A long-overdue Bent Alaska update — October 2013

From the statewide newsletter Alaska GLBT News (subscribe)

Alaskans Debate Day of Silence (4/25)

The Fairbanks Daily News Miner has three items on Day of Silence, which have over 400 comments combined. Check out the great editorial: Council reaction to Day of Silence goes overboard, the Letter to the Editor: Day of Silence, and the article: Controversy escalates over ‘Day of Silence’. The Alaska Superstation takes a look at Day of Silence and the opposition in Anchorage: Day of Silence Creates Outcry.

Bac’untry Bruthers –All-Night dRAGTIME Revue

Bacuntry Bruthers is a lesbian drag band from Fairbanks. 4/18 – 9:00pm, the RONDEVOUS, Valdez. 4/25 – 9:00pm, the KODIAK bar, Anchorage. 4/26 – 9:00pm, Crossroads Bar, Anchorage. Listen to them at www.myspace.com/bacuntrybruthers.

Four A’s Million Mile Raffle

Would you like to win 200,000 Alaska Airlines Miles? The Four A’s and local Soroptimist groups are selling raffle tickets with prizes adding up to 1 million Alaska Airlines Miles. The top prize is 200,000 miles. There are also two prizes of 100,000 miles, four prizes of 80,000 miles, five prizes of 40,000 miles and four prizes of 20,000 miles. Tickets are $20 a piece, 3 for $50 or a book of 20 for $325 and all the proceeds will benefit HIV/AIDS efforts in Alaska and globally. Drawing will be held on May 28, 2008 and winners do not need to be present to win. Contact Chrissy: cbell@ALASKANAIDS.ORG.

Fairbanks PFLAG Meeting 4/21, 6:30-8 p.m.

Join us for the next PFLAG meeting, at the Noel Wien Library. Bring ideas for the Golden Days float, parade and fair booth – let’s make it happen.

The Fetish Ball 4/19, 8pm

The naughty dress up party is a fundraiser for Four A’s. Contests, leather wear, body art, entertainment, demos & food. Hosted this year by Kinky Klosets. $10 Mad Myrna’s. 

Aries Birthday Party Potluck 4/20, 4 p.m.

Presents for all Aries who pre-register. Please contact Russ Reno or The Raven with your birth date and name to be included. This is a Potluck – please bring a dish to share. 

This Way Out – GLBT Radio Program, Wednesdays 8:15-8:45 p.m.

This Way Out – The International Lesbian and Gay Radio Magazine – airs in Anchorage on KWMD/104.5 FM, and Kasilof on KWMD/90.7 FM. You can also hear it on the web at Out In America, which has the program summary and past issues. [Note: the KWMD schedule lists This Way Out for 8-8:30 p.m., but this week it aired from 8:15-8:45 p.m.]

Alaska’s GLBT communities and our Allies all over the state have a rare opportunity to participate in a gay event together on the same night – and it doesn’t have to stop there.

On Thursday, the rest of Alaska will see what Juneau gays, lesbians and allies helped to create last month: an Alaskan response to the film Anyone & Everyone, a PBS documentary about the reactions of parents whose son or daughter ‘came out’ as gay or lesbian. Both the documentary and the Alaskan response will air on April 17 on KTOO, KAKM and their affiliates in Fairbanks, Bethel, Kodiak, Anchorage, Juneau and many other locations.

In March, PFLAG and Iron Zeal Films sponsored Juneau screenings of Anyone & Everyone, and KTOO-TV filmed a panel and audience discussion about the film. In the KTOO production, Anyone & Everyone: An Alaskan Perspective, Juneau mayor Bruce Botelho hosts Casady Herding, The Reverend Mark Boesser, Willie Anderson and Karen Donovan as they share reactions, resources and personal stories as gay Alaskans, our family members and allies.

Anyone & Everyone features parents from a wide range of religions, ethnicities, and political leanings discussing their initial reactions to their child’s coming out. Some respond with unconditional support, but others struggle, fearing alienation from their extended family, their church, or their community. For more about the film and the screenings, see Juneau Responds to Anyone & Everyone.

To draw attention to the show, KTOO Radio’s Community Forum host Dr. Carolyn Brown invited five members of the public for a discussion about Anyone and Everyone. “One is my mother, Mildred Boesser – a grandmother, an active Christian, a mother of a lesbian, and active PFLAG advocate,” writes Sara Boesser from Juneau. “I’m on the panel too, as a 50-something lesbian and activist, along with a lesbian woman in her early 20’s, an older man whose two gay brothers came out to his family in the 1940’s, and a woman counselor who works with Four A’s and has friends who are gay, lesbian and transgendered.”

The Juneau Community Forum radio panel can be heard on www.ktoo.org. Look under KTOO Audio Files – Anyone & Everyone.

The TV broadcast of Anyone & Everyone and Anyone & Everyone: An Alaskan Perspective is on Thursday, April 17 on KAKM-TV, Anchorage from 8:00 to 9:30 pm, and on AlaskaOne (KTOO-Juneau, KUAC-Fairbanks, KYUK-Bethel) and 360 North from 9:00 to 10:30 pm. The programs will be rebroadcast on Saturday, April 19 on ARCS and 360 North from 7:00 to 8:30 pm.

This is a great opportunity for Alaska’s GLBT and Allied communities to see and hear our friends in Juneau. But why stop with Juneau? Let’s continue the discussion, with Alaskan perspectives from different parts of the state. Watch Anyone & Everyone and An Alaskan Perspective, then share your reactions, your family experiences, and your local resources for GLBT Alaskans and our families. 

Send an email to BentAlaska@gmail.com or add a comment to this article. I’ll put the responses together in a new post. Can we hear from each of the regions where the programs are broadcast: Interior, Western, Southcentral and Southeast? Anonymous replies are fine.

Let’s start with Juneau and make it a statewide Alaskan Perspective. How about it?

“The ICP Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball was a huge success. Prince Cory Crowder and Princess Rhonda Sheer stepped down, making way for our new Prince and Princess, Joseph Williams and April Rains. Fun was had by all, and the entertainment was awesome. Cory and Rhonda put on a fabulous show.”

 ~ From Mary Bess of the Imperial Court of All Alaska (ICOAA)

From the statewide newsletter Alaska GLBT News (subscribe)

  Alaska’s Response to Anyone & Everyone, airs 4/17

See our Juneau friends on TV! Watch the film Anyone & Everyone, followed by a 30 minute program on the responses of GLBT Alaskans and our family members, with a panel on resources for families of gays & lesbians. The program was taped last month and includes the Mayor of Juneau. Airs in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Bethel, Homer and anywhere that gets KTOO, KAKM, and their affiliates. Watch the trailer for Anyone & Everyone. Read about the Alaskan Response to the film.

  Gay-Friendly Fishing Guides?

Know any gay-friendly fishing guides on the Kenai? It’s almost that time of year, and we want your recommendations. Contact Jim.

  Fairbanks Potluck 4/15, 6:30 p.m.

Based on the success of the Community Potluck we had in March, we’re having another in April. Lots of fun, good conversation, great food. At the Ken Kunkel Center in Gold Stream. If you need a ride, or have questions, contact Brad.

  Celebration of Change 4/12, 7 p.m.

Win a Ticket to Celebration of Change – Pirates of the Lesibbean! Enjoy the show, shop at the Bazaar and congratulate the winner of this year’s Radical Woman Award. All are welcome to attend. Read Lesbian Pirates Celebrate Music and Art. Wilda Marston Theatre, Loussac Library, Anchorage. Tickets are $15 at Metro and GLCCA. Sponsored by RAW

  Comedy Hypnosis Show 4/12, 9 p.m.

In Anchorage. $10 Mad Myrna’s

  3rd Annual Bake Sale for Four A’s, 4/13, 4-6 p.m.

Scott Turner’s Bake Sale at Mad Myrna’s (in Anchorage) to benefit Four A’s. Bring your appetite and help raise more money this year. Can you provide baked goods, sweet or savory, Gluten Free/Wheat Free, Sugar Free/Diabetic, Bake & Take, or those fancy desserts for the Auction? From Scott: “I’ll be wearing another chocolate cake this year, but you better bring your wallets, because I will be up for auction this time!” Contact Scott.

  PFLAG/Anchorage Annual Potluck and Silent Auction 4/17, 6-9 p.m.

Join PFLAG Anchorage for their Annual Potluck and Silent Auction. Proceeds will benefit both PFLAG and the Four A’s. Bring a dish to share and check out the silent auction items. At Immanuel Presbyterian Church (2311 Pembroke Street-east of 24th and Boniface). Contact Chrissy.

It’s a pirate’s life for Celebration of Change this year, and the Pirates of the Lesibbean have captured the Wilda Marston Theater for the annual women’s performance. 

The show begins with a rowdy pirate song and dance number with music from the Pirates of the Caribbean 3. “Plenty of swabbing of the poop deck and stage combat,” said Leslie Ward, who choreographed the scene. “Dancers ‘capture’ performers and ‘toss them into the brig’ (backstage).”

Ward will perform two solo dances later in the show, jazz/modern and hip hop style. Other performers include EverReady, Barbara Wish and Stray Dogma. There will be dance, song, spoken word and comedy, and Radical Arts for Women (RAW) will announce the winner of the Radical Woman Award.

The Bazaar before and after the show includes visual art, information and snacks.

“I haven’t seen the rehearsals at all,” said Laura Carpenter, Coordinator of RAW and Treasurer/P.R. for Celebration. “I’m the behind the scenes person this year. The show will just happen like magic for me that night. I’m excited about it.”

Carpenter has been involved with Celebration of Change for five years and performed in several shows. As Coordinator of RAW, she oversaw the distribution of $2,000 in grants in 2007 to feminist and lesbian artists.

“Celebration is usually a full house, but not sold out,” said Laura. “I like it that way because I don’t like turning people away.” The $15 tickets are available before the show at Metro and the GLCCA, and are the same price at the door Saturday night. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show begins at 7 p.m.

Celebration of Change is the annual fundraiser for Radical Arts for Women, a Lesbian and Feminist philanthropic organization that funds Alaskan women art projects. In addition to Celebration and the Radical Woman Award, RAW sponsors a short story contest for women in Alaska. This year’s winning entry is posted on the RAW web site.

So hoist a lavendar skull and crossbones, and come to the Wilda Marston Theater in Loussac Library for Celebration of Change – Pirates of the Lesibbean!

by E. Ross

Going to Gay Days at Disney World in Orlando this June? Or the US Gay Tennis Open in San Francisco in May? Maybe you’d like to spend a week in Miami in June? How about Santa Rosa, CA before April 30?

Then take advantage of the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air discount codes and fly for 10% off the base fare when you buy the tickets on their Gay Travel site.

These are the infamous ‘gay discounts’ that caused an outpouring of hate speech on the Internet last year. Confused homophobes claimed that the airlines were charging higher prices to straight travelers by offering a discount to gays. Anti-diversity conservatives posted angry rants because Alaska Airlines recognized the power of the pink dollar and marketed to us on the web.

In reality, anyone can use the discount codes, gay or straight, and no one is required to attend the LGBT events to receive the discount. You just have to fly to a qualifying airport during the discounted dates.

The Gay Travel site is an effort to reach LGBT consumers and to promote online ticketing. In response to the feedback condemning the new site, the airlines removed “Gay Travel” from the title of the featured destination page, but kept the main site and the list of LGBT events in locations they serve.

Every year, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation rates large U.S. employers on a scale from 0 to 100 based on whether or not they have policies that support LGBT employees, consumers and investors. Alaska Airlines, headquartered in Seattle, Washington, earned 95 out of 100 on the Corporate Equality Index 2008, rating a ‘green light’ in the Buying For Equality Guide. Only two airlines rated higher, American Airlines and US Airways, with 100 points each. No Alaska-based companies were included in the Index, but many of the rated companies do business in Alaska.

Here are the Alaska Airlines discounted dates and locations for 2008:

To receive the discount, just enter the correct code for your date and location of travel in the Discount Code box when you purchase the tickets at alaskaair.com/gaytravel. The discount will show in the final total of your ticket and is for the base fare only. Be sure to read the limitations of the discount codes before buying the ticket.

In these days of rising air fares, a 10% discount is a welcome sight. When Alaska Airlines recognizes and rewards their LGBT customers, employees and investors, we can support their efforts and encourage them to continue ‘Taking Diversity to the Sky.’

California and Florida, here we come!

Previously, I posted the first part of a series on GLBT Alaskan Resources: Where to Find GLBT Alaska – Annual Events. I asked for feedback to update the list and received several messages about two changes: The Pride Conference was not held at UAA last year, and the Picnic may no longer be held in Eklutna.

Here is the revised list of main annual events for GLBT Alaska, in seasonal order:

The list is still focused on Anchorage. What are the main annual events for Fairbanks and Juneau? Please email or leave a comment below, and help to make a complete resource list for GLBT Alaska. Not sure how to comment? Read 5 Easy Ways to Enjoy This Blog.

From Alaska GLBT News (subscribe)

National LGBT Health Awareness Week 4/6-4/12

The National Coalition for LGBT Health presents the 6th Annual LGBT Health Awareness Week, April 6-12, 2008. “Make your body healthy, make your mind strong, make your community powerful, make your voice heard.” 

Interior AIDS Association Raffle

What would you do with $11,000? Read Big Prizes in IAA Raffle. The raffle is open to everyone, everywhere – but only 250 tickets are sold. Drawing in June. Tickets available at the IAA office. Email Barbara.

Margaret Cho’s Beautiful Tour – tickets available 4/4

The Performing Arts Center finally has Margaret Cho on the calendar. In the Atwood Concert Hall, tickets through CenterTix. Watch her hilarious routine about working on an Olivia Cruise in Alaska.

Voices of Men 4/4, 8 p.m.

Ben Atherton-Zeman, a nationally known poignant comedian, presents his one-man show Voices of Men as a benefit for S.T.A.R. (Standing Together Against Rape.) $10 Mad Myrna’s.

Womyn’s Dance 4/5 7 p.m.

Are you ready to dance? We are! The Womyn’s Dance is April 5 at the Snow Goose. Enjoy a great variety of music and plenty of dancing women. Optional $5 contribution. LET’S DANCE! Contact Carolyn. Read Anchorage Women Dance the Night Away.

Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball 4/5, Show at 9 p.m.

Celebrate the stepping down of our reigning Prince Cory and Princess Rhonda, and welcome the new prince and princess of the Imperial Court. $15 includes a buffet dinner and dessert. Mad Myrna’s. Contact Mary Bess.

MCC’s Johnathan Jones Appreciation Day Potluck 4/6

Johnathan Jones Appreciation Day Potluck after the 2 p.m. service on 4/6. If you want to be on the program (no sermon), or have questions, contact Edie. Read Appreciating MCC’s Rev. Johnathan Jones. There is a special meeting on Saturday 4/5 at GLCCA 11 a.m. to brainstorm fundraising ideas for MCC.

• Johnathan left Australia in 2004 when he was only 24 to accept a position as the pastor of MCC-Anchorage. 
• He had already experienced a divorce from a heterosexual marriage and was a physical and sexual abuse survivor.   

• He threw himself into the work and began building the church.
• He labors to lead a service that has wide appeal, because the congregation is very diverse. 
• His sermons make positive references to the GLBT community. 
• He quotes scripture that dispels the notion that homosexuality is condemned in the Bible.
• He made MCC known in the community. 

• He works on the Identity Helpline and fields questions concerning homosexuality and the Bible. 
• He is Co-Chair of the PrideFest 2008 Committee and leads the Gay Memorial & MCC Pride Service. 
• He accepts numerous speaking opportunities at UAA and in the community at large. 
• He gives interviews on radio talk shows about homosexuality and religion.  
• He speaks out through Compass pieces in the Anchorage Daily News.  
• He is often interviewed on TV when there is an issue in the news about the GLBT community.  
• He lobbied the Senate and Congress in DC concerning the Matthew Shephard Act. (Equal Opportunity Law Enforcement Act and Equal Non-Discrimination Act.)  
• He personally met with Senator Murkowski to discuss the bills. (She did vote for the Matthew Shephard Act.)

• Johnathan is a very personable young man who laughs easily and loves deeply.  
• His sincerity is immediately apparent to all who meet him.  
• He shares many of his life’s experiences with the congregation, demonstrating that one can survive all sorts of discrimination, prejudice, and abuse and still be a Christian.  
• He is deeply loved by his congregation.