Articles in News
Withrow Wins RAW Story Contest
The winners of the RAW Short Story Contest 2009 are (… drumroll … )
1st Place ($500, publication and an invite to read at Celebration) – Frayed Yellow Rope by Wendy Withrow
2nd Place ($300) – She Remembers on a Cold Summer Day by Brianna Dym
3rd Place (tie, $50 each) – Tomorrow by Alix Layton and Gestures by Marilyn Conner
Honorable Mentions –
The Crinoline Revolution or Searching for Regina’s Vagina by Terrilyn F. Watts
Moving Mountains by S.P. Horton
The Thing That Killed Her by Karis Koett
Pathways of Desire by Jean Anderson
Holding Pattern by EJ Essic
Thunderstorm by Annette Baker
Congratulations to everyone who submitted a story!
Celebration of Change, Radical Arts for Women’s annual performing arts event and fundraiser, is June 13, 2009 in the Wilda Marston Theater at Loussac Library in Anchorage. Visit RAW for more information and to get involved.
The Naked Ptarmigan, the queer Alaska journal that published several of last year’s contest stories, is now accepting email submissions year-round.
“Gender identity” added to Fairbanks school policies
Fairbanks North Star Borough School District passed a motion to include “gender identity” as a protected group in their non-discrimination and anti-harassment policies — the first school district in Alaska to do so.
Fairbanks NSB school board vs. PTA president on gender identity
In a first for Alaska, the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District is set to add gender identity to its non-discrimination and anti-harassment policies — over the objections of the PTA president of the school that asked for advice on the policy.
An Unlike Ally
William Saltonstall, a former Massachusetts state senator who died last month at the age of 81, was an outspoken ally of LGBT equality, in part because of his daughter and grandson who live in Palmer.
Saltonstall was a staunch Republican who served in the legislature from 1966 to 1978. He became an advocate for LGBT rights in the last decade of his life.
In 2000, he began speaking out against opponents of gay adoption and same-sex marriage. He wrote letters, donated money and lobbied for marriage equality. In 2006, Saltonstall changed his party affiliation to democrat. “I’ve been active in the gay rights movement, because my daughter is gay – she lives in Alaska – and the party has not been favorable to people like her,” he told the Boston Globe.
Abigail, her partner Chris and their three children live in Palmer and own Half Moon Creek art gallery in Anchorage.
What do you know about LGBT Alaska?
Art, politics, entertainment, sports, religion – share your knowledge of LGBT Alaska on the blog. Interview your friends, review our shows, give good advice or spread outrageous rumors! It’s time to expand the blog and bring in more writers who represent different voices within our community. Send your ideas to Bent Alaska and see your byline on line. Thanks!
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?
Alaskans Attend Creating Change
Creating Change 2009, The 21st National Conference on LGBT Equality, runs Wednesday through Sunday in Denver, and two Alaskan leaders are attending this year.
“I am excited about Creating Change,” wrote Tiffany McClain. “I’m really hoping that I learn something I can put to use in the campaign for Equality Works.”
Tiffany is managing the Equality Works campaign “to protect Anchorage residents from discrimination and harassment, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.” She is the LGBT Coordinator for the ACLU of Alaska, and the Secretary of Alaskans Together for Equality.
“Identity is sending me to Creating Change,” wrote Scott Turner, co-chair of Identity, Inc. “I will do my best to bring back plenty of good info on things we are working on locally.”
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) sponsors and organizes Creating Change, “the nation’s pre-eminent political, leadership and skills-building conference for the LGBT social justice movement.”
This isn’t the first year that Alaskan activists have attended the national conference.
“Creating Change was very educational for me every time I went,” wrote Elias Rojas, also of Alaskans Together. “I think for Alaskans it offers understanding of the bigger GLBT issues that are happening across the country and the trends and issues.”
“Any Alaskan that makes it to the conference will come back with a fresh perspective.”
Town Hall to End Discrimination
Do you believe that all Anchorage workers deserve to be judged solely on their qualifications and merits of their work?
Do you believe that all Alaskans deserve protection from discrimination or harassment, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity?
Do you believe that no Alaskan should have to deny who they are in order to keep a job or an apartment?
Are you ready to bring change to Anchorage?
Join us for a Town Hall Meeting for LGBT Community Members & Allies
When: Wednesday, February 11, 2009, 7 p.m.
Where: Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 2311 Pembroke Street (near the Intersection of E. 24th and Boniface).
What: Learn about the current state of civil rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, & transgender people in Alaska, learn about Equality Works and our plans for protecting all Alaskans from discrimination, and learn what you can do to bring equality to Anchorage! (Need a ride? Contact Tiffany)
Who is Equality Works?
Equality Works is a group of individuals and organizations working together to protect Anchorage residents from discrimination and harassment, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Our Coalition: Alaskans Together for Equality, Alliance for Reproductive Justice-Alaska, American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska, Anchorage Education Association, Identity, Inc., Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Metropolitan Community Church of Anchorage, and National Association of Social Workers-Alaska Chapter
Gay & Lesbian TV and Radio in Alaska
Do you want Alaska’s public radio and television stations to air programs for Gay Pride Month in June and Gay History Month in Oct?
Do you want to hear “This Way Out” on statewide radio, and watch “In The Life” on local television?
Would you support a locally hosted LGBT radio show?
Ask and you might receive. The public radio station KSKA is asking listeners to suggest new program ideas, so now is a good time to request LGBT radio shows and topics.
KSKA does not currently broadcast any monthly or weekly gay programs, but they have in the past. They mention LGBT Alaskans about once a year. (This interview is about the one gay AK story for 2008.)
The radio station is also connected to KAKM, the public television station. KAKM used to air the national LGBT news magazine “In The Life.”
Last April, they aired the documentary “Anyone & Everyone” with a half hour response filmed by KTOO in Juneau. That may have been the only LGBT program to air on Alaska’s public television station in 2008.
Public radio and tv stations in other states plan LGBT programming every year for Pride Month in June and Gay History Month in Oct. Talk show hosts often interview local LGBT organizers before the local PrideFests and National Coming Out Day events.
Email KSKA or use their online contact form and suggest more LGBT programs for 2009.
Celebration of Change calls for Performers and Art
The 25th Anniversary of Celebration of Change will be June 13 at 7 p.m. at the Wilda Marston Theatre, ZJ Loussac Library, Anchorage, Alaska. Tickets will be available May 1, 2009. We’ll also have an Art Show this year.
Call for Performers: Radical Arts for Women invites all women to showcase their talents at Celebration of Change on June 13 at the Wilda Marston Theatre. Celebration welcomes singers, dancers, poets, actors, comedians and more. First-time performers are encouraged to apply. Backstage volunteers and participants in the opening piece are also needed. Apply by May 30. For more information, visit www.radicalartsforwomen.org.
Call for Art: Female visual artists are invited to submit their work for the inaugural Celebration of Change Art Show, which will be June 5-29 at the Kodiak Bar and Grill. Drop off entries June 3 after 3 p.m. For entry form and more information, visit www.radicalartsforwomen.org.
