Friday, 19 June 2009 – 11:04 PM
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Finally, the event we’ve been waiting for: Saturday, June 20 is the Anchorage PRIDEFEST, with the Diversity Parade at 11 a.m., Pride on the Park Strip at noon, and DJ’s spinning tunes after the show.
The Celebrating Diversity Parade includes floats, marching contingents, music, a motorcycle/bicycle group and spectators cheering along the route. The Parade will start downtown at 6th and D, march west on 6th to K, zigzag to 9th, then travel west to the end of the Park Strip. The route map is on the PrideFest
Links page.
The Anchorage PrideFest 2009 Parade
Grand Marshals are M.E. Rider and Victoria Shaver.
The
Festival on the Park Strip will feature live entertainment throughout the day. The high-energy, all-ages lineup will include musicians, dancers, drag performers, slam poets, and more. The Festival is located west of the Rose Garden this year, at the far west end of the Park Strip.
The Marketplace will include many local vendors, including GLBT service organizations, local restaurants and food vendors, arts and crafts vendors, and Pride merchandise. We encourage you to support these vendors who support the Alaska GLBT community in so many ways.
See you there!
Friday, 19 June 2009 – 3:20 PM
| Comments Off on This Week in LGBT Alaska 6/19/09 – PRIDEFEST Saturday!
The event you’ve been waiting for: Saturday is PRIDEFEST, with the Diversity Parade at 11 a.m., Pride on the Park Strip at 2 p.m., and DJ Dan spinning tunes after the show. Check the official Pride Week schedule for updates. The route is different this year and the map is on the PrideFest Links page.
Juneau
SEAGLA Social Fridays (6-8 p.m.) for GLBT people and our friends over 21, at The Imperial Bar, downtown.
Gay Pride Picnic Celebration at Skater’s Cabin 6/20, 2-7 p.m. SEAGLA
National HIV Testing Week 6/23-6/27 Four A’s is offering free HIV testing June 23-27 at various locations around Juneau.
Mat-Su Valley
Come to Anchorage PrideFest on Saturday, June 20. Mat-Su LGBT Community Center in Palmer is open M-F 5-8 p.m. (except 6-8 on Wed.) The social group meets Wednesdays, 5-6 p.m. at Vagabond Blues. Harmony Choir meets at the Center on Thursdays, 6:30 p.m.
Homer
Hedwig and the Angry Inch, 6/19-6/21 at 8 p.m. Live performance starring Atz Lee Kilcher as Hedwig, with a 5-piece band, at the Best Western Bidarka Inn. A benefit for Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic. Opening night $50, other shows $15.
Anchorage
Mr/Ms/Miss Gay Anchorage 2009-2010 competition, 6/19 at 8 p.m. Mad Myrna’s. $3
Midnight Soapscum at Out North, Fridays & Saturdays 6/19-7/18, 10:30 p.m.
Diversity Parade and Festival on the Park Strip, Saturday, June 20.
An Evening of Musical Entertainment 6/20, 8 p.m. Kevin Holtz with GMK and Company. Mad Myrna’s. $10.
10th Annual Allie’s Slave for a Date Auction, 6/20, 9 p.m. $5 at the Kodiak Bar.
Coffee Date showing at the Museum 6/20 & 6/21, 6 p.m.
Pride Week Reception: Celebrating Marriage 6/21, 2 p.m.-2 a.m. at Bernie’s Bungalow. Hosts: 2-3pm Identity, 3-4pm The Imperial Court of All Alaska, 4-5pm GLSEN.
National HIV Testing Week 6/20-6/27 Four A’s is offering free HIV testing.
Pride Weekend Worship with MCC Anchorage 6/21, 2 p.m. Music, scripture, and message titled “Fear N Faith.”
Free BBQ at the Kodiak 6/21, 8 p.m. with Speed Dating and Kissing Booths.
Transgender Support Group, Sundays 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the GLCCA.
Anchorage Frontrunners, Tuesdays, 6 p.m.
Gov. Sarah Palin has ignored a Gay Pride Month proclamation submitted by Anchorage PrideFest, but a proposal to add “sexual orientation” to the city’s non-discrimination policies caught the attention of Wasilla fundamentalists, who arrived in busloads to testify at an Anchorage hearing on Tuesday while their children protested outside.
Children opposed to the equal rights ordinance lined the entrances to the parking lot and building during the meeting, wearing red shirts and carrying mass produced signs from the Alaska Family Council.
Palin’s hometown of Wasilla is not part of the Anchorage Municipality, but perhaps opponents could not find enough anti-gay Anchorage residents willing to testify against their neighbors and coworkers.
Before the hearing, Anchorage PrideFest sent a
Pride Month proclamation to Gov. Palin, inviting her to attend the annual Parade & Festival on June 20. Palin has not responded, although she has proclaimed Flag Day, Fishing Week and Auburn Founders Day in honor of Auburn, New York, so far for June.
The proclamation asks Palin to declare June as Gay Pride Month and to “urge all citizens of Alaska to join me in celebrating diversity by attending, supporting, recognizing, and respecting Anchorage PrideFest 2009 activities and events.”
On June 1, President Obama
declared June 2009 as LGBT Pride Month, stating support for measures like “outlawing discrimination in the workplace,” a subject covered by the proposed Anchorage equal rights ordinance.
The ordinance,
AO 2009-64(S), adds “sexual orientation” to the list of groups protected against discrimination in employment, housing, financing, education, public accommodations and municipal business. The original proposal was revised by the mayor to address concerns by religious opponents, but
opponents still object, saying “the term “sexual orientation” is not acceptable in any discrimination ordinance.”
Wasilla residents do not pay property taxes to Anchorage, nor do they vote for our Assembly members. However, a suggestion to limit testimony to Anchorage residents was turned down by the Assembly Chair.
Please join us at the next hearing on the equal rights ordinance on Tuesday, June 16, at Loussac Library. Doors open at 3, the meeting begins at 5 p.m. and ordinance testimony is likely to run from 7-11. Come early if you want a seat inside. Everyone is invited to share food and music at a Potluck for the People, on the Library lawn. Anchorage residents are encouraged to
write to our Assembly members and ask them to
vote YES on the Equal Rights Ordinance.
The Assembly has also scheduled a hearing for Wednesday, June 17, from 4-10 p.m.
In addition to planning a full week of Pride activities, Anchorage PrideFest 2009 has asked Gov. Sarah Palin to proclaim June as Gay Pride Month in Alaska, like President Obama proclaimed June LGBT Pride Month throughout the United States.
A few days later, Jasmine Stokes of Identity and Anchorage PrideFest, sent similar Gay Pride Month proclamations to Gov. Sarah Palin and Mayor Matt Claman, inviting both to join the LGBT community for the Anchorage
Diversity Parade and Pride Festival on June 20. Neither has responded.
Anchorage Pride Week runs June 13-21, with the Parade and Festival on the Park Strip on Saturday. The
full schedule of PrideFest 09 includes movies, a play, religious services, a reception, and the choosing of this year’s Mr/Ms/Miss Gay Anchorage.
Here is the introductory letter to Gov. Palin and the Gay Pride Month Proclamation for the State of Alaska:
June 4, 2009
Governor Sarah Palin
State of Alaska
P.O. Box 110001
Juneau, AK 99811-0001
RE: Gay Pride Month Proclamation
Dear Governor Palin:
Identity, Inc. is an Alaska 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that, in addition to providing a number of services to the LGBT community in Anchorage, has also hosted Anchorage PrideFest each June for more than 20 years. Each year the Celebrating Diversity Parade and Festival on the Park Strip are big hits, drawing visitors, residents and eager participants. Throughout the city people feel a sense of pride and joy at being able to express the great diversity found here in Anchorage and the entire state of Alaska.
This year our theme is “The Last Queer Frontier” in honor of the state of Alaska that has and continues to be home to so many people who have done amazing things for the LGBT community, and also to bring attention to how the community has grown in its level of confidence despite various trials. It also pays respect to our Governor and the administration which has chosen to be progressive and accepting despite the many difficulties of taking the right stand.
The Pride Festival and Parade are scheduled for June 20, 2009. As you know, President Barack Obama has recently signed and announced a proclamation declaring June LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender) Pride Month. In honor of both his proclamation as the leader of the nation and the 40th Anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, it would be inspiring to have you show your support. I have enclosed a proclamation declaring June as Gay Pride Month in the State of Alaska that I invite you to personally announce. I would also like to extend the invitation, as always, to join the LGBT community in celebration.
If you have any questions about Anchorage PrideFest 2009, please contact me [phone number removed] or via email through the Anchorage PrideFest web site.
Sincerely,
Identity, Inc.
Jasmine Stokes
Publicity Chair, Anchorage PrideFest 2009
State of Alaska
Proclamation
Whereas, Alaska is a state composed of a great variety of diverse peoples, cultures, religions, sexual orientations, languages and customs; and
WHEREAS, a society can only define itself as democratic and truly strong once there is an equal participation of all the community in any social, economic, and political activities; and
WHEREAS, the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered communities have contributed to the state of Alaska through active involvement in economic and cultural progress despite and in the face of active discrimination; and
WHEREAS, Anchorage PrideFest and Parade of 2009 is scheduled for June 20, 2009; and
WHEREAS, In June of 2009 the entirety of the United States finds itself approaching the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, a pivotal event in the development of gay rights and the establishment of a unified effort to rectify the wrongs experienced by those who endured that time; and
WHEREAS, the State of Alaska respects and values the dignity of all of its citizens;
NOW, THEREFORE, I Sarah Palin, Governor of Alaska, do hereby proclaim the month of June 2009 as:
GAY PRIDE MONTH
And strongly urge all citizens of Alaska to join me in celebrating diversity by attending, supporting, recognizing, and respecting Anchorage PrideFest 2009 activities and events.
______________________________
GOVERNOR
Saturday, 13 June 2009 – 9:36 AM
| Comments Off on Know Your Status on National HIV Testing Week
The Four A’s will be marching in the PrideFest parade on Saturday, June 20th. “Come out and join our marching unit, themed Mission Possible: Know Your Status. Wear your camoflauge and help us encourage people to get tested to Know Their Status!”
LGBT Pride Week 6/13-6/21
Anchorage Pride Week begins on June 13 and continues all week. The Diversity Parade and the Festival on the Park Strip are on Saturday, June 20. Check the
PrideFest schedule for the list of fabulous Pride Week events!
This week’s events:
Juneau
SEAGLA Social Fridays (6-8 p.m.) at The Imperial Bar.
Gay Men’s Hike 6/14, 9:45 a.m.
Mat-Su Valley
Mat-Su LGBT Community Center in Palmer is open M-F 5-8 p.m. (except 6-8 on Wed.) The social group meets Wednesdays, 5-6 p.m. at Vagabond Blues. Harmony Choir meets at the Center on Thursdays, 6:30 p.m.
Anchorage
Anchorage Pride Week 6/13-6/21
Side Street Saturdays, noon in Side Street Cafe.
Gay Memorial Service 6/13, 11 a.m.
Celebration of Change Silver Anniversary show 6/13, 7 p.m.
Sunday worship with MCC Anchorage, 6/14, 2 p.m.
Transgender Support Group, Sundays 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the GLCCA.
Outrage at the Bear Tooth 6/15 at 5:30 & 7:45 p.m.
Anchorage Frontrunners, Tuesdays, 6 p.m.
Pride Week Poetry Parley at Out North 6/17, 7 p.m.
Drag Queen Bingo with Four A’s 6/18, 7 p.m.
Poltergay at the Bear Tooth 6/18
Wednesday, 10 June 2009 – 5:35 PM
| Comments Off on Alaska Pride 2009
Alaska is celebrating LGBT Pride in Anchorage, Juneau, Fairbanks, and Homer this summer, with a variety of events beginning on June 13.
On June 1, President Obama proclaimed June 2009 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. For the last few years, Anchorage has declared the third Saturday in June as Gay Pride Day, and then Mayor, now Senator Mark Begich read the proclamation from the Festival stage.
Anchorage Pride Week 6/13-6/21
Anchorage Pride Week 2009: “The Last Queer Frontier” runs June 13-21, with the Diversity Parade and Festival on the Park Strip on Saturday, June 20. The full schedule of PrideFest 09 includes movies, a play, religious services, a reception, and the choosing of this year’s Mr/Ms/Miss Gay Anchorage.
Juneau Gay Men’s Hike 6/14, and Gay Pride Picnic at Skater’s Cabin 6/20
Juneau is celebrating LGBT Pride Month with a Gay Men’s Hike up West Glacier Trail on June 14, and a Gay Pride Picnic Celebration at Skater’s Cabin on June 20.
West Glacier hike is mostly moderate with a little bit of rock scrambling, but not technical. Please dress for the weather, and wear appropriate foot wear and clothing. Bring a day pack with your own drinking water, trail or energy snacks, and a sandwich. The round trip should take about 6 hours with an hour break at the glacier. Meet at the trail head next to Skater’s Cabin at 9:45 am and depart promptly at 10:00 am.
The Gay Pride Picnic Celebration at Skater’s Cabin is on June 20, 2-7 p.m. Everyone in the LGBTA community is invited. Please bring a side dish, and SEAGLA will provide burgers and some beverages. Glass containers are prohibited. This year’s Pride Picnic is sponsored by SEAGLA, PFLAG, Alaskans Together, Juneau-Douglass GSA, and the Imperial Court of All Alaska.
Homer: Hedwig and the Angry Inch 6/19-6/21, and PFLAG in the July 4th Parade
The queer show “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” is being performed live with a five-piece band at the Best Western Bidarka Inn as a benefit for Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic, Homer’s gay-friendly clinic. Tickets for opening night are $50, other performances $15, and are available at the Homer Bookstore and KBFPC. There is a discount for KBFPC members.
Also, the new Homer PFLAG chapter has decided to make a float for the local July 4th parade this year, and the entire LGBTA community is invited participate.
Fairbanks PFLAG in the Golden Days Parade 6/25
Fairbanks PFLAG will march in the Golden Days Grand Parade on July 25, starting at the Carlson Center, and the LGBTA community is invited to help carry the historic rainbow flag again this year. There will be an LGBT picnic after the parade.
It has become a tradition for the PFLAG contingent to carry a forty-five-foot rainbow flag from Key West, Florida, a segment of the longest gay pride flag ever made, in the Fairbanks Golden Days Parade.
“This will be PFLAG’s third year in the parade, and the Chamber, the city, and the crowds have been really good about us being a part,” writes Pete of Fairbanks PFLAG. “PFLAG is also planning a booth for the Tanana Valley State Fair again this August.”
Monday, 8 June 2009 – 10:42 AM
| Comments Off on Anchorage Pride Week 2009 Schedule
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Saturday June 13
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- 7:00 pm – Celebration of Change – Wilda Marston Theatre. Tickets $15 available at GLCCA and Metro
- 11:00 am – Gay Memorial Service, Anchorage Memorial Park Cemetery (6th & Fairbanks St, enter off Fairbanks St)
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Sunday June 14
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- 4:00 pm – Kickoff BBQ at The Raven (708 E 4th Ave), free, 21 & over
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Monday June 15
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Wednesday June 17
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- 7:00 pm – Film: Double feature of “James Baldwin’s poetry” and “Gertrude Stein’s Poetry” Out North (Debarr & Bragaw), There is no charge. www.outnorth.org
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Thursday June 18
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Friday June 19
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- 9:00 pm – Mr/Ms/Miss Gay Anchorage. Come see who will be Mr/Ms/Miss Gay Anchorage 2009-20010! Details to follow…
- 9:00 pm – Female mudwrestling, $5 Cover. Anyone can compete. Kodiak Bar
- 10:30 pm – Midnight Soapscum at Out North. The dates for Midnight Soapscum are Fridays and Saturdays from June 19th through July 18th with “The Big Gay Wedding” episode on July 18th at 7:00 pm followed by the Season Finale at 10:30 pm. For tickets and more info contact Out North. Tickets are $15 online at www.outnorth.org or at the door. Groups of 10 can be purchased at a discounted rate of $10 per ticket by calling 907.279.8099. Out North Theatre is located at 3800 Debarr Road.
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Saturday June 20
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- 11:00 am – Celebrating Diversity Parade through downtown Anchorage.
- 12 noon – 6:00 pm Pride on the Park Strip Festival on the Park Strip (far west end of the parkstrip, west of the rose garden), free admission, bring $ for food & vendors.
- 6:00 pm – Movie at the Museum. Coffee Date US Comedy 91 min.
- 9:00 pm – 10th Annual Allie’s Slave for a Date Auction, Cover $5, Kodiak Bar
- 10:30 pm – Midnight Soapscum at Out North. The dates for Midnight Soapscum are Fridays and Saturdays from June 19th through July 18th with “The Big Gay Wedding” episode on July 18th at 7:00 pm followed by the Season Finale at 10:30 pm. For tickets and more info contact Out North. Tickets are $15 online at www.outnorth.org or at the door. Groups of 10 can be purchased at a discounted rate of $10 per ticket by calling 907.279.8099. Out North Theatre is located at 3800 Debarr Road.
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Sunday June 21
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- 2:00 pm – 2:00 am – “Pride Week Reception: Celebrating Marriage” Join the fun from early in the afternoon to early in the morning. Party Hosts: 2-3pm Identity, 3-4pm The Imperial Court of All Alaska 4-5pm GLSEN
- 2:00 pm – MCC Anchorage (2222 E Tudor Rd A-Frame Chapel at St Mary’s Episcopal Church) Pride Weekend Worship: Music, Scripture, and Message entitiled:”Fear N Faith” Communion and social time after worship. Please come worship with us.
- 6:00 pm – Movie at the Museum. Coffee Date US Comedy 91 min.
- 8:00 pm – Free BBQ at Kodiak. Speed Dating, Kissing Booths
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Saturday, 6 June 2009 – 10:30 PM
| Comments Off on Fire Victims say Thank You, Pride T-shirts on Sale, & SOSAnchorage.Net
Gay AK: Notes from LGBT Alaska
Congratulations to the people of New Hampshire, which became the 6th state in the U.S. to legalize same sex marriage.
Community pulls together for gay fire victims
The fundraiser for Garfield and Alvin, who lost their home in the Spenard fire on Memorial Day “was a HUGE success! We raised over $2,000 and received a number of gift cards,” wrote Bear, the contact person for donations. “In addition, a ‘ton’ of items was brought in for them (small appliances, clothes, dishes, blankets, etc.) I still have people contacting me to help out. The latest is that a couple is giving them a large color tv. And there are others who are waiting until the guys get settled so that they can donate more household things. This whole project has been litteraly amazing!”
“Garfield and Alvin cannot believe how this turned out. They found a place to live on June 1st. They both are doing much better in the attitude department and are very appreciative of everything that everyone has done for them. They say that every day things are getting better.” The men will sort through the donated items and decide what they can use and what they will pass on to other community members in need.
“Thank you all for your love and support of each other,” added Mary Bess Bohall. “Together we made a huge impact with this fundraiser. Together we can make a huge impact for our community. Thank you to all.”
PrideFest t-shirts on sale at the Center
The shirts for
Anchorage PrideFest 2009 are on sale downtown at the
Community Center. Check out the full calendar for the many wonderful
Pride Week events! If you want to host an event, make sure you have contacted the Anchorage PrideFest committee. Vendor? Volunteer? Marching Unit? Find the information to participate in this year’s activities on the
LINKS tab of the website. We can’t wait to join you on the Park Strip for a Celebration of Anchorage, The Last Queer Frontier!
Trans-inclusive nondiscrimination laws
SOSAnchorage.Com vs. SOSAnchorage.Net
“The purpose of Anchorage Ordinance AO NO. 2009-64 is very simply stated and long overdue for our community; it extends protection from workplace discrimination to include sexual orientation. However, Rev. Jerry Prevo of the Anchorage Baptist Temple has vowed to strike down the ordinance, using all the powers of his congregation and bully pulpit. A website has emerged,
www.sosanchorage.com, which highlights all the ‘damage’ that workplace equality will wreak upon our city. My fiance and I have erected a counter-website at
www.sosanchorage.net to highlight the blatant falsehoods and misleading information. Please, check out sosanchorage.com to view the fearmongering, and then head over to sosanchorage.net and help us get the facts out! Tell your friends, and keep this going. June 9th is right around the corner.”
“OfficeMax Celebrates Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Pride Month: Embracing Inclusion” reads the rainbow poster displayed in the break room of the OfficeMax store on Penland Parkway in Anchorage.
“My company OfficeMax made this June LGBT Pride Month!” enthused Chris Oeser on the
Anchorage PrideFest‘s Facebook wall. “I am so proud to work there! What a good company!”
Chris, who is running for Mr. Gay Anchorage, asked his employer for this show of support.
“I called the corporate office and put in a suggestion on how to be more diverse and more work friendly for the month of June. Our work is all about cultural diversity and working inclusive with each other, and they pride themselves on doing that. I am so proud to work for a company who promotes LGBT Pride and has a clear view on how different we really are but at the same time appreciates us.”
OfficeMax is one of many corporations that supports diversity at the national level and has branches in Alaska. Employers in Alaska like BP, Wells Fargo, UPS, Alaska Airlines, AT&T and J.C. Penney scored 100% on
HRC’s Corporate Equality Index. But do these companies openly support diversity in the local stores?
You tell me – Do you work for a local branch of a company that supports diversity at the national level? Do they also support diversity at the local level? Do they celebrate June as LGBT Pride Month?
If not, take a cue from Chris and suggest that your employer celebrate Pride Month here in Alaska.
If they agree, or already recognize Pride, please send the company name to
Bent Alaska. I’ll post a list of local stores and branches that celebrate LGBT Pride. The first national company on the new “Pride at Work in Alaska” list is OfficeMax. Congratulations!
Who is next? Show pride in those diversity policies, and show the people of this city and state what many corporations already know – that support for diversity is good business!
