Articles in Alaska communities
PrideFest 2010 theme and dates announced
Kathy Griffin looks for gays in Anchorage
This Week in LGBT Alaska 2/19/10
Juneau
Pride Chorus “Eyes on Chicago” Concert 2/20, silent auction at 6:30, music at 7:30 p.m. at the Juneau Arts & Culture Center.
SEAGLA Social Fridays (6-8 p.m.) for GLBT people and our friends over 21, at The Imperial Bar.
Fairbanks
UAF Gay-Straight Alliance Meeting 4 p.m on 2/19 in the Alumni Lounge, and GSA Bowling in the Wood Center 3:30 p.m. on 2/20.
Jeff’s Jungle Party with DJ Nicole, for over 21 LGBT’s and allies 2/20, begins at 9 p.m. off Sheep Creek Road.
Wednesday Social at 9 p.m. Contact Joshua for the current location.
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
Wa-Wa Party: Memorial for Dan Cook (aka Cherresse) 2/20, 6-7 p.m. cocktails at the Raven, 8 p.m. show at Mad Myrna’s.
MCCA Open House 2/21, 3-4:30p.m. meet and greet the new board and other community leaders after the 2 p.m. Sunday service.
The ICOAA Monthly Business Meeting 2/21, 4-5p.m. at Mad Myrna’s.
Miss MeMe’s Gospel Show: “No Surprises” 2/21, 5 p.m. fundraiser at Mad Myrna’s.
2nd PrideFest planning meeting for Alaska PrideFest 2010: “A Pride Odyssey” 2/24, 6:30 p.m. at the GLCCA.
This Week in LGBT Alaska 2/12/10
Juneau
SEAGLA Valentine’s Dance 2/14, 8 p.m. at the Silverbow, all ages, everyone welcome. $10 suggested donation.
Social Fridays (6-8 p.m.) for GLBT people and our friends over 21, at The Imperial Bar.
Fairbanks
Wednesday Social at 9 p.m. Contact Joshua for the current location.
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
Hypnotic Journey: Jay Her’s Comedy Hypnosis Show 2/12, 7:30 p.m. Colleen Crinklaw opens with stand up comedy. UAA’s Wendy Williamson Auditorium. Tickets $20 at the door, cash only.
PrideProm 2010 planning meeting 2/13, 11:30 a.m. at the GLCCA.
“Sweetheart’s Dinner” 2/13, Cocktails at 6pm and Dinner at 7pm, at Mad Myrna’s. $20, annual fundraiser for ICOAA.
MCCA Retreat: “Newness” 2/13, 12-2 p.m. open to all.
Love Your Gay Neighbor Valentine’s Day Party 2/14, 3-4:30 p.m. At MCC Anchorage, after the 2 p.m. Sunday service.
New LGBT Book Lovers Club meets at the GLCCA 2/17, 6:15 p.m. showing the movie Jane Austin’s Book Club and choosing books to read and discuss.
Freedom to Marry Week 2010
“Every year, right around President Lincoln’s birthday and Valentine’s Day, symbolizing equality and love, supporters of the freedom to marry take action and promote conversations about why marriage matters to American families, gay and non-gay alike,” said Evan Wolfson, Executive Director of Freedom to Marry and author of Why Marriage Matters: America, Equality and Gay People’s Right to Marry. “This year, Freedom to Marry’s partner organizations across the country – from Rhode Island to Washington state – are organizing Freedom to Marry Week rallies, house parties, film screenings, and lobby days.”
Singing Valentines and Pride Chorus Concert
Denny’s update and Hater Quote of the Day
Denny’s received a pile of email about the local anti-trans incident reported by Anja on Tuesday, and leaders of the Anchorage LGBTA community are in contact with the manager/owner. Meanwhile, an anonymous hater left this comment on the Bent post:
you people need to face the facts, by people I mean gays, trans whatevers etc. You are not “normal” and though you are allowed to co-exist in our society it does not mean everyone has to accept your lifestyle. you all need to grow a thicker skin, remember the saying sticks and stones can break my bones but names will never harm me ? get off your politically correct high horse and shut up already
Note to Mayor Sullivan: Do you really think this hater will treat his neighbors, co-workers, clients, employees and renters fairly and equally – without discrimination – when he learns that they are gay or trans? FAIL
This Week in LGBT Alaska 1/29/10
This week’s LGBT events from the statewide newsletter Alaska GLBT News.
SEAGLA Social Fridays (6-8 p.m.) for GLBT people and our friends over 21, at The Imperial Bar.
Fairbanks
UAF Gay-Straight Alliance Get-Together 1/29, 4:30-6 p.m. in the Alumni Lounge.
“Bears, Bears, Bears” Taco Feed 1/30, 7 p.m. for Bears and Bellies and their admirers. $5 RSVP.
LGBTQ Discussion with Heather Neville 1/31, 12-1 p.m. at the UUFF.
Wednesday Social & Movie “A Serious Man” 2/3, 7:30 p.m. at the Blue Loon. Joshua.
Mat-Su Valley
Lulu Small and the Small Band at Del Roi’s 1/30, Old Glenn Hwy just north of the Knik River bridge.
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
“The Laramie Project” Movie and panel discussion 1/30, 7p.m. in the Student Union Den, for Alaska Civil Rights Month, sponsored by UAA Women Studies.
Colleen Crinklaw’s “Soul Searching Tour” begins 1/30, 7-9 p.m. $10 at Mad Myrna’s.
Kodiak Bar and Grill GIRL PARTY 1/30, 9 p.m.
UAA’s “Out” 1/31, new time: 2 p.m. on Sundays, 2nd floor of the Student Union.
Memorial Birthday Party for Nicole Blizzard 1/31, 3:30 p.m. at Mad Myrna’s. Sign her memorial book.
Midnight Over Siberia: Re-investitures 1/31, 6 p.m. at Sub Zero.
LGBTQA Game Night at the GLCCA 2/3, 6-9 p.m. Anchorage Meetup group.
Church Life AK Special Prayer Vigil for Uganda 2/4, 6:30 p.m. at the GLCCA as part of the nationwide “American Prayer Hour.”
Gay Games director still comes home to Alaska
Although Darl Schaaff is forming Team Alaska for the 2010 Gay Games, Cleveland.com said that Schaaff — a martial arts competitor, Alaska Statehood event planner, and Federation of Gay Games board member — is moving to the midwest next year. It’s partly true.
Action: Anti-trans Denny’s manager needs diversity training
A transgender support group in Anchorage was harassed during a recent meeting at Denny’s restaurant and now the Denny’s corporate office is backing out of a proposed diversity training for the local staff. Anja co-founded the trans support group and their TransAlaska Pipeline website. She sent this message to Bent Alaska:
After the ugly incident that ocurred here in Anchorage, Alaska on December 27, 2009 in which a Denny’s manager openly pointed out and made fun of a group of trangendered people TO OTHER CUSTOMERS in the crowded restaurant, we were led to believe that Denny’s would be subjecting their employees to sensitivity training concerning transpeople as an acceptable resolution.
We have been more than diplomatic in dealing with them, requesting that the manager who incited the incident not be fired, but instead be required to attend an Identity, Inc. sensitivity training.
Denny’s obviously took this as a sign of weakness, and is trying to ignore the whole incident now.
It appears that Denny’s corporate is now pushing this off as a local matter to be swept under the carpet with NO action taken anywhere.
We must take a stand on this. To all of my sisters and brothers out there who are tired of being discriminated against, PLEASE write a letter/e-mail of concern to Denny’s Corporate. Let them know that doing nothing about this is unacceptable, and that it must never be allowed to happen again.
Go to the national Denny’s contact page, click the “Email Us” link and voice your concerns.
Denny’s was involved in a series of lawsuits in the 1990’s involving servers denying or providing inferior service to racial minorities, especially African-American customers. After a $54.4 million settlement, Denny’s created a racial sensitivity training program for all its employees.
Last year, Denny’s lost a transgender bias case in Maine. “This company needs diversity training to understand what it means to be gender-nonconforming,” said Betsy Smith, executive director of Equality Maine.
