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.
When I became the editor of Alaska GLBT News a year ago, I saw in the Readers’ Survey that you wanted photos, videos, and reports of the events listed in the newsletter. So I created Bent Alaska, a blog that could contain all of that and much more.
It’s been quite a year. I’ve had the great pleasure to meet dozens of interesting LGBT people and our allies from all over the state, and to tell you about them and their events week after week. I’ve learned about Alaska and blogging and news writing and the LGBT community. I even won an award for Bent from the Imperial Court. (Thank you, ICOAA!)
And it’s all because of you: You’ve sent news of our community’s weddings and funerals, dances and drag shows, protests and parades. Your reports and photos keep us connected across the vast distances of Alaska, and beyond to our friends Outside. Your knowledge and opinions inform the LGBT communities and allies in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau and rural Alaska. Your words give comfort to gays new to Alaska and long time Alaskans just coming out, isolated Alaskans looking for ‘family’ and family members needing support. Your comments engage others who search for signs of queer life in Alaska.
Bent Alaska and Alaska GLBT News would not be possible without the many, many people who take the time to write messages, send photos, forward links and add comments. I’m just the messenger – without you, there wouldn’t be anything to say.
Saturday, 7 March 2009 – 7:24 PM
| Comments Off on Celebrate Women in March
March is Women’s History Month. The 2009 theme is Women Taking the Lead to Save our Planet, and the National Women’s History Project is honoring 100 women who have taken the lead in the environmental or “green” movement.
March 8 is International Women’s Day, celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. In some countries, IWD is a national holiday.
Locally, The Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame inducts its inaugural class on March 6. The ceremony honors 50 women who have made or are making significant contributions to the shaping of Alaska. Lucy Frey, a founder of Alaska’s lesbian community, is one of the women being honored.
Another of the inductees is Lena Morrow, subject of the play Make Good the Fires by Arlitia Jones. Lena came to Alaska in 1912 when women were just getting the vote. She was a socialist, activist, journalist, feminist and even ran for office in 1916. The play runs March 13-29 at Cyrano’s.
The LunaFest Film Festival on March 20-21 presents ten short films by and about women. Proceeds go to the Breast Cancer Fund and local nonprofit women’s organizations. LunaFest is showing at Out North and is sponsored in part by UAA Women’s Studies.
If you know about other Alaskan events celebrating women during March, please share your information in the comments.
Women of Distinction Dinner, with the Pride Chorus and Marsha Buck, 3/7
SEAGLA Social Fridays (6-8 p.m.) for GLBT people and our friends over 21, at The Imperial Bar, downtown.
Fairbanks
The movie MILK, about Harvey Milk, is showing at the Blue Loon 3/5 – 3/6 at 5:30 p.m. & 8 p.m., and 3/10 – 3/14 at 8 p.m., except March 13. See the Blue Loon for details.
Tuesday, 3 March 2009 – 9:49 PM
| Comments Off on Gothique Fashion Show with Kynt & Vyxsin
This Saturday is the Gothique Leather & Lace Divas Goth Fashion Show, presented by American Gothique and hosted by Kynt & Vyxsin.
“Alaska’s Finest models go GOTHIC for a Fashion show that is Wild, sexually charged, and hosted by Amazing Race stars Kynt and Vyxsin. This is a night that you do not want to miss. Exciting and unlike any other fashion show. The show includes nudity, so viewer discretion is advised.”
Wednesday, 25 February 2009 – 6:50 PM
| Comments Off on Greetings from Pastor Norman Van Manen
Reverend Norman Van Manen was installed as Development Pastor of MCC Anchorage on Feb. 15 in the presence of over forty members of the LGBT-inclusive church. Van Manen visited in mid-December as a pastoral candidate and was appointed soon after, due to the positive response by church and community members.
Pastor Van Manen wrote a special greeting for readers of Bent Alaska and Alaska GLBT News:
“I am new to Alaska by only a few days. As I settle in and become acquainted with the GLBTQ community, I am looking forward to meeting you. I have already discovered that Alaska is not an easy place to find comfort in being the person you were born to be. It is my goal that all who worship at MCC Anchorage will find self esteem, love from others, and always feel loved by God. I am looking forward to working with you and listening to your stories.”
Reverend Van Manen brings 41 years of ministry experience to MCC Anchorage and to the community. Van Manen’s Pastoral Ponderings for this week are posted on the MCCA site:
“It is a revising and adjusting time for me. I still have to remind myself when I awaken in the morning that I am in Anchorage, Alaska. I was expecting to see water to the south and mountains to the north but instead the Cook Inlet is to the west (water) and the Mountains are to the east. What an awesome sight it was for me to see Mount McKinley from a high place for the first time a few days ago. It is 300 miles from here.
“MCC Anchorage has a great spirit of embodiment and I am impressed with your warmth and kindness. Our worship is exciting and I am looking forward to the second message in a Sermon Series entitled The Week That Changed The World. This week’s message is entitled The Day of Authority.
“This series of messages will take us up to and including Easter Sunday. On Thursday nights, we have a program that is called Step by Step. This is a Bible Study time with much discussion. We are looking at the foundation of our faith at the moment and you are all most welcome to attend. We have soup at 6:30 p.m. and begin Bible Study at 7 p.m. Please bring your Bible and a pen or pencil.
“I am looking forward to meeting with the Board of Directors this Sunday at 4:30 p.m. for our first official meeting. There is much to talk about and much to plan. We have great and exciting days ahead. I have each of you in my prayers.”
The MCC Sunday service begins at 2 p.m. Photos of the Consecration and Laying of Hands ceremony at the installation of Rev. Van Manen are posted on the Metropolitan Community Church web site, which was recently up-graded by webmaster Matthew Moak.
Sunday, 22 February 2009 – 12:49 PM
| Comments Off on Pride Chorus concert and AWARE dinner
Join the Juneau Pride Chorus for their 2009 concert and dance on the theme of Women’s Bodies, Women’s Strength, February 28, 7:30 p.m. at the Juneau Arts & Culture Center.
Songs include Alix Dobkin’s “If It Wasn’t for the Women,” “This One’s for the Girls,” “Hair,” “Respect,” Enya’s “Ebudae” and “Hattie and Mattie” from Holly Near. Plus, a delightful group of Pride Chorus members’ children will be singing “My Body’s Nobody’s Body But Mine.”
After the singing, there will be dancing to music performed by female musicians. Refreshments will be served during the intermission. Tickets are available from Chorus members or at the door – $15 for adults, $30 for a family, $12 for seniors and students. Everyone is welcome!
The Juneau Pride Chorus will also be the opening act at the annual Women of Distinction Dinner sponsored by AWARE of Juneau, on March 7 at Centennial Hall. One of the Women of Distinction this year is Marsha Buck, member of the Pride Chorus, PFLAG Juneau and Alaskans Together for Equality.
“These women were chosen for their dedication and relentless service to peace, justice and the empowerment of women,” reads the Women of Distinction 2009 page. “Each honoree has enriched the lives of women and children and have made a legacy of compassion out of their own lives.”
The Pride Chorus songs will be followed by a catered dinner, silent auction and speeches by each of the women about what inspires them. Proceeds benefit AWARE’s domestic violence and sexual assault prevention and intervention services.
Friday, 20 February 2009 – 11:16 PM
| Comments Off on This Week in LGBT Alaska 2/20/09
Check out this week’s events from Alaska GLBT News.
For full listings, news and up-coming events, subscribe to AGN, the weekly email newsletter.
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 Centersocial support group meetings to discuss LBGT issues in the Valley. Mondays at 2 p.m. and Wednesdays at 5 p.m. Vagabond Blues in Palmer.
Anchorage
Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin 2/21 & 2/22, 6 p.m. at the Anchorage Museum, with a discussion after the film on Saturday.
Monday, 9 February 2009 – 3:59 PM
| Comments Off on Freedom to Marry Week
The annual Freedom to Marry Week is February 8-14, 2009. We are asked to tell three people what it’s like for us or our loved ones to be LGBT, and what it means to be treated as less than equal for being gay. Why? Because people who know about our lives are more likely to support our civil rights.
Who will you tell?
Meanwhile, check out this touching Fidelity video with the “Don’t Divorce Us” photos. I saw a picture of Alaska in there – is this someone we know?
Saturday, 7 February 2009 – 10:09 PM
| One Comment
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day 2009 on aims to get Black Americans educated about the basics of HIV/AIDS, get tested to know their HIV status, get involved in their community around the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and get treated if they are living with HIV/AIDS.
Because “Black Life Is Worth Saving!”
For AIDS testing and information in Alaska, contact Four A’s in Anchorage and Juneau, and Interior AIDS Assoc. in Fairbanks.
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.
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day 2009 on aims to get Black Americans educated about the basics of HIV/AIDS, get tested to know their HIV status, get involved in their community around the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and get treated if they are living with HIV/AIDS.
