Bent Alaska | Alaska's LGBTQA blog

The Truth about Trans Employees

Monday, 1 June 2009 – 9:16 AM | Comments Off

Alishia is a firefighter. Enoch is a university professor. Dana is a software engineer. Jesse is an HIV prevention educator. Each makes invaluable contributions in the work place and in the community. And each faces the threat of losing a job, being denied housing or health care, and suffering violence and harassment simply for being transgender.

In Everyone Matters: Dignity and Safety for Transgender People, Alishia, Enoch, Dana, and Jesse talk about their jobs, their family, their hopes, and their worries. Framed by hope and optimism, their stories nevertheless show how vulnerable transgender people still are, and highlight the need for comprehensive laws to ensure that people can obtain and retain employment, remain safe on the streets, and have access to health care and housing.

Everyone Matters allows the viewer to hear from transgender people first-hand about their lives, and makes a powerful case for the passage of transgender-inclusive anti-discrimination and hate crimes laws.

Please watch this important video:

Would Jesus Discriminate?

Monday, 1 June 2009 – 6:06 AM | Comments Off

Metropolitan Community Church of Anchorage and St. Mary’s Episcopal Church are hosting a “Would Jesus Discriminate?” Town Hall meeting and service at 6 p.m on June 5 at St. Mary’s, on the corner of Tudor and Lake Otis. MCC’s Rev. Norman Van Manen will give the keynote address and will be joined by panelist Sara Gavitt of St. Mary’s, and possibly others.

“This is an opportunity to explore Christian Scripture and tradition as we look at the social justice issue of discrimination,” writes Sara Gavit. “The community is being bombarded by a lot of ugly rhetoric right now and our hope is that this service and discussion will be a time of healing, education and understanding.”

Rev. Van Manen was a guest on a local conservative talk show and interviewed by television reporters in support of the proposed Anchorage non-discrimination ordinance.

The Town Hall will tackle one of the biggest challenges facing modern society — including, rather than excluding, people. Members of the local community are invited to participate in an experience based on the model of justice taught by Jesus Christ and other leaders of world religious movements.

The Town Hall grew out of an international campaign developed by MCC in partnership with Faith in America. The “Would Jesus Discriminate?” Campaign that MCC churches have facilitated in Indianapolis, Minneapolis and 57 more cities in the U.S., Australia, Africa and the United Kingdom is an important exercise for Christians and non-Christians.

All are welcome. The Town Hall meeting is free, will begin with a prayer service at 6 p.m. and will include a potluck meal. St. Mary’s Episcopal Church is located at 2222 East Tudor Road in Anchorage.

Pride Chorus keeps on singing

Sunday, 31 May 2009 – 3:16 PM | Comments Off

June 1 is Blogging for LGBT Families Day 2009. The Pride Chorus is “a chorus of mothers, daughters, sisters, lovers & grandmothers” and Juneau Woman of Distinction Marsha Buck does her LGBT activism on behalf of her children, so this is Bent’s LGBT Families Day post. Last year’s post was Two Moms and Two Boys DO Make a Family.

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The Juneau Pride Chorus annual (spring) concert was early this year, ‘way back in February. In March, the Chorus sang at the annual AWARE Dinner, where Chorus member Marsha Buck was honored as a Juneau Woman of Distinction. In April, the Chorus sang at the Juneau Folk Festival. Then in May, they opened for a special concert by Emma’s Revolution.

“It was a privilege to open for Emma’s Revolution and sing a song with them,” writes Pride Chorus member Juanita Reese. “There was a big turn out, and they are wonderful people – funny, inspiring – with good music.”

The Pride Chorus also performed the opening set for the Women of Distinction Dinner. Marsha Buck attended the dinner with her daughter Lys, who was visiting from Wisconsin.

“She and her wife, Liz, and their two children are the ones on whose behalf I do my LGBT activism,” writes Marsha.

In addition to being a member of the Juneau Pride Chorus and a Juneau Woman of Distinction 2009, Marsha is a member of PFLAG Juneau and the Board President of Alaskans Together for Equality.

“These women were chosen for their dedication and relentless service to peace, justice and the empowerment of women,” reads the Women of Distinction 2009 page. “Each honoree has enriched the lives of women and children and has made a legacy of compassion out of their own lives.”

The 35th Annual Folk Festival described the Juneau Pride Chorus as “a chorus of mothers, daughters, sisters, lovers & grandmothers bonded by a love of singing and & a desire to celebrate diversity.”

The theme of the Women’s Pride Chorus 2009 annual concert in February was Women’s Bodies, Women’s Strength. The concert was followed by a dance, with music performed by female musicians.

The Juneau Pride Chorus singing at AWARE’s Women of Distinction dinner in Juneau.

Marsha Buck with her daughter Lys at the AWARE Dinner.

Chorus member Juanita Reese at the AWARE Dinner with her daughter Janae.

Pat Humphries and Sandy O of Emma’s Revolution.

Where to find GLBT Alaska — Churches & religious groups

Sunday, 31 May 2009 – 6:19 AM | 7 Comments

Visitors, new residents and long-time Alaskans want to know where to find churches and that are inclusive, welcoming, open, affirming or at least LGBT-friendly. Here is our list as of May 2009.

Focus on the Facts: Myths and Facts about the Ordinance

Saturday, 30 May 2009 – 11:27 AM | 3 Comments

from Equality Works

Fear has long played a significant role in efforts to oppose movements for equal rights in our country. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, those who objected to the suffragist movement stoked fears that if women were granted the right to vote they would lose their “natural” feminine qualities. In the 1950s, Jerry Falwell argued that integration would destroy the white race. And today in Anchorage, there are allegations that by ensuring that our city protects lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Alaskans from discrimination in employment and housing, we will somehow unleash a virtual tsunami of disruptive and illegal behavior that will threaten the safety of women and children.

Fear is an understandable human reaction to the prospect of change. However, it important that in considering Anchorage’s future and the kind of city we should strive to be, that we base our decisions on facts—not unfounded & unproven fears. To this end, Equality Works would like to focus on the FACTS of the proposed ordinance to update Anchorage’s equal rights law to include LGBT people.

On the Nature of the Ordinance

A common misinterpretation of the proposed amendment is that it will grant Anchorage’s LGBT citizens rights that no one else has. The reality is that Anchorage already has a nondiscrimination law. It protects people from discrimination on the basis of age, disability, marital status, nationality, sex, race, color, and religion in the realms of employment, housing, public accommodations, financial services, and municipal business. Anyone who suspects that they have been discriminated against on any of these bases can file a complaint with our Equal Rights Commission, which by law is empowered to investigate, mediate between parties, or pursue legal action depending on the situation. However, because sexual orientation is not included in that list of protected classes, the Equal Rights Commission is not allowed to investigate such cases of suspected discrimination.

Supporters of this ordinance are only asking that sexual orientation be included in the list of protected classes for a law that is already on the books. So when opponents argue that it will grant LGBT people “special rights,” they are misrepresenting the ordinance itself—which is simply amending a law that already exists—and intentionally or unintentionally misleading the public.

Nothing “special” is being created or added that will apply to LGBT people alone. Equality Works believes that ALL persons should be treated equal in the public sphere.

On the Effects on Business, Workplace, & Our Community

While much has been made out of how the proposed ordinance would alter workplace behavior, Anchorage’s nondiscrimination law has never prohibited businesses from establishing standards of conduct and behavior suitable for the marketplace and other professional settings as long as those rules of conduct are equally enforced. We doubt that the majority of Fortune 500 companies, including some with a local presence—such as BP, Alaska Airlines, and Wells Fargo—would have voluntarily adopted internal policies to protect people from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation/gender identity if those policies were proven to be bad for business or to result in increased rates of workplace misconduct. On the contrary, 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.

On Individual Religious Rights & Religious Institutions

The Bill of Rights promises every American the freedom to practice their religion and express their opinion without persecution. These promises are two of the building blocks of our democracy. The Municipality of Anchorage recognizes those rights by including “religion” as a protected class in its nondiscrimination laws. This means it is illegal to discriminate against an individual because of their religious beliefs. The current law also includes language that allows churches and other religious organizations to limit access or admission to those who share their beliefs.

The Equality Works coalition is made up of people from a variety of spiritual backgrounds and we would never propose a law that infringes on our freedom of religion. At the same time, we believe that no one should be denied employment, refused public service, or denied a lease simply because the proprietor doesn’t agree with the partner they’ve chosen to spend their life with. It’s a matter of mutual respect.

On Gender Identity/Expression

In the proposed ordinance, sexual orientation is defined as “perceived heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, or gender expression and identity.” As used in this definition, ‘gender expression and identity’ means having or being perceived as having a self-image, appearance, or behavior different from that traditionally associated with sex assigned to that person at birth.

While sexual orientation is the phrase used to describe people’s primary attraction, gender identity refers to a person’s internal sense of being male or female, regardless of their sex assigned at birth. And gender expression refers to how people express that identity. In many cases, when people are perceived to be gay or lesbian, it is not because they have “come out” or have been seen with a partner of the same-sex. They are perceived to be lesbian or gay because they express their gender identity different from what is traditionally expected. A gay man can be harassed for being gay without ever telling his coworkers that he is—and so can a straight man who isn’t deemed sufficiently “masculine.” This is one of the reasons why it is important to protect people from discrimination on the basis of their gender identity/expression–because no one—straight or gay—should be treated unfairly in work or the public sphere because they don’t conform to rigid stereotypes.

Equality Works believes the small minority of transgender people in our community whose gender identity does not match that of the sex they were assigned at birth deserve protection. They are people who have served in our military, who drive our taxis, who have children and families to provide for and they 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.

Every civil rights law creates some discomfort in a workplace. Title VII discomfited those who did not wish to work with women, racial minorities or people of other faiths. The Americans with Disabilities Act required employees who felt uncomfortable around people with disabilities to nonetheless come to work and do their jobs. By revising the city’s non-discrimination laws to include sexual orientation and gender identity, the Anchorage Municipal Assembly is making the policy determination that the ability of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people to have equal access to employment and public accommodations will make Anchorage a better place to live and work.

Conclusion

Decisions regarding the fate of our city should be made based on accurate information, not on misinterpretations and exaggerations rooted in fear. The Equality Works coalition is committed to participating in an honest and respectful dialogue in hopes of building a broad base of support for our efforts to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Alaskans from discrimination. We believe that if all interested parties make the same commitment our community can emerge from this vital discussion with a greater respect for our diversity, a better sense of the values we share, and pride in being leaders in Alaska when it comes to protecting all our residents and workers from unfair treatment.

Prevo stirs up "trouble" right here in Anchor-city

Saturday, 30 May 2009 – 10:06 AM | One Comment

by Matthew Moak

Each time I read something written by Rev. Prevo, I can’t help but equate him with the character Harold Hill from the Music Man.

Melodically, Rev. Prevo takes to the media singing his own version of “Trouble.” Rev. Prevo’s ability to use this musical message filled with fear to control his followers as he attempts to push his “moral agenda” is unfortunate. The tune he sings however is catchy and the beat easy to dance to.

Christians used the Holy Scriptures to condone slavery and to champion against interracial marriages based on their own interpretation of the Scriptures. Rev. Prevo attempts to push his own interpretation of the Scriptures as they relate to homosexuality.

Rev. Prevo is quick to toss out the Clobber Scriptures which he interprets to be damning to homosexuality such as Leviticus 20:13 and yet he refuses to admonish his followers for eating shellfish, which is an abomination (Leviticus 11:10), or to chastise his own male followers who get their hair trimmed, which is expressly forbidden in Leviticus 19.

There were four commandments given to us by Jesus. Love God, love yourself, love your neighbor and love your enemies. Not one of them involves hate.

Oh yes, Rev. Prevo, we’ve got trouble, lots and lots of trouble here in Anchorage. Thankfully the vast majority of us are familiar with not just your song, but also your dance.

Another Letter of Support

Saturday, 30 May 2009 – 8:47 AM | Comments Off

The ADN is printing a steady stream of letters to the editor about the Assembly’s non-discrimination ordinance, including this letter from Laura Muller of Anchorage posted on Wednesday:

Stop bearing false witness

I’d read about the proposed nondiscrimination ordinance but hadn’t thought much about it until I ran across a recent press release from Anchorage Baptist Temple that implied homosexuals, pedophiles and pornographers are all cut from the same cloth.

If protecting kids is their aim, they’re probably after the wrong rabbit — most molesters are straight men.

As a Catholic wife and mother, I don’t feel I ought to be spending much time pondering what other people do in the privacy of their homes. Jerry Prevo taught me more about necrophilia and bestiality today than I ever knew existed!

The most disturbing part, though, is this assumption that homosexual people aren’t quite human and can’t be expected to live by the same societal rules as the rest of us. That’s dangerous and irresponsible.

It doesn’t matter if you repeat it or shout it or tattoo it on your forehead — that doesn’t make it true.

Fact isn’t an opinion or subject to religion. Please stop bearing false witness. It isn’t right, and it isn’t Christian.

Celebration Art Show, Pride Week Events & "Oh the Things Mommies Do!"

Friday, 29 May 2009 – 8:19 AM | One Comment

Gay AK: Notes from LGBT ALaska

Homer PFLAG decided to make a float for the local July 4th parade this year, so Alaska will celebrate LGBT Pride in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau AND Homer this summer.

Write to your Assembly members, RSVP for the June 9th Hearing

Have you written to your Assembly members yet? If not, please write or call today. If you don’t live in Anchorage, please contact friends who do and ask them to call or write for you. Will you be at the hearing on June 9th? Please RSVP with Equality Works. Have Questions or Concerns? Email Tiffany McClain or visit Equality Works.

Alaska-raised illustrator co-authors “Oh the Things Mommies Do!”

Crystal Tompkins and her partner Lindsey Evans, who grew up in Anchorage, are self-publishing a new LGBT children’s book, “Oh The Things Mommies Do! What Could Be Better Than Having Two?” a celebration of Lesbian Mothers and their children. “Oh The Things Mommies Do!” is a “bouncy and playful look at the joys of a two Mom family. With its catchy rhymes and vibrant illustrations, it is a pleasure for children and parents alike.” Lindsey was raised in Anchorage, attended Bartlett High School and was a student at UAA. “Oh the Things Mommies Do!” will be available in June.

Radical Woman Award nominations due 5/30, CoC Art Show entries on 6/3

The Radical Woman Award honors women who have made significant contributions to the GLBT community in Alaska. Please nominate a wonderful woman and send a short paragraph highlighting her contributions to Radical Arts for Women by 5/30. The winner will be announced at Celebration of Change. Female visual artists are invited to submit their work for the Celebration of Change First Friday Art Show, 6/5-29 at the Kodiak Bar and Grill. Drop off entries on 6/3 after 3 p.m. The 25th Anniversary show of Celebration of Change is at the Wilda Marston Theatre at 7 p.m. on June 13. Tickets for CoC are available now at Metro, or the GLCCA on Tuesdays & Thursdays.

Anchorage PrideFest seeks Volunteers

More volunteers are needed to be Parade Route Marshals for the parade, and for setup and tear down for the Festival on Saturday, June 20. If you can volunteer your time and energy please email the GLCCA. Congratulations to M.E. Rider and Jill Ramsey, editors of the Grrlzlist, who are the Anchorage PrideFest Parade Grand Marshals for 2009. Check out the many Pride Week events, download the vendor, performer and contingent applications, and read about M.E. and Jill at Anchorage PrideFest 2009.

Drag Queen Bingo and Pride Week with Four A’s

Four A’s is hosting several events for Pride Week 2009. Adam and Steve’s Annual Drag Queen Bingo Fundraiser is on Thursday, June 18, 7 p.m. at Snow City Café. All proceeds go to the Adam and Steve HIV Prevention program for young gay and bisexual men. The Bingo includes a silent auction and a drawing for everyone who dresses in drag. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Join Four A’s annual marching unit at the PrideFest Parade on Saturday, June 20th. This year’s theme will be Mission Possible: Know Your Status and we will be dressing in camo and promoting HIV testing. National HIV Testing Week is June 20-27th. Free HIV testing will be offered all week, including during PrideFest. For more info, visit Four A’s.

This Week in LGBT Alaska 5/29/09

Friday, 29 May 2009 – 7:44 AM | Comments Off

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

Fairbanks

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.

Bac’untry Bruthers at the Clucking Blossom at Birch Hill, 5/30 at 8 p.m.

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

Fire Benefit for Garfield & Alvin 5/29, 9 p.m. at Mad Myrna’s.

Wendy Withrow performing at the Downtown Market on 5/30 at 11 a.m.

Side Street Saturdays for LGBT writers, Saturdays noon-3 p.m. at Side Street Cafe.

Sunday worship for Pentecost, with Rev. Norman Van Manen and MCC Anchorage, Sundays 2 p.m.

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

Gay, Joyous and Free AA Meeting, Mondays 6 p.m. at the GLCCA.

Anchorage Frontrunners, Tuesdays, 6 p.m.

Couple Loses All in Anchorage Fire

Thursday, 28 May 2009 – 7:07 PM | Comments Off

Garfield and Alvin lost everything in the Spenard apartment building fire on Memorial Day, and Mad Myrna’s is hosting a benefit show for them on Friday, May 29 at 9 p.m., and setting up a barrel to collect donations.

“They literally got out of this with the clothes on their back. Sadly, both of their cats died in the fire,”reports their friend Bear. “One of the guys was at work when it happened. The other was asleep and neighbors woke him up and got him out of the apartment.”

“They need everything. There is a barrel at the bar so people can drop things off there any time.”

A list of suggested donations includes money, canned food, clothing (large & XXXL), pots and pans, linens, furniture and other household items. If there are donated items that they can’t use, Bear will pass them on to other needy people in the community.

The Friday night benefit will donate money from the Divas show, the door charge, and a special halibut dinner by Lola’s.

People were in seven of the 10 apartments when the fire broke out, said Kelly Hurd, spokeswoman for the American Red Cross of Alaska. One unit wasn’t rented and residents of two other units weren’t home.

The fire started outside a stairwell on the first floor and raced up to the second floor in the 10-unit building. An investigator is looking into the cause.

Two of the apartments were destroyed and residents lost everything, Hurd said.

Please help Garfield and Alvin get back on their feet after this terrible loss. Donate items at Mad Myrna’s, or email Bear at this address to make donations.