Bent Alaska | Alaska's LGBTQA blog

Hollis French on the Struggle for Equal Rights

Thursday, 24 September 2009 – 11:21 AM | Comments Off

This message of support came from Hollis French, a Democratic member of the Alaska Senate and chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He announced his candidacy for Governor in July.

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The Struggle For Equal Rights For All of Alaska’s Citizens Is Not A New One

In 1945, a state senator from Juneau speaking on an anti-discrimination bill said, “Who are these people, barely out of savagery, who want to associate with us whites, with 5000 years of civilization behind us?” Elizabeth Peratrovich, who was the guiding force behind the bill, responded by saying, “I would not have expected that I, who am barely out of savagery, would have to remind the gentlemen with five thousand years of recorded civilization behind them of our Bill of Rights.” Peratrovich’s remarks are credited with pushing Alaska’s Anti-Discrimination Act of 1945, one of the first anti-discrimination laws in a United States territory, through to passage.

Our constitution’s promise of equal protection under the law is still in the process of fulfillment. It seems as though each generation must renew the effort, expanding the boundaries of equality through activism, political discourse, or civil disobedience.

A few years ago, the civil rights issue being discussed in Juneau was whether same sex couples should enjoy the same [employment] rights as heterosexual couples. In 2005 the Alaska Supreme Court ruled unanimously that they should, but some legislators objected, and in 2006 they introduced measures to amend our constitution to shrink the meaning of ‘equal protection under the law.’ I fought that measure as a member of the Judiciary Committee and I fought it again when it came up for a vote before the full Senate. The debate spilled over into 2007, when an advisory vote asking whether our constitution should be amended was placed on the ballot statewide and it narrowly passed. In response, another constitutional amendment was introduced in the Legislature, and I was proud to help other like-minded legislators defeat it.

This year’s effort to expand the meaning of ‘equal protection’ was the ordinance passed by the Anchorage Assembly that would have prohibited discrimination in jobs and housing based on sexual orientation, much the same way that discrimination is prohibited based on race, gender, age and religion. As we all know, the measure was vetoed by Mayor Sullivan and the Assembly was one vote short of an override. That setback for the civil rights of Alaska’s citizens will someday be righted; perhaps through a citizen’s initiative, or perhaps through the election of a new mayor, or through the election of one more equal-rights minded assembly member.

Thus, the struggle goes on. The tide of history is clear, though. We are on the right side of this issue, and we will prevail.

The Lion Sings and Tan-N-Test for Four A’s

Tuesday, 22 September 2009 – 10:44 PM | Comments Off

We have two unique opportunities to raise money for Four A’s this week: the cast of The Lion King is performing a benefit cabaret show at Mad Myrna’s on Monday September 28, and Preview Sun & Day Spa is holding a Tan-N-Test fundraiser on Saturday, September 26.

“The Lion Sings Tonight” is a one night only cabaret by the cast of The Lion King to benefit Four A’s and Broadway Cares. The show is on Monday September 28 at Mad Myrna’s on 530 E. 5th Avenue. The doors open at 7 p.m. and the cabaret begins at 7:30. Tickets are $20 and will be available for purchase at the door or in advance by calling 263-2046.

Preview Sun & Day Spa is hosting the first ever Tan-N-Test fundraiser for Four A’s. Come to Preview on Saturday, September 26 from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and get a free tan when you make a donation to Four A’s. There will be door prizes, free HIV testing, food and the opportunity to support HIV positive individuals in Alaska.

Preview Sun and Day Spa is located in Northern Lights Village at 1443 W. Northern Lights, Suite X, near the corner of Northern Lights and Minnesota. For more information, call 263-2046 or visit Preview Salon online and the Four A’s.

KK editor, former ADN writer seeks Queer Alaska stories

Monday, 21 September 2009 – 1:07 PM | Comments Off

Remember the local lesbian newsletter, Klondyke Kontact? Kim Wyatt, an editor of the KK and board member of RAW, has co-founded Bona Fide Books and wants to publish your stories of being gay or lesbian in the Great Land.

Queer in the Last Frontier is an anthology of literary essays that explore the experiences of LGBT Alaskans, the challenges and pleasures of being queer – for both newcomers and old-timers – in a place that is “isolated, conservative, and impossibly beautiful.” Bona Fide is also seeking essays for an anthology called Permanent Vacation: Living and Working in Our National Parks. The two calls for submission were posted earlier this month HERE.

Kim gave Bent Alaska the scoop on Queer in the Last Frontier:

Q. Why did you choose an anthology of literary essays on Queer Alaska?

A. I’ve always loved nonfiction anthologies, and received an MFA in nonfiction from UAA. Also, I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and living in Alaska was an eye-opener. I felt like I had a better understanding of queer life and the importance of community after my time here. (Plus, I really love the title!)

Q. What queer and writing activities were you involved in when you lived in Alaska?

A. I edited the Klondyke Kontact for a while, and one of my goals was to make it a newsmagazine. I did shepherd it from rainbow-hued Xeroxed paper to newsprint with art, and tried to bring some consistency to the columns and layout. I applied for grants from the Gill Foundation and other organizations to upgrade materials. I had a lot of fun working on the KK, and had the help of some great Alaskan women. I was also on the board of Radical Arts for Women. And as I mentioned above, I got an MFA at UAA, and wrote for the Anchorage Daily News.

Q. What qualities are you looking for in the essays?

A. Honesty and transcendence are ideal, but I’m probably partial to stories that make me laugh or cry. We’re really just looking for well-written explorations of queer life in Alaska. Or life in Alaska as it is experienced by someone who happens to be queer. You can write about relationships, the Northern Lights, or working on a fishing boat. Just tell your story.

Q. Will you be visiting Alaska to promote the book?

A. Absolutely. I try to get up there whenever I can.

Kim has a special greeting for all the Alaskans who remember her, especially the KK readers:

“Hello, Alaskans! I just got back from a backpacking trip with another former Alaskan, Val Garrison – the friendships I made there are lasting, because that’s just the kind of people Alaskans are. (And I would like to give a shout-out to the Wesleyan Wimmin’s Writing Wetreat!)”

photo: Bona Fide Books Publisher Kim Wyatt & Val Garrison goofing around in Yosemite 9/09.

The deadline for submitting an essay to Queer in the Last Frontier is February 5, 2010 and the word count is limited to 5,000. Writers will receive $100 for their story and one copy of the collection. Send to Bona Fide Books submissions with “Alaska” and the title of the work in the subject line.

For more information, please visit Bona Fide Books.

Sara’s News Round-up 9/20/09

Sunday, 20 September 2009 – 10:02 PM | Comments Off

Another batch of interesting news from Sara in Juneau. Follow the linked titles to the articles and web sites.

1) Anchorage Pride Conference 2009!

October 9-11, 2009, at Alaska Pacific University – Atwood Center

Anchorage, Alaska, Identity Inc.

2) Uruguay allows gay adoptions

Uruguay, ABC, September 10, 2009

3) Torah Queeries: Weekly Commentaries on the Hebrew Bible through a “bent lens”

Amazon.com

4) Straight spouses advocate same-sex marriage

San Francisco, 365Gay.com, September 14, 2009

5) Welcome to the Straight Spouse Network

Straight Spouse Network

6) Corzine: NJ Gay Marriage “This Year”

New Jersey, Advocate, September 15, 2009

7) ‘We need to celebrate ourselves’ ~ Black Gay Pride parties with a purpose

Atlanta, Southern Voice, September 11, 2009

8) Partridge ‘surprised’ by response

UKPA, September 12, 2009

9) Lesbian to Be Named to EEOC Post

Washington, Advocate, September 14, 2009

10) Brandon church claims Pepsi promotes gay lifestyle

Brandon, Florida, ABC Action News, September 11, 2009

11) Vanasco: Is Maine about to lose marriage?

Maine, 365Gay.com, September 18, 2009

12) Gay, bisexual teens at risk for eating disorders

New York, Reuters, September 18, 2009

13) Entertainment Industry and Faith Leaders Endorse National Equality March

TowleRoad, September 15, 2009

14) Serbian gay parade is called off

Serbia, BBC, September 19, 2009

15) Offer to deface Bible withdrawn

Glasgow, Scotland, BBC, August 3, 2009

16) Charlize Won’t Marry Unless Her Gay Friends Can

Advocate, September 18, 2009

This Week in LGBT Alaska 9/18/09

Friday, 18 September 2009 – 8:16 AM | Comments Off

This week’s events from the statewide newsletter. Subscribe to Alaska GLBT News.

Juneau

SEAGLA Social Fridays (6-8 p.m.) for GLBT people and our friends over 21, at The Imperial Bar, downtown.

Mat-Su Valley

Mat-Su LGBT Community Center in Palmer is open M-F 5-8 p.m. (except 6-8 on Wed.) The social group meets Wednesdays, 5-6 p.m. at Vagabond Blues.

Anchorage

Tim Miller performs “Lay of the Land” at Out North, Sept 18-19, 7:30 p.m.

Jay Her’s Adult Comedy Hypnosis Show 9/19, 9 p.m. $10 at Mad Myrna’s

Side Street Saturdays, an informal meetup for LGBT writers, at noon in Side Street Cafe.

Sunday worship with MCC Anchorage, 2 p.m.

Transgender Support Group, Sundays 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the GLCCA.

Alaskans Together annual meeting on Oct 11, scholarships available

Thursday, 17 September 2009 – 8:50 AM | 3 Comments

Alaskans Together for Equality, Inc. (ATE) is happy to announce its 1st Annual Meeting, to be held at the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Anchorage on Sunday October 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

We will be engaged in important strategic planning to determine the future direction of Alaska’s only statewide civil rights group focused on promoting the rights of Alaska’s LGBTQ population. This is an open meeting and all are welcome and encouraged to attend. Lunch will be held on site.

In order to help people from outside of the Anchorage area to be able to participate in the meeting, we are providing a limited number of scholarships to help defray travel expenses. If you would like to apply for a scholarship, please send an email containing your name, contact information, and a brief statement on why you would like to attend the meeting to Joseph Lapp.

ATE will also be making a presentation at the Anchorage Pride Conference on Saturday October 10, and we will be hosting a social and fundraiser after the Conference from 5-7:30 p.m.

True Diversity Dinner gives Everyone a Place at the Table

Wednesday, 16 September 2009 – 8:59 AM | 2 Comments

Update: It was awesome! Read A Diversity Dinner to Remember for the planned, unplanned and many inspiring moments of the evening. Thank you, John and Heather.

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September is the Mayor’s Diversity Month, beginning just two weeks after Mayor Sullivan vetoed the Anchorage Assembly’s LGBT anti-discrimination ordinance. The main event of Diversity Month is the Mayor’s Dinner.

The evening of food, awards and entertainment was called the Diversity Dinner by Mayor Begich, but Mayor Sullivan changed the name to “Unity” after vetoing Ordinance 64, and invited Lynn Swann, an anti-gay Republican political candidate from outside, to give the keynote address.

The irony of his actions inspired allies John Aronno of Alaska Commons and Heather Aronno of SOSAnchorage.net to plan an alternate diversity dinner, with input from other bloggers and LGBT newsletter editors.

Please join us for a real diversity celebration, on the same night as Sullivan’s “dis-unity” dinner. True Diversity Dinner will be a wonderful evening of pro-diversity entertainment, speakers and awards:

September is our Mayor’s Diversity Month and September 25th is the Diversity Awards banquet at the Hilton in downtown Anchorage. Unfortunately, Mayor Sullivan is uncomfortable with the term “diversity” and has changed the name to the “Unity” Awards Banquet and celebration. The mayor has stated publicly that he does not celebrate the ways in which we are all different, but rather, the ways in which we are the same.

Some of us do not feel celebrated at all, and are organizing a true diversity celebration on the same night, in the spirit of the current administration’s own definition of diversity. We have rented the Snow Goose (September 25th, doors open at 7pm and festivities begin at 7:30). We wish it to be as diverse and multi-cultural as possible and much more fun than whatever will occur at the Hilton. And while the “Unity” Dinner will feature a silent auction and cost the small price of $60 a ticket… Ours will be only $10 (just to cover costs) and is quickly filling up with local performers, awards, and speakers including Assemblywoman Elvi Gray-Jackson, Diane Benson, and Shannyn Moore!

It will be a great night, after what has been a rough summer for many in our Alaskan family, and we hope you can join us. Tickets are available in advance through Borders Books & Music (and hopefully some place in mid-town or downtown, TBA.)

Awards in excellence in the representation, advancement, and advocacy of diversity will be handed out at the True Diversity Dinner. Voting has begun for the 6 award categories HERE on a tab of the main web site for True Diversity Dinner.

In addition to the True Diversity Dinner, there will be one LGBT event on the official Mayor’s Diversity Month calendar: A GLBT Open House at the Community Center.

The Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Anchorage is hosting a Diversity Month Open House with entertainment, door prizes and light refreshments to welcome our GLBT friends and allies. The GLCCA Open House is on Sept. 26, from 5-7 p.m. at 336 E. 5th Ave.

Pray-Away-the-Gay Speaker at UAF, Students say "Stop the Hate"

Tuesday, 15 September 2009 – 10:05 AM | 8 Comments

Update: The UAF Gay-Straight Alliance used this event to spark a dialogue about the “ex-gays” and earned the support of the Chancellor and the community. Read about it HERE.

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The huge event banner hanging from the stairs in the UAF Wood Center this week reads: “GAY? LONELY? CONFUSED? Hear Ex-Gay Edward Delgado’s Compelling True Story: “From Sin’s Bondage to Christ’s Freedom!” ‘Straight’ for over 20 years and married to a beautiful wife & has two sons!” The banner also advertises free de-gaying counseling and links to anti-gay websites.

The UAF Campus Bible Ministries is sponsoring the pray-away-the-gay speaker from Exodus International. Delgado is scheduled to speak 14 times in 4 days, on Sept 15-18. He is not one of their regular speakers and is not listed on any Exodus web sites.

Students in the Gay Straight Alliance will hand out information on the truth behind the “ex-gay” lies, and peacefully protest during the speeches. They also want the offensive banner to be removed.

“We aren’t looking to stop the speaker, as he does have the right to speak,” writes GSA member Jessi Angelette, “but the banner is uncalled for. Many people from staff to students are offended by it and are working to have the banner removed.”

The GSA will be tabling on the theme “Stop the Hate” on Tuesday from 12 to 2 p.m. in the Wood Center Mall. They asked to table all week, but were told the table space was all booked up. (Who reserved so many tables for this event?) Instead, they will peacefully protest outside on Wed., Thurs. and Friday.

LGBT-supportive students, staff and Fairbanks community members are invited to join the GSA. They will gather each day at the Wood Center before the first speech, around 10 a.m. on Wed. & Friday, and 11 a.m. on Thurs. Several students plan to attend one of the speeches “all rainbowed up.”

People everywhere can help by emailing the following people about taking down the offensive banner: UAF Chancellor Rogers; the Director of UAF’s Office of Equal Opportunity, Earlina Bowden; and the Board of Regents (Cynthia Henry, Chair or the full Board contact list.) In your message to the Board of Regents, please also mention the need to add sexual orientation to the UA system’s anti-discrimination policies.

The American Psychological Association released a report in August saying that pray-away-the-gay therapies do not work and can lead to depression or suicide. Instead, the APA encourages therapists to try other options for helping clients, like support networks, education on gay issues, or switching churches.

In the video below, three former leaders of Exodus International, including co-founder Michael Busse, explain the failure of “ex-gay” counseling methods and give a public apology for the harm they caused to gays and lesbians while working for Exodus:

Anchorage Assembly awarded at Coronation 09

Monday, 14 September 2009 – 11:42 AM | One Comment

The Imperial Court of All Alaska ushered in the reign of the new Emperor and Empress, presented nineteen scholarships and five Community Service Awards — including a group award to the Assembly members who voted “yes” on Ordinance 64 — and performed a series of well-attended shows during Coronation 2009 on Labor Day Weekend.

“We had the best attendance at all functions in years,” writes Emperor XXV Mikey La Choy. “Empress 37 Miss MeMe and Emperor 37 Kevin Holtz have a great year in store for us all, but of course they will need the support of the entire community to make it a success.”

In addition to crowning the new monarchs, Coronation 2009 gave Community Service Awards to these recipients:

Peter Dispirito memorial Award: Adam & Steve: Alex Barros, Teddy Jones, Donald Greene & Jared Krapfl

Wayne Hussey Memorial Award: Holli Yancey

Raymond Jorgenson Memorial Group Award: The 7 brave members of the Anchorage Assembly who voted “Yes” for the equal rights ordinance: Patrick Flynn, Matt Claman, Harriet Drummond, Elvi Gray-Jackson, Sheila Selkregg, Mike Gutierrez & Jennifer Johnston

Shante’ Youth Service Award: Willow Arnell and Mike Mason

Rochelle DeLite Memorial Fairbanks Service Award: Keith Darkchild

The Imperial Court intends to formally present the Raymond Jorgenson Memorial Group Award at an Assembly meeting and personally thank those members who voted in favor of Ordinance 64. The LGBTA community will be invited to the award presentation when a date is finalized.

The 2009 Emperors and Empresses Scholarship Fund awarded a total of $48,500 to 19 students: Alex Barrows, Logan Bartels, James Crump, Rolland Debler, France Desmarattes, Wiliam Ehelebe, Mark Essert, Rachel Furman, John Hirst, Kenneth Jenkins, Wendy Langley, Joshua Lee, Monica Lettner, Colleen McNulty, Juanita Reese, David Robinson, Darren Starr, Emily Tiller and Karl Wade.

Congratulations to Empress 37 Miss MeMe and Emperor 37 Kevin Holtz! We look forward to a wonderful reign.