Bent Alaska | Category Archive

This year’s Tanana Valley State Fair is themed “Barn in the USA” and Fairbanks PFLAG won Best Theme Decorated Booth for their barn display with a red-white-and-blue picket fence and same sex pairs of barnyard animals partner dancing at a barn dance, including two cartoon steers, two male pigs, two female geese, two stuffed animal hens nesting in the hay loft over the dance floor, and an emcee rooster in drag.

Fairbanks Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG) posted a Facebook message on Friday announcing the result:

“PFLAG Fairbanks won “Best Theme Decorated Booth” at the Tanana Valley State Fair! The booth has received many positive comments, gentrifying the Borealis Pavilion in the fair’s main showcase for non-profits, vendors and (this year) politicians. Congratulations to Jenn and Beverly for all their preparation and to the volunteers (especially to Kerry, who recruited volunteers) who have made the booth a success with young and old alike.”

Pete of PFLAG added:

“Besides thanking Beverly for the hard work on constructing the booth and Jenn for painting the animals, including the Rave Rooster, PFLAG also wanted to thank the Imperial Court of All Alaska for their support in helping underwrite the costs, and Alaskans Together for their support as well. It is a community project, with over 50 volunteers, several new members, and everyone providing their own touch in making an impact in community. Good job.”

“I hope the booth helped gain recognition for PFLAG,” wrote Beverly. “I hope the Fair gives us a good theme next year so we can rise to it.”

She’s also thinking of names for the two stuffed animal hens that watch over the booth 24 hours a day from the hay loft shelf, and wants your suggestions.

The Tanana Valley State Fair ends Saturday night, August 14th. If you’re going to the Fair, be sure to stop by the PFLAG booth.

Congratulations to PFLAG Fairbanks!

– Above: Shayle and Nancy staff the 2010 PFLAG booth at the Tanana Valley State Fair in Fairbanks, Alaska. Photos by Chris.

Prop 8 stay denied: Marriages resume on August 18

Thursday, 12 August 2010 – 12:24 PM | Comments Off

U.S. District Judge Walker denied a permanent stay on the ruling that overturned Prop 8 last week, but issued a temporary hold until August 18 before same sex marriages can resume in California.

Couples waiting at the city halls hoping to marry today were initially excited by news of the denied stay, then disappointed by the six day delay.

A permanent stay is fairly rare, only used when direct harm would result from applying a ruling and having it overturned on appeal. Supporters of the marriage ban could not show a direct harm to the state, and did not present any valid arguments or credible witnesses during the trial. Their chance of winning an appeal seems slim, according to today’s ruling, and the appeals court might not take the case.

When Judge Walker overturned Prop 8 last week, the ban proponents had already filed a pre-emptive appeal. However, they may not have the legal standing to appeal the decision without the primary defendant, the state of California.

In a surprise move, Governor Arnold Swartzeneger and Attorney General Jerry Brown joined the plaintiffs in asking the court to remove the stay and allow the marriages to resume, signaling that they might not appeal the case. With no clear path to appeal, and little chance of winning, there was no reason to delay the ruling permanently.

Next, the state of California decides if it will appeal, and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decides if it will issue a stay, which could be appealed to the Supreme Court. Justice Kennedy handles appeals for the 9th Circuit and can rule on the stay himself or refer it to a 3-judge panel. If a stay is not granted at a higher level, then couples may marry starting at 5 PM on August 18.

Lambda Legal stated that Judge Walker “applied the standard legal tests in the standard way and reached the only logical conclusions given the overwhelming evidence produced at trial: nobody is harmed – especially not the backers of Prop 8 – by restoring equality in marriage to California’s same-sex couples. Nobody suffers when everyone is treated equally. There’s enough equality to go around.

“To maintain the stay, the Ninth Circuit will have to find that Prop 8’s proponents are likely to win on appeal or will suffer irreparable harm if same-sex couples again are allowed to marry. But at this point, the truth is crystal clear, as last week’s decision explains: the only people suffering harm are lesbian and gay couples whose constitutional rights are violated every day that Prop 8 remains in force, and who simply seek the same rights everyone else already enjoys.”

Protest signs: NOM vs. Love

Thursday, 12 August 2010 – 5:43 AM | Comments Off

The video below compares signs recently seen at anti-gay marriage rallies around the country and reminds me of the signs at last summer’s Ordinance 64 rallies in Anchorage: mass produced signs of bigotry from the Prevo/Burke anti-gay mob vs. creative individually made rainbow posters about equality and love held by LGBT people and our allies.

The video below is good, but it leaves out the most infamous hate sign from this summer’s anti-gay NOM rallies. That sign calls for gays to be lynched. This is what hate looks like:

Intro to the video

In 2010 the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) launched a nationwide tour to “protect marriage.” At each stop they were met with meager supporters and large protests against NOM’s message of hate and intolerance.

NOM complained that the protests were violent, intimidating, and hateful, which they weren’t. But it’s ironic because gays have been facing real hate and real intimidation for years and years.

This is a slideshow from protests I attended during Massachusett’s marriage equality fight, as well as from around the country.

Watch:

Thank you for your call. Click

Wednesday, 11 August 2010 – 10:02 AM | One Comment

Heterosexual widows and widowers automatically get the Social Security benefits of their deceased spouse, but the IRS treats same sex married, civil unioned and domestic partnered couples as strangers with no rights to their partner’s benefits.

In 1935, the Social Security Act was created to help ensure the economic safety of America’s elderly.

The United States Social Security Administration does not recognize same-sex marriages or domestic partnerships as valid relationships.

Consequently, thousands of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender seniors are denied Social Security benefits every year.

Ineligible for Social Security surivors benefits, and faced with undue economic burdens, many LGBT seniors are forced to give up their homes after losing their partner.

One gay man tells what happened after the love of his life passed away:

Gay AK: Get ready for late summer and fall events

Wednesday, 11 August 2010 – 5:53 AM | Comments Off

Gay AK is a semi-regular column with short news items and up-coming events for LGBT Alaska. This week, we have a variety of late summer and fall events in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau and the Mat-Su.

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PFLAG Fairbanks has a booth at the Tanana Valley State Fair, which continues through August 14. The theme of the fair is “Barn in the USA.” Beverly designed an adorable PFLAG booth and Jenn did the art work (see photo). Stop by and say hello, or sign up for a shift and go to the fair free that day.

The LGBT Center in the Mat-Su Valley has closed due to a lack of volunteers and donations. However, the Wednesday Social continues at Vagabond Blues in Palmer at 5 p.m.

Juneau Pride Chorus begins rehearsing again on September 7, on Tuesday evenings 5:15 – 6:45 p.m. Potential new members are welcome to attend rehearsals. Email Juneau Pride Chorus for information.

Anchorage events

Come to a Meet & Greet at Bernie’s Bungalow on August 18, 5-7:30 p.m. to celebrate Alaska’s LGBT community and the 25th anniversary of Pride Foundation, a northwest organization that helps local LGBT projects and people through grants and scholarships. A 21+ event.

Northern Exposure 2010 is Alaska’s first educational SM and Leather convention, Aug 20-22. Three days of workshops, classes, parties and meals. Register at NE2010. (This is not specifically LGBT, but is a GLBT-friendly event.)

The gay and lesbian bowling league of Anchorage is getting ready to start another season. Our first league meeting is Sunday August 29 at Jewel Lake Bowl at 4 p.m., and our first day of bowling is September 12. Contact the Northern Exposure Bowling League.

The Imperial Court’s Coronation is traditionally held on Labor Day weekend, and Alaska Coronation 38 – “Kickin’ it old School…Back to our Roots” will be Sept. 2-6 in Anchorage. Visit the ICOAA for the schedule and tickets.

The annual Alaska Pride Conference is coming up: October 8-10 at Alaska Pacific University.

Team Alaska wins 13 medals at Gay Games

Monday, 9 August 2010 – 5:27 AM | 2 Comments

The results are in from the 2010 Gay Games in Cologne, Germany, and Team Alaska kicked butt! Five gay and lesbian athletes and four supporters traveled from Alaska to Germany as Team Alaska, competing in squash, martial arts, road racing and sport shooting. Their medal count is impressive.

David Boies takes down FRC’s Tony Perkins

Sunday, 8 August 2010 – 2:35 PM | 2 Comments

While Ted Olson was on Fox News explaining the Bill of Rights to Chris Wallace, David Boies spent Sunday morning on Face The Nation ripping Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, the loons who are afraid that gays will ride on trains. Boies on FRC’s fake evidence: “That’s just MADE UP. That’s just JUNK SCIENCE.”

Ted Olson explains Prop 8 ruling on Fox

Sunday, 8 August 2010 – 11:31 AM | Comments Off

Attorney Ted Olson was a guest on the Sunday morning Fox show to discuss the Prop 8 ruling. Host Chris Wallace pitches the usual far right talking points and Olson hits them out of the park. Best line: “Would you like Fox’s right to free press put up to a vote?”