Sunday, 6 October 2013 – 5:19 PM
| Comments Off on A long-overdue Bent Alaska update — October 2013
Bent Alaska’s blog will continue in hiatus indefinitely; but the Bent Alaska Facebook Group on Facebook is thriving — join us! A long-overdue update from Bent Alaska’s editor.
Gov. Sean Parnell traveled out of state this week at the request of anti-gay, anti-choice Focus on the Family to discuss their theories on domestic violence, foster care and adoption — and Alaska paid for his trip, according to two reports in the Alaska Dispatch. FotF pushes dangerous pray-away-the-gay methods, opposes any recognition of same-sex relationships, and called children raised by gay parents “human guinea pigs.”
Parnell left Anchorage Monday afternoon to travel to Colorado, where he had been invited by Focus on the Family leadership, according to spokeswoman Sharon Leighow. Although the invitation was extended by Focus on the Family, the trip was paid for by the state, and Parnell was accompanied by a state aide. Leighow said she didn’t know yet how much the trip cost.
“Focus on the Family shared many good ideas that the governor could utilize in Alaska,” Leighow said. “That was the purpose of the trip.” (We didn’t ask Leighow whether the governor has received similar invitations from, say, PFLAG or the Colorado Springs Pride Center.)
Leighow said she didn’t know whether the organization identified particular areas of interest when it invited Parnell to Colorado, but was able to say that the governor traded ideas about domestic violence, foster care and adoption with Focus on the Family CEO Jim Daly and other senior staff. Focus on the Family and its political arm, CitizenLink, are active in the anti-abortion movement, but Leighow said as far as she knew, the issue of abortion was not discussed at the meeting.
FotF’s ideas about domestic violence, foster care and adoption do not include anything positive for LGBT families. In an article against same-sex families, FotF’s Glenn Stanton drew dire conclusions from a few studies on kids in heterosexual step-parent families, declared that all same-sex families are comparable to heterosexual step-parent families, and wrote that children of same-sex parents may be at higher risk for abuse because non-biological parents have no real connection to their children.
So, we must ask, “Is it wise to enter the same-sex family experiment with a generation of children so we can learn how it will turn out?” Is it ethical to turn thousands of children into human guinea pigs? The answer must be a resounding “no.”
Focus on the Family dedicates much time to keeping same-sex couples away from adoption, foster care, and a whole host of protections that strengthen LGBT families. And of course they work every day to deny a fair shake to gay kids and/or the kids of gay parents… [They] talk only about the kind of “strong family environment” that’s defined by evangelism and heterosexuality.
Is Parnell planning an election campaign based on taking away adoption and foster care rights from same sex parents?
UPDATE: The Assembly heard our concerns and voted on June 22 to postpone Bronson’s appointment indefinitely! Happy Pride Week to all.
* * *
What was he thinking?! Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan appointed rabidly anti-gay Dave Bronson, founder and president of the Alaska Family Council and long time member of Anchorage Baptist Temple, to sit on the School Budget Advisory Commission – and he tried to sneak Bronson through the Assembly confirmation vote at last night’s meeting, while progressive Assembly member and PrideFest 2010 grand marshal Elvi Gray-Jackson is out of town.
Bronson is the guy who threatened then-Assembly Chair Debbie Ossiander last summer, saying the AFC would blame her personally for the failure to stop the gays if Ordinance 64 passed. He even highlights his anti-gay activities in his resume, reaching back to his role in the 1994 repeal of the previous equal rights ordinance to show why he thinks he should be on the School Budget Commission.
As for his finance background – none. His education degree – zip. His kids’ experience with the Anchorage school district – nope, they were home schooled. What are his qualifications? According to the resume he submitted for the school position, he leads a bible ministry, is a retired pilot, and has spent the past two decades being a professional homophobe.
Last night, the Assembly voted 6-4 to postpone the confirmation vote until their next meeting, on Tuesday June 22, when all members will be present. Yes, that’s right, they might confirm this hater four days before Alaska’s PrideFest!
Please contact the Assembly today and oppose Bronson’s appointment: wwmas@muni.org for the whole Assembly, and HERE for the list of assembly email addresses and phone numbers.
Also contact Mayor Sullivan and ask that he withdraw the appointment: mayor@muni.org and (907) 343-7100.
* * *
Addendum, 6 Feb 2011: The resume submitted Bronson submitted for the position is no longer available on the Municipality of Anchorage website. However, a post at The Mudflats from 8 Jun 2010 lists the “qualifications” he presented in his resume:
Member of the Anchorage Baptist Temple since 1992
Founding board member and current Chairman of the Board of the Alaska Family Council
Volunteer Coordinator for the Repeal of the Homosexual Ordinance, Municipality of Anchorage 1994
Officer District 30, Republican Party of Alaska
Leader AWANA Children’s Bible Ministry
With Alaska Family Council helped lead the effort against MOA O-64 [the 2009 Anchorage equal rights ordinance]
With Alaska Family Action, helped lead Alaskans for Parental Rights parental notification petition drive
Monday, 7 June 2010 – 4:46 AM
| Comments Off on New LGBT Caucus Named in honor of Dan Carter-Incontro
The LGBT Democratic Caucus has officially been named after the late Dan Carter-Incontro, Alaska’s first openly gay delegate to the Democratic Convention, with the endorsement of Dan’s husband, Al Carter-Incontro. Dan passed away on April 18.
The next meeting of the LGBT Dan Carter-Incontro Democratic Caucus is on Monday, June 7 from 6-8 p.m. at ADP Headquarters, 2602 Fairbanks Street in Anchorage.
They are currently working on a candidate questionnaire and a candidate forum, which is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday June 22 with the Democratic gubernatorial candidates. If you want to help with the forum and become involved in electing Democratic candidates who support LGBT issues, please attend the meeting.
Also, they are looking for Democrats to march in the PrideFest parade in downtown Anchorage on June 26. The party has applied for and been granted a slot in Alaska PrideFest “2010: A Pride Odyssey”. If you can participate, please call Bert Mead, Interim Chairperson, at 694-7528. Staging for the parade begins at 10 am and the parade starts at 11 am.
The caucus wants to involve more people statewide and is setting up conference calling ability for statewide participation, but they don’t have the arrangements completed for that yet. Stay tuned.
“Exciting things are happening in the Democratic Party and we want our caucus to be a part of the change we seek in our state legislature,” said Mead.
McDonald’s France has released a new ad campaign called “Come As You Are” which promotes the fast food chain as a place where diversity is welcomed. Their bittersweet gay-themed ad went viral this week. Some LGBT blogs asked why they chose a closeted gay youth instead of an openly gay character. Then Bill O’Reilly of FOX declared that it would never run in America and compared it to an ad welcoming Muslim terrorists.
Watch the gay-themed McDonald’s ad and see for yourself:
Wednesday, 2 June 2010 – 11:58 PM
| Comments Off on Alaska joins lawsuit against anti-gay funeral protests
Alaska Attorney General Daniel Sullivan joined AGs from 48 states and the District of Columbia in a lawsuit against the infamous “God Hates Fags” church for protesting at the funeral of a marine killed in Iraq.
The Westboro Baptist Church pickets US military funerals because they believe war deaths are God’s punishment for tolerance of gays and lesbians. They have protested at more than 200 military funerals.
Albert Snyder, father of the late Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder, is suing over protests the anti-gay church staged at his son’s funeral in 2006.
Members of Westboro waved signs saying “God hates the USA”, “Thank God for Dead Soldiers” and signs with anti-gay slurs. The Snyder family sued, claiming invasion of privacy and emotional distress. A jury awarded the family more than $10 million, but they lost on appeal and were ordered to pay more than $16,000 in court costs to the church.
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case in the fall and decide if the protest is protected by the First Amendment.
An amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court was filed on Tuesday by the Kansas Attorney General in support of Mr. Snyder and against Fred Phelps, the notorious leader of the Kansas-based church. The two states that did not join the suit are Maine and Virginia.
The states that signed the brief argued they have a compelling interest in protecting the sanctity of funerals.
On Friday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) also filed a brief in support of the Synder family and encouraged other senators to join him.
Update: When Denali Kid Care was vetoed, we worried about the Foster Care bill. But on June 16, HB 126 was signed into law! Thanks to everyone who wrote in support of Alaska’s youth.
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Alaska’s 2,000 youth in foster care got a helping hand when the state House passed HB 126: Success for Foster Youth, in April. Governor Parnell has until Friday June 4 to veto budget items like this, and supporters are asking us to email the governor in favor of the bill.
Thomas Azzarella of the Anchorage Youth Development Coalition wrote to Bent Alaska about HB 126 and the needs of queer youth in foster care:
I read your last posting about Kady Titus and I was extremely excited to hear about her great accomplishments. Unfortunately, not all youth in our state’s foster care system are succeeding as well. We also know that LGBTQ youth often have some of the most difficult experiences in our foster care system.
Please spread this message to as many people as possible to help support Alaska’s youth in foster care. Below is a message from Rose Foley, Legislative Aide for Representative Les Gara, about current legislation in front of the Governor that needs community support to ensure that it doesn’t get vetoed! These funds will directly impact lives of hundreds of youth in our state’s foster care system. Please take the moment read and act!
All you have to do is send an email to Governor Parnell stating, “I believe in supporting youth in foster care and I urge you to support HB 126 and the budget items that have been included.” sean.parnell@alaska.gov It will take you no more then 2 minutes of your time and may have dramatic impact on lives of our state’s youth in transitional care.
Thank you for your continual support of ALL of Alaska’s youth!
This session House Bill 126 passed, as did important, cost-effective reforms we passed as part of the operating budget. HB 126 extends foster care to age 21 and allowing foster youth to reenter care if they realize they left too soon. The budget reforms and legislation now go to Governor Parnell, who has the power to veto the items that have been included in the budget.
Here’s where you come in!
Email or write to the Governor and tell him that you support HB 126 and the budget items that have been included. Urge him to make sure they stay in the budget. The messages can be short – just be clear about the items you are supporting. Please be sure your messages are polite, and avoid form letters – these are not given as much consideration as a quick note in your own voice. The budget items relating to foster care aim to increase the educational and adult success of these youth, who the state is the legal guardian for. They are:
• $160,500 for two new positions to work as Independent Living Specialists
• $200,000 for a mentoring program
• $80,000 to provide transportation to avoid mid-term school transfers
• $100,000 to extend the housing assistance currently provided
• $55,000 for University of Alaska scholarships
• $85,000 for the Education and Training Vouchers program for higher education
• $30,000 for foster parent recruitment
• $5,000 to send informational mailers about the FosterWear discount clothing program
Tuesday, 1 June 2010 – 12:50 PM
| Comments Off on Obama declares June Pride Month 2010
President Obama proclaimed June as LGBT Pride Month again this year, in the statement posted below. He lists the progress made by his administration and the struggles that remain in the movement for LGBT equality.
In Anchorage, the third Saturday in June was officially Gay Pride Day during Sen. Mark Begich’s years as mayor. Will Mayor Sullivan proclaim Pride Day this year, or will he be the Grinch who stole Pride?
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The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
May 28, 2010
As Americans, it is our birthright that all people are created equal and deserve the same rights, privileges, and opportunities. Since our earliest days of independence, our Nation has striven to fulfill that promise. An important chapter in our great, unfinished story is the movement for fairness and equality on behalf of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. This month, as we recognize the immeasurable contributions of LGBT Americans, we renew our commitment to the struggle for equal rights for LGBT Americans and to ending prejudice and injustice wherever it exists.
LGBT Americans have enriched and strengthened the fabric of our national life. From business leaders and professors to athletes and first responders, LGBT individuals have achieved success and prominence in every discipline. They are our mothers and fathers, our sons and daughters, and our friends and neighbors. Across my Administration, openly LGBT employees are serving at every level. Thanks to those who came before us the brave men and women who marched, stood up to injustice, and brought change through acts of compassion or defiance we have made enormous progress and continue to strive for a more perfect union.
My Administration has advanced our journey by signing into law the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which strengthens Federal protections against crimes based on gender identity or sexual orientation. We renewed the Ryan White CARE Act, which provides life saving medical services and support to Americans living with HIV/AIDS, and finally eliminated the HIV entry ban. I also signed a Presidential Memorandum directing hospitals receiving Medicare and Medicaid funds to give LGBT patients the compassion and security they deserve in their time of need, including the ability to choose someone other than an immediate family member to visit them and make medical decisions.
In other areas, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced a series of proposals to ensure core housing programs are open to everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. HUD also announced the first ever national study of discrimination against members of the LGBT community in the rental and sale of housing. Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services has created a National Resource Center for LGBT Elders.
Much work remains to fulfill our Nation’s promise of equal justice under law for LGBT Americans. That is why we must give committed gay couples the same rights and responsibilities afforded to any married couple, and repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. We must protect the rights of LGBT families by securing their adoption rights, ending employment discrimination against LGBT Americans, and ensuring Federal employees receive equal benefits. We must create safer schools so all our children may learn in a supportive environment. I am also committed to ending “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” so patriotic LGBT Americans can serve openly in our military, and I am working with the Congress and our military leadership to accomplish that goal.
As we honor the LGBT Americans who have given so much to our Nation, let us remember that if one of us is unable to realize full equality, we all fall short of our founding principles. Our Nation draws its strength from our diversity, with each of us contributing to the greater whole. By affirming these rights and values, each American benefits from the further advancement of liberty and justice for all.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2010 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon all Americans to observe this month by fighting prejudice and discrimination in their own lives and everywhere it exists.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-eighth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.
Sunday, 30 May 2010 – 1:49 PM
| Comments Off on Sara’s News Roundup 5/30/10
I was on vacation over the holiday weekend, so I’m a few days late posting Sara’s NEWS and a special message about her vacation for the month of June. Have a great time, Sara, and I look forward to your return in July!
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Hello Readers,
I’m writing to let you know I’ll be away from my trusty computer for a month starting tomorrow. I’ll still be able to receive emails, but won’t be in News-send mode.
As a result, my NEWS will pause until I return. My next NEWS will be either July 4th or July 11th.
In the meantime, let’s hope DADT passes the Senate, that California allows same-sex marriage (again!), and that ENDA passes for all of us: gay, lesbian, bi, and trans alike.
. . . Well — a gal can dream, can’t she? :-)
Until then, I wish you all a very good month of June,
Sara
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Recent LGBT news selected by Sara Boesser in Juneau, Alaska.
Friday, 28 May 2010 – 3:18 PM
| Comments Off on U.S. House passes DADT repeal
The full U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate Armed Services Committee both voted in favor of a compromise amendment to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell on Thursday, May 27. The House passed the measure by a vote of 234 to 194, and the Senate Armed Services Committee passed the DADT amendment 16-12 earlier in the day. The full Senate will vote on it next.
The amendment does not stop the discharges of gay and lesbian service members, but it would repeal the Congressional law banning open service. If the amendment passes, the President, Secretary of Defense, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff have to sign off on a full repeal before the discharges would end.
While we wait for the Senate vote, here is the final letter in the “Stories from the Frontlines” series. It is actually two letters: a letter to President Obama from former service member and current SLDN leader Aubrey Sarvis, and a love letter written by a World War II soldier and published in ONE Magazine in 1961.
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May 28, 2010
President Barack H. Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President,
For the past month, we have sent you personal letters from those harmed by “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” With the votes in the House and the Senate Armed Services Committee, we are bringing our series to a close. The final letter we are sharing with you was written by a World War II soldier to another service member. It is a love letter penned on the occasion of their anniversary.
The letter, which follows below, was published in September 1961 by ONE Magazine – an early gay magazine based out of Los Angeles. In 2000, Bob Connelly, an adjunct professor of LGBT studies at American University, found a copy of the letter in the Library of Congress. He brought the letter to the attention of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network last month.
We sincerely thank Mr. Connelly for his research and the ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives for granting permission for the letter to be republished.
Please accept this letter on the behalf of all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender service members on active-duty, in the reserve and in the National Guard; those who have been discharged; and those who didn’t enlist because of the discriminatory law now being dismantled.
With great respect,
Former Specialist 4th Class Aubrey Sarvis
United States Army
The letter as published by ONE Magazine:
Dear Dave,
This is in memory of an anniversary – the anniversary of October 27th, 1943, when I first heard you singing in North Africa. That song brings memories of the happiest times I’ve ever known. Memories of a GI show troop – curtains made from barrage balloons – spotlights made from cocoa cans – rehearsals that ran late into the evenings – and a handsome boy with a wonderful tenor voice. Opening night at a theatre in Canastel – perhaps a bit too much muscatel, and someone who understood. Exciting days playing in the beautiful and stately Municipal Opera House in Oran – a misunderstanding – an understanding in the wings just before opening chorus.
Drinks at “Coq d’or” – dinner at the “Auberge” – a ring and promise given. The show 1st Armoured – muscatel, scotch, wine – someone who had to be carried from the truck and put to bed in his tent. A night of pouring rain and two very soaked GIs beneath a solitary tree on an African plain. A borrowed French convertible – a warm sulphur spring, the cool Mediterranean, and a picnic of “rations” and hot cokes. Two lieutenants who were smart enough to know the score, but not smart enough to realize that we wanted to be alone. A screwball piano player – competition – miserable days and lonely nights. The cold, windy night we crawled through the window of a GI theatre and fell asleep on a cot backstage, locked in each other’s arms – the shock when we awoke and realized that miraculously we hadn’t been discovered. A fast drive to a cliff above the sea – pictures taken, and a stop amid the purple grapes and cool leaves of a vineyard.
The happiness when told we were going home – and the misery when we learned that we would not be going together. Fond goodbyes on a secluded beach beneath the star-studded velvet of an African night, and the tears that would not be stopped as I stood atop the sea-wall and watched your convoy disappear over the horizon.
We vowed we’d be together again “back home,” but fate knew better – you never got there. And so, Dave, I hope that where ever you are these memories are as precious to you as they are to me.
Goodnight, sleep well my love.
Brian Keith
(Reprinted with permission of ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, www.onearchives.org, ONE Magazine, September 1961)
The very real consequences of DADT repeal; seeking survivor benefits for same-sex partner of Alaska shooting victim; waiting on SCOTUS decision about whether it will hear Prop 8 case; and other recent LGBTQ news selected by Sara Boesser in Juneau, Alaska.
In this month’s “Ask Lambda Legal” column, Lambda Legal answers a question about the federal government’s longstanding ban against donations of blood from men who have sex with men (MSM).
Alaska Pride Conference 2012 kicks off on October 5 with a First Friday showing at Tref.Punkt Studio of Love is Love, a photographic exhibit of LGBT couples from across the state.
United for marriage: Light the way to justice. The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments this Tuesday and Wednesday, March 26–27, in two cases about freedom to marry. Please join us on Tuesday, March 26, at the federal courthouse in Anchorage (7th & C) in a circle united for equality.
Pariah, a critically acclaimed film about a 17-year-old African-American woman embracing her lesbian identity, will screen at UAA on Friday, November 2, and will be followed by a discussion on acceptance in honor of Mya Dale. The event is free and open to the public.
