnt be more proud of the face we showed. And THAT’S why I feel a Parade is a celebration of who we are and a very healthy way to express our Diversity!
Such great answers. I learn more about this community with every post and discussion, from the generous people who send information to the responses of readers after the post is up. (Sometimes, they write the post for me!) I’m a lucky blogger.
This discussion began with straight people who are not supportive asking us to justify our parade. However, LGBT people also ask why we still have these parades. Next time you hear an LGBT friend – in Alaska or elsewhere – say they aren’t going to their Pride Festival and we don’t need gay parades any more, remember the answers above and the gay and straight people who do need and want an annual gay parade, for all kinds of reasons. Remember, and come to the parade!
The new Duke & Duchess of Fairbanks
Congratulations to the Imperial Court’s new Grand Duke Lynnette and Grand Duchess Kara of Fairbanks!
I am honored and thrilled to hold the title of Fairbanks Grand Duke XVIII. Thanks goes out to everyone who attended [Saturday] night’s show and for those of you who encouraged me to run this year.I have lived in Fairbanks since May 1998 and have been a non-active participant of the community for years. My first drag show I ever attended was back in the “Palace” days…. where I had the great opportunity to meet some of the best Kings and Queens.I am interested in helping this community not only grow in size but grow together for the good of outreach and community togetherness. During my year as Grand Duke XVIII I hope everyone will support me, advise me, and help me help OUR community be stronger than its ever been. I am open to any and all suggestions to make this year a FABULOUS year!! LET’S DO THIS TOGETHER!!!
Kara, Duchess of Fairbanks, doesn’t have a new page set up, but she’s smiling in the Ducal Ball photos! Congrats to both of them, and to the Fairbanks community.
Cory for Emperor 38 of All Alaska
Cory Crowder, a previous Imperial Crown Prince of Anchorage, is running for Emperor.
Hi Everyone… my name is Cory Crowder and I’m a candidate for Emperor 38 of All Alaska!!! That’s right, I finally decided to run. I hope to see all of you Saturday, August 21st at the G&L Community Center for voting!!!Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, or I’m sure I’ll run into you on the campaign trail!!!
Cory will also be at Wii Wednesdays – EnE Candidate Edition at Mad Myrna’s with the other candidates.
Stephen for Emperor 38 of All Alaska
Stephen ‘Little Duck’ Moore, the previous Duke of Fairbanks, is running for Emperor. (Stephen and Miss Dixie stepped down at last Saturday’s Ducal Ball, a fundraiser for the ICOAA.)
To the Community Members of the Great State of Alaska:My name is Stephen Moore and I am also a Candidate for Emperor 38. Over the next few weeks, you will have a great time getting to know all of us candidates and learning what each of us want to do to support you! If you would like to know more about me, the Imperial Court of Alaska, or have any questions, please feel free to contact me.Vote Stephen for Emperor XXXVIII of Alaska is my official FB page that will be updated all along this awesome journey! I love to have fun and do outreach to the community as much as possible.Please come vote on August 21 at the GLCC in Anchorage, or in my hometown at College Floral in Fairbanks. Polls open at 9 am and will close at 8 pm. EVERY VOTE COUNTS!VOTE STEPHEN on April 21, 2010! Stephen for Emperor XXXVIII of Alaska!
Samantha for Empress 38 of All Alaska
Joseph Williams, the Alaska Make-up Queen, is running for Empress as “Samantha SoWrong.”
Hi EVERYONE, I am Joseph Williams, AKA Samantha SoWrong, and I am aspiring to be Empress 38 of ALL of Alaska!! Love, Unity, and Universal White Light FOR ALL! If you would like to know more about the I.C.O.A.A check out their web page: ICOAA. SEE YOU ALL ON THE CAMPAIN TRAIL! “gosh I hope I get a book deal…”
Samantha hosted a back yard grill and fundraiser last week, and will be at the Wii Wednesday candidate meet ‘n greets at Mad Myrna’s.
Greetings!!I am running for Empress 38 of All of Alaska under the stage name, Samantha So Wrong. Yes something so “wrong” really is SO RIGHT!The Imperial Court of All of Alaska started in 1971 and is the oldest Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered and Allied organization in Alaska. Their mission, to raise money and give it back to the community. As Empress, I will be representing the community and holding fundraisers and traveling out of state to represent our court on the circuit. I have to win first.I win by YOUR VOTES. Anyone who is an Alaskan Resident, is 18 and has an Alaskan ID can request an absentee ballot, but you have to do it now! You have to email your request. You will get a ballot that will have all the info on it. They will need proof you are of legal voting age. It will not count with out it!! (making sure I say it enough….) Email your request to Joani.Make sure you VOTE FOR SAMANTHA SoWRONG! I will need EVERY VOTE I CAN GET!! There are three of us girls running for the Title!!If you are going to be in Anchorage, vote at the GLCCA on Saturday Aug 21, 2010. If you’re in Fairbanks, you can vote at College Floral.I love you All, and thank you for your time reading this!JosephAka ” Samantha SoWrong ”
Paige for Empress 38 of All Alaska
Miss Paige Langit, co-host of the Friday Night Diva Show at Mad Myrna’s, is running for Empress.
I am happy to announce that I am running for the title of Empress 38 of the Imperial Court of All Alaska! I would appreciate your support! I have a fan page up aptly titled Vote Paige for Empress 38 of All Alaska! LOL Follow me on the campaign trail!
Paige shared “just a lil’ bit” about herself:
My name is Paige Langit, and I’ve been an active member of the ICOAA for the past eight years.As a straight ally, I wish to enlighten the straight community as to what it is the Imperial Court does, and hopefully with that understanding, be able to form a more cohesive bond between the GLBT and straight communities, especially the new generation. (Not quite Star Trek…) I want to see more involvement in the fundraising efforts this organization puts together, because in the end, everyone benefits; from the students who are awarded the scholarships and charitable organizations that are given donations, to the people who donate their time and effort who will build and create better and new relationships and networks with others, regardless of their personal lifestyle.I’m 29 years old. I think my age gives me an upper hand at this point in time. During my time as Duchess, I found that I was able to associate with the younger crowd, and help introduce them to the Court and involve a new generation of the GLBT community who, in turn, help give back to their own community. (It’s a wonderfully vicious cycle…)I have never felt more part of something, as I have with the GLBT community and the Imperial Court of All Alaska. With the experiences that I have had in (most specifically) the last two years within the Court and community, with involvement in almost every fundraiser in the State, including Fairbanks and Juneau, I feel that I am ready to give back to the a community which has welcomed me and let me find my own place within it. (… kicking and screaming of course…)I know this isn’t really much about my past or what my favorite foods are… do I like long walks on the beach, etc… but it’s the important things that are going through my mind right now. :)
Starting this week, Mad Myrna’s is hosting Wii Wednesdays and the first few weeks are called “EnE Candidate Edition”. Miss Paige – Anchorage’s Diva will be hosting Wii Wednesdays, and all of the local candidates running for Emperor and Empress will be there to meet people and talk about the community. See the candidates in action and get your game on at the same time – Wii Wednesdays, 6-10 p.m. at Myrna’s.
"Why do you need a gay parade?"
In a letter from Homer PFLAG about the emcee who wouldn’t say the words gay and lesbian at the July 4th parade, Jennifer also responded to a loaded question asked by some locals, “Why do those gay people need to have a special float in the parade at all?” She wrote that “the reality of discrimination and ignorance towards LGBT people is very real in Homer, Alaska—particularly for young people.”
A straight couple visiting from Texas asked me a similar question at the Anchorage Pride parade, the week before July 4th: “Why do you need to have a gay parade?”
The tourists were stuck at the intersection of 6th Ave. and I St. because the APD blocked the cross streets along the route for the hour long parade without bothering to divert traffic or even warn the cars to turn at 7th. (Who’s bright idea was that?)
Like Jennifer, I started to answer the question as asked, explaining about the ordinance veto and the red-sirts demanding that we be fired for being gay… but the parade wasn’t a protest, and the answer felt incomplete because the question was biased.
The question asks us to prove why we need a gay parade, or an LGBT float, as though we were taking something we might not deserve. It makes us defensive, and lets them argue that we don’t need the parade and shouldn’t be allowed to have it.
But the parade is a celebration, not an argument.
“Well, why do we need a July 4th parade?” I asked. “We don’t – we have it because we want to celebrate our country.”
“Even if we didn’t need a gay pride parade, we’d want to have it to celebrate the LGBT community. We celebrate our LGBT groups, mostly run by volunteers, we celebrate the LGBT people in Alaska, we celebrate our friends and allies, and we celebrate that we can have a gay parade in Anchorage, that we have the right to peacefully assemble and celebrate our community. Like the 4th of July parade.”
The woman just stared at me, but the man nodded. “OK, I can see that,” he said.
Five candidates run for Emperor & Empress 38
The Imperial Court of All Alaska has five candidates running for their highest positions of Emperor and Empress this year, and the campaigns are in full swing. Four of the candidates sent introductions to Bent Alaska, and they’ll be posted over the next few days. Get ready to meet the new top title holders of the ICOAA!
If you are 18+ years old and have a valid Alaska ID, you can vote. Voting day is August 21, in Anchorage at the Gay & Lesbian Community Center (336 East 5th Ave.), in Fairbanks at College Floral (3260 College Road) and throughout the state by absentee ballot. (To request an absentee ballot, contact Joani.)
The candidates for Emperor are Stephen Moore and Cory Crowder. The Empress candidates are Mariquita, Paige Langit and Samantha SoWrong. The new Emperor and Empress will be crowned at Coronation on Labor Day weekend.
Samantha held the first candidate meet ‘n greet back yard barbeque on Thursday. Starting tonight, Mad Myrna’s is hosting “Wii Wednesdays – EnE Candidate Edition” featuring Wii games and the candidates every Wednesday from 6-10 p.m.
The candidate intros will be posted one a day, starting tomorrow. Good luck to all of the candidates!
Homer July 4th emcee "would not say the words lesbian or gay" *Updated with contact info
Tim White, DJ at K-WAVE, was the emcee who dissed the LGBT float in Homer’s July 4th parade, and Jennifer Baker of Homer PFLAG wrote this letter to the local newspapers about the incident:
I am writing on behalf of the Homer Chapter of PFLAG, to express my heartfelt appreciation to the community of Homer for the cheers and support we received for our float during this year’s 4th of July Parade. This year, PFLAG (Parents, Friends of Lesbians and Gays) marched with the newly-formed Homer Youth Gay-Straight Alliance, in order to strengthen efforts at providing support and solidarity for LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered) youth in Homer.I am also writing to express my concern about the significant omissions by the emcee of this year’s parade, Tim White, while he was reading the description of our organizations and float. Rather than reading the prepared statement as written, he omitted the names of our organizations and would not say the words lesbian or gay, which were part of our statement. This omission was quite obvious and did not appear to be accidental.It is tragic to think that this incident might be related to anything other than a logistical mishap, especially on a day when we are celebrating a day that is all about freedom. It is my sincere hope, and that of Homer PFLAG, that the Homer Chamber of Commerce is committed to having the voice of the 4th of July Parade be one that would never in any way be associated with discrimination, censorship, or homophobia.Some people have said, “Why do those gay people need to have a special float in the parade at all?” I would answer, that the reality of discrimination and ignorance towards LGBT people is very real in Homer, Alaska—particularly for young people. The intention of PFLAG and the GSA in our community is to promote equal treatment of all people—regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. In the words of the ACLU, “freedom does not protect itself.” Silence is deadly—and the silence of this year’s parade emcee has given us an opportunity to speak a bit louder.
White owes an apology to PFLAG, the GSA and the people of Homer! And the Homer Chamber of Commerce needs to choose emcees who will read the LGBT group’s prepared statement as it’s written, the same way they introduce all the other floats and marchers.
Make sure the LGBT youth of Homer are not dissed again – Call the Homer Chamber of Commerce at 907-235-7740, or write a letter to the Homer Tribune and the Homer News.
And if White doesn’t apology, don’t listen to K-WAVE.
