Sunday, 6 October 2013 – 5:19 PM
| Comments Off on A long-overdue Bent Alaska update — October 2013
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.
Monday, 19 October 2009 – 1:19 PM
| Comments Off on Celebrating our Allies on Ally Week, Oct 19-23
On Ally Week, straight students pledge to support their gay friends by speaking out against anti-LGBT bullying and harassment. In Alaska, we are fortunate to have many allies, both teens and adults, who speak out for us throughout the year.
In honor of Ally Week, Bent Alaska is celebrating our allies and the alliances that enrich our lives.
Students created Ally Week to build upon the good work of Gay-Straight Alliances across the country. Whether you belong to a GSA or not, Ally Week is the perfect time for you and your friends to sign the Ally Pledge:
“I believe all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression deserve to feel safe and supported.
That means I pledge to:
Not use anti-LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) language or slurs.
Intervene, if I safely can, in situations where students are being harassed.
Support efforts to end bullying and harassment.”
School is not the only place where LGBT people face harassment, and the GSA’s are not our only organized group of allies. Four chapters of PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) also speak out for LGBT Alaskans.
In addition to these organized ally groups at school, at home and in the community, LGBT Alaskans have many individual allies at work and play, in the church and the government. Our allies in Anchorage stood against bigotry this summer, testified for equality, reported the fight for our rights, and took action in support of diversity.
Today’s Ally Week post is a video slideshow about the True Diversity Dinner, an Anchorage event that celebrated our political allies. Thanks to the wonderful allies who created and participated in this event, and to ally Janson for the video:
Saturday, 17 October 2009 – 9:52 AM
| Comments Off on Fairbanks Retreat, Panel, GSA, and Harvest Ball
Gays and allies in Fairbanks can enjoy an interesting variety of events in the next few weeks: the Wednesday social group is holding a cabin retreat, the UAF Women’s Studies Program is hosting a discussion on anti-gay talk, the Gay-Straight Alliance is showing the Laramie Project movie, and the Imperial Court of All Alaska is celebrating Halloween a week early with “A Haunted Enchantment” Harvest Ball at the Carlson Center.
Wednesday Social & Retreat
LGBT people and allies have been meeting on Wednesday nights around 9 p.m. In addition to the weekly social, the group rented a cabin on Oct. 23-25 for an LGBTA Retreat. “If you just want to stop out and chill instead of spending the night, you are welcome to do that too,” writes Joshua, the coordinator. RSVP to Joshua for the locations of the retreat and the Wednesday social.
UAF: Anti-Gay Discourse & Gay-Straight Alliance
The UAF Women’s Studies Program is hosting a panel discussion called “Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Anti-Gay Discourse” from 1-2 p.m. in the Wood Center Multilevel Lounge on Tuesday, October 27. Chris Coffman (WMS Program Coordinator and English faculty), will moderate. Panelists include Sine Anahita of Sociology, Tim Lower of Psychology, Joseph Thompson of Philosophy, Jordan Titus of Sociology, and possibly others.
This semester, the UAF Gay-Straight Alliance is meeting on Mondays at 5 p.m. They will be sponsoring a free showing of The Laramie Project movie in Schaible Auditorium on Nov. 7 at 3 p.m. Email Jessi for the location of the GSA meetings.
“A Haunted Enchantment” Harvest Ball
The Grand Duchess and Grand Duke of Fairbanks invite you to their Harvest Ball “A Haunted Enchantment” on October 24 at 7:30 p.m. in the Carlson Center. The doors open at 7:30 p.m., the show starts at 8:30, and tickets are $12.
The Harvest Ball is a costume party and drag show fundraiser that introduces the community to the newly elected Duchess and Duke of Fairbanks. “A Haunted Enchantment” includes performances by members of the Imperial Court of All Alaska (ICOAA) and by members of the wider community. Everyone is welcome to participate by attending, donating the entrance fee, or getting on stage and performing.
The Fairbanks Court holds several events throughout the year to raise money for two charity organizations, chosen by the Duchess and Duke at the end of their reign. More information is available on the main ICOAA website.
“After the ordinance hearings, we thought the community might want to come together for a night or two of laughter,” wrote Matthew Moak of MCCA.
Emler has over 15 years of experience as a stand-up comedian. While travelling to perform, he shot up to 310 pounds. After seeing a photo of himself with actress Sharon Gless of Queer As Folk, Bryan vowed to never perform again at that weight. He lost over 100 pounds, was out of the spotlight for over three years, and is back as hungry as ever.
“Bryan has generously agreed to donate 50% of the ticket proceeds to MCCA,” wrote Matthew, “so let’s do all we can do to make these two nights a success.” The Anchorage tour is part of Emler’s Share the Wealth project to help gay non-profits raise money.
Tickets are $15 and available online or at the church. Students can attend for $10 at the door with student ID. Both shows will be performed at St. Mary’s Church, on the corner of Tudor & Lake Otis, from 7-8 p.m.
Bent Alaska caught up with Emler to learn more about motivational comedy, Superhero & Dream Big, fundraisers for gay churches, and the importance of seeing a moose.
Q. Why did you choose these two shows for your Alaska performance?
A. I chose the shows DREAM BIG (SIZE MATTERS) and HOW YOU CAN BE A SUPERHERO (WITHOUT WEARING YOUR UNDERWEAR IN PUBLIC) due to the current political climate in Alaska. I felt that not only do you all need a good laugh, but you need a bit of encouragement and motivation to propel your state forward.
Q. The announcement said it’s a gay comedy show, but your ad talks about transforming your spirit. Is it a combination of comedy and religion?
A. This “comedy show” is part comedy, part motivational, part inspirational. DREAM BIG will offer concrete steps on how you can live the life you dream about, at the same time you will be laughing at my trials and tribulations while I am trying to live out mine.
In HOW YOU CAN BE A SUPERHERO, I show you how to become a superhero in Alaska and help change the world. It looks like this is a show that is needed in Anchorage to give you hope.
They aren’t religious shows, they are inspirational comedy shows with a call to action.
Q. Anchorage is part of your Share the Wealth tour. What is that and how does it help local communities?
A. I came up with the SHARE THE WEALTH TOUR, because I wanted to find a way of giving back to gay communities across the US.
One of the biggest issues with gay churches, non-profits, and organizations, is that they can’t always afford to pay thousands of dollars to bring in entertainers for their events. If by chance they can afford it, then they have trouble re-couping the costs of that entertainer, and they find themselves in the hole when it was supposed to be a fundraiser.
So, I devised a way the gay organizations can book me WITHOUT my normal fee, they get 50% off all ticket sales for hosting the event, and not only do they get a comedy show, they make some money in the process.
Q. Have you ever been to Alaska? Will you have a chance to see anything outside of the city?
A. This will be my very first trip to Alaska, so I am looking forward to it. I am going to fly in a day early, and stay a day after my shows, so that I will have some time to look around. The only thing I MUST do while I am there is to see a MOOSE. I will not leave the state until I see a moose!
So, if anyone wants to go Moose Watching, let me know!
—-
Join Bryan Emler on his hilarous journey, and discover how you can change the world and transform your spirit and your life!
Friday, 9 October 2009 – 2:17 AM
| Comments Off on Ossiander’s politics of division, round 2
It’s not enough for Assembly Chair Debbie Ossiander to try to block the presentation of an award from the Imperial Court because she thought it was from the Diversity Dinner, and then be curt to the Anchorage residents presenting the award, as Bent Alaska reported last week. Now she’s answering complaints about her bad attitude with divisive attacks.
“When a viewer named Mark e-mailed his displeasure at Ossiander’s ‘dismissive and condescending attitude’ and ‘efforts to prevent the presentation of the award,’ he got an acid reply,” reports the Alaska Ear column in the ADN. “Debbie apparently thought he was part of the presenting group, although Ear is told he wasn’t.”
The Ear quotes Ossiander’s response to Mark:
Our meetings are for our agenda… not for you to make your statement…. You apparently believe you merit special treatment above others who have to wait, so you found a way around the rules. I did not appreciate it.
“OUR” agenda? “YOUR” statement? Since a majority of assembly members voted in favor of the ordinance and accepted the Imperial Court’s award, who is Ossiander calling YOU?
Whoever YOU is, we are all the same — we all belong to one organization, we work together on everything (if only!), and apparently no one outside of that group would ever support us.
She uses the word you/your five times in that short quote and makes four accusations against YOU: making a statement, wanting special treatment, not waiting your turn, and breaking the rules. That’s a lot of anger over a 1 minute 20 second presentation… unless the accusations are really how she feels about the equal rights ordinance.
“Special treatment” is strikingly like “special rights.” After all that testimony, she still doesn’t get it.
But “special treatment above others who have to wait?” We sat through weeks of ordinance hearings with homophobic religious fanatics, waiting all summer for the ordinance to pass. We’ve been waiting for legal equality in Anchorage for over 40 years, and because of her, we’re still waiting for the basic protections that other minority groups receive. It’s absurd to think that we’re wasting her time with a one minute award.
Grady Jenkins, who presented the award from the Imperial Court, wrote that it wasn’t really a political statement, but “an acknowledgement of who our true heroes are.”
Ossiander isn’t the only Assembly member with a bad attitude toward some of the people she represents. Bill Star also showed his temper at the meeting, according to a comment from Tim. Jenkins presented the award, the Court members left the room, and Tim describes what happened next:
The ever so pleasant Assembly member Bill Starr jumped all over me after the ICOAA’s presentation to the 7 assembly members who voted for Ordinance 64. I guess he assumed because I was sitting in the row behind the wonderful ICOAA folks who did the presentation that I was involved. It is the seat I sat in almost all summer — that’s just where I plop down when I’m at the assembly meetings now.
He said he thought the presentation was improper and in poor taste. I informed him that I had never met any of the folks who did the presentation nor am I a member of ICOAA and that his rant might be better directed at the folks who made the presentation. He asked that I pass his comments along to them. I think I will have to write a formal response to Assemblyman Starr telling him MY thoughts on HIS actions, and by the way… I thought the presentation to the “fabulous 7” was outstanding. That was the main reason I attended the Assembly meeting Tuesday evening.
Assembly member Starr made the same mistake Ossiander did in assuming that all gay people in Anchorage know each other and belong to the same group. There couldn’t be more than one gay group in Anchorage, could there? And he wants Tim to find the Imperial Court of All Alaska and pass along the rude comments, instead of contacting them himself. I guess no one has introduced Starr to Google search.
Like Tim, I too have a place in the Assembly room where I sat all summer, waiting for equality. The time will come. Until then, we have our friends, our heroes, and our dignity. Not even the Assembly Chair can take that away.
Thursday, 8 October 2009 – 2:21 PM
| Comments Off on Alaskans Together choosing Statewide Goals at Annual Meeting, Oct.11
Alaskans Together for Equality, Inc. (ATE) is holding their 1st Annual Meeting on Sunday October 11 to plan the goals and direction of Alaska’s new and only statewide civil rights group focused on promoting the rights of LGBTQ people. ATE is also holding a pre-meeting social on Saturday evening at Kodiak Bar & Grill.
“We are happy to report that we outgrew our original meeting space,” writes Marsha Buck, Board President, “and will be holding our annual meeting in the Country Kitchen banquet room at 346 East 5th Avenue in Anchorage.” Participants will evaluate the ATE mission, identify critical issues, choose 3-5 goals for the year, and develop a plan to reach those goals.
“Cathy LeCompte, our experienced facilitator from Ketchikan, calls most of the day a ‘Facilitated Strategic Conversation.’ In addition to that conversation, we will be electing new board members and new board officers.”
Alaskans Together for Equality is seeking people from all across Alaska to serve on the Board of Directors. People from rural and urban Alaska who are interested in the challenge of doing advocacy in our state, committed to serving on a working Board, and motivated to increase civil rights for LGBT Alaskans are encouraged to contact Marsha Buck and attend the strategy meeting.
Alaskans Together, the group that led the fight against the April 2007 anti-gay advisory vote against same-sex partner benefits, reorganized as two new groups: Alaskans Together for Equality to lobby the state Legislature for equal rights for LGBT Alaskans, and Alaskans Together Foundation to educate the Alaskan public on the need for equal treatment and civil rights for LGBT Alaskans.
On Monday, Marsha and Dr. Mo Longworth were interviewed on KTOO’s “Juneau Afternoon” radio program, discussing the ATE annual meeting, the Alaska Pride Conference, the National Equality March in DC and the Anchorage support rally. Marsha is coming to Anchorage for this weekend’s LGBT events and Mo is going to DC to march with her wife.
“There’s five of us going from Alaska,” said Mo about the National Equality March. “We’ll be marching behind a dark blue banner with yellow lettering saying “Alaskans Together for Equality, Inc.” and the Big Dipper will be represented in every color of the rainbow, each star being a different color. You can look for us behind that banner, and anyone is welcome to join in.”
“The goal is that all 435 Congressional Districts will be represented and we will all descend on DC and our Congress members asking them to support legislation that effects us.” One of the bills is ENDA, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which was introduced in June and will be coming up for a vote soon. “Please contact our legislators from Alaska and ask them to support ENDA.”
ANNUAL MEETING of ALASKANS TOGETHER FOR EQUALITY, INC.
8:50 a.m. Gather for coffee, tea, bagels and lunch selection
9:00 a.m. Welcome – Introduction of participants and facilitator
–Why we exist, brief history, and accomplishments of the past year
9:30 a.m. Facilitated Strategic Conversation led by Cathy LeCompte
–Mission Statement Discussion – Do we all agree on the Mission Statement?
–Identification of Issues Facing the Organizations – What are the critical issues facing ATE? ATF?
–Setting Goals – What are the three to five goals we will aim to accomplish in this upcoming year?
–Implementation Plan – Who will be responsible for carrying out the agreed upon goals?
–Debrief – Did we accomplish what we set out to do? If not, what next?
12:00 p.m. Lunch while continuing with strategic conversation
1:30 p.m. Annual Board of Directors meeting with membership participation
–Presentation of potential new board members
–Board vote to accept new board members
2:00 p.m. Discussion and decision regarding conference calls for coming year
2:15 p.m. Presentation of potential Board officers for coming year
–Board vote on officers
–Brainstorm of fundraising ideas
–Wrap up and adjournment by 3:00 p.m.
If you are traveling to Anchorage for either the Alaskans Together for Equality annual meeting or the Alaska Pride Conference and need a place to stay, take advantage of a special lodging rate at the Copper Whale Inn.
This weekend is QueerWorld Connect: the 16th annual Alaska Pride Conference! The three-day Anchorage event includes a kick-off dinner on Friday, the Saturday conference at Alaska Pacific University, and a Sunday brunch discussion on “Crossing the Generations.” (The full schedule is posted below.)
“This year for Pride Conference, instead of having one guest speaker, we will be having a panel of six community leaders,” said Johnathan Jones, Pride Conference chairperson. “Each leader has been asked to speak for five minutes on issues they consider relevant to queer Alaskans.”
The leaders on the panel include Her Imperial Majesty Ms. MeMe of the ICOAA; Trevor Stoors, Executive Director of Four A’s; Marsha Buck from Juneau, Co-President of Alaskans Together; Mike Mason, organizer for this year’s Youth Pride Prom; Rev. Susan Halvor from the ELCA (Lutherans); and Jackie Buckley from the Identity Advocacy Team.
After each leader has spoken, there will be a moderated panel discussion followed by a Q&A with the audience. “Our aim is to discuss important issues, with the opportunity for all attendees to have input in the discussion,” said Johnathan. “We invite all people to come prepared for stimulating conversations.”
The information below came from Johnathan and the October 2009 issue of NorthView, Identity’s quarterly bulletin, which is available online (linked HERE).
Pride Conference “QueerWorld Connect”
Pride Conference is a statewide gathering of queer folk and allies, with workshops, a plenary session, and a chance to socialize. The theme this year is QueerWorld Connect. When committee members brainstormed topics, we noticed that connection was the common thread, with unity as the ultimate goal. Connection within communities has to happen for unity to exist.
This year, the conference is a little different. We are broadening the scope and having a three day event focused on education, entertainment, and connection – connection with ourselves, with each other, and with community. Instead of a keynote speaker, we are having a panel on “Issues of Relevance to Queer Alaskans” which will feature community leaders from around our state.
The main day of the Pride Conference, Saturday at APU, begins with a breakfast buffet by the Last Frontier Men’s Club. There will be two sets of workshops, a vendor’s court, lunch, the panel discussion, and a hypnosis show by Jay Her.
Special effort went into making this an all ages friendly event, so feel free to bring kids to the conference or any conference function. A van will be available to transport those who need it from event to event. We do not want anyone to miss the conference because of lack of funds. If needed, Contact Johnathan for scholarship information.
To make the most of the conference, be prepared to meet new people, learn about new topics, and expect to have fun!
QueerWorld Connect Pride Conference
Friday Night – Oct. 9th – Dinner, Socializing & Entertainment
7:00 Dinner social at Organic Oasis with musical entertainment by EverReady. Please RSVP to Johnathan.
Cost: Purchase of your own food and drink.
Saturday – Oct. 10th – Conference at APU, Atwood Center
8:30 Breakfast (Included)
9:30 Welcome/Opening Remarks
10:00 Choice of workshops
11:15 Choice of workshops
12:30 Lunch (included)
1:15 Hypnosis Presentation
2:00 Plenary Session: Panel on “Issues of Relevance to Queer Alaskans”
3:00 Closing remarks/evaluation
Cost: At the door: Adults $25, Students $15. Pre-registration: Adults $20, Students $10. Scholarships available: Contact Johnathan
Saturday Night – Oct. 10th – Bowling & Social
7:00 Bowling hosted by Adam and Steve, Center Bowl on Spenard and Minnesota, RSVP required.
Cost: free for 2 hours of bowling and shoe hire, but we only have 20 spots available so RSVP to Johnathan asap.
10:30-Noon Hot Brunch and panel on “Crossing the Generations” at the YWCA next to the Community Center.
Cost: Adults $10, Seniors and Students $7.50 Pre-registration required at the GLCCA.
Johnathan Jones, Pride Conference chairperson, is a wanna be life-long Alaskan. Having grown up in Australia, he now calls Alaska home. Johnathan is passionate about working with non-profit groups and forging working relationships with all members of our communities. He is really excited about the upcoming “QueerWorld” Pride Conference and hopes you all make it!
The very real consequences of DADT repeal; seeking survivor benefits for same-sex partner of Alaska shooting victim; waiting on SCOTUS decision about whether it will hear Prop 8 case; and other recent LGBTQ news selected by Sara Boesser in Juneau, Alaska.
In this month’s “Ask Lambda Legal” column, Lambda Legal answers a question about the federal government’s longstanding ban against donations of blood from men who have sex with men (MSM).
Alaska Pride Conference 2012 kicks off on October 5 with a First Friday showing at Tref.Punkt Studio of Love is Love, a photographic exhibit of LGBT couples from across the state.
United for marriage: Light the way to justice. The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments this Tuesday and Wednesday, March 26–27, in two cases about freedom to marry. Please join us on Tuesday, March 26, at the federal courthouse in Anchorage (7th & C) in a circle united for equality.
Pariah, a critically acclaimed film about a 17-year-old African-American woman embracing her lesbian identity, will screen at UAA on Friday, November 2, and will be followed by a discussion on acceptance in honor of Mya Dale. The event is free and open to the public.
