Articles in Alaska communities
This Week in LGBT Alaska 5/22/09
BREAKING: On Tuesday, May 26, the California Supreme Court will announce its decision to either uphold or overturn Proposition 8 and the thousands of same-sex marriages performed last summer! Check back Tuesday for the ruling.
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This week’s events from the statewide newsletter. Subscribe to Alaska GLBT News.
Fairbanks
Dance Your Heart Out: Country Western 2 step lessons & dancing 5/22, 7:30 p.m. $12/drop in per class. Bovee Studio, 1845 Caribou Way, off College Rd. RSVP to Judith.
Bac’untry Bruthers at the Trapper Creek Festival 5/23, 8 p.m.
Juneau
SEAGLA Social Fridays (6-8 p.m.) for GLBT people and our friends over 21, at The Imperial Bar, downtown.
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. Harmony Choir meets at the Center on Thursdays, 6:30 p.m.
Anchorage
Side Street Saturdays for LGBT writers, Saturdays noon-3 p.m. at Side Street Cafe.
Jay Her’s Adult Comedy Hypnosis show at Mad Myrna’s 5/23, 9 p.m. $10
Sunday worship with Rev. Norman Van Manen and MCC Anchorage, Sundays 2 p.m.
Transgender Support Group, Sundays 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the GLCCA.
The Big Annual Memorial Day GLBT Community Picnic in front of the Kincaid Park chalet 5/25, noon-5 p.m. Sponsored by the Imperial Court (ICOAA) which sells burgers, hot dogs, chips and drinks as a fundraiser.
Gay, Joyous and Free AA Meeting, Mondays 6 p.m. at the GLCCA.
Anchorage Frontrunners, Tuesdays, 6 p.m.
Share your Story of Discrimination
Opponents of the Assembly non-discrimination ordinance say that discrimination against LGBT people does not exist in Anchorage. We know that it does, and we need to share that knowledge.
Have you been the target of LGBT-based discrimination in Anchorage? Please tell your story at the June 9 public hearing, or let someone else read it into the record. LGBT people and straight allies are encouraged to contact Tiffany McClain or use the online form at Equality Works.
Examples of anti-LGBT discrimination are showing up in the articles and comments about the Municipal ordinance that would protect Anchorage’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender residents from discrimination.
Mel Green, who co-authored the study Identity Reports: Sexual Orientation Bias in Alaska (Anchorage, AK: Identity, Inc., 1989), recounts her personal experience of being fired from a local book store in 1984:
“It also occurred to me to wonder if maybe I’d been fired for being a lesbian. This was confirmed a couple of days later when I went in to the store to pick up my final paycheck. I talked with one of my other (former) coworkers, whose name I don’t remember — in “Prima Facie” she goes by the initial M. M was maybe two or three years younger than me, a rather innocent-seeming Mormon girl who seemed embarrassed by what she had to tell me. She said that the day before I was fired, she had seen Chris at the back of the store talking with higher-ups from downtown, including the manager. On the same day, Chris had announced to coworkers that I was gay. On the day I was fired, Chris had gone about the store singing, “Mel got fired, Mel got fired.”“I’ve never seen Chris since, but my best guess is that she resented me for complaining to our manager about her habit of taking overlong breaks, & decided to get her revenge by playing on the prejudices of higher management.”
The Anchorage Municipal Code states that discrimination “based upon race, color, sex, religion, national origin, marital status, age, or physical or mental disability… is prohibited.”
“[H]ad sexual orientation been a protected class… I would have had grounds to file a complaint with the state human rights commission & seek redress. (Like maybe getting my job back.)“But sexual orientation was not a protected class under Alaska Statutes. Nor was it under federal legislation, nor under municipal ordinance. I was, as they say, S.O.L.”
Straight allies are also discriminated against for supporting LGBT civil rights, or simply for being our friends and family members. Allies are encouraged to join us in sharing their experiences of LGBT-based discrimination at the hearing.
Ally Celtic Diva describes her experiences of supporting the previous attempt to add “sexual orientation” to the Anchorage Municipal policies, in the early 1990’s, and belonging to the band Sky Is Blu, which represented Alaska at the 1993 National March on Washington for LGBT Rights:
“As a result, I received threatening phone calls (I remember my boyfriend at the time grabbing the phone from me to deal with one of the nasty callers) and all four of my tires slashed. Another member of the band was (literally) harassed and followed down the street!“Worst of all, the only male member of the band lost the job he had been offered with, ironically, the Municipality! As a result of this, he couldn’t get hired in his field and eventually ended up moving to the lower-48 with his wife and child.”
Share your personal experiences of LGBT-based discrimination at the June 9 hearing and help to pass the ordinance. Contact Tiffany McClain or use the online form at Equality Works.
MCCA’s Pastor Van Manen Goes On The Record
– from MCC Anchorage
Metropolitan Community Church of Anchorage Pastor Norman Van Manen took to the airwaves this week both on radio and television conveying a strong position in favor of GLBTQ rights.
Pastor Van Manen spent two hours with Conservative Radio Show host Eddie Burke, a self proclaimed homophobe, fielding questions from callers and his host about the Scriptures, homosexuality and equality.
The radio show will be made available for listening on the MCC Anchorage website and the KTVA television interview will be aired during the first week of June.
Pastor Van Manen is no stranger to discrimination even within his own family. “When I came out as a homosexual, my family gathered together and declared family court and made a decision to lynch me. I hid in a ditch and escaped with my life.”
Pastor Van Manen has also experienced a form of discrimination here in Anchorage when he discovered he was prohibited from publically disclosing the name of the church in which MCC Anchorage previously gathered to conduct Sunday service. Said Pastor Van Manen, “The difference between where the church was, and where we are now (St. Mary’s Episcopal Church), is that we are truly here with the blessing of the church.”
Speaking to the Scriptures and Christ, Pastor Van Manen said, “The message of the Gospel, the message of Jesus Christ is to love God, love yourself, love your neighbor and to love your enemies.”
MCC Anchorage meets at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, on the corner of Lake Otis and Tudor, for a Sunday service at 2 p.m. in the A-Frame Chapel, and for Step By Step, a Biblical Studies program, at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays.
Big Gay Memorial Day Picnic
The 2009 Memorial Day Community Picnic will be at Kincaid Park in front of the chalet, from noon-5 p.m. on Monday May 25.
The Memorial Day Gay Picnic is an Anchorage tradition going back more than 40 years, held in Eklutna until 2007. The Picnic is sponsored by the Imperial Court (ICOAA) and the College of Emperors and Empresses sells burgers, hot dogs, chips, and drinks as a fundraiser. All LGBT people and our allies are welcome to attend.
“It has always been at Eklutna, the least visible place, because back in the day folks wanted to not be seen. Eklutna has been sold, so we cannot use that space in the future,” explained Scott Turner about last year’s change of location to the more public space at Kincaid.
“We do fun things, the high heel race and egg toss, as well as volleyball if there is a net at Kincaid.”
RSVP on the Anchorage LGBT Meetup group, or just show up on May 25.
– photo from Memorial Day Gay Picnic 2008.
Howard Bess on the Success of Gay Rights
Rev. Howard Bess, the Palmer preacher who said his book on gay Christians was targeted for censorship by then-mayor Sarah Palin, wrote an editorial in the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman on the success of gay rights.
About 35 years ago when I first began facing the fact of the presence of gays in our churches, I became a very lonely advocate for their full acceptance and participation. The accepted opinion was that homosexuals were sick or woefully sinful or both. The majority of Americans have moved a long way from that damning evaluation. American opinion is moving us in the direction of full equal rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people.
Bess describes three reasons why public opinion on gay equality has shifted so far in the 40 years since the Stonewall riots:
“First, gay people slowly but surely have come out of their closets. Gay people have always been around us, in our families, in our communities, in our churches and in our institutions. Our gay family members and friends were invisible to us. The most highly developed skill of a gay person was to remain undetected. No one can point to a single event and say, “It started here,” but there are milestones in the opening of the closet door.
“This year is the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall incident. New York City police raided a gay bar called the Stonewall Inn. A riot broke out. That single incident, more than any other, is the rallying point for gay activism. The celebration of the Stonewall riot is the base for all gay pride celebrations and parades.
“The next milestone, especially for gay Christians, was the publishing of a book in 1972 titled, “The Lord Is My Shepherd, and He Knows I am Gay.” It was written by a Pentecostal minister named Troy Perry. Because of Perry’s efforts there is now a sizable denomination called Metropolitan Community Church that offers a safe church home to gay people who have been turned aside by their churches. Reading Perry’s book was pivotal in shaping my own understanding of the homosexual phenomenon.
“The importance of Phil Donahue cannot be overstated. More than any other person he took the discussion of homosexuality into the public arena. He was a pioneer in the world of television talk shows. He took the discussion of the gay presence among us out of the closet. He took what had been a private concern into the public square.
“At first gay people came out of their closets in a trickle. The trickle became a stream and today is a flood. Twenty years ago the typical gay person came out of the closet in college. Now kids in junior high are joining the ranks of the openly gay population. The closet is nearing extinction.
“The second factor in establishing gay rights has been the battle over the Bible. Forty years ago, Churches of every stripe rejected gay people and especially sexual activities among gay people. The commonly held perspective was that the Bible rejected homosexuals and homosexual activities of all kinds. Then Biblical scholars began their homework. A few scholars starting in the mid-1980s looked more intently at the nine Bible passages that were commonly identified as rejecting homosexual activity. In the 1990s a flood of scholarly books hit the bookstores. I have them all in my personal library. The verdict: Not a single passage in the entire Bible speaks about a loving, committed, intimate relationship between two people of the same sex. The Bible neither endorses nor condemns same-sex relationships. The Bible cannot be used to reject gay people.
“Primarily because of the influence of scholarship, opposition to full acceptance of gay people in mainline Christian churches is melting away. I suspect that 50 years from now, Christians will be as embarrassed about the rejection of gay people as they are now about the denial of equality for women and their support of the horror of black slavery.
“The third influence may be the most important. As gay people moved out of their closets and into a more public presence, they have proven themselves to be good public citizens. Our communities are blessed by teachers, lawyers, business owners, legislators, carpenters, doctors and ministers who just happen to be gay. When we get to know our gay neighbors, denying them their full rights, including the right to marry legally becomes all the more absurd.
“Full acceptance of gay people in our churches and in our American society needs to be affirmed and celebrated. We need to put this dark night of ignorance and discrimination behind us. The 40th anniversary observances of the Stonewall riot are a good time for thoughtful people of good will to walk hand-in-hand with our gay neighbors.”
Sen. Begich, Outrage, Jake’s Take & Carrie Prejean
Gay AK: Notes from LGBT Alaska
Juneau Concert
“The Emma’s Revolution concert was a success,” writes Juneau Pride Chorus member Juanita Reese. “It was a privilege to open for the group and sing a song with them. Big turn out. They are wonderful people … funny, inspiring and good music.”
Sen. Begich to co-sponsor the Matthew Shepard Act
Thank you for calling Senators Begich and Murkowski in support of the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act. Sen. Begich received many supportive calls and became a co-sponsor of the Act. “He did get the message,” wrote Diane DiSanto from Senator Begich’s office. “More Alaskans called to support it, and most of the negatives were from out of state.”
Outrage at the Bear Tooth
The movie Outrage opened last week in the Lower 48, and the Alaska Premiere will be at The Bear Tooth on Monday June 15 during Anchorage Pride Week. Outrage is “an indictment of closeted politicians who lobby for anti-gay legislation.” Watch the trailer.
Sarah Palin supports Carrie Prejean
Governor Palin released a statement in support of Miss California Carrie Prejean, who does not support same-sex marriage and has become a spokesperson for the anti-gay lobby. Palin’s statement begins: “The liberal onslaught of malicious attacks against Carrie Prejean for expressing her opinion is despicable.” Read the full statement.
Jake’s Take: Out of the Wild (& Gay)
Each week, Jake Nodar, the one gay “volunteer” on Out of the Wild: The Alaska Experiment shares his first hand take with AfterElton about the latest episode, and what it’s like being openly gay in a group full of straight people on a survival nature expedition. Read Jake’s Take.
Share your story
Are you an LGBT person who believes that you have been discriminated against by an employer, landlord, or business? Have you ever been told to stay closeted on the job? Are you a straight ally or family member who has felt the sting of public harassment or discrimination because of your friends or relatives, or because you were perceived as being “too masculine” or “too feminine”? There is no better time than at the public hearing on June 9 to share these stories with the people in a position to make a difference. If you can participate, please e-mail Tiffany McClain.
8 Ways You Can Help Pass the Ordinance
We need your help to pass an ordinance that will protect Anchorage’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender residents from discrimination in employment, housing, education, public accommodations, financial services, and Municipal business.
Here’s what you can do:
- Learn about it. Read the text of Ordinance AO No. 2009-64(S), an ordinance news roundup (and a more recent roundup) and the goals of Equality Works.
- Call and Write to the Mayor and Assembly members, and send letters to the editor of the Anchorage Daily News, with messages of support for the ordinance. Talking Points, suggestions for writing an effective message, and links to Assembly email addresses are posted here.
- Show your support for the ordinance by wearing an “Equality Works” button and donating to Equality Works.
- Attend the public hearings on Tuesdays at 5 p.m. in the Assembly Chambers, on the ground floor of Loussac Library. Come early to get a seat in the room (doors open at 4 p.m.), or bring equality signs if you’re supporting from outside the building. Wear blue!
- Share your personal experiences of GLBT-based discrimination at the hearing. Email Tiffany McClain or use the online form. Stories from LGBT people and straight allies are needed. If you have an experience but don’t want to testify at the hearing, someone else can read it for you.
- Explain to others that discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people is currently legal in Alaska, that many GLBT people, and our allies, have been harmed by discrimination, and that this amendment will improve the lives of Anchorage residents.
- Blog in support of the ordinance and spread the word on social networks, link to Equality Works and become a Facebook fan, send your link to Bent Alaska or share it on Bent’s Facebook wall.
- Send this post to your friends and relatives, and ask them to do these 8 things to end legal discrimination against GLBT people in Anchorage.
Thank you!
This Week in LGBT Alaska 5/15/09
This week’s events from the statewide newsletter. Subscribe to Alaska GLBT News.
Bethel
Social reception for Alaskans Together for Equality 5/15, 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Bethel Community Services Building.
Fairbanks
Country Western 2 step lessons & dancing, three Fridays 5/15, 5/22, 5/29, at 7:30-8:30 p.m. $30 for the series, $12/drop in per class. Bovee Studio, 1845 Caribou Way, off College Rd. RSVP to Judith.
Pajama Party drag & variety show 5/16, doors open at 7 p.m. show at 8, at the Pioneer Party (Alaskaland) Civic Center.
Fairbanks PFLAG meeting 5/17, 4 p.m.
Juneau
SEAGLA Social Fridays (6-8 p.m.) for GLBT people and our friends over 21, at The Imperial Bar, downtown.
Palmer
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. Harmony Choir meets at the Center on Thursdays, 6:30 p.m.
Anchorage
Equality Works BBQ Party & Fun-Raiser 5/15, 6:30 p.m. private home, please RSVP for directions.
De-HiBearnation Brown Bear Bus Run 5/16, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. meet at The Raven Bar (4th & Gambell) the bus leaves promptly at NOON! The Last Frontier Men’s Club.
Side Street Saturdays, an informal meetup for LGBT writers, 5/16 at noon in Side Street Cafe.
“Homosexuality, Christianity & The Clobber Scriptures” used by traditional Christian Churches to promote anti-gay messages, this week’s sermon at the Sunday service with MCC Anchorage, 5/17, 2 p.m.
Patio Potluck Picnic at Mad Myrna’s 5/17, 3 p.m.
Transgender Support Group, Sundays 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the GLCCA.
Anchorage Frontrunners, Tuesdays, 6 p.m.
Check the Anchorage LGBT Meetup group and the Men of Anchorage, Alaska Meetup group for informal gatherings.
News Roundup on the Non-Discrimination Ordinance
An ordinance to add sexual orientation to the Anchorage non-discrimination code was introduced at Tuesday’s Assembly meeting. The public hearing is set for June 9 at the Assembly Chambers in Loussac Library. Contact Equality Works to share your experiences of discrimination at the hearing, and donate to this important effort.
Local residents and news sources are spreading the word about the ordinance. Take a moment to read these stories and leave supportive comments:
- Assemblymember Patrick Flynn blogged his reasons for supporting the measure and took a poll on the issue (still open in the right hand column.)
- The Anchorage Daily News article focused on opposition by Jerry Prevo of the Anchorage Baptist Temple, and was picked up by many newspapers and web sites.
- Mel Green wrote on the introduction of the ordinance and on the reactions to the ADN piece. The pieces are posted on her personal blog Henkimaa and here on Bent Alaska, and the second piece was posted on Progressive Alaska.
- Equality Works asks us to help end legal discrimination in Anchorage by writing to our Assembly members, sharing our experiences of discrimination at the June 9 hearing, and explaining to our friends and relatives that discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people is currently legal in Alaska.
- KTVA Channel 11 interviewed Assemblymember Patrick Flynn, acting-mayor Matt Claman, Jerry Provo of ABT, and Mel Green, an ‘advocate against discrimination’ (and a Bent contributor.)
- KTUU Channel 2 interviewed gay rights supporter Diana Wolfe, opponent Jim Minnery of the Alaska Family Council, and Assembly member Patrick Flynn.
- The Anchorage Press article “Hello Culture War” spoke with Jeffrey Mittman of the ACLU of Alaska on the efforts to reach out to religious organizations and the problems with the ‘special rights’ argument.
- The conservative Alaska Standard posted “Anchorage residents should be free to discriminate” by Dan Fagan, and audio clips with Connor, a gay 16 year old who argues for the right to marry, and Bruce, a landlord.
- The Immoral Minority commented on the KTUU poll that asked if the Anchorage Assembly should pass an ordinance banning discrimination against homosexuals. (Results: Yes 52%, No 48%)
- Celtic Diva’s Blue Oasis remembers the harassment experienced by straight allies who fought for a similar ordinance passed by the Assembly in 1992 but overturned by a newly elected Assembly in ’93. She promises to stand by us again and hopes “that we’ve grown as a city since then.”
KTVA and KTUU cover Anchorage Equal Protection Measure
An ordinance to add sexual orientation to the Anchorage non-discrimination code was introduced at Tuesday’s Assembly meeting, and the public hearing is set for June 9.
KTVA and KTUU covered the story for television. KTVA included a clip with Mel Green, occasional guest writer on Bent Alaska:
KTUU ran an online poll with their story, asking “Should the Anchorage Assembly pass an ordinance banning discrimination against homosexuals?” When the poll closed at 10 p.m., support for the ordinance was ahead, with 52% of participants voting Yes and 48% voting No.
