Bent Alaska | Alaska's LGBTQA blog

Kimberly Pace at the DNC: LGBT Caucus, Kuspuks, and Michelle Obama

Monday, 25 August 2008 – 11:45 PM | Comments Off

Guest blogger Kimberly Pace is Alaska’s openly-LGBT delegate to the Democratic Convention in Denver. Here is her description of Monday at the DNC. (Read her Sunday post and an interview of her by DemConWatch, and catch her daily updates here on Bent Alaska.)

Today the Democratic Convention officially kicked off. Wow! It was amazing! The day started bright and early with our state delegation meeting at 7 am. There we had an introduction to what our day was going to be like, had some great guest speakers to get us into the mood, and received our credentials.

From there it was off to the Convention Center to attend the LGBT caucus. There were some amazing speakers there, including the man who successfully won the case in front of the California Supreme Court that gave gay and lesbian couples the right to marry. He was very inspirational. We also learned that there are 277 “out” LGBT delegates in attendance at this year’s DNC. That is an increase of 41% from 2004. How incredible! I was very impressed, to say the least.

Next we boarded a bus to the Pepsi Center where the actual convention takes place. We arrived around 4:30 and everything got underway pretty much on schedule by 5 pm. Our Alaskan delegation looked great in our kuspuks (see the photo.) Other delegations kept stopping by to admire them, they were jealous in their goofy hats.

It was interesting how many people stopped us to ask about Mark Begich, Ted Stevens, Don Young, Ethan Berkowitz, and Diane Benson. Alaska is definitely on the political map! This is a good time for me to remind you all to vote in the primary elections today (Tuesday the 26th.) This is a critical time in Alaska’s political future. Please get out and express your political voice.

The convention speakers were great. The highlights were when Nancy Pelosi spoke, the Young Democrats got up to speak (Ryan Buckholdt, a former student of mine, was on the stage in his kuspuk!) Jessie Jackson Jr., Tom Harkin, Jimmy Carter, and of course Craig and Michelle Obama. For me, Michelle Obama is a breath of fresh air. Listening to the stories of growing up on the south side of Chicago really touched me. Her father sounded like a truly great man and her mother looked so proud. I am honored to be witnessing this piece of history.

I genuinely appreciated the speakers who spoke about the significance of Senator Hillary Clinton’s run for the nomination. When Michelle mentioned the 18 million cracks in the glass ceiling, the entire Pepsi Center erupted with applause. Well done!

Tomorrow’s tentative schedule includes a meeting with the Women’s Caucus, the Disability Caucus, an event with Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama. Then more convention activities followed by a Melissa Etheridge/Cyndi Lauper concert. What a day! I say tentative because you never know what might happen, or come up, so stayed tuned . . .

Kimberly Pace at the DNC: Women’s Brunch, AFL-CIO Rally, and Rep. John Conyers

Monday, 25 August 2008 – 7:33 PM | Comments Off

Guest blogger Kimberly J. Pace is Alaska’s openly-LGBT delegate to the Democratic Convention in Denver. Here is her post about Sunday. (Read an interview of her by DemConWatch, and catch her daily updates here on Bent Alaska.)

I thought yesterday was amazing and then along came today! Our day started bright and early rising at 6:45 am and we were out and about by 9 am this morning. Our first stop was a brunch sponsored by the National Federation of Democratic Women. This was a great event with women from all over the country. There was a possibility that Michelle Obama might make an appearance but she was not able to attend. With the announcement of Joe Biden as the VP, the campaign has been scrambling. We hope to see her along with Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi on Tuesday.

After brunch we were off to lunch (turns out there is a lot of free food here, good food – you know, Kimberly friendly) which was sponsored by the AFT (American Federation of Teachers.) Yummy! We sat with a couple from New York. The woman is a 5th grade teacher and her husband is a Political Science Professor at Elmira College. Small world. Got even smaller when we learned that their son lives in Clifton Park, NY where my dad grew up. They are friends with the Clintons and Howard Dean. We were networking.

After brunch and lunch within 2 hours, we had an hour or so to fill, so we enjoyed exploring downtown Denver. We saw protesters, street musicians, and vendors selling everything they possibly can with Obama’s face on it. We’ve discovered that Denver is a great city in terms of disability access. I heard an interview with the mayor of Denver earlier today, and he was talking about all of the effort that was put into improving accessibility for the city. It worked! There is no place that I have wanted/needed to get to that I have not been able to.

We thought security was tight yesterday, today it was even more so. You couldn’t go a block without seeing at least two SWAT teams, Denver Police, Colorado troopers, and/or rent-a-cops. I expect that tomorrow will be even more intense security-wise.

Next stop: an AFL-CIO rally meeting. It was filled with impressive people with incredible stories. The man from one of the Democratic debates who spoke at Soldiers Field about how he and his wife lost close to everything, including nearly 1/2 of his pension and 1/2 of his health care benefits spoke. They had to make a decision about which one of them would keep the health insurance. In the end they chose him and he felt/feels awful. He is a proud man who has worked all of his life to support his family and it all comes down to working hard his entire life with very little to show for it. He is here to support Obama’s presidential bid as he believes that Obama will be able to do something not only for himself but also for families across this nation, some 40 million of whom are uninsured or underinsured. His story brought tears to my eyes.

At the same event, Ted Kennedy’s son Teddy spoke about the importance of America’s working class and its significance to the Kennedy family. I was surprised but he was actually quite eloquent. There is a rumor that Ted Kennedy might be well enough to attend some of the events in the next few days, I’m crossing my fingers.

Following the AFL-CIO meeting, we whisked ourselves into the next door ballroom for the tribute to Congressman John Conyers from Detroit, MI. I have been lecturing about Conyers and his impact on Civil Rights for years. Needless to say, it was a thrill to be able to listen to him and his passionate support for Barack Obama. Conyers is a man who has dedicated his life to the pursuit of not just civil rights but to human rights. It was a treat, to say the least.

It was a jam-packed day. Upon our return to our hotel, we saw our first celebrity: Al Franken, who is staying here with the Minnesota delegation. His wife told us that they would be leaving on Tuesday to get back to his senate campaign. With Tuesday being the primary, they can’t be away too long.

Tomorrow is shaping up to be a very busy day. Our state delegation meets at 7 am (most of you know I am not a morning person, so you can imagine how that will work out) and then we have several events planned, including something called “Unconventional Women,” the GLBT caucus, and then the convention itself kicks off officially with Jimmy Carter giving the first keynote speech. If time permits, we may be able to make it to the Molly Brown House (of Titanic fame) and possibly the Downtown Aquarium which is supposed to be amazing.

Till next time, I hope you are all well, and stay tuned for tomorrow night’s post . . .

Kimberly Pace: Alaska’s LGBT Delegate to DNC 08

Sunday, 24 August 2008 – 10:47 PM | One Comment

Kimberly J. Pace is Alaska’s one openly-LGBT delegate to the Democratic Convention in Denver – and she agreed to blog about the convention for Bent Alaska! (Watch for her daily updates.)

She is also blogging for Fox News (yes, really) and for DemConWatch.

DemConWatch interviewed Kimberly before the convention:

DocJess: Kimberly, I know this is supposed to be an interview about you as a delegate, but since you’re from Alaska, I can’t wait – how is the Ted situation?

Kimberly: I am just loving it. There’s an entire movement up here called “Retire Ted”. And it’s going very well, although it doesn’t seem to be getting the national press it’s grabbing locally.

It was always a case of which came first, the indictment or the election. So, I really don’t know anything about you, are you an Obama delegate or a Clinton delegate?

Obama, from way back.

Is this your first time being a delegate?

Absolutely, and I’m very excited and can’t wait to get there.

Is this your first foray into politics?

You should ask what I do for a living.

OK, what do you do for a living?

I’m a professor of Political Science.

What do you specialize in, and where do you teach?

I teach at the University of Alaska – Anchorage, and teach all forms of poli-sci with a concentration on Comparative Politics, American Government, and Constitutional Law. I’m also director of the Women’s Studies department.

What was your thesis on?

Disability movements. I worked on a comparative analysis between the ADA system in the United States versus that which exists in Europe.

Wow. But is this the first direct political action you’ve undertaken?

I’m a proud, life-long Democrat, and I’ve given money to candidates and causes, and packed my share of envelopes, and made phone calls, but this is the first time I’m really putting myself out there.

To what are you most looking forward?

That is so hard. I guess EVERYTHING. For me, this is not only a chance to represent the people who are sending me there, but also to take a look at the process and see if what I’ve been lecturing on for the last 20 years is really correct in the light of day.

Ed Espinoza, our resident Super Delegate here, says his advice for first time delegates is to wear comfortable shoes. Are you all set with that?

Actually, I could wear spiked heels and I’d be comfortable since I’m in a wheelchair. But yes, the rest of my delegation knows about it and will be properly attired. And we’ll all be in Alaskan Native attire.

Is that a kind of funky hat?

No, lots of people wear hats, and often state delegations wear the same hat – we decided to do something a little different and wear traditional garb – kuspuks.

Are you paying for your trip yourself?

No. I’m actually a union delegate for the AFT, American Federation of Teachers, and so they are paying for my trip.

In fact, while you probably know that the DNC requires all delegations to be half male and half female, here in Alaska, we also require our delegation be demographically representative, so we have Native Alaskans, African Americans, disabled people, and LGBT members of our delegations.

Since I’m openly gay, I’m looking forward to going to the Disability Caucus, the LGBT Caucus, the Women’s Caucus, and a number of Union activities.

I don’t know how to ask this politely, but are you concerned about being effectually shorter than most people, and still being able to see everything on the convention floor?

The DNC has said that there will be more disabled delegates than ever before at this convention, and they say that they’ve made special provisions, but we’ll see. I’ve heard that before.

Yes, as a country, and often as individual people, we’re not great to people in wheelchairs. I hate when I see people leaning over someone in a wheelchair, yelling, as if because one has musculoskeletal problems, they are also deaf. I really hope that you have great access. So when are you going to start blogging for us?

Probably on Saturday when I get there. FOX wants to give me some sort of movie-recording-phone-device, but I’m going to have to tell them that at my level, they’ll be getting a lot of butts.

A lot of humour potential there…while I personally will be looking forward to your on-site blogs, I’m also hoping that once you get home and you have time to think and process everything, you’ll write us a piece on how the convention does jibe with your lectures; how de jure and de facto fit together, as it were.

Absolutely!

Are There Many Gay People Up In Alaska?

Sunday, 24 August 2008 – 10:25 AM | Comments Off

Update: For a real answer to this question, see Big Wild Gay? about Anchorage, and the statewide resource list Where to Find GLBT Alaska.

—–

Sen. Joe Biden, Obama’s choice for Vice President, has not said anything about gay Alaskans.

But last year, one of the other presidential hopefuls showed his knowledge of Alaska’s vibrant LGBT community at an HRC event in Los Angeles.

Melissa Etheridge asked former senator Mike Gravel about his support for same-sex marriage, then asked, “Are there many gay people up in Alaska?” Listen to his response:

We’ve been through a long, strange nomination process that ends at this week’s Democratic Convention. The clip shows a GLBT Alaska moment in that process. It also shows how far we still have to go: the current presidential and vice presidential candidates do not support same-sex marriage.

Are there more than two (and a half) gay people in Alaska? YES! See Bent Alaska’s resource list: Where to Find GLBT Alaska.

This Week in GLBT Alaska 8/22/08

Friday, 22 August 2008 – 5:08 PM | Comments Off

Check out this week’s events from Alaska GLBT News, the email newsletter.

For full listings, news briefs, and up-coming events, subscribe to AGN.

Fairbanks

White Trash Party with DJ Double D, 8/23, 9 p.m-? at Jeff’s house.

Homer

Bac’untry Bruthers at the Down East Saloon, 8/28 at 10 p.m.

Wasilla

Ever Ready at the Great Bear Brewing Restaurant, 8/23, 8 p.m.-midnight

Anchorage

Four MCC Programs on the “Ex-Gay” Movement, Thursdays 8/21-9/11, 6:30 p.m. $6

Ever Ready at the AMVETS Post 49, 8/22, 7-11 p.m.

Northern Exposure Bowling League season registration, 8/23, 4 p.m. at Park Lanes

Benefit for Off the Rocks, 8/23, 7 p.m., at Out North, pay what you can. More info.

Hump Day Happy Hour with The Last Frontier Men’s Club, 8/27, 5-7 p.m. at the Raven every 2nd & 4th Wednesday.

1049 Daily US Newspapers Accept Same-Sex Wedding Announcements – But Only 339 Have Received Them

Thursday, 21 August 2008 – 10:45 PM | Comments Off

Q. Which of Alaska’s daily newspapers will print same-sex wedding announcements?

A. All of them – technically.

Alaska is one of only 9 states where all of the daily newspapers will print same-sex wedding announcements, according to a report this week from GLAAD, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.

The Juneau Empire posted a same-sex wedding announcement in May, and the Anchorage Daily News has printed several. The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner agrees to print them (but hasn’t yet) only if the wedding is legally recognized where it was performed. Alaska’s other daily newspapers (see chart) will print our wedding, union and commitment ceremony announcements – but none have been submitted.

The Announcing Equality project asks us to send our announcements to local newspapers to increase LGBT visibility.

In cities and small towns all over the country, communities are seeing the lives of their lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) family members, friends and neighbors reflected in their media outlets. These stories will spur the kinds of everyday conversations that will change hearts and minds.

GLAAD first launched the Announcing Equality campaign in 2002, after working with The New York Times to open its weddings/celebrations pages to lesbian and gay couples. Six years later, the number of inclusive newspapers has jumped from 70 to 1049, and nearly 72 percent of all daily newspapers in the United States now accept wedding and/or commitment ceremony announcements for same-sex couples.

Unfortunately, most of these papers haven’t had a chance to run an announcement. That’s where you come in!

We’re urging you to recognize the celebrations and milestones in your life by sharing the story with the newspaper, and to share your story in other forms of media, from office newsletters and union periodicals to church bulletins, public radio, Facebook and YouTube.

And be sure to send the link to Bent Alaska!

ALASKA
Media Outlet	City	URL	Will Publication Print an Announcement?	Has Publication Printed an Announcement in the Past?
Anchorage Daily News	Anchorage	www.adn.com/	Y	Y
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner	Fairbanks	www.news-miner.com/	L	N
Juneau Empire	Juneau	www.jeaneauempire.com/	Y	Y
Peninsula Clarion	Kenai	www.peninsulaclarion.com/	Y	N
Ketchikan Daily News	Ketchikan	www.ketchikandailynews.com/	Y	N
Kodiak Daily Mirror	Kodiak	www.kodiakdailymirror.com/	Y	N
Daily Sitka Sentinel	Sitka	www.sitkasentinel.com/	Y	N

L = Newspaper will print announcements only if the union is legally recognized.

GLBT performances at Out North

Tuesday, 19 August 2008 – 9:11 PM | Comments Off

Out North offers several performances by or about gays and lesbians during the next few weeks.

Joan Cullinane reprises her Under 30 performance of “Merrow” as a benefit for “Off the Rocks” this weekend. September’s Poetry Parley features selected works by lesbian poet Adrienne Rich, read by local women. In late September, Bill Bowers visits Anchorage and Homer to perform “It Goes Without Saying,” about growing up closeted in Montana, becoming a professional mime, and living through the AIDS crisis.

Tickets and information for the full 2008 season of live performances, the Global Lens, and the Manhattan Short Film Festival, are posted at Out North: VSA Arts of Alaska.

————–

Off The Rocks Benefit:

The Return of UNDER 30 Past

Past Under 30 performers Morgan Hobkirk and Joan Cullinane reprise their works “Outside the Lines” and “Merrow” as a benefit for “Off the Rocks,” a non-profit theatre program working with Akeela House and through a grant from the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority to help women dealing with alcoholism and substance abuse issues. Come join us for this pay-what-you-can event. Reserve seating available with a suggested donation of $15 on line.

7pm SAT Aug 23

PAY WHAT YOU CAN

—————————

POETRY PARLEY:

Adrienne Rich

September’s Poetry Parley features an evening celebrating women in poetry. An all-female chorus of readers will present selected works of feminist poet Adrienne Rich that speak of, to and for women over the past several decades. Celebrated local poet Arlitia Jones will also present her own work. Poetry Parley is coordinated by J.W. Minton. Refreshments available.

7pm WED Sept. 3rd

FREE ADMISSION

———————-

Bill Bowers:

It Goes Without Saying

A professional mime breaks his silence in this autobiographical tale about growing up gay and closeted in Montana, training with the great Marcel Marceau, and living through the AIDS crisis of the 1980’s.

$18.00 online; $20 at the door.

($1.25 per ticket online fee)

ANCHORAGE

7pm FRI Sept. 19

7pm SAT Sept. 20

4pm SUN Sept. 21

HOMER at the Bunnell Street Gallery

(Purchase tickets at Bunnell)

7pm THU Sept. 25

7pm FRI Sept. 26

7pm SAT Sept. 27

Fairbanks Duke and Duchess

Monday, 18 August 2008 – 9:30 PM | Comments Off

Adonis and Brittany were crowned as the new Fairbanks Duke and Duchess of the Imperial Court of All Alaska (ICOAA) at the Ducal Ball and Toga Party, held at the Carlson Center earlier this month.

The new Duchess and Duke: Brittany and Adonis

Pictured from left: Herman – member of the Court, Brittany – Duchess,

Ken (back) – reigning Emperor XXXV of Alaska, and Adonis (front) – Duke

Coronation 2008 Schedule

Monday, 18 August 2008 – 9:03 AM | Comments Off

Their Most Imperial Majesties
Emperor XXXV Ken Butner & Empress XXXV Mary Bess Bohall

Cordially invite All Empires and Friends
to join them in beautiful Anchorage, Alaska for

Coronation XXXVI – A Tribute to Heroes

August 28-September 1, 2008

Sheraton Anchorage Hotel
Group rate ($129) available through August 28 and must be booked by phone.

Please call the Sheraton Anchorage at 907-343-3437 and request the “Imperial Court Rate” when making your reservation.

Schedule of Events

Thursday, 28 August

Sunshine Over Siberia from 7pm – 9pm at SubZero Microlounge

Friday, 29 August

Dallas & Colorado Springs Cocktail Party 8pm – 9pm at Mad Myrna’s
In-State Show 9pm – midnight in Mad Myrna’s Show Lounge – $10.00 (purchase tickets at ICOAA)
Houston/Houchie Bear Party midnight – 2am on Mad Myrna’s Patio

Saturday, 30 August

Myrna’s Bloody Mary Breakfast 10am – 11:30am – $7.00 (price does not include Bloody Mary)
Brown Bear Bus Run 11:45am – 5pm Bus leaves from The Raven Bar – $15.00 (purchase tickets at ICOAA)
Out-of-State Show, doors open at 8pm & Show at 9pm in Mad Myrna’s Show Lounge – $10.00 (purchase tickets at ICOAA)
Las Vegas & Reno “Sin Cities Party” 1am – 3am at The Raven Bar

Sunday, 31 August

Coronation XXXVI “A Tribute To Heroes” Doors open at 5pm & Show at 6pm at the Sheraton Hotel Anchorage – $40.00 (purchase tickets at ICOAA)

Monday, 01 September

Victory Brunch 11am – 1pm at Mad Myrna’s Bistro – $25.00 (purchase tickets at ICOAA)
The San Francisco Party starring Marlena! 3pm – whenever at The Raven
Rotton Family Reunion 7pm – midnight at Mad Myrna’s

ALL Events – Full Coronation Package – $100.00

(includes In-State, Bus Run, Out-of-State, Coronation & Brunch)

Purchase tickets and check for schedule updates at ICOAA: Imperial Court of All Alaska

This Week in GLBT Alaska 8/15 – 8/21

Friday, 15 August 2008 – 2:45 PM | Comments Off

From the newsletter Alaska GLBT News (subscribe):

Juneau

SEAGLA members will meet and greet the Pied Piper‘s Alaska gay travel group, Sunday 8/17 at 5-7 p.m. The Imperial Bar and Billiards.

Fairbanks

Enter the Tundra Buffalo Run in Denali Park, as a fundraiser for the Interior Aids Association on Saturday 8/16. Register at Riley Creek Mercantile 2-4 p.m. $25 entry fee.

Kenai

Bac’untry Bruthers at Kharacters Bar in Homer, on 8/15 at 10 p.m.

Anchorage

ICOAA Emperor & Empress Voting 8/16 at the GLCCA 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Absentee ballots for download at ICOAA.

Bag Lady Sue Comedy Show, Saturday 8/16 at 9 p.m. Mad Myrna’s, $10.

MCC Board of Directors Meeting 8/17. Service at 2 p.m., meeting at 3:30 p.m.

Debate Party for Mark Begich, Wednesday 8/20, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Email M.E. for more information.