Articles in Politics
Job Opening, 1138 Benefits, Health Care Denied & Queer the Census
Gay AK: News and notes for LGBT Alaska
Job Opening: Manager for Alaska LGBT Rights Project
The ACLU of Alaska is looking for a new LGBT Rights Project Advocacy & Campaign Manager. Read the position description and learn about the ACLU of Alaska.
1138 Benefits Denied to Same-Sex Couples
Project 1138 is designed to increase awareness of the 1,138 federal marital benefits and protections denied to same-sex couples as the result of marriage inequality. For more than a thousand reasons, YOUR relationship deserves equal treatment under the law. Take a stand against inequality and share your story on Equality Forum’s Project 1138. Separate is not Equal.
The Importance of Being Counted: LGBT in the 2010 Census
The 2010 Census is being mailed to us this month, and same-sex couples can indicate our relationships, although there are no questions for sexual orientation or gender identity. Tell our legislators that gay Americans exist! It will be another 10 years before the next Census — let’s make this one count. Queer the Census.
Lambda Legal’s 2010 Health Care Report
“When Health Care Isn”t Caring: Lambda Legal”s Survey on Discrimination Against LGBT People and People Living with HIV.” The survey looks at refusal of care and barriers to health care among LGBT and HIV communities on a national scale. This data can influence decisions being made about how health care is delivered in this country now and in the future. The report can be downloaded online.
Words matter on DADT polls, but labels keep us apart
Jeanette writes about health care and democracy on the blog “Day to Day Democracy Alaska” and sometimes about LGBT issues. In “Words, Words, Words” she responds to an article on the words used in opinion polls about the military’s gay ban.
The New York Times and CBS recently released the results of a survey on repealing ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ They found that more people support letting gays and lesbians serve in the military than letting homosexuals serve. What? It seems that words really do make a difference:
In the poll, 59 percent say they now support allowing “homosexuals” to serve in the U.S. military, including 34 percent who say they strongly favor that. Ten percent say they somewhat oppose it and 19 percent say they strongly oppose it.But the numbers differ when the question is changed to whether Americans support “gay men and lesbians” serving in the military. When the question is asked that way, 70 percent of Americans say they support gay men and lesbians serving in the military, including 19 percent who say they somewhat favor it. Seven percent somewhat oppose it, and 12 percent strongly oppose it.
Jeanette takes issue with our dependence on any labels, and instead encourages us to reach out to others as people and get to know them as individuals:
Why must we care what word we use to describe ourselves in this world. Truly, no word can describe a person, or do much to resolve one person’s prejudice against another. The need to provide equal protection was conceived to protect people from the damage inflicted by a word or a combination of words. Because of equal protection under the law, I am not allowed to extend or deny to my fellow citizen access to basic necessities such as food, shelter or income because I may believe that a person’s character and worth can be defined by the color of their skin, their ethnic heritage or their ability to physically function at my level.We cut ourselves off from so very much in this world, from potential allies, acquaintances and friends, when we allow ourselves to place people in boxes defined by words, and bullet phrases based on physical characteristics, or even outward mannerisms. We certainly deprive ourselves when we rely on the comments of others to determine with whom we may be compatible. Many amazing, spiritually mature and gifted leaders have throughout human history declared that to understand someone, one must take the time to know that person as an individual. By no other means can one ascertain whether another human being be friend or foe.I wrote this comment, and I will end the article with it. May we all step out of our comfort zones in order that we find greater comfort in the companionship of others who we may not at first trust or understand. It works. I speak from experience. Some of the greatest lessons taught to me have been from those whom at first I did not trust:What I long for more than anything else is to have a person simply ask me about my life – not my lifestyle, my agenda, or attempt to define my label. I am, above all else, a human being. I do not wear my hair in a particular style, adorn my feet with a select brand of comfortable shoes or even regularly attend the most public of rallies or parades for the LGBT community. My parents love my partner, and her parents love me. We have the support of our family. We could not exist as a couple without that support (get back in there and work it out, then come talk to us later). I do not hide my life, but then neither do I try and define it with outward props or affectations. Should a stranger need to understand me better, I can offer no one word or combination thereof to dispel their discomfort. All I can do is to offer them a cup of coffee, a plate of food, and a moment of my time, and perhaps, should both our hearts be open and free from preconceived resentment, we might become better acquainted and less fearful of one another. This method alone has helped ease my way in life, and open doors that might otherwise have remained closed to me, and the love of my life. I thank all those neighbors, relatives, states, persons and more who took the time to get to know us and accept us with love and understanding.
Read more passionate essays and news commentary from Jeanette on Day to Day Democracy Alaska.
Fly-fishing, SRS, Gay-friendly Music & Free Healthcare Guide
Gay AK: Notes from and for LGBT Alaska
Free Fly-fishing Retreat for Breast Cancer Survivors
The Casting for Recovery Alaska program is accepting applications to attend our 2010 summer retreat on July 9-11. This 2-night weekend features flyfishing instruction, all meals & lodging on a quiet lake outside Wasilla, and the support of other women breast cancer survivors (including optional support program in the evening) – for free. No fishing experience required! Apply online at Casting For Recovery Alaska by April 30th. Fish on!
Sexual Reassignment Surgery is tax deductible
A few years ago, a transwoman tried to deduct the medical expenses of SRS from her taxes and was denied by the IRS because they said it was cosmetic surgery and not medically necessary. On Feb 2, a federal court affirmed that SRS is medically necessary and not cosmetic. Along with the American Medical Association resolution saying the same thing, insurance companies will hopefully drop one of their main arguments for the discriminatory “transgender” exclusion, that it is a cosmetic procedure. Also: FFS (Facial Feminization Surgery) will soon be available in Anchorage, Alaska!
Local Irish Band Seeks Gay-Friendly Gigs
Back Alley Banned plays traditional Irish music around Anchorage. “Since Mayor Dan Sullivan vetoed the anti-discrimination ordinance last summer, I’ve had my own small boycott of the McGinley’s Irish Pub of which Sullivan is part owner,” writes banjo player Heather Resz, “and my band declined the offer to play at the bar for St. Patrick’s Day. If you know of a nice gay-friendly venue that needs an Irish band any time, Back Alley Banned is available.”
MCCA Looking for Guitarist/Pianist
Metropolitan Community Church of Anchorage is an Inclusive Church looking for an additional half-time musician with strong guitar and vocal skills to play in our weekly worship services. We are a thirty plus member Christian church that includes a diverse worship service for a church of GBLT, affirming, and straight congregants. Candidate will work directly with the Worship Leader to construct meaningful, Spirit-filled worship. Students/Interns welcome. Interested applicants may submit a letter of interest or resume with to MCC Anchorage 2222 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99507.
PFLAG Releases New Healthcare Publication for Allies
PFLAG’s Straight for Equality project announced the release of its newest publication, Straight for Equality in Healthcare. For many LGBT people, accessing healthcare can be difficult because they often do not know how their healthcare provider will react to their sexual orientation or gender identity. This new publication and website were developed to provide a solution that demonstrates to providers why it’s important to be inclusive, give concrete steps they can take to creating a comfortable environment for LGBT patients in their practice, and much more. Visit Straight for Equality to view the website and download the free Straight for Equality in Healthcare guide. A new chapter workbook that you can use to create welcoming healthcare environments in your community is coming soon. Contact PFLAG national for more information.
Sara’s News Round-up 3/8/10
This week’s LGBT news roundup from Sara Boesser in Juneau, Alaska.
Paris, France, 365Gay.com, March 3, 2010
Mexico City, Mexico, BBC News, March 4, 2010
Advocate, March 4, 2010
Washington, Advocate, February 23, 2010
Washington, New York Times, February 21, 2010
Bi-College News, February 23, 2010
London, AFP, February 23, 2010
Washington, Advocate, February 23, 2010
Itawamba, Mississippi, 365Gay.com, March 5, 2010
U.K., New Kerala, March 4, 2010
Syracuse, New York, Daily Orange, March 4, 2010
Lithuania, Amnesty International, February 2, 2010
South Africa, 365gay.com, March 4, 2010
Canada, CTV, March 3, 2010
Hollywood, Advocate, March 5, 2010
Hollywood.com, March 6, 2010
Rev. Bess on DADT and the business of marriage
Rev. Howard Bess is a retired American Baptist minister who lives in Palmer, Alaska, and an ally of the LGBT community. This essay on gay equality – in church, in the military and in government recognition of relationships – appeared in the Religion section of the Mat-Su Frontiersman:
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“Don’t ask, don’t tell” is everywhere
I have been involved in advocacy for justice for our gay citizens for over 35 years. I have long been an advocate of full acceptance of gay people in our churches. No position in our churches, including the office of ordained clergy, should be denied. No blessing of our churches should be withheld. Gay people are ordinary folk. They live in our communities in abundance. For churches to impose different standards on our gay neighbors is a grand absurdity.
The time is long past to welcome our gay friends in our churches.
Along side the struggle for gay acceptance in our churches, is the pursuit of equality under the laws of our country. Under what provision of our Constitution can we possibly deny gay people the honor of serving in the military? Under what provision of our Constitution can we deny the same legal privileges and protections to committed gay couples that we provide to heterosexual couples?
As the discussions and arguments have developed, specific concerns have crystallized. Within the churches’ discussions, ordination and marriage have become central. In the realm of governmental bodies, service in the military and legal recognition of gay couples are core issues.
Fifty years from now, I have no doubt about the standards that will be commonly acceptable. Gay people will serve freely in the military. Discrimination based on sexual orientation will be long gone. Most denominations will have congregations that are served by gay priests and ministers, who have partners. Gay couples will associate freely with heterosexual couples. Americans will look back with amazement that discrimination against gay people was ever accepted, advocated and defended.
Just as we look back and wonder how we could have ever denied women the right to vote, so we will also look back and wonder how we could have denied gay people basic rights and privileges.
Just as we look back and wonder how we could have tolerated slavery based on race, so also we will look back and wonder how we could have treated gay people so shabbily.
What will it take to put this nightmare of injustice behind us?
The easiest part is to get rid of “don’t ask; don’t tell.” To rid our military branches of this burden, an act of Congress is needed. I suspect the votes are present to pass the legislation. Opposition by military leaders is rapidly melting away. Implementation will be smooth and simple. In the past few months, [hate crimes] legislation that covers sexual orientation has been passed by Congress and signed into law.
The thorniest issue to be resolved is marriage. As the argument has developed, the word marriage has become the issue. Gay activists want the word. Religious bodies want to protect the word from legal use by gay couples. Government has become unnecessarily entangled in the conflict. A growing number of people are saying that the real issues are justice and equality, not marriage. I could not agree more.
Much of the responsibility for the confusion lies at the feet of churches and ministers. A wall of separation between churches and government has served our nation very well. As a Baptist and an advocate of the wall of separation, I ask myself, “Why are religious bodies and their ministers involved in legalizing marriage? Have we become unnecessarily entangled in an issue that is not ours?”
The system now works like this: A couple who wants legal benefits for their relationship goes to the courthouse or the city hall and gets a license to marry. The couple sometimes goes to a judge, a mayor, or (in Alaska) a willing friend. More often a couple finds a willing minister. There are no particular words that must be uttered. The important step is that someone signs the license and returns it to the appropriate governmental office. There is nothing intrinsically religious about the process.
I once knew a retired minister who hung around the city clerk’s office. His services were on the spot. He made a nice living. He had no personal or religious relationship with his clients. It was a business proposition. This is an unusual illustration, but it serves a point. Is this the system churches want to legally protect by enshrining the word marriage?
Churches and ministers should get completely out of the business of legalizing human relationships by whatever name. We should not be servants of government in any circumstance.
To my many gay friends, I ask, “Why are you hung up on the word marriage?” Turn loose of the word. Your real issue is equal rights under the law.
There are many couples, gay and non-gay, who want the blessing of God on their relationship. It is the job of clergy to formalize that blessing. I have come to the conclusion that such a service should have nothing to do with legalizing their relationship. It is a profoundly religious service. Furthermore, in such a setting the relationship can be called anything the minister and the couple want.
Representatives of all parties involved need to get together and formulate a workable system. We are involved in a disagreement that has lasted much too long.
Kathy Griffin looks for gays in Anchorage
Award-winning and gay-friendly comedian Kathy Griffin is performing in Anchorage on Friday March 5 at the PAC.
In addition to stand-up comedy, Griffin played a lesbian activist on a recent episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and posed for the NoH8 photo project. She also escorted Levi Johnston to the Teen Choice Awards, and joked that they are engaged and she’s carrying his baby.
“Kathy invades Alaska for one night only in March. Make sure to get your tickets early for this rare stop. In addition, Kathy will be stopping at Borders (1100 East Dimond Boulevard, Anchorage) at noon sharp for a very special book signing. Please call in advance for any special instructions the store may have: 907-344-4099.”
“Multiple HBO and Bravo specials weren’t enough! Catch double Emmy award winning Kathy Griffin live in her true element. She has more stories, more dish, more of what she shouldn’t say but you know you want to hear. Chicago native Kathy Griffin is a multi-faceted performer with a rapid fire wit. Come with an open mind and laugh until you puke . . . Just a little.”
Griffin loves “her gays” and will definitely have gay and lesbian fans at the Anchorage show. She even looked for – and found – gay soldiers when entertaining troops in Afghanistan, in this video clip from her DVD Allegedly:
Her fourth stand-up comedy DVD She’ll Cut A Bitch was released in January. Learn more at Kathy Griffin’s home page.
Tickets are $65 for the main floor and $45 for the mezzanine and balcony, and are available through the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts event page for Kathy Griffin.
Alaskan witness to Uganda Anti-Gay Rally
Amber lived in Alaska before going to work in Uganda. Last week she witnessed an anti-gay demonstration, and the experience triggered this response, forwarded by a reader:
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I’ve got to put this down…
its 11:57 pm and i’m sweaty and tired. after emails and phone meetings and evening shopping at the market and necklace class and compound hunting and lots of other things, sleep should come easy. maybe it’s too much sweet tea or monitor glare.
today my progress was twice blocked by an anti-homosexual march. i was driving down main street and noticed some mzungus (white people) on motorbikes carrying pastel-colored signs and honking horns and yelling. i was intrigued until i read the signs. the crowd driving and marching down the street got thicker until the whole road was blocked. by that time i was trying to make a right-hand turn across that side of main street. (yes, we drive on the left here) and was trapped watching as hundreds walked and drove carrying signs of the most hateful nature. i eventually made my right turn and did my commercial business and there they were again, blocking my path for a second time. i don’t often feel rageful, but sometimes i think indignation is appropriate.
today i hated americans. i hate right-wing religious zealots who think its ok to promote the government-sanctioned killing of people they don’t like in places where government-sanctioned killing turns into genocide. i hate people who incite an underfed, undereducated population into taking to the streets when angry mobs kill people who happen to cross their paths. i hate all people who just watched the hatred go by. i hate that this is another reason not to live in this place and trust these people. i hate that colonialist westerners continue to come here and leave their oppressive, self-loathing fear of everything behind. i hate that this country will be seen as ignorant and intolerant and will be ignored by NGOs who say they are only here to help. i hate the sanctimonious bullshit that comes out of black and white mouths. i hate that people i love don’t want to come here to visit me because they will have to hide who they are.
later in the day, i realized there are more things i hate. i hate that women i know have to have more children than they know they can take care of. i hate that they have to choose between getting their teeth fixed and feeding their children. i hate that they don’t know that soda causes cavities and that they don’t know what cavities are. i hate that their clothes are ripped and falling apart and pregnant women wear shirts they can’t button because they don’t have any other clothes. i hate that they aren’t hateful and are able laugh and smile and have a good time while they are experiencing these things. i hate when i see this and i feel small and stupid. i hate that i whine about paper cuts and sweatyness to people who have teeth pulled with no anesthesia and have never experienced indoor plumbing. i hate that they show me that i have the choice to be hateful.
it’s 12:16 am. a new day. maybe today i won’t be hateful. maybe i’ll look at what i have and what i have done and feel satisfied that the equation balances. maybe i’ll go use my indoor plumbing and accept the truth that it just takes more everything to keep me alive and functioning and i’m lucky because i’ve never had to suffer. maybe i’ll go to sleep and feel better because
Amber
Monday, February 15, 2010
Sara’s News Roundup 2/21/10
This week’s LGBT news roundup from Sara Boesser in Juneau, Alaska.
Advocate, February 22, 2010
Grinnell, Iowa, Advocate, February 18, 2010
Albania, UPI, February 16, 2010
Sydney, Australia, Sydney Morning Herald, February 3, 2010
Berlin, AFP, February 17, 2010
Los Angeles, Seattle PI, February 18, 2010
Boston, Huffington Post, February 15, 2010
Advocate, February 18, 2010
Washington, New York Daily News, February 22, 2010
Sara’s News Roundup 2/14/10
This week’s LGBT news roundup from Sara Boesser in Juneau, Alaska.
Washington, Chicago Tribune, February 13, 2010
Washington, CBS News, February 11, 2010 2:00 PM
Beijing, China, New York Times, February 12, 2010
Salt Lake City, Utah, CBS 5, February 11, 2010
Leesburg, Virginia, Leesburg Today, February 12, 2010
Los Angeles, Advocate, February 12, 2010
Oxnard, Calif., Advocate, February 12, 2010
Westport, Conn., American Statesman, February 11, 2010
Buffalo, New York, Advocate, February 13, 2010
Huffington Post, February 14, 2010
Palin on DADT Repeal: Unnecessary
Sarah Palin said that now is not the right time to repeal the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, and criticized President Obama for mentioning it in his State of the Union address. She did not say when would be the right time for the repeal.
Palin appeared on Fox News Sunday and was asked, “Should the rule ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ for the military be repealed?”
“I don’t think so right now,” she said. “I’m surprised that the president spent time on that in his State of the Union speech when he only spent about 9% of his time in the State of the Union on national security issues. And I say that because there are other things to be worried about right now with the military. I think that kind of on the back burner is sufficient for now. To put so much time, and effort, and politics into it? Unnecessary.”
Watch the video clip here:
