Headline »

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.

Read the full story »
News
Features
Society

Politics, religion, etc.

Commentary
Life

Arts, sports, & other stuff we do when we’re not at work. Or even when we ARE at work.

Fire Victims say Thank You, Pride T-shirts on Sale, & SOSAnchorage.Net

Saturday, 6 June 2009 – 10:30 PM | Comments Off on Fire Victims say Thank You, Pride T-shirts on Sale, & SOSAnchorage.Net
Fire Victims say Thank You, Pride T-shirts on Sale, & SOSAnchorage.Net
Gay AK: Notes from LGBT Alaska
Congratulations to the people of New Hampshire, which became the 6th state in the U.S. to legalize same sex marriage.
Community pulls together for gay fire victims
The fundraiser for Garfield and Alvin, who lost their home in the Spenard fire on Memorial Day “was a HUGE success! We raised over $2,000 and received a number of gift cards,” wrote Bear, the contact person for donations. “In addition, a ‘ton’ of items was brought in for them (small appliances, clothes, dishes, blankets, etc.) I still have people contacting me to help out. The latest is that a couple is giving them a large color tv. And there are others who are waiting until the guys get settled so that they can donate more household things. This whole project has been litteraly amazing!”
“Garfield and Alvin cannot believe how this turned out. They found a place to live on June 1st. They both are doing much better in the attitude department and are very appreciative of everything that everyone has done for them. They say that every day things are getting better.” The men will sort through the donated items and decide what they can use and what they will pass on to other community members in need.
“Thank you all for your love and support of each other,” added Mary Bess Bohall. “Together we made a huge impact with this fundraiser. Together we can make a huge impact for our community. Thank you to all.”
PrideFest t-shirts on sale at the Center
The shirts for Anchorage PrideFest 2009 are on sale downtown at the Community Center. Check out the full calendar for the many wonderful Pride Week events! If you want to host an event, make sure you have contacted the Anchorage PrideFest committee. Vendor? Volunteer? Marching Unit? Find the information to participate in this year’s activities on the LINKS tab of the website. We can’t wait to join you on the Park Strip for a Celebration of Anchorage, The Last Queer Frontier!
Trans-inclusive nondiscrimination laws
As of July 2008, 13 states and the District of Columbia, and 108 cities & counties, have trans-inclusive nondiscrimination laws. A total of 39% of the U.S. population is covered by laws which ban discrimination on the basis of transgender/transsexual status, which the proposed Anchorage ordinance includes as “gender identity.” Since May 2007, 51.8% of the U.S. population has been covered by state, county, and/or city laws banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
SOSAnchorage.Com vs. SOSAnchorage.Net
“The purpose of Anchorage Ordinance AO NO. 2009-64 is very simply stated and long overdue for our community; it extends protection from workplace discrimination to include sexual orientation. However, Rev. Jerry Prevo of the Anchorage Baptist Temple has vowed to strike down the ordinance, using all the powers of his congregation and bully pulpit. A website has emerged, www.sosanchorage.com, which highlights all the ‘damage’ that workplace equality will wreak upon our city. My fiance and I have erected a counter-website at www.sosanchorage.net to highlight the blatant falsehoods and misleading information. Please, check out sosanchorage.com to view the fearmongering, and then head over to sosanchorage.net and help us get the facts out! Tell your friends, and keep this going. June 9th is right around the corner.”

Celebration of Change Art Show and Silver Anniversary Performance

Friday, 5 June 2009 – 2:17 PM | Comments Off on Celebration of Change Art Show and Silver Anniversary Performance
Celebration of Change Art Show and Silver Anniversary Performance
The big 25th Anniversary Celebration of Change will be at the Wilda Marston Theater in Loussac Library, on June 13 at 7 p.m., and you can get a taste of Celebration this weekend at CoC’s first Art Show! 

Everyone is invited to the free First Friday reception, 7-9 p.m. on June 5 at the Kodiak Bar and Grill, 225 E 5th Ave. The show features a variety of art work by female Alaskans and continues through June 29.

 

Don’t miss the Celebration of Change Silver Anniversary performance. Celebrate over 20 years of community and women loving women. This show features familiar and fresh faces and includes music, dance, comedy and spoken word. The Radical Woman Award winner will be announced during the show. It will be a great night.  
Tickets are $15 and available at the GLCCA and Metro. Last year they had standing room only, so get your tickets early.
Celebration of Change is the annual fundraiser for Radical Arts for Women (RAW), a Lesbian and Feminist philanthropic organization that funds Alaskan women art projects. RAW also holds an annual Short Story contest. 

This Week in LGBT Alaska 6/5/09

Friday, 5 June 2009 – 8:01 AM | Comments Off on This Week in LGBT Alaska 6/5/09
This Week in LGBT Alaska 6/5/09
The public hearing on the Anchorage equal rights Ordinance is Tuesday, June 9 in the Assembly Chambers, 1st floor of Loussac Library. Please be there by 4:30 p.m. and stay until the end. Wear blue, or your Equality Works button.
This week’s LGBT events from the statewide newsletter (subscribe to Alaska GLBT News)

Fairbanks

Ask the UA Board of Regents to Amend the Non-Discrimination Policy, 6/4-6/5

Dance Your Heart Out: Country Western 2 step lessons & dancing 5/29, 7:30 p.m. $12/drop in. Bovee Studio, 1845 Caribou Way, off College Rd. RSVP to Judith

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. Harmony Choir meets at the Center on Thursdays, 6:30 p.m.

Anchorage

Would Jesus Discriminate? Town Hall meeting, prayer, potluck and panel 6/5, 6 p.m. at St. Mary’s, on the corner of Tudor and Lake Otis

Celebration of Change Art Show 6/5, 7-9 p.m. First Friday reception at the Kodiak Bar and Grill.

Liz Collins’ First Friday opening 6/6, 5-7 p.m. at Out North

Alaska Rainbows monthly dinner 6/6, 5 p.m. RSVP to Colleen

Assembly Hearing on the Equal Rights Ordinance 6/9, Loussac Library, arrive at 4 p.m. RSVP to Equality Works

Good for Communities. Good for the Economy. Good for Business.

Friday, 5 June 2009 – 5:31 AM | Comments Off on Good for Communities. Good for the Economy. Good for Business.
Good for Communities. Good for the Economy. Good for Business.
Many of Anchorage’s major employers have in place a non-discrimination policy that protects their lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employees.
These employers, like a majority of the Fortune 500 companies, understand that LGBT-inclusive non-discrimination policies help recruit and retain a more diverse, talented and productive work force. Updating Anchorage’s non-discrimination laws would offer protections to thousands of workers, and these protections are good for our families and our economy. It’s time for Anchorage to protect the diversity that makes our city great. 
Some of the biggest companies in Anchorage already include sexual orientation and gender identity in their nondiscrimination policies.
A Non Discrimination Ordinance: Good for Communities. Good for the Economy. Good for Business.

OfficeMax Celebrates Pride. Does Your Employer?

Thursday, 4 June 2009 – 4:36 PM | 3 Comments
OfficeMax Celebrates Pride. Does Your Employer?
“OfficeMax Celebrates Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Pride Month: Embracing Inclusion” reads the rainbow poster displayed in the break room of the OfficeMax store on Penland Parkway in Anchorage.

“My company OfficeMax made this June LGBT Pride Month!” enthused Chris Oeser on the Anchorage PrideFest‘s Facebook wall. “I am so proud to work there! What a good company!”
Chris, who is running for Mr. Gay Anchorage, asked his employer for this show of support.
“I called the corporate office and put in a suggestion on how to be more diverse and more work friendly for the month of June. Our work is all about cultural diversity and working inclusive with each other, and they pride themselves on doing that. I am so proud to work for a company who promotes LGBT Pride and has a clear view on how different we really are but at the same time appreciates us.”
On June 1, President Obama proclaimed June 2009 as LGBT Pride Month and declared his support for “achieving equal justice under law for LGBT Americans.” Many cities and states also proclaim Pride Month or Pride Day, including Anchorage.
OfficeMax is one of many corporations that supports diversity at the national level and has branches in Alaska. Employers in Alaska like BP, Wells Fargo, UPS, Alaska Airlines, AT&T and J.C. Penney scored 100% on HRC’s Corporate Equality Index. But do these companies openly support diversity in the local stores?
You tell me – Do you work for a local branch of a company that supports diversity at the national level? Do they also support diversity at the local level? Do they celebrate June as LGBT Pride Month?
If not, take a cue from Chris and suggest that your employer celebrate Pride Month here in Alaska. 
If they agree, or already recognize Pride, please send the company name to Bent Alaska. I’ll post a list of local stores and branches that celebrate LGBT Pride. The first national company on the new “Pride at Work in Alaska” list is OfficeMax. Congratulations!
Who is next? Show pride in those diversity policies, and show the people of this city and state what many corporations already know – that support for diversity is good business!

In Support of a Transgender-Inclusive Ordinance

Thursday, 4 June 2009 – 5:26 AM | 2 Comments
In Support of a Transgender-Inclusive Ordinance
It was only a matter of time before someone who considers himself a supporter of the equal rights Ordinance took Prevo’s “men in dresses” bait and suggested that we dump the protections for transgender people. That someone was Ivan Moore.
Moore’s piece in today’s Anchorage Press supports the Ordinance but recommends that we only protect gays from discrimination. (He doesn’t mention lesbians or bisexuals.) 

“On June 9, the Assembly should cut the words “or gender expression or identity” and the related language, and simplify the ordinance down to its real intent, to protect gays from being discriminated against. Gender expression and identity are simply not nice tidy subsets of sexual orientation, and so their placement as such is wrong.  Personally, I think they should consider the inclusion of gender identity, but separately from orientation.  Gender expression should be gotten rid of entirely, the mostly heterosexual crossdressers can just freaking do it in private, and the drag queens… well they don’t care, they like the controversy anyway.”

As far as I know, Moore is heterosexual. Equality Works shows the response from the GLBT community in their recent post:

“People need protection from discrimination on the basis of their gender identity/expression. No one — straight or gay — should be treated unfairly in work or the public sphere. Equality Works believes the small minority of transgender people in our community — people  who have served in our military, who drive our taxis, and who have children and families to provide for — are no less deserving of employment and housing than anyone else. While some in our community try to paint transgender people as a dangerous threat, transgender men and women are far more likely to be the targets of violent harassment and discrimination than those who would refuse them equal opportunity under the law.”

Don’t play Prevo’s divide-and-conquer game. Stand with us in support of a transgender-inclusive nondiscrimination policy.

UA Students ask Regents to Amend Non-Discrimination Policy

Wednesday, 3 June 2009 – 10:05 PM | Comments Off on UA Students ask Regents to Amend Non-Discrimination Policy
UA Students ask Regents to Amend Non-Discrimination Policy
For the second time this year, University of Alaska students and supporters will ask the UA Board of Regents to add “sexual orientation” to the non-discrimination policy of the UA system. They will make their request during the Regents meeting on June 4-5 at UAF.
“It’s time that we take a stand and be proactive in making sure all students are protected,” reads the message on their Facebook event page. “The Board should not wait until a terrible incident happens to see how important amending the policy is.”

On April 8-9, a group of students from Fairbanks, and one from Juneau, traveled to Valdez to testify to board members about tuition and the univeristy’s non-discrimination policy. Jessica Angelette spoke on behalf of the UAF Gay Straight Alliance. The issue wasn’t on the April agenda, but board chair Cynthia Henry urged the students to keep the dialogue open.
UA President Mark Hamilton spoke with the students outside the meeting room on the Prince William Sound Community College campus. (Pictured from left to right: Hamilton, Patrick Sanders, Todd Vorisek, Jessica Angelette and Kirsten Halpin. Photo by Kate Ripley.)
The University of Alaska does not include “sexual orientation” in their non discrimination policies, although UAA includes it in their Diversity Statement. The Board of Regents must approve amendments to the policies.
“It would be good to have anyone in Fairbanks who supports us to come out and speak,” writes Jessica. “If you would like to share your story with the Board, please feel free to do so.”
The public testimony will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday June 4, and 9 a.m. on Friday June 5, in room 109 of the Butrovich Building at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. A sign-up sheet will be available prior to the meeting.

Equality Works Sets the Record Straight

Wednesday, 3 June 2009 – 9:58 PM | One Comment
Equality Works Sets the Record Straight

Equality Works Seeks Truthful Discussion on Proposed Ordinance
Sets Record Straight on Mayor’s Proposal to End Discrimination in Anchorage
 

Equality Works, a coalition of Alaska Organizations working to end discrimination in Anchorage, today announced a coordinated effort to ensure that debate about the proposed equal rights Ordinance focuses on the facts.

 

Jackie Buckley, spokesperson for Equality Works stated: “Equality Works believes that workers in Anchorage should be judged solely on their qualifications and the merits of their work, and that no one should have to deny who they are in order to keep an apartment or a job. We know that the vast majority of Anchorage residents want to protect their friends, neighbors, family and coworkers from discrimination or harassment.”
 
“Unfortunately, there has been an effort to misrepresent what the proposed updates to the Municipality’s Equal Rights law would do,” continued Buckley. “It is important that in considering Anchorage’s future and the kind of city we strive to be, that we base our decisions on facts — not unfounded and unproven fears.”
  • Anchorage already has a nondiscrimination law. However, because “sexual orientation” is not currently a protected class, the Anchorage Equal Rights Commission has no jurisdiction to track or investigate these cases of suspected discrimination. The Anchorage Equal Rights Commission has unanimously endorsed 2009-64, the proposed Ordinance updates. Supporters of equality are only asking that sexual orientation be included in the list of protected classes for a law that is already on the books.
  • Anchorage’s nondiscrimination law has never prohibited businesses from establishing standards of conduct and behavior suitable for the marketplace and other professional settings.  The majority of Fortune 500 companies, including some with a local presence — such as BP, Alaska Airlines, and Wells Fargo — have voluntarily adopted internal policies to protect people from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation/gender identity. These corporations understand that LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination policies help to recruit and retain a more diverse, talented, and productive workforce.  No clause in the proposed Ordinance requires an employer, business owner, or realtor to tolerate anyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, who behaves in an inappropriate, disruptive or unprofessional manner, including in a restroom or other facilities.
  • The US Constitution’s Bill of Rights promises every American the freedom to practice their religion and express their opinion without persecution. The Municipality of Anchorage recognizes those rights by including “religion” as a protected class in its current nondiscrimination laws, and the Ordinance includes language that allows churches and other religious organizations to limit access or admission to those who share their beliefs. 
  • People need protection from discrimination on the basis of their gender identity/expression. No one — straight or gay — should be treated unfairly in work or the public sphere. Equality Works believes the small minority of transgender people in our community — people  who have served in our military, who drive our taxis, and who have children and families to provide for — are no less deserving of employment and housing than anyone else. While some in our community try to paint transgender people as a dangerous threat, transgender men and women are far more likely to be the targets of violent harassment and discrimination than those who would refuse them equal opportunity under the law.

Equality Works is a coalition of organizations and individuals working to protect Anchorage citizens from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in matters of employment, housing, and public accommodations, and includes the Alaska Women’s Lobby, Alaska Women’s Political Caucus, Alaskans Together for Equality, Alliance for Reproductive Justice-Alaska, American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska, Anchorage Education Association, Anchorage Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Anchorage Urban League, Association of Fundraising Professionals-Alaska Chapter, Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network-Anchorage (GLSEN), Identity, Inc., Immanuel Presbyterian Church, League of Women Voters of Anchorage, National Association of Social Workers-Alaska Chapter, Parents, Friends and Families of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), and Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest.

 

More information regarding the true facts about the proposed Ordinance may be found at Equality Works.

Obama proclaims June as LGBT Pride Month, asks Americans to "promote equal rights"

Tuesday, 2 June 2009 – 3:23 PM | One Comment
Obama proclaims June as LGBT Pride Month, asks Americans to "promote equal rights"
On June 1, President Obama proclaimed June 2009 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month and declared his support for “the full spectrum of equal rights to LGBT Americans,” including “outlawing discrimination in the workplace,” the subject of the proposed Anchorage equal rights ordinance.
“During LGBT Pride Month, I call upon the LGBT community, the Congress, and the American people to work together to promote equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.”
The Anchorage Assembly can answer President Obama’s call to action by passing the Equal Rights Ordinance this month!
———-
The full statement from the White House:
LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER PRIDE MONTH, 2009
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
Forty years ago, patrons and supporters of the Stonewall Inn in New York City resisted police harassment that had become all too common for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Out of this resistance, the LGBT rights movement in America was born. During LGBT Pride Month, we commemorate the events of June 1969 and commit to achieving equal justice under law for LGBT Americans.
LGBT Americans have made, and continue to make, great and lasting contributions that continue to strengthen the fabric of American society. There are many well-respected LGBT leaders in all professional fields, including the arts and business communities. LGBT Americans also mobilized the Nation to respond to the domestic HIV/AIDS epidemic and have played a vital role in broadening this country’s response to the HIV pandemic.
Due in no small part to the determination and dedication of the LGBT rights movement, more LGBT Americans are living their lives openly today than ever before. I am proud to be the first President to appoint openly LGBT candidates to Senate-confirmed positions in the first 100 days of an Administration. These individuals embody the best qualities we seek in public servants, and across my Administration — in both the White House and the Federal agencies — openly LGBT employees are doing their jobs with distinction and professionalism.
The LGBT rights movement has achieved great progress, but there is more work to be done. LGBT youth should feel safe to learn without the fear of harassment, and LGBT families and seniors should be allowed to live their lives with dignity and respect.
My Administration has partnered with the LGBT community to advance a wide range of initiatives. At the international level, I have joined efforts at the United Nations to decriminalize homosexuality around the world. Here at home, I continue to support measures to bring the full spectrum of equal rights to LGBT Americans. These measures include enhancing hate crimes laws, supporting civil unions and Federal rights for LGBT couples, outlawing discrimination in the workplace, ensuring adoption rights, and ending the existing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy in a way that strengthens our Armed Forces and our national security. We must also commit ourselves to fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic by both reducing the number of HIV infections and providing care and support services to people living with HIV/AIDS across the United States.
These issues affect not only the LGBT community, but also our entire Nation. As long as the promise of equality for all remains unfulfilled, all Americans are affected. If we can work together to advance the principles upon which our Nation was founded, every American will benefit. During LGBT Pride Month, I call upon the LGBT community, the Congress, and the American people to work together to promote equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2009 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon the people of the United States to turn back discrimination and prejudice everywhere it exists.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.
BARACK OBAMA

Words for Equality

Tuesday, 2 June 2009 – 2:53 PM | Comments Off on Words for Equality
Words for Equality
[Editor’s note: Mel compiled this great list of links to written fact and opinion pieces in support of the Anchorage equal rights ordinance. I’d like to add that there is television and radio coverage as well, involving speakers from Equality Works and Metropolitan Community Church of Anchorage, plus supportive letters to the editor by LGBT Anchorage-ites and our allies every day in the ADN. The public hearing for the ordinance is June 9 at Loussac Library.]
—————
On Tuesday, May 12, 2009, an ordinance was introduced in the Anchorage Municipal Assembly which would prohibit discrimination in employment, housing, financial practices, public accommodations, and education on the basis of sexual orientation and veteran status — adding these two classes to those already included in Title 5, Anchorage’s equal rights code: race, color, sex, religion, national origin, marital status, age, and physical or mental disability.
One week away from ordinance testimony & possibly an Assembly vote. Time to write those letters to the Anchorage Assembly, if you haven’t already done so.
Meanwhile, here’s a list — as comprehensive as I’ve been able to make it so far — of blog posts & opinon pieces favoring equality.  I’ve compiled a list of pieces that are anti-equality too, but see them on my Equality page — I don’t want to give them another link here.  And please do tell me if I’m missing anything.

Anchorage equal rights ordinance

Proposed ordinance

Facts about the ordinance (as opposed to lies)

Blogs & opinion pieces

Henkimaa.com

Bent Alaska. Your best single blog source for news & events in the Alaska LGBT community.

  • Follow the tag Ordinance for all ordinance-related posts.

Other blogs.  Various other Alaska blogs have also posted news/commentary related to the ordinance, including  Celtic Diva’s Blue Oasis, Progressive Alaska, Shannyn Moore: Just a Girl from Homer, Elise Sereni Patkotak, The Immoral Minority, What Do I Know?, Christ Our Savior Lutheran Grace Notes, The Alaska Commons, The Mudflats, and Mamadance.