Articles in Pride
Ask Gov. Palin to Sign Alaska’s National Coming Out Day Proclamation
Please call or email Governor Palin’s office this week and ask that she sign the National Coming Out Day Proclamation submitted by Alaskans Together for Equality, Inc. It would be great to get at least a half dozen calls from across the state.
- Dial 465-3500 (Gov’s office in Juneau) and ask to speak to Jessalyn Rintala (in the Gov’s office of Constituent Relations).
- Let her know your name and where in Alaska you live.
- Ask that Gov. Palin sign the Proclamation for National Coming Out Day, which is this Saturday October 11th.
- Mention (something like) that you were pleased to hear Palin emphasize ‘Tolerance’ of gay people in the VP debate last week.
- You hope she will help promote tolerance and acceptance for gay Alaskans by signing this proclamation.
You can also email Ms. Rintala in the Gov’s office: jessalynn.rintala@alaska.gov
PROCLAMATION FOR NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY
WHEREAS, National Coming Out Day is an internationally-observed awareness day for coming out and discussion about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (“LGBT”) issues, observed on October 11 by members of the LGBT communities, their families friends and allies,
WHEREAS, National Coming Out Day was founded in 1988 to celebrate the Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights in 1987, in which 500,000 people marched on our nation’s Capital for the purpose of raising awareness of the LGBT community in America,
WHEREAS, National Coming Out Day is an effort to put real human faces on the LGBT rights movement, so that the American people become more aware that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered individuals can be found among their own families, friends, business associates, fellow church-goers, and every other part of American society,
WHEREAS, in every state of the union, the diversity of the American people is mirrored in the LGBT community, members of whom can be found in every faith, ethnic group, profession, in the military and clergy, and every age group from young people to elders,
WHEREAS, coming out has been recognized by many Americans as a vital and often life-saving step for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered persons, making it possible for them to be fully honest with their families, friends and associates about who they really are,
WHEREAS, coming out is an opportunity for the closeted individual to find dignity, empowerment and self-respect, as well as tolerance and loving support by other human beings, which cannot be found in the loneliness and self-denial of the closet,
WHEREAS, Alaska has its own vibrant LGBT community, which contributes richly to the vigor and diversity of this great state and is active in every area of Alaskan life, from civil rights work and HIV prevention programs, through youth support organizations like PFLAG and churches like the Metropolitan Community Church, as well as publications, businesses, and contributions in the arts,
WHEREAS, Alaska has a tradition of rugged and pioneering individualism, as well as tolerance for those who are different, going back to its earliest days as a territory, and the LGBT community of Alaska are a part of that tradition,
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Sarah Palin, Governor of the state of Alaska, do hereby proclaim October 11, 2008 as:
National Coming-Out Day
in Alaska, in recognition of the importance of respect for the humanity and dignity of all LGBT Alaskans living among us.
Dated: ——————, 2008
Out is In – Alaska Pride Conference 2008
Identity, Inc. is sponsoring the 14th annual Alaska Pride Conference at the UAA University Center Mall (36th Ave. and Old Seward Hwy) 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.
Alaska Pride Conference 2008 offers the following workshops:
- Welcome by Dr. Fran Ulmer, Chancellor, UAA
- High School GSA Discussion Group
- Sexy 60’s – A Preview of Coming Attractions!
- GLBTQ Youth Suicide: The Facts
- Safe Spaces for Transgenders: Roundtable Discussion
- Identifying & Coping with the Impact of Religion on Gay Youth
- OOP, I Forgot to Have Children
- Hypnosis: Fun, Facts, Fiction and Practice
- Film – But Words Do Hurt: Stories of GLBT Youth
- Lunch with Performance artist Krista Bell
- Knowledge = Power = Equality: Promoting Your Rights at School
- Early Detection = Best Prevention – Breast & Cervical Cancer Awareness
- Polyamory – Love Without Possessiveness
- Transgender Myths and Truths
- Keynote – GLBTQ Youth Suicide: Increasing Support, Decreasing Risk
Registration fee includes continental breakfast, lunch, and admission to all workshops. Pre-registration: $20 adult/$10 student (download a registration form.) Register at the door: $25 adult/ $15 student.
Hosted by The Family, University of Alaska Anchorage
October Is GLBT History Month
Modeled after Black and Women’s History Month, GLBT History Month highlights annually the achievements of 31 gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender Icons—one each day—with a free video, bio, bibliography, images and other resources. Take the weekly Trivia Challenge each Friday, starting October 10, and the Rainbow Challenge at the end of the month.
Historic Rainbow Flag Brightens Fairbanks Parade
It didn’t rain on the Golden Days Parade, and the forty-five-foot rainbow flag from Key West, Florida cast multicolored light on the girl skipping beneath it as the PFLAG contingent marched down Second Avenue in Fairbanks, Alaska.
For the third year in a row, the Fairbanks chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) carried the big rainbow flag, a segment of the longest gay pride flag ever made, and this year it was the top parade photo published in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.
“The flag did not arrive until the afternoon before the parade,” said Terrie Donovan, marcher and organizer of the PFLAG Golden Days Picnic after the parade. “There was a lot of anxiety that it might not get here in time.”
In 2003, Key West Pridefest commissioned Gilbert Baker to make the world’s longest gay pride flag, which was sixteen feet wide by a mile and a quarter long and took 3,000 volunteers to carry. Baker created the original rainbow flag design in 1978 at the request of the late Harvey Milk, the first openly-gay San Francisco City Supervisor.
After the Key West Parade, the flag was cut into sections and loaned to gay pride groups around the country. Peter Pinney of Fairbanks PFLAG and Tim Stallard of Out in Alaska arranged to borrow a sixteen foot by forty-five foot section for the Golden Days Parade.
The Golden Days Parade celebrates the gold rush origins of Fairbanks. Many local groups and politicians march in the parade, and spectators camp out in folding chairs to reserve a good spot.
PFLAG marcher Beverly Chmelik was interviewed for the Channel 11 live parade broadcast, and her interview was on the local news. “They asked what PFLAG was about and what we do. I told them it was a support group for parents of gay, lesbian and transgender children, and for those who are coming out and wanting to tell their families.”
“I forgot to say that for more information, please see our booth at the Fair.” PFLAG Fairbanks is building a themed booth for the Tanana Valley Fair, August 1-9.
PFLAG held their annual Golden Days Picnic at Nussbaumer Park, providing hamburgers, hotdogs and lemonade to a group of lesbians, gay men, transgendered women, straight allies and children. The picnic was funded by a grant from the Imperial Court of All Alaska.
The historic rainbow flag segment was returned to Florida – until next year.
Before the parade, Beverly Chmelik, Pete Pinny and another PFLAG member hold the Fairbanks chapter banner while the rest of the contingent holds the historic rainbow flag from Florida. Photo by Shayle.
Pride Outside: Cid Celebrates in San Diego
Cid from Kodiak wrote in about the San Diego Pride parade and festival she attended last Saturday. The theme was “Live, Love, Be” (the national Pride theme for 2008.) She enjoyed watching the parade and had a good time at the women’s dance party (photo below).
“It was a great event, and huge! It was $15 to get in, but had 3 beer gardens, 2 with dancing, and a wine tasting area that was wonderful. All very well organized and put together. I volunteered: my job for 5 hours was to search people’s bags and purses!”
Cid is in San Diego this summer taking college classes, and she met up at the parade with several other students. Her overall review of San Diego Pride: “I would recommend this one for future travelers.”
Thanks for sharing the Pride with us back home in Alaska!
***
Big city LGBT Pride parades are exciting in big city ways: Crowds of gay people and our allies ride the public transit system to the parade, cheering as they approach the festival. Dozens of sexy Dykes on Bikes rev and honk at the front of the parade, roaring past sidewalks filled with spectators. Floats, bands and uniquely-costumed individuals march past rainbow-decorated lamp posts, courtesy of the city. Local businesses encourage their gay employees to march with the company banners. National icons provide high quality entertainment.
Perhaps best of all is the experience of thousands of openly gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people taking over a public space and becoming the dominant culture for a day.
Did you attend Pride Outside this summer, or are you planning to attend another big LGBTA happening? Tell us about it – the best moments, something cool and different about the event – and bring home the Gay Pride.
Imperial Court Float Makes Waves in Anchorage Parades
The Imperial Court of All Alaska won float honors at two Anchorage parades, winning Best of Theme in the Independence Day Parade and Best Overall in PrideFest’s Celebrating Diversity Parade.
The float was built by the 2008 Anchorage Ducal Court, led by Keith Heim and Donna Parsons.
The float’s “Out is IN” sign for PrideFest was changed to “We’re ALL In” for the July 4th Parade, in honor of the 50th Anniversary of Alaska’s Statehood.
Myster of Own The Sidewalk took a picture of the float (left) and pointed out the Court member in the blue and white dress:
This lovely lady called out over the loudspeaker to the very conservative Dan Sullivan, standing next to us on the sidewalk: “Dan Sullivan! Dan Sullivan! I went to high school with you! You probably don’t remember me.”
In her post on the Independence Day Festival, Myster said, “One of the many joys of living downtown is proximity to Park Strip parties. Another is that sometimes you get to see a drag queen heckle Dan Sullivan.”
In March, the ICOAA float got attention at the Fur Rondy Parade. “The only actual float was the Imperial Court of All Alaska, which is the oldest gay community organization in Anchorage,” wrote Troy B. Thompson. “They also happened to be playing the best music and seemed to be having the most fun.”
This Week in GLBT Alaska
From Alaska GLBT News (subscribe)
Fairbanks
- IAA Raffle Drawing 6/27, 7 p.m. At the International “Big I” Bar.
- GLBT Bowling, Wednesdays 9 p.m. at the Arctic Bowl, all ages.
Juneau
- SEAGLA Social Fridays, 6-8 p.m. Imperial Bar and Billiards, 241 Front Street in Downtown Juneau.
- Extended hours for Free HIV Testing at various locations, for National HIV Testing Week, thru 6/28. Contact Lee Wagner, Southeast Outreach Specialist for Four A’s. lwagner@alaskanaids.org
Homer
- Bac’untry Bruthers at Duggan’s Pub 6/28 at 10 p.m.
Anchorage
- Pride Week! 6/21-6/29
- Pride Fest Film Festival at Out North, thru 6/28. 5, 7 & 9 p.m. $6.50 online, $7 at the door. Films and showtimes at www.outnorth.org.
- Mr/Ms/Miss Gay 2008-2009 Anchorage Pageant 6/27, 9 p.m. Mad Myrna’s. $10.
- Lipstick la’Femme Review featuring Silva Stone 6/27-6/28, 10 p.m. at the Kodiak Bar & Grill. $5 cover
PrideFest, Saturday 6/28, Parade 11 a.m., Festival 12-6 p.m.
PrideFest 2008: OUT is IN – Alaska. Celebrating Diversity Parade WEST ALONG 9TH from E to L followed by the Festival on the Delaney Park Strip between K & L Streets.
- Pride Dance Party with Ever Ready at The Raven 6/28, 6-10 p.m. 708 E. 4th Avenue. No cover, 21 & over.
- Allie’s 9th Annual Slave for a Date Auction 6/28, 9 p.m. Proceeds go to ACLU of Alaska Foundation. Mad Myrna’s. $4 cover, 21 & over.
- Naughty Nurses-Dirty Doctors Party, 6/28 at 9 p.m. Out@Night (4600 Old Seward) no cover.
- AUUF Gay Pride Sunday 6/29, 10:45 a.m. Anchorage Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. 3201 Turnagain St.
- MCC Pride Service 6/29, 2 p.m. St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church (corner of Duben Ave. & Oklahoma St. in NE Anchorage)
- The Last Frontier Men’s Club presents End of Pride BBQ 6/29, 4-6 p.m. Alaska Bear Co. behind Mad Myrna’s (530 E 5th Ave) $5, all ages.
