Articles in Pride
Human Arch Reflects Love and Acceptance for All Families
“Jump the Broom” celebrated love and acceptance with over 130 supporters on Oct 5th in Juneau, and $1300 was raised to help keep marriage legal and equal in California. Our $1300 doubled into $2600 when it was matched by another donor on arrival in California. Beyond that, some of you donated on line, and the total generated was well over $3000.
Thanks to so many of you who came hours early in your party clothes and helped set up. To those of you who created yummy potluck items, brought fabrics, table cloths, silver party favors, and rainbows galore, thank you.
It was truly a lifetime highlight walking through the human arch of love and acceptance. To all the broom jumpers, all the celebratory dancers and arch makers, your love and support are tenderly held.
Some have stopped us on the street since, asking if we can make this an annual activity. It’s not a bad idea to celebrate and be reminded of love, acceptance and equality on a regular basis!
Sadly, our nation lost the right for all couples to marry in California on Nov. 4 with the passage of Proposition 8. (Stay tuned at equalityforall.com, hrc.org, and pfaw.org for ways you can help fight this discrimination.)
So we may need to do that arch of love and acceptance again and again, letting it grow until all are included and equal in our nation. If any of you want to plan the next one in Juneau, or one for your community, we’d be happy to share our expertise. Perhaps we can have arches of love and support all over our state in 2009, or all over our nation.
Eighteen years ago, when we first married in California with no legal significance or recognition, our Dads were still alive and one of them said, “What we wish for you, is that barriers will fall away for you and people like you, and that you may have all the love you have for one another reflected back to you, all the days of your lives.”
His words were a cherished wedding gift. Now, dear Juneau friends, and supporters and family, you have given us a reflection of that love, a very powerful gift, keeping the words of Frank Longworth alive and believable, even at this very tender time. Thank you.
We are grateful to all of you.
Mo and Lin,
Juneau, Alaska
– Photo of Mo and Lin just legally married at San Francisco City Hall, Sept. 15, 2008, exactly eighteen years after their original (non-legal) wedding. Congratulations!
Elias in LA with NO on 8: A Dead Heat in the Polls, Every Vote Counts
Elias Rojas, from Anchorage, is in California to help the NO on 8 campaign. If it passes, Proposition 8 will eliminate same-sex marriage in California.
Same-sex marriage has been legal in California since May 5, and there is no residency requirement. Thousands of gay and lesbian couples from all over the country have been legally married there during the past six months, including couples from Alaska.
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An Alaskan in California: Working to Defeat Prop. 8.
I just landed at Los Angeles International Airport. It’s about 70 degrees. I’m excited to be involved in the final days of the campaign to defeat this anti-gay constitutional amendment.
The election is now 72 hours away. Apparently, the Yes side sent a misleading message claiming that Obama and Biden support the elimination of same-sex marriage in California. This is a flat out lie! The opposition will do anything to win this vote.
A new poll shows 49% of California voters oppose the constitutional amendment and 44% support it, with 7% undecided. Support for gay issues is usually overstated by 5-7%, so it’s going to be very close.
Because this race is basically a dead heat, the side that gets more of their backers to the polls on Election Day will probably win. Over 7,000 people statewide have volunteered to help us get out the vote on Nov. 4.
I will arrive at the campaign office later tonight. I plan to send a quick update to you each night.
There is still time to donate to the NO on 8 campaign. Please visit the Alaska Fundraising page at: http://eqfed.org/equalityforall/fundraising/erojas2001-669616
In addition to giving, please call everyone you know in California and urge them to vote NO on Prop 8! This campaign could be decided by a few thousand votes.
Support Identity with Work Place Giving
Identity, Inc. is now approved as a Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) charity. If you are a federal employee, you can choose Identity as the non-profit to benefit from a donation withheld from your pay check. Supporters can also donate to Identity from your PFD checks if you apply online for the 2009 PFD.
Here are four easy ways you can support Identity, Inc, sponsors of the Gay and Lesbian Community Center in Anchorage, the Pride Conference and PrideFest:
1. UNITED WAY – WORK PLACE GIVING: In Health & Human Services, write in “Identity, Inc.”
2. ALASKA COMMUNITY SHARE – WORK PLACE GIVING: Simply select Identity, Inc.
3. COMBINED FEDERAL CAMPAIGN – WORK PLACE GIVING: Federal Workers select Identity Inc.
4. ALASKA PERMANENT FUND: Identity, Inc. is an approved charity for selection when you apply on line for 2009.
If you indicate that your name may be disclosed to us, you will receive a thank you letter when your contributions are received at Identity, Inc.
An Anchor in Alaska: Being an Ally
When I first became active in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community, I went to great lengths to discreetly indicate my sexual orientation to those I worked with. I didn’t join the Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) during my first year in my 7-12 high school because I feared others would think I was gay. Four years later, I look back at my flawed seventh-grade reasoning and realize my work will someday create a world where such a thought would never have occurred to me—a world that sees people for who they are, not who they love.
I am fortunate to live in a community where LGBT people are commonly accepted. My experience in Anchorage, Alaska is not a place where funerals are protested or marchers are harassed during Pride Parades. Instead, it is a place where the Gay and Lesbian Community Center is open daily thanks to donors and volunteers. I attend a school where the GSA meets sporadically—not because the students don’t care, but because there is no blatant anti-LGBT harassment. While a younger student will occasionally use “that’s so gay” in a negative manner, I have never heard of someone being verbally or physically harassed for any reason, including sexual orientation or gender identity. It’s certainly not perfect, but I realize that being an ally is much easier for me than it is for others.
Still, like other allied students, I have had some difficult experiences. I have had “faggot” yelled at me from the open window of a passing school bus. Friends become exasperated with me for being offended at the saying “that’s so gay.” Other GSA members have asked, “How can you be so active with the GSA and still be straight?” But I know that these few things pale in comparison to the harassment and prejudice some of my friends face in their schools and communities.
Anti-LGBT harassment hurts everyone, not just the offender and the harassed. Environments of teasing, bullying, and harassment discourage learning and cause LGBT students and allies to feel alienated in places where they should be safe. Allowing it to continue fosters hate and intolerance, and has severe effects on those it is directed to and any witnesses as well. It also discourages students from attending class and participating.
I know that even as an ally, every time I hear hurtful and harassing words I feel as if I have been personally attacked. I feel hurt for my LGBT friends and angry that the offender would do/say something like that. If it’s on TV or in a non-personal setting, I feel angry that the broadcaster would allow such things, and that whoever watching (because it isn’t me) will watch that. In certain situations, even I sometimes feel helpless to stop it. It often ruins my day.
At times, it can seem like an exercise in futility. Some days it seems as if I am the only straight male who fights for the rights LGBT people. But every time I meet a member of the LGBT community, I am reminded of why I am an ally—because nobody deserves to be oppressed. Anti-LGBT harassment in any environment creates an unsafe place for a person to live, work or learn. Until all schools are safe spaces for all students, regardless of identity, I will remain an ally to my friends and all other members of the LGBT community.
Tony Glavinic
Regional Student Organizer
2006-2007 National Student Leadership Team
Regional Student Organizer
2006-2007 National Student Leadership Team
Do you have an ally story? Send a message to GLSEN’s Student Organizing Department at info@dayofsilence.org.
Ally Week: October 13-17, 2008
Allies play a vital role in making schools safer for all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. In fact, the first Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) was the idea of a straight ally.
Students created Ally Week as a way to build upon the unifying work GSAs do across the country by encouraging people to be allies against anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in schools. Whether you belong to a GSA or not, Ally Week is the perfect time for you and your friends to sign the Ally Pledge.
What is GLSEN’s Ally Week?
GLSEN and students across the county, often as members of Gay-Straight Alliances or similar student clubs, will celebrate Ally Week on October 13-17 in schools and communities nationwide.
Ally Week involves a week of activities designed to encourage students to be Allies against anti-LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) language, bullying and harassment in America’s schools.
Students plan events appropriate to their school community. These may simply include passing out stickers to allies who sign a pledge. Others may take part in larger community events and rallies. Many students will encourage their peers and school staff to sign an Ally Pledge which states:
I believe all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression, deserve to feel safe and supported. That means I pledge to:1. Not use anti-LGBT language and slurs;2. Intervene, if I safely can, in situations where other students are being harassed;3. Support efforts to end bullying and harassment.
GLSEN encourages students to participate in Ally Week in cooperation with their schools. We encourage students to get support from their principals and educators and participate fully in their school day. Principals, counselors, teachers and all school staff are encouraged to be Allies too!
Students and GSAs are strongly encouraged to register for GLSEN’s Ally Week in order to receive free resources and to help us determine the total number of schools and students taking part.
To register for Ally Week, visit: www.studentorganizing.org
Buttons and magnets for GLSEN’s Ally Week can be purchased online at www.glsenstore.org
To find resources, visit: www.allyweek.org
What is an Ally?
Often referred to as ‘straight allies,’ allies generally are non-LGBT people who are committed to ending bias and discrimination against LGBT people. While straight allies are an integral part of GLSEN’s Ally Week, the term “ally” is more inclusive within the Safe Schools Movement to refer to anyone who supports ending anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in schools. For instance, a bisexual adult can be an ally to LGBT students, and a lesbian student can be an ally to a transgender student.
Who started Ally Week?
In 2005, members of GLSEN’s Jump-Start National Student Leadership Team came up with an idea to celebrate Allies committed to ensuring safe and effective schools for all and to encourage students to take action. The idea turned into the first Ally Week celebrated in schools nationwide in October 2005.
This year, GSAs are working with GLSEN, local chapters and national student leaders to expand Ally Week and encourage more allies to take part.
Why do we need an Ally Week?
The unfortunate truth is that anti-LGBT bullying, violence and harassment are commonplace in America’s schools. Actual and perceived sexual orientation and gender expression are two of the top three reasons teens report that students are harassed at their schools, according to From Teasing to Torment: School Climate in America, a GLSEN-commissioned report by Harris Interactive. In other words, all students – LGBT and straight alike – perceive anti-LGBT bullying and harassment as a serious problem in their schools. The vast majority of these same students said their schools would be better off if this issue was better addressed. GLSEN’s 2005 National School Climate Survey found that 4 out of 5 LGBT students report verbal, sexual or physical harassment at school and more than 30% report missing at least a day of school in the past month out of fear for their personal safety. GLSEN’s Ally Week brings us closer to making anti-LGBT bullying, harassment and name-calling unacceptable in America’s schools.
Does the work end after the week is over?
GLSEN’s Ally Week is one element of a larger effort to create safe schools for all students and the first of four GLSEN Days of Action: TransACTION! (11/21), MLK Jr. Organizing Weekend (1/16-19) and the National Day of Silence (4/17). For more on GLSEN’s Days of Action, visit www.dayofsilence.org. We also are asking our national leaders to support policies that create safe schools for all. Many communities are asking their local and state leaders to support and implement similar policies.
What are the facts about sexual orientation?
GLSEN looks forward to engaging all organizations and individuals who share the Ally Week vision of schools free from anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment, where all students are free to focus on learning. To learn more, check out the resource Just the Facts About Sexual Orientation and Youth: A Primer for Principals, Educators, and School Personnel, created by a collations of 13 education, health, mental health and religious organizations at www.glsen.org/facts.
What is GLSEN?
GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students. Established nationally in 1995, GLSEN envisions a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. For more information on GLSEN’s educational resources, public policy agenda, student organizing programs, research, public education or development initiatives, visit www.glsen.org.
Key Resources and URLs:
GLSEN: www.glsen.org
Registration and resources: www.allyweek.org
Ally Week t-shirts, buttons, magnets and supplies: www.glsenstore.org
Register your GSA: www.studentorganizing.org
Just the Facts: www.glsen.org/facts
Research:
From Teasing to Torment: www.glsen.org/research
2005 National School Climate Survey: www.glsen.org/research
Registration and resources: www.allyweek.org
Ally Week t-shirts, buttons, magnets and supplies: www.glsenstore.org
Register your GSA: www.studentorganizing.org
Just the Facts: www.glsen.org/facts
Research:
From Teasing to Torment: www.glsen.org/research
2005 National School Climate Survey: www.glsen.org/research
2007 National School Climate Survey: Nearly 9 out of 10 LGBT Students Experience Harassment
National Coming Out Day: October 11, 2008
Every Oct. 11, thousands of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people and allies celebrate National Coming Out Day. We hold workshops, speak-outs, rallies and other kinds of events all aimed at showing the public that GLBT people are everywhere.
Come Out to Family, Friends and Co-Workers
Make a commitment to be honest about your sexual orientation or gender identity to those who know you. Polls continue to show that people who know someone gay are more likely to support full equality.
Come Out to Your Elected Officials and Local Newspapers
Write letters to your members of Congress, governor, state and city representatives, and to your local newspapers in support of GLBT-friendly legislation.
Attend the Pride Conference in Anchorage
Identity, Inc. is sponsoring the 14th annual Alaska Pride Conference on Saturday, October 11, 2008, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. People of all ages, cultures, sexualities and professions attend the conference each year to strengthen ties with one another and build community.
Why October 11?
On Oct. 11, 1987, 500,000 people attended the March on Washington for Lesbian & Gay Rights. This was the second such demonstration in DC, and the first display of the NAMES Project Quilt, remembering those who died from AIDS. Four months after the march, more than 100 LGBT activists from around the nation met near Washington, D.C. Recognizing that the GLBT community often reacted defensively to anti-gay actions, they came up with the idea of a national day to celebrate coming out, to be held on the anniversary of the second march on Washington.
This Week in GLBT Alaska – 10/10/08
Check out this week’s events from Alaska GLBT News.
For full listings, news briefs and up-coming events, subscribe to AGN.
October is GLBT History Month, October 11 is National Coming Out Day, and October 13-17 is GLSEN’s 4th annual Ally Week!
Fairbanks
LGBT & Allies at UAF, 10/14, 7:30 p.m.
Anchorage
Out is In – Alaska Pride Conference 2008, 10/11, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. UAA University Center Mall.
Mad Myrna’s 10th Anniversary Disco Party, 10/11, 6-8 p.m.
Body and Soul: Breast Cancer Awareness Performance Poetry, 10/11, 7 p.m. at Mad Myrna’s.
Join PFLAG Anchorage for the film “It’s Still Elementary” 10/16, 7 p.m. at Immanuel Presbyterian Church.
Craft and Chat, Thursdays 7-9 p.m. at the GLCCA.
Dear Governor Palin,
When your gay friend(s) came out to you, it was their sign of faith and hope for you as a caring and understanding person. It was their way to reach out for closer friendship, and deeper mutual respect.
Please show the same friendship and trust to all lesbian, gay, bi and trans Alaskans and sign the National Coming Out Day Proclamation.
We come out to be more honest, to be better friends, to be closer family members. Those are our family values – which your gay friends showed to you, and we hope you can now show them and all of us in return.
Sara Boesser
An out for honesty’s sake lesbian
Juneau, Alaska
Ask Gov. Palin to Reconsider our NCOD Proclamation
Gay Alaskans petitioned Gov. Sarah Palin to sign a proclamation for National Coming Out Day on October 11, but yesterday her office rejected the chance to support us. You can see the NCOD Proclamation here.
This is the note sent to Tim Stallard of Alaskans Together for Equality:
Dear Tim,
Thank you for requesting a proclamation designating October 11 as “National Coming Out Day.” Unfortunately, your request cannot be granted at this time. If you have any questions please contact the Governor’s Office at (907) 465-3500.
Again, thank you for writing and best wishes to you.
Best regards,
Jessalynn Rintala
Coordinator for Constituent Relations
Office of Governor Sarah Palin
Tim issued this call to action in response to the rejection:
The Governor’s office denied our request for the National Coming Out Day Proclamation. This was disappointing given Palin’s recent message of “Tolerance” during the VP candidates’ debate.
Please call or email to express your disappointment that Gov. Palin is not proving her “tolerance” and basic respect for gay Alaskans by signing our National Coming Out Day proclamation (which would not cost the state any money or change any state law).
The more calls they receive the louder our voice (the squeaky wheel gets the grease) and the more power they see in our (the LGBT and allies) community. Of course Power equals Respect – and we deserve that!
Gov. Palin can still reconsider signing our proclamation. I suggest calling and emailing the general number and email:
Phone: 907-465-3500
Email: governor@gov.state.ak.us
Here is Tim’s suggested email to the Governor:
Email: governor@gov.state.ak.us
Dear Governor Palin,
I was disappointed to learn that you have refused to sign Alaskans Together for Equality’s proclamation for National Coming Out Day. You have told us that you have gay friends and I appreciated your desire to voice your ‘tolerance’ for gay Americans during the Vice Presidential candidates’ debate last week.
Our proclamation would not cost the state any money nor make any changes in state law. But the symbolism of this action – rejection – in this case is (unfortunately) meaningful.
I am saddened that you have declined this opportunity to demonstrate your tolerance and basic acceptance for gay Alaskans – including your dear friends. I hope you will reconsider.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
Here is the suggested message to Gov. Palin from HRC, sponsors of National Coming Out Day:
Email: governor@gov.state.ak.us
Dear Governor Palin,
I write as an Alaskan who believes that everyone in our great state is entitled to basic dignity and respect. As you may know, October 11, 2008 is National Coming Out Day. This is a day that has been celebrated for more than 20 years, and it is an opportunity to recognize that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people are our friends, family members, neighbors, co-workers, and fellow church-goers. LGBT people are Alaskans, they are Americans, and they make important contributions, every day, to our communities, our state, and our country.
In this spirit of understanding and respect, I urge you to sign the proclamation drafted by Alaskans Together for Equality, proclaiming October 11, 2008 as National Coming Out Day. I have learned that, so far, you are refusing to take this important action. I hope that you will reconsider. Signing the proclamation would not cost the state any money and it would not make any changes to state law, but it would send a clear, and much-needed, message of inclusion.
Please sign the proclamation and tell LGBT Alaskans that they, too, are full-fledged members of our state.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your address]
