Articles in Palmer
Celebrate the Holidays with Anchorage’s GLBT Community
The Metropolitan Community Church hosts their annual Christmas Eve Service and Recital on Wednesday, from 7-8:30 p.m. All from the community and church are welcome to attend the special evening of Christmas music and fellowship.
MCC Anchorage is also celebrating the appointment of Reverend Norman Van Manen as their Development Pastor. Rev. Norman will officially take the helm on February 15th, 2009.
After the service, join the staff at Mad Myrna’s for their annual Christmas Eve pajama party.
On Christmas Day, the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Anchorage (GLCCA) will be open from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. serving cookies, muffins and sodas to the gay community and our friends. The Center will be closed on Christmas Eve.
Visit the GLCCA page on Identity’s site for the address, a photo tour of the Center and pictures from the Thanksgiving Day open house.
Wrap up the season with the New Year’s Eve Party at Mad Myrna’s, or rock with Ever Ready on New Year’s Eve in Palmer. Then begin 2009 with the GLBT community at the New Year’s Day Cookie Exchange at the GLCCA.
Trying to Blame Us for the Church Fire
Did you see this Alaska-related bit of hate made up by right-wing reporters? I hope it is quickly dispelled and no one is hurt by it.
A suspicious fire on Dec. 12 at the Wasilla, Alaska church attended by Republican Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin was instantly blamed on gay arsonists, though no evidence exists at this time that the fire, if deliberate, was set by gays.Nor is there any evidence that the church was targeted, as right-wing religious publications have speculated, because of its having promoted an “ex-gay” event in Anchorage.
I quoted this from gay news site Edge Boston, but the right-wing sites used words like “terrorist homosexuals.”
This is such an obvious attempt to stir up hate and encourage violence against us.
Be careful out there!
Homo for the Holidays
Celebrate the holidays gaily with Alaska’s LGBT community!
In Anchorage, start celebrating this weekend with ICOAA‘s Snow Ball Winter Wonderland on Dec 13, and an early Christmas Party with The Last Frontier Men’s Club on Dec 14.
Enjoy Christmas events at Mad Myrna’s, including the “Toys for Nots” Fundraiser on Dec 19, and Miss MeMe’s Gospel Christmas on Dec 20. On Christmas Eve, be filled with the holiday spirit by MCC‘s Carol and Recital Service. The Community Center will be open from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Christmas Day, thanks to Mike, and cookies, muffins and sodas will be available.
Wrap up the season with New Year’s Eve at Mad Myrna’s and the New Year’s Day Cookie Exchange at the GLCCA.
In Fairbanks, don’t miss Jeff’s Solstice Party this Saturday. In Palmer, put it on the calendar to rock with Ever Ready on New Year’s Eve.
Do you know a GLBT holiday event in Alaska that isn’t mentioned? Tell us about it!
Who will LGBT Alaskans Vote For?
Here is the political poll you’ve been waiting for, the big questions of our time: Will LGBT Alaskans vote for McCain and Palin, or for Obama and Biden? For Stevens or Begich? For Berkowitz or Young? Who do we support, and by how much? Inquiring minds want to know. (Well, I want to know – don’t you?)
Answer the 3 question poll in the right hand column here on Bent Alaska and we’ll see how the community votes. 60-40 for Obama? 70-30 for Begich? 80-20 for Young? (kidding!) Make your predictions below for how our community will vote.
There have been dozens of political messages on our email lists and newsletters. What does all this talk boil down to, what are the numbers? Take the poll, send the link to your LGBT friends in Alaska, and come back Friday for the results!
RAW 2009 Short Story Contest
UPDATE: Wendy Withrow won 1st place for “Frayed Yellow Rope.” The list of winners and honorable mentions is posted at RAW. Thanks to all who entered the 2009 contest. The 2010 contest will be announced in the fall.
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Radical Arts for Women (RAW) is giving away the most money yet for its 3rd annual short story contest, open to all women living in Alaska.
The fiction pieces must be between 250 and 5,000 words and contain some lesbian content. The deadline is Jan. 15, 2009.
The grand prize is $500, publication and an opportunity to read the story at Celebration. The second place winner will receive $300 and the third place wins $100. There is no entry fee.
In addition to the annual story contest, RAW produces Celebration of Change and awards grants to Alaskan women in the arts.
Last year’s winning story was Annette Baker’s “A Place with Water“
Complete guidelines:
- Each entry must contain a cover sheet with author’s name, address, phone number and email and with the story’s title and word count.
- The short story must be between 250 and 5,000 words and contain some lesbian content. Stories should be on 8.5-by-11 paper, double spaced, 1-inch margins, no less than size 10 font. Do not put author’s name on the story. The fiction and lesbian stipulations may be interpreted by the author, but we are not seeking poetry or non-fiction. Erotica is acceptable. Electronic submissions are not accepted. Unpublished submissions only.
- Feel free to use a pseudonym, but let us know your real name in case you win a prize.
- Author must be a woman living in Alaska as of January 2009.
- Jan. 15 is the postmark deadline for entries.
- There is no entry fee.
- Winner receives $500 and the invitation to read her work at RAW’s annual performing arts production Celebration of Change in the spring of 2009 in Anchorage. The winning short story will be published on RAW and in the Alaska LGBT literary journal Naked Ptarmigan.
- Honorable mentions will be given at the judges’ discretion.
- Winners will be announced Feb. 15. For a complete list of winners, include an SASE with entry.
- Mail entries by Jan. 15 to Radical Arts for Women Short Story Contest, PO Box 244436, Anchorage AK 99524-4436.
Also, the Naked Ptarmigan is accepting submissions: PO Box 244076, Anchorage AK 99524. Several of last year’s stories were published in the journal.
LGBT Alaskans on Sarah Palin: video
LGBT Alaskans come out against Sarah Palin in this new HRC video:
Palmer Pastor’s Gay-Positive Book was on Mayor Palin’s Censor List
Howard Bess, author of “Pastor, I am Gay” and former pastor of Church of the Covenant in Palmer, Alaska recalls that his book challenging Christians to re-examine their ideas about and prejudices against gays and lesbians was not well received in nearby Wasilla when it was published in 1995 — the year before Sarah Palin was elected mayor.
Virtually every book store in Wasilla refused to sell it. Bess said he gave two copies to the Wasilla Library, but they quickly disappeared. So he donated more copies.
Sarah Palin was elected mayor of Wasilla with the support of her Assembly of God church, which was pushing for the removal of “Pastor, I am Gay” from local bookstores. On two occasions, Mayor Palin asked the Wasilla library director what she would do if told to remove certain books from the shelves. Three books were mentioned.
The library director, Mary Ellen Emmons, said the books were purchased according to the guidelines and would not be removed. Mayor Palin fired her soon after. A group of local residents protested the firing and Mary Ellen was reinstated, but she left Wasilla two years later and will not speak about the incident now.
In Dec. 1996, reporter Paul Stuart wrote an article about the censorship controversy in the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman.
“Mary Ellen told me that Palin asked her directly to remove these books from the shelves,” Stuart said. “She refused.” Asked later if one of the books could have been “Pastor, I am Gay,” Stuart said that it was.
“Knowing Sarah’s religious connections and the people involved,” said Howard Bess, “I would be surprised if my book was not one of those at issue.”
Brian Ross of ABC News reported the full story:
This Week in GLBT Alaska 8/22/08
Check out this week’s events from Alaska GLBT News, the email newsletter.
For full listings, news briefs, and up-coming events, subscribe to AGN.
Fairbanks
White Trash Party with DJ Double D, 8/23, 9 p.m-? at Jeff’s house.
Homer
Bac’untry Bruthers at the Down East Saloon, 8/28 at 10 p.m.
Wasilla
Ever Ready at the Great Bear Brewing Restaurant, 8/23, 8 p.m.-midnight
Anchorage
Four MCC Programs on the “Ex-Gay” Movement, Thursdays 8/21-9/11, 6:30 p.m. $6
Ever Ready at the AMVETS Post 49, 8/22, 7-11 p.m.
Northern Exposure Bowling League season registration, 8/23, 4 p.m. at Park Lanes
Benefit for Off the Rocks, 8/23, 7 p.m., at Out North, pay what you can. More info.
Hump Day Happy Hour with The Last Frontier Men’s Club, 8/27, 5-7 p.m. at the Raven every 2nd & 4th Wednesday.
This Week in GLBT Alaska
Current happenings from Alaska GLBT News (subscribe):
Fairbanks
- PFLAG booth at the Tanana Valley Fair, 8/1-8/9
- Ducal Ball Show & Toga Party 8/2, 8 p.m. at the Carlson Center, $15.
- John & Bruce are hosting a Farewell & Happy Birthday Party 8/2, 6 p.m.-?
Southcentral
- Rev. Susan Halvor will give the sermon at MCC Anchorage 8/3, 2 p.m.
- Women’s Barbeque & Dance Party near Palmer 8/2, 6:30 p.m. at Alaska Garden Gate B&B.
Local Station Airs Lesbian & Gay Radio Program
Update: This Way Out also airs on KEUL 88.9 FM in Girdwood and 105.3 FM in Hope on Wednesday evenings at 10 p.m. (Thanks to DJ Ultraviolet)
Every Wednesday, listeners in Anchorage, Eagle River, Kasilof and the Mat-Su can tune in to This Way Out, an award-winning and internationally distributed gay and lesbian news and music program, on KWMD from 8:15-8:45 p.m.
KWMD broadcasts in Anchorage on 104.5 FM and 87.74 FM, in Eagle River on 92.5 FM, in Kasilof on 90.7 FM, and in the Mat-Su on 107.9 FM.
This Way Out begins with a summary of major news events in or affecting the lesbian & gay communities around the world. The 30 minute magazine-style program continues with interviews of authors and performers, music by openly-Lesbigay recording artists, humor, readings from GLBT literature, and news feature stories.
The weekly show was broadcast in Fairbanks on KSUA 91.5 FM, but has not been aired since the Homophonic Radio program was discontinued.
This Way Out recently celebrated 20 years on the air. The all-volunteer operation accepts donations, and CD or tape subscriptions are available for those who live outside the broadcast areas.
