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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 4/23/10

Friday, 23 April 2010 – 8:21 AM | Comments Off on This Week in LGBT Alaska 4/23/10
This Week in LGBT Alaska 4/23/10
This week’s LGBT events

Juneau

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

Fairbanks

Green Tea Party and Dance at Jeff’s House 4/24, 9 p.m. A spring dance to raise funds for PFLAG Fairbanks. Open to all LGBT and allies 21 and older.

Dining Out For Life – Fairbanks 4/29, all day. Eat breakfast, lunch and/or dinner at participating restaurants in Fairbanks and raise funds for Interior AIDS Association.

Imperial Court’s Pretty ‘n Pink Prom drag show 4/30, doors at 7 p.m. show at 8 p.m. at Pioneer Park Civic Center, ages 18+.

Wednesday Social Group, contact Joshua for the location.

Kenai Peninsula

Celebration, an LGBT art show in Soldotna, through the end of April at Art Works gallery.

Mat-Su Valley

LuLu Small and the Small Band 4/24, 7 p.m. at Del Roi’s.

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 Diva Show 4/23, 9 p.m. at Mad Myrna’s.

Identity Friend-Raiser at the Kodiak 4/23, 4:30-7 p.m. Snacks, music and cash bar.

Remembering Dan Carter-Incontro 4/25, 2 p.m. Memorial service at MCC Anchorage.

Tansgender Support Group 4/25, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Social support group, 2nd and 4th Sundays at the GLCCA.

This Week in LGBT Alaska 4/16/10

Friday, 16 April 2010 – 2:14 PM | 2 Comments
This Week in LGBT Alaska 4/16/10

Today is Day of Silence, when students nationwide take a vow of silence to bring attention to anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in schools. At the end of DoS, Alaska students Break the Silence in Anchorage at the Pride Prom, in Fairbanks with a group scream and Drag Show, and in Juneau at an after-party with the Juneau Pride Chorus.

The Fetish Ball is on Saturday at Myrna’s, and the Womyn’s Dance is the same night at the Snow Goose.

Juneau

Breaks the silence at a Day of Silence after-party in the Juneau-Douglas High School commons on 4/16 from 4-5:15 p.m. with a special guest performance by the Juneau Pride Chorus. Friends and family members are welcome to attend.

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

Fairbanks

Join the UAF Gay-Straight Alliance for Day of Silence on 4/16 and break the silence at 5 p.m. in the quad area in front of the Wood Center, then gather in the Alumni Office Lounge for food and music.

The GSA’s Breaking The Silence Drag Show 4/17 at 6:30 p.m. in the Hes Rec in the MBS complex, $5.

Wednesday Social Group, contact Joshua for the location.

Kenai Peninsula

Celebration, an LGBT art show in Soldotna, through the end of April at Art Works gallery.

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

Break the Silence in Anchorage at the Youth Pride Prom, a hate free dance for ages 14-19 on 4/16. The theme is Gender Bender, but dress up formal or semi-formal however you want. $6 at the door, 6-11 PM at Kincaid Park Chalet.

Renegade Art Show 4/17 & 4/18, 2-7 p.m. at 235 E. 9th Ave (up stairs).

Semi-annual Womyn’s Dance at the Snow Goose 4/17, 7:30 p.m. $5 donation requested.

Fetish Ball 2010 with a medical theme, all proceeds to benefit Four A’s, on 4/17 beginning at 8 p.m. $15 at Mad Myrna’s.

LipGloss Revue Adult Drag ExtravaGanza 4/17, 10 p.m. at The Kodiak Bar & Grill.

Reproductive Justice 101 at the YWCA Anchorage 4/21, 6:30p.m. Facilitated by Tiffany McClain.

PFLAG Anchorage Booth at Bi-Lingual & Multicultural Conference 4/21-4/23 at the Sheraton.

Identity Friend-Raiser at the Kodiak Bar & Grill 4/23, 4:30-7 p.m. snacks, music and cash bar.

Day of Silence events in Alaska

Thursday, 15 April 2010 – 10:19 PM | Comments Off on Day of Silence events in Alaska
Day of Silence events in Alaska
Shh! Friday April 16 is Day of Silence, when students nationwide take a vow of silence to bring attention to anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in schools. At the end of DoS, Alaska students Break the Silence in Anchorage at the Pride Prom, in Fairbanks with a group scream and Drag Show, and in Juneau at an after-party with the Juneau Pride Chorus.

Hundreds of thousands of students of all beliefs, backgrounds and sexual orientations participate in national Day of Silence to encourage schools and classmates to address the problem of anti-LGBT behavior. Founded in 1996, DoS has become the largest single student-led action towards creating safer schools for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
DoS occurs during Prom season, and same sex prom dates have been in the news more than usual this year. Some gay and lesbian teens in Alaska go to their school prom with a same sex date, but most don’t. They would rather go to an LGBTA prom where they don’t have to worry about the kind of anti-gay bullying that Day of Silence highlights. In Anchorage, students break the silence of DoS with the annual Pride Prom.
Break the Silence in Anchorage on Friday at Pride Prom, a hate free dance for ages 14-19. The theme is Gender Bender, but dress up formal or semi-formal however you want. $6 at the door, 6-11 PM at Kincaid Park Chalet.
Break the Silence in Fairbanks at 5pm in the quad in front of the UAF Wood Center for a Break the Silence scream, then gather in the Alumni Office Lounge for food, music, and friends. A Breaking the Silence Drag Show is on Saturday at the Hes Rec in the MBS complex, and the ICOAA’s Duchess Dixie will be performing. [Note: The UAF Gay-Straight Alliance won a Diversity Enrichment Award last weekend. Congratulations!]
Break the Silence in Juneau at a DoS after-party in the Juneau-Douglas High School commons from 4-5:15 p.m. with a special guest performance by the Juneau Pride Chorus! Friends and family members are welcome to attend.
Day of Silence is a positive educational experience, but the bigots are in full attack mode. A fake medical group sent anti-gay propaganda to schools around the country to stop DoS. Faux News riled up the tea party protesters by claiming that DoS was wasting tax payer money, although school funds are not spent. Several anti-gay groups tell parents to keep their teens out of school on Day of Silence because they might hear see that many of their peers oppose their anti-gay bigotry. (They’re often the kids who need to see it the most.) On the Monday following DoS, these kids are told to preach at school the dangerous lie that gay kids should be ashamed of themselves and should pray-away-the-gay, or at least pretend to be straight. And, no, they are not silent about pushing an anti-gay religious agenda in the public schools.
If you are participating in DoS, check the Day of Silence blog for information and resources like the DoS cards, Your Rights during Day of Silence, 8 Tips for Facing Opposition, Tips for the Last-Minute Organizer, and Four Truths about the Day of Silence.
What are you going to do to break the silence around anti-LGBT bullying and harassment?

Soldotna art show celebrates LGBT progress on the Peninsula

Saturday, 10 April 2010 – 3:23 PM | Comments Off on Soldotna art show celebrates LGBT progress on the Peninsula
Soldotna art show celebrates LGBT progress on the Peninsula
Art Works gallery in Soldotna is hosting “Celebrate” this month, an Alaska art show honoring the progress made by the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. “It’s social commentary. It’s making people think,” said gallery owner Zirrus VanDevere, adding that it’s time for the Peninsula to start talking about these issues.
VanDevere told the Peninsula Clarion that the strong tension in Alaska between the live-and-let-live attitude and those who oppose ‘alternative lifestyles’ prevents many people from coming out:

“It’s something we should be talking about on the Kenai Peninsula,” she said. “We are isolated, in a way, but we are part of the whole world. If we don’t address this issue we are going to be left behind.”
She said the show “could easily be a rant” but she wanted it to “be positive about the changes that are occurring.”
VanDevere, who identifies herself as bisexual, will be displaying one of her own abstract paintings with a caption about being how and who you are.
Other local artists who will be displayed include Donna Steele, Theresa Napolitano and Joe Kashi, along with Anchorage artists like Shelia Wyne.
Kiana Johnson, a senior at Skyview High School, said she wanted to be a part of the show to demonstrate support for gay and transgender people on the Peninsula.
“I have a lot of friends who are gay,” she said. “I thought it was a cool opportunity to show my art and a cool opportunity for people to gain acceptance throughout the community.”
Her painting is an abstract representation of figures and a tree. She said she was trying to depict a separation between the bland figures and their surroundings that she says signifies our misconceptions of people, based on what we think they should be.
“Having a show like this really shows how far we’ve come as a community,” said Sierra McKenzie Ball, a 2008 graduate of Soldotna High School who currently lives in Seattle.
Her two acrylic paintings, “Bound,” and “What are we made of,” are of people’s faces, she said, and a reflection on herself and her own bisexuality.
Having younger artists like Johnson and Ball display their work in “Celebrate” is something VanDevere is especially passionate about.
“The youth becoming adults now are way more open-minded.”
“Celebrate” runs through the end of April at Art Works in Soldotna. An expanded version will open later at Out North’s gallery in Anchorage.

This Week in LGBT Alaska 4/9/10

Friday, 9 April 2010 – 2:08 PM | Comments Off on This Week in LGBT Alaska 4/9/10
This Week in LGBT Alaska 4/9/10
The LGBT Alaska events for this week

Juneau

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

Fairbanks

Join the UAF Gay-Straight Alliance for Day of Silence on 4/16 and break the silence at 5 p.m. in the quad area in front of the Wood Center.

UAF GSA’s Breaking The Silence Drag Show 4/17 at 6:30 p.m. in the Hes Rec in the MBS complex, $5.

Wednesday Social Group, contact Joshua for the location.

Kenai Peninsula

Celebration, an LGBT art show in Soldotna, through the end of April at Art Works gallery.

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

Ever Ready with Char & Teddy (guitars and vocals) live at Organic Oasis 4/10 at 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Equality Works Mixer 4/10, 7 p.m. with entertainment, education, and community-building

ICP Ball XVII: Magical Kingdom Masquerade 4/10 at Mad Myrna’s, doors at 8 p.m., show at 9 p.m. tickets $10, proceeds benefit the Imperial Court.

PFLAG Potluck & Silent Auction 4/15. 6 p.m. at Immanuel Presbyterian Church, to benefit Identity.

Youth Pride Prom at Kincaid Chalet 4/16, 6 p.m. no drugs, no alcohol, for ages 14-19 only (no college students.)

This Week in LGBT Alaska 4/2/10

Friday, 2 April 2010 – 12:48 PM | Comments Off on This Week in LGBT Alaska 4/2/10
This Week in LGBT Alaska 4/2/10
Happy Easter and Passover. Tonight is the First Friday Art Walk in Anchorage. Tuesday is the Municipal election for assembly, school board and bond measures. The Walk A Mile in Her Shoes benefit for STAR is also on Tuesday. Here are this week’s LGBT events from the statewide newsletter 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 meets Fridays at 4 p.m. in the Alumni Lounge. Jessi.

Wednesday LGBTA Social at 9 p.m. Email 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 and Girdwood

Lez Zeppelin all-female tribute band plays in Girdwood 4/2 and 4/3, 10:00 p.m. at The Sitzmark Bar (base of Alyeska Resort) 21 and over only, $20.

QrSA Youth Initiative Drop-In 4/3, 12-3 p.m. social for youth ages 13-19, first and third Saturday’s at the Gay and Lesbian Community Center (GLCCA)

Kristara – Live and in the Raw 4/3, doors at 8 p.m. show at 9 p.m. $5, at Mad Myrna’s, to benefit the GLCCA.

Church Life AK Easter Celebration, Communion and Potluck 4/4, 11 a.m. at the GLCCA.

Resurrection Sunday Service at MCC Anchorage 4/4, 2 p.m.

LGBT Book Club 4/7, 6:30 p.m. at the GLCCA.

ABT pastor’s son runs for Anchorage assembly

Thursday, 1 April 2010 – 1:49 PM | 6 Comments
ABT pastor’s son runs for Anchorage assembly
This is no April Fool’s joke: assembly candidate Andy Clary is the son of Anchorage Baptist Temple pastor Glenn Clary, who called Mayor Sullivan’s veto of the equal rights ordinance one of Jerry Prevo’s greatest victories. The junior Clary also has close ties to Sullivan and served on his transition team. He’s running for the Midtown assembly seat against former assembly member Dick Traini.

“Clary’s father… is an assistant pastor at Anchorage Baptist Temple and has been a Republican Party activist. Andy Clary belongs to the same political party but a different church, ChangePoint. When asked at a candidate luncheon how he has served the community, he cited church work. He taught Sunday school, led men’s studies and cooked food for different events,” according to yesterday’s ADN article.

Did he switch from controversial ABT to the less politically tainted ChangePoint last summer, when Prevo threatened to take down the pro-ordinance assembly members? Is Prevo positioning Clary to be the city’s future evangelical mayor?
The article also describes Clary’s ties to the current mayor, giving us another reason to oppose him:

On an Assembly that’s been fractious over Sullivan’s leadership, Clary makes it clear he is allied with Sullivan, who became mayor last July. He served on Sullivan’s transition team, held a fundraiser at McGinley’s, the pub Sullivan co-owns, and says of Sullivan, “Generally, I like what I’ve seen.”

We don’t need another assembly member who rubber-stamps Sullivan’s personal agenda against the best interests of the city.
Dick Traini is a conservative with an independent streak. He has also said that he could support a non-discrimination ordinance similar to the one passed in Salt Lake City with the approval of the Mormon Church. The two SLC ordinances added sexual orientation and gender identity, but involved only housing and job protections.
But Clary will oppose everything that benefits the LGBT community of Anchorage. And as Prevo’s man on the assembly, he will actively work against us.
Midtown residents, please vote for Dick Traini on April 6th.
– photo of Rev. Clary asking ABT’s television audience to give money to Rev. Prevo in celebration of his no-compromise victory over the homosexuals, after Mayor Sullivan’s veto of the equal rights ordinance.

This Week in LGBT Alaska 3/26/10

Friday, 26 March 2010 – 2:41 PM | Comments Off on This Week in LGBT Alaska 3/26/10
This Week in LGBT Alaska 3/26/10
This week’s LGBT events from Alaska GLBT News.

Juneau

Femme Fatale 3/26 at The Rendezvous & 3/27 at The Baranof Hotel, doors open at 9, show begins at 10 p.m. Two unique shows to benefit Four A’s in southeast. Tickets $15 each, or $25 for both shows.

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

Fairbanks

Lez Zeppelin all-female tribute band in Fairbanks/Ester on 4/1, 10 p.m. at the Blue Moon.

Wednesday social group. Contact Joshua for location.

Mat-Su Valley

Lulu Small and the Small Band play at Del Roi’s 3/27

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 Night and Potluck at the GLCCA 3/26, 6 p.m. potluck, 6:15 movie.

Ever Ready plays in Eagle River 3/26, 7:30 p.m. at the VFW.

RAW’s Celebration of Change ‘Masqueerade’ 3/27, 7 p.m. at Wilda Marston Theatre 7pm, $15. After-party at Kodiak Bar & Grill.

MCCA Sunday service 3/28, 2 p.m.

Social Networking: “Use 1/2 the time, get 2x’s the attention” 3/30, 7:00p.m. Free workshop with Jay Her at the GLCCA. Please RSVP.

Lez Zeppelin Tribute Band in Girdwood 4/2 and 4/3, 10:00 p.m. at the Sitzmark. Tickets are $17 in advance (call 754-2274) or $20 at the door. Please be over 21 and bring your ID.

This Week in LGBT Alaska 3/19/10

Friday, 19 March 2010 – 1:24 PM | Comments Off on This Week in LGBT Alaska 3/19/10
This Week in LGBT Alaska 3/19/10
Enjoy this week’s LGBT events from Alaska GLBT News.

Juneau

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

Fairbanks

UAF Gay-Straight Alliance meets 4 p.m Friday in the Alumni Lounge.

Wednesday Social Group Retreat Weekend 3/19-3/21. Contact Joshua for the 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

RAW’s Celebration of Change Art Show Reception 3/19, 7 p.m. at Kodiak Bar and Grill.

Integrity, the Episcopal GLBT Advocacy Group, meets at St. Mary’s 3/19, 6:30 p.m. All are welcome for the monthly (3rd Friday) potluck, fellowship and worship.

QrSA Youth Initiative Drop-In 3/20, 12-3 p.m. at the GLCCA.

Imperial Crown Princess/Prince XVIII Candidate Walk-about 3/20, 8:30 p.m. at The Raven, 10 p.m. at Myrna’s.

MCCA Sunday service 2/21, 2 p.m.

Miss MeMe’s Birthday Gospel Show 3/21, 5-7 p.m. fundraiser at Mad Myrna’s.

Anchorage LGBT Book Lovers Club 3/24, 6:30 p.m. at the GLCCA.

Support the Alaska Hate Crimes Bill (SB 202)

Tuesday, 16 March 2010 – 7:35 AM | One Comment
Support the Alaska Hate Crimes Bill (SB 202)
The Alaska Hate Crimes Bill (SB 202) has a second hearing before the Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, March 17. Alaskans Together asks us to contact our state senators in support of SB 202 with gender identity added.
Senator Bettye Davis introduced SB 202 earlier this month, and five people testified in favor of the bill at the first committee hearing. The full text of the bill is HERE.
Please send a message today in support of SB 202. Ask the Judiciary Committee to add gender identity and expression and to pass the amended bill out of committee.
Here are 2 ways to contact the senators in support of the Alaska Hate Crimes Bill. Alaskans Together provided the contact info and a suggested message:
1. Send an email message to members of the Senate Judiciary Committee plus the bill’s sponsor, Senator Davis. It is always a good idea to copy your own state senator as well.
Senator Hollis French
Senator Bill Wielechowski
Senator Dennis Egan
Senator Lesil McGuire
Senator John Coghill
Senator Bettye Davis
2. Another option is a Public Opinion Message or POM, a short and easy-to-send 50 word message that should be addressed specifically to the Senators listed in the previous paragraph. Send the POM from the Alaska State Public Opinion Message System.
Your POM could say something like:
“I strongly support SB 202 with an amendment that adds gender identity and expression to Section 11.76.150(a). Please pass this bill, with a gender identity amendment, out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, March 17th.”
Alaskans Together supports the amendment of SB 202 to add the phrase “gender identity and expression” to Sec. 11.76.150 (a) because:
a) it covers crimes motivated by prejudice, bias, or hatred based on the victim’s sexual orientation as well as on other inherent characteristics, but does not yet cover gender identity.
b) people who are perceived as gender variant, whether heterosexual or gay, seem “different” to some people and may evoke a violent emotional response leading to harm.
c) a substantial number of crimes have been documented that are based on the societal perception of someone as “too feminine” or “too masculine,” or transgender. These crimes can include bullying in schools as well as assault and battery throughout Alaskan communities.
Alaskans Together supports the Alaska Hate Crimes Bill (SB 202) because:
a) it covers crimes motivated by prejudice, bias, or hatred based on the victim’s sexual orientation as well as on other inherent characteristics.
b) we recognize that hate crimes are not limited to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community but occur throughout minority communities and are designed to create fear. This bill emphasizes that Alaska has no tolerance for such acts.
c) the Alaska court system has primary jurisdiction over crimes of assault and battery which may result in prosecution as hate crimes when occurring in Alaska.
d) Alaska prosecutors and law enforcement officials need the support and force of an Alaska statute in order to most effectively investigate, prosecute, and track all potential hate crimes within the state.
If you have questions on SB 202, please contact Alaskans Together.