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This Week in LGBT Alaska 1/23/09
This Week in LGBT Alaska 1/23/09
Check out this week’s events from Alaska GLBT News.
For full listings, news and up-coming events, subscribe to AGN, the weekly email newsletter.
Saturday: Prayers for Bobby
Prayers for Bobby tells the true story of Mary Griffith, the religious mother of a gay son, and her journey toward embracing the LGBT community following his suicide. Prayers stars Sigourney Weaver and debuts January 24 at 9 p.m. Pacific Time on Lifetime TV.
EVENTS
Juneau
SEAGLA Social Fridays (6-8 p.m.) for GLBT people and our friends over 21, at The Imperial Bar, downtown.
We’re looking for a location to hold regular Pride Potlucks in Juneau. Contact SEAGLA with suggestions.
Mat-Su Valley
Mat-Su LGBT Community Center social support group meetings, Mondays, 2 p.m. at Vagabond Blues in Palmer.
Anchorage
Ever Ready rocks the AMVETS Post 49 on 1/23 & 1/24, 7-11 p.m.
House Party for “Equality Works” 1/24, 4-6 p.m. RSVP.
Adult Comedy Hypnosis Show 1/24, 9 p.m. Certified hypnotist Jay Her‘s new show, $10 at Mad Myrna’s.
Men’s Club Potluck Dinner 1/25, 6 p.m. at The Raven.
Roe v. Wade Anniversary Brings New Direction and Local Celebrations
Today marks the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in the United States.
And today President Barack Obama is expected to reverse at least a few of the anti-choice policies of the last eight years.
The “global gag rule” is the most likely option for reversal. It prohibits U.S. foreign aid assistance to international family planning groups that offer information on abortions.
One such group is Planned Parenthood. Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, says she’s hopeful that early action by President Obama will signal a new direction.
“It’s been eight long years in the wilderness,” said Richards. “I think for women in this country and women around the world, this is a president and administration that takes their health care needs seriously.”
Planned Parenthood of Alaska Advocates (PPAA) will celebrate women’s rights at two Roe v. Wade Birthday Bash and Pro-Choice Presidential Inauguration Parties, in Anchorage tonight and in Fairbanks tomorrow evening.
The free events include wine, food and games, with fundraising to support PPAA. RSVP required.
Adult Comedy Hypnosis Show at Mad Myrna’s
Anchorage comedian and certified hypnotist Jay Her will perform a new Adult Comedy Hypnosis Show at Mad Myrna’s this Saturday, Jan. 24 at 9 p.m.
Members of the audience become celebrities on stage when they chase invisible objects, milk non-existant cows, sing in a foreign rap contest, and act in other hilarious skits while hypnotized.
The participants are volunteers and the show is completely real.
Jay Her learned the art of stage hypnosis from a Stage Hypnotist Trainer, and is trained in hypnotherapeutic techniques to provide a safe experience for the participants.
He attends annual trainings to provide new material and the most enjoyable experience for both participants and audience members.
The Comedy Hypnosis Show can be designed for an adult audience, like the shows at Myrna’s, or for family-friendly events with age-appropriate material.
Jay has performed for corporate parties, festivals, conferences, private parties, and service organizations.
Adult Comedy Hypnosis Show at Mad Myrna’s, Jan. 24 at 9 p.m. Admission is $10.
Prayers for Bobby, on Lifetime
Mary Griffith blamed herself for the death of her gay son.
Prayers for Bobby tells Mary’s true story as the religious mother of a gay son, and her journey toward embracing the LGBT community following his suicide. Sigourney Weaver stars as Mary.
Prayers also highlights the important role PFLAG played in Mary’s experience, and empowers families to embrace their LGBT loved ones.
Learn more about Prayers for Bobby, watch a preview of the movie and clips about the real Griffith family.
Prayers for Bobby debuts at 9 p.m. Pacific time on January 24 on Lifetime TV.
Congratulations to Obama, from a Fairbanks Vlogger
Today is Barack Obama’s inauguration as President of the United States.
“We are truly in for an era of change,” wrote Brian the day after Obama was elected, “an era that could not have come at a better time.”
Brian, 25, vlogs on gay rights and other issues from Fairbanks, Alaska as thenewBMW. This Nov. 5 video congratulates Obama on his election victory, thanks the voters, and supports Obama’s appeal for unity.
Let Us Stay Married
Allison Mendel is a lawyer in Anchorage. Her and her partner were married in California two days before the voters rescinded the right for same-sex couples to marry. The following editorial appeared in the Anchorage Daily News on Dec 29.
Barriers to same-sex marriage should come tumbling down
I have been a so-called “gay activist” for at least 20 years. Marriage used to be a little controversial as a gay cause. In the beginning, a minority of gay activists firmly adopted marriage as the ultimate 20th century gay cause. A louder majority called it a sellout, a throwback to paternalistic social forms, an unworthy goal.
The minority, through obstinate and painstaking work, became the majority. I joined the cause early — I came to see that excluding same-sex couples from this supremely ordinary, ubiquitous state marked us as less than human more than anti-gay violence or workplace discrimination ever did. Because it affected everyone, every day.
Marital status? Spouse’s name? Next of kin? You can’t even go to the doctor without being asked these questions. We were left outside the nomenclature that defined everyone else — with no way in.
Even as I believed all that, and fought for marriage, I never thought that I yearned to be married myself. I am a divorce lawyer who knows very well that the blessed state of marriage often is not. Blessed, that is.
Imagine my surprise when the California Supreme Court announced that excluding same-sex couples from marriage is unconstitutional. Suddenly, almost anyone who wanted to, could get married in California. And after all these years I realized that I wanted to. Apparently it was simply sour grapes when I thought I did not care, personally, if I could ever get married. I did care, and I do care. I wanted the same chance everyone else has to “tie the knot,” “walk down the aisle,” and “hear the wedding bells chime.” I felt like the lame who can walk and the blind who can see. So we went and got married in California.
Two days later the California voters pulled the plug. They don’t want me to be married any more.
This should not have come as a surprise. Nearly every time voters anywhere in the country have been asked to vote on same-sex marriage, they have said no. But this time I was shocked.
I find I don’t want to go quietly any more. I want someone to explain to me why anyone else cares whether I am married or not. It matters a whole lot to me, to my family and to my new spouse.
Religion can’t be the reason, because my religion allows it, and we don’t let other people’s religions determine my legal rights.
I don’t want to have to win a popularity contest for my marriage any more — who else has to have their wedding plans approved by the electorate? I can no longer imagine any serious public policy reason why anyone is better off if I choose to spend my life with my partner but can’t marry her.
Unfortunately, gay rights really is the 21st century civil rights struggle. We are the only ones left whose basic rights still have to win a majority vote. I don’t think Obama would be president today if we had approached racial equality this way. We don’t expect approbation or approval, just tolerance. Just let us be married.
It doesn’t seem like much to ask.
Discovery Channel Discovers Gays on The Alaska Experiment
UPDATE: It’s a 3 part series, airing Tuesdays April 14, 21 & 28 at 9 p.m. in Alaska.
UPDATE 2: Ttsusena Lake is 64 miles NE of the town of Talkeetna, according to an anonymous comment.
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The Discovery Channel is turning last year’s “The Alaska Experiment” into a new eight-part series, and one of the participants is an out gay man, a first for Discovery.
“Out of the Wild: The Alaska Experiment” strands nine strangers together in the Alaskan wilderness with three days worth of water, a map, a compass and instructions to find their way back to civilization before the harsh winter sets in.
The new cast members are from “all different walks of life.” The gay volunteer is Jake Nodar, a thirty-year-old horse trainer and avid hiker from Maryland.
“For me personally, I’ve always found Alaska to be appealing,” said Jake in an interview with AfterElton. “I completely stumbled upon this, just complete fluke kind of thing, and being openly gay, I found it to be a very cool opportunity to go and represent.”
The series was filmed in September 2008. After a three-day crash course in basic survival skills, including how to shoot a gun, skin an animal and start a fire without matches, the volunteers were flown to “Ttsusena Lake” in the rugged Alaskan interior, described by Discovery as “one of the most inhospitable terrains on earth.”
Where is “Ttsusena” Lake? Could they mean Tustumena Lake on the Kenai Peninsula?
“Over the course of their monthlong journey, the volunteers put their newfound skills to the test, hunting, fishing, foraging for food and building makeshift shelters,” said the press release. “They faced plummeting temperatures and diminishing daylight hours. Their only lifeline was a GPS beacon they could activate if their lives were in danger or if they wanted to be evacuated.”
“Out of the Wild: The Alaska Experiment” will debut in April during Discovery’s Alaska Week.
This Week in LGBT Alaska 1/16/09
Check out this week’s events from Alaska GLBT News.
For full listings, news and up-coming events, subscribe to AGN, the weekly email newsletter.
Womyn’s Dance Survey
Carolyn, who organizes the womyn’s dances, wants to know more about our taste in dance music. She set up a quick dance survey for Anchorage womyn. Please answer a few questions to make our dances even better.
EVENTS
Juneau
Join SEAGLA for Men’s Movie Night 1/17 at 7 p.m.
SAGA invites Juneau’s GLBT community to a Martin Luther King Jr. celebration at UAS on 1/20 at 6 p.m.
Fairbanks
Bac’untry Bruthers will play at the Marlin on 1/16 & 1/17 at 10 p.m., and at the Boatel on 1/18 at 4 p.m.
Anchorage
Group Acupuncture at the GLCCA on 1/16 from 7-9 p.m. (on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month.)
Hook up with The Men’s Club for a New Year Saturday Brunch at Humpy’s on 1/17 at 12 noon.
MCC Worship & Meeting on 1/18, Matthew Moak will bring the message. 2 p.m. service, 3 p.m. meeting.
Joseph the Gay Alaskan Hairdresser
Update: I posted about Joseph on Thursday night, and Monday’s Anchorage Daily News online has a long story on him and his webisodes. You go, girl!
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Want to know the truth about hairdressing? Have questions about sex – or about Alaska – that you were afraid to ask? Looking for beauty tips from an expert?
Here’s your chance to get advice from “the real Queen of Alaska!”
“Who the hell is Joseph? What the hell is this?” reads the description on the video’s YouTube page. “Watch, dear viewers, and all mysteries will be answered.”
Watch his queenly two minute introduction below. Then go to JtheH.com and watch his ten minute video tour of outdoor day trips near Anchorage.
Ask Joseph more questions at http://www.JosephTheHairdresser.com or http://www.JtheH.com
Gay-Welcoming JUUF Needs Our Support
The Juneau Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (JUUF) is asking the LGBT community for help.
The JUUF is working to purchase the historic church building on the corner of 5th and Main Street in downtown Juneau, the second oldest church in the city. The financing plan includes raising at least $125,000 from members and friends.
“JUUF openly welcomes lesbian, gay, and transgender people and honors our contributions to the community and to society,” reads the message from SEAGLA, the Southeast Alaska Gay and Lesbian Alliance.
SEAGLA members support the Fellowship for several reasons:
- JUUF has been an active voice for equal rights for the LGBT community of Juneau.
- It has been financially supportive of both PFLAG and the Pride Chorus.
- It is a “Red Ribbon Congregation” working toward a world without AIDS.
- JUUF members have marched in the 4th of July parade with a banner that says “Unitarian Universalists are for Equal Rights for Gays.”
How can you help? New donations received before February 1 will be matched more than double their value.
Please send a check to JUUF – Capital Campaign, PO Box 20064, Juneau, AK 99802. Even the smallest contributions at this time will help. Thank you.
Learn more about JUUF.
