Articles in Events
PFLAG to visit “Love Won Out” in Anchorage
Update: See our vigil outside the conference, Our Kids Don’t Need Changing!
Update from PFLAG Anchorage:
We will meet on Saturday Sept 13 at 7 a.m. (the conference starts at 8) at the Abbott Loop Church (2626 Abbott Road, at the corner of Lake Otis and Abbott) to hand out flyers to the conference participants. Bring rain gear and a LGBT-positive sign (for example, “I love my gay son” or whatever is true for you.)
On Saturday morning, PFLAG families, supporters and allies will come together in Anchorage, Alaska as Love Won Out brings its so-called “ex-gay” conference to our 49th state. PFLAGers will gather outside the conference to offer support for youth attending and information for parents and families.
“Families never win at Love Won Out,” said Jane Schlittler, president of PFLAG’s Anchorage, Alaska chapter>. “The conference’s organizers maliciously target often well-meaning parents who are dealing with a difficult issue in their lives, and in the process put their kids’ well-being at risk. Make no mistake: There is far more ‘preying’ than ‘praying’ taking place at these meetings, and far more harming than healing in the doctrine of Love Won Out.”
Programs such as Love Won Out, which is a project of the far-right American Family Association, use out-moded medical theories and radical religious beliefs to justify trying to alter gay and lesbian people’s natural sexual orientation.
“Programs like Love Won Out are dangerous for kids and divisive for families,” said PFLAG National executive director Jody M. Huckaby. “Every bit of evidence available suggests that children who grow up in homes that accept them – and not try to change them – are far happier and healthier than those subjected to these anti-family tactics. It is nothing short of extremist to imply that families should do anything other than love their children as they are, and nothing short of outrageous to infer that LGBT kids aren’t fine just the way they are.”
Saturday’s event in Anchorage has sparked widespread attention and protest following reports that Wasilla Bible Church, where Republican Vice Presidential nominee Governor Sarah Palin is a member, has endorsed the Love Won Out conference. In a statement, PFLAG noted that, “It is unfair, at this point, to assume that Governor Palin endorses so-called ‘ex-gay’ therapy like that espoused by Love Won Out,” but that “Saturday’s event in Anchorage provides an important opportunity for the first GOP mom on the party’s presidential ticket to make clear that she, as a mother and a public servant, will not condone, either explicitly or implicitly, such attempts at dividing our families and hurting our kids.”
“Palin, and lawmakers of both parties, should seize that opportunity,” PFLAG said, “and stand up as boldly and outspokenly for all of our kids as much as they do for their own.”
To be part of Saturday morning’s gathering, email Jane Schlittler.
Reposted from the National PFLAG Blog
Truth Wins Out Exposes "Ex-Gay" Myths and Asks "Where Does Palin Stand?"
God loves you just as you are: Three events
The LGBT community is hosting three special events for families struggling with homosexuality, for Christians trying to reconcile same-sex attractions with their faith, and for everyone who wants to learn the truth about the “pray away the gay” conference.
1) “God Loves You Just as You Are” and Truth Wins Out
Metropolitan Community Church of Anchorage, an inclusive church with a special outreach for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered, and straight allies (GLBT), is sponsoring an Ecumenical seminar called “God Loves You Just as You Are.” The seminar’s main focus will be to assure parents of GLBT adolescents/adults and the GLBT persons themselves that God loves them just as they are.
Four local clergy will share their denominations’ stand on homosexuality. Other speakers include representatives from the National Association of Social Workers Alaska Chapter, the Alaska Counseling Association, and a school psychologist. The main presentation is by Wayne Besen, founder of Truth Wins Out, a non-profit organization that travels the country presenting research on the so-called “reparative therapy” and “ex-gay” movements.
The seminar will be at the Metropolitan Community Church, 7208 Dubin Avenue (corner of Oklahoma St) at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 11. A dinner ($6 donation if able) will be served at 6:30 and the presentations will begin at 7:15. Following the presentations, members of the clergy as well as PFLAG (Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) will be available to have one-on-one discussions with participants.
Please RSVP to Edie Bailey, Worship Coordinator, if you’re coming for the dinner.
“God Loves You Just as You Are” and Truth Wins Out
Thursday, September 11, 2008
dinner at 6:30 p.m. ($6 suggested donation) and program at 7:15 p.m.
Metropolitan Community Church of Anchorage
7208 Dubin Avenue, Anchorage, AK
2) “God Loves You Just as You Are” with Wayne Besen and Dr. Ellen Cole
Metropolitan Community Church of Anchorage welcomes everyone to a special Sunday program on September 14, 2008 with two guest speakers: Wayne Besen and Dr. Ellen Cole. Wayne Besen is the author of Anything But Straight, written to give the truth about the so-called “ex-gay” movement. He founded Truth Wins Out, a non-profit organization dedicated to spreading the truth about Exodus and the other “ex-gay” organizations.
Dr. Ellen Cole is a Professor of Psychology at APU, a certified sex therapist, and the immediate past-president of the Alaska Psychological Association. She co-edited the books Loving Boldly: Issues Facing Lesbians and Lesbian Therapists and their Therapy and has conducted research on lesbian sex at menopause. She is married to Doug North, president of APU. The presentations are followed by a potluck in the fellowship hall.
Wayne Besen and Dr. Ellen Cole
Sunday, September 14, 2008
2 p.m.
Metropolitan Community Church of Anchorage
7208 Dubin Avenue, Anchorage, AK
3) A Loving Alternative to “Reparative Therapy”
PFLAG (Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays) welcomes families who have questions about so-called “reparative therapy” and the “ex-gay” movement to join their support group at Immanuel Presbyterian Church. For more information, contact PFLAG Anchorage.
“Reparative Therapy” Discussion with PFLAG
Thursday, September 18, 2008
7 p.m.
This Week in GLBT Alaska 8/28/08
Anchorage
Thursday Night Soul Food at MCC, 6:30 p.m. $6 donation for dinner. 8/28: Fish Don’t Fly – a documentary about the ex-gay movement. 9/4: But I’m a Cheerleader — a comedy about the ex-gay movement.
Coronation XXXVI – A Tribute to Heroes, 8/28-9/1. Full weekend schedule of events, plus tickets and contact info, at ICOAA.
Last Sunday Brunch with TLFMC 8/31, 10:30 a.m. at the Country Kitchen.
Transgender Support Group 8/31, 4-6 p.m. at the GLCCA.
September’s Poetry Parley at Out North features works by lesbian feminist poet Adrienne Rich. 9/3, 7 p.m. Free
Homer
Bac’untry Bruthers at the Down East Saloon on 8/28 at 10 p.m.
This Week in GLBT Alaska 8/22/08
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.
GLBT performances at Out North
This Week in GLBT Alaska 8/15 – 8/21
ICOAA Emperor & Empress Voting 8/16 at the GLCCA 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Absentee ballots for download at ICOAA.
Bag Lady Sue Comedy Show, Saturday 8/16 at 9 p.m. Mad Myrna’s, $10.
MCC Board of Directors Meeting 8/17. Service at 2 p.m., meeting at 3:30 p.m.
Debate Party for Mark Begich, Wednesday 8/20, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Email M.E. for more information.
This Week in GLBT Alaska: 8/8-8/14
This Week in GLBT Alaska
- 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.-?
- 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.
This Week in LGBT Alaska
