Bent Alaska | Alaska's LGBTQA blog

Partner Benefits Denied to Michigan Employees

Tuesday, 13 May 2008 – 10:08 PM | Comments Off

by E. Ross

Michigan’s same-sex marriage ban prevents governments and universities from providing health insurance to the partners of gay and lesbian workers, the state Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday. The decision affects university, community college, school district and government employees, according to the The Associated Press. The policies currently cover at least 375 couples.

Both Alaska and Michigan passed constitutional amendments restricting marriage to one man and one woman. The Michigan law also bans civil unions and domestic partnerships. This difference contributed to a Michigan ruling that is the opposite of the Alaska Supreme Court ruling on partner benefits.

The Michigan constitutional amendment approved in November 2004 says the union between a man and woman is the only agreement recognized as a marriage “or similar union for any purpose.” The court ruled that while marriages and domestic partnerships aren’t identical, they are similar.

Voters “hardly could have made their intentions clearer,” Justice Stephen Markman wrote, citing the law’s “for any purpose” language.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, which represented the gay couples, said the ruling was “flawed and unfortunate.”

Twenty-six states have passed constitutional bans and nineteen have state laws restricting marriage to one man and one woman. Seventeen of those states have broader amendments that also prohibit the recognition of civil unions or same-sex partnerships.

The Michigan ruling is not the first from a state high court interpreting the scope of gay marriage bans.

In 2005, The Alaska Supreme Court ordered the state and the Municipality of Anchorage to offer plans that provide the same benefits for employees with same-sex domestic partners as for married employees. The Alaska Constitution prohibits the state from recognizing marriages between gay couples, so partners of gay employees could never receive those benefits. The workers were denied equal benefits for equal work, which violated the state’s guarantee of equal protection.

The court unanimously agreed, stating that “denying benefits to the same-sex domestic partners who are absolutely ineligible to become spouses has no demonstrated relationship to the interest of promoting marriage.”

The ACLU of Alaska, which represented the couples, cheered the decision as an important victory for same-sex couples and their families.

In Michigan, gay and lesbian couples could lose their health benefits based on last week’s ruling. Most of the employers have rewritten or will revise the benefit plans so that same-sex partners can continue getting health care. However, the legal status of those plans is unclear.

“It is an odd notion to find that a union that shares only one of the hundreds of benefits that a marriage provides is a union similar to marriage,” wrote dissenting Justice Marilyn Kelly.

Local Progressive Blogs and Other Allies You Should Know About

Thursday, 8 May 2008 – 4:05 PM | 2 Comments

by E. Ross

It’s been a busy week of building blog alliances at Bent Alaska.

When the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner published an article about the fake web addresses that went to an anti-Berkowitz blog and to gay sites in San Francisco, the author Robert Dillon described the gay pages as “gay lifestyle” sites. I was dismayed to see a professional journalist use that phrase, so I posted a response here and sent an email to Mr. Dillon. He replied on his blog Alaskan Abroad, and noted in the comments that his AP Stylebook agrees with me. He also linked to Bent Alaska, and listed Bent in his blogroll. Thank you, Robert!

Alaskan Abroad is a well-read blog, and Robert Dillon is the Washington D. C. correspondent for the News-Miner. It didn’t take long for someone to notice his post.

Philip Munger of Progressive Alaska saw it and followed the link to Bent Alaska. In his Saturday Progressive Blog Roundup, he included Bent with other blogs that he was adding to his blogroll, saying “Why did I not know about this site until this week? It is great!” Thank you, Philip!

Progressive Alaska is subtitled: Spreading the word about the growing presence of progressive Alaskans and their powerful ideas on the web. The current focus is on the political races and the environment, but a variety of progressive issues are covered on PA.

Then Linda of Celtic Diva’s Blue Oasis saw the mention on Progressive Alaska and came for a visit. She left comments on several posts and listed Bent Alaska in her blogroll. Thank you, Linda!

Celtic Diva’s Blue Oasis is another great progressive blog, and Linda is a long-time ally of the LGBT community. She sang with the band “Sky is Blu” and performed at the March on Washington in 1993. She also worked on the municipal ordinance that added sexual orientation to the protected classes of employees in Anchorage.

Meanwhile, Brendan Kelley at the Anchorage Press commented on Bent Alaska about the fake addresses going to gay sites. Fighting hate speech is part of Brendan’s job, and he was one of the trio of reporters who uncovered evidence linking the web site trick to Jake Metcalfe’s campaign. Metcalfe has now dropped out of the race, because of poor campaign decisions and a lack of funds.

If you live in Anchorage, you probably pick up a copy of this free alternative paper on Thursdays. Wherever you live, you can read and comment on their articles online at Anchorage Press.

These writers are our allies. They are also well-informed citizens and good reporters. Most of them are dedicated to progressive issues, including civil rights. If you want to keep up with political and environmental issues in Alaska, visit these sites regularly and leave an occasional comment.

That’s how we build alliances in the blog world.

Memorial Day Picnic Moves to Kincaid Park

Tuesday, 6 May 2008 – 10:04 PM | 14 Comments

Farewell, Rev. Johnathan

Monday, 5 May 2008 – 1:25 PM | 2 Comments

by E. Ross

Rev. Johnathan Jones is leaving MCC Anchorage, and the church is hosting a farewell potluck in his honor.

“I have had a wonderful and rewarding time working with our church and community,” said Rev. Jones. “However, it is now time for me to move on.”

Johnathan worked hard to build the church and the gay community during his four years as pastor of MCC Anchorage, a gay and lesbian-inclusive church that welcomes everyone. In addition to leading MCC, he spoke at UAA, lobbied politicians, and was a board member of several LGBT organizations, including PrideFest and Identity. His good works and admirable qualities are the subjects of an earlier post, Appreciating Rev. Jones.

“We are very sad to have him go, but wish him well in his new endeavors,” said Edie Bailey, MCC board member. “He has been a very dynamic personality in Anchorage and will certainly leave a hole in the church and in the community.”

To thank him for his contributions and wish him well in his next location, MCC invites the community to Johnathan’s last Sunday service on May 25. The service begins at 2 p.m., and the potluck will follow at 3 p.m.

In June, MCC Anchorage will begin the next stage in it’s development. “We are going to have a tough time without a minister,” said Edie. “We have lined up some guest speakers and pastors, but we need everyone to pitch in.”

During this transition, the board will need help with singing and reading scripture at the Sunday service, bringing refreshments and paper goods, and preparing the food and program for the Thursday Night Soul Food service.

Johnathan’s last day at MCC is May 31, and he will be leaving the country soon after. “A great opportunity has come up for me and I have decided to pursue it,” he said. “My visa expires this year, so it seems God has been planning my next step.”

“I will always have fond memories of my first Parish.”

Add your good wishes to Rev. Johnathan Jones in the comment section:

Wedding Bells in the Juneau Empire

Sunday, 4 May 2008 – 5:18 AM | 9 Comments

by E. Ross

The Neighbors section of the Juneau Empire includes a wedding announcement for a gay male couple.

This is the first same-sex marriage announcement to appear in the Juneau Empire. The newspaper published an article about a lesbian couple who were planning to get married in San Francisco when that was briefly possible. However, the couple missed the window of opportunity, so no wedding announcement was posted.

These men live in the Netherlands, where same-sex marriage is legal:

Crispian Smith, of Juneau, and Jeroen van Dalen, of Rotterdam, the Netherlands, were married in a ceremony attended by family and friends on March 29, 2008, in the Old Church in Amsterdam.

Mr. van Dalen is the son of Cees van Dalen, of Schiedam, the Netherlands, and Atie and Dick de Zeeuw, of Amsterdam. He received his doctorandus from the University of Maastricht and works as a content management consultant.

Mr. Smith is the son of Phil and Deborah Smith, of Juneau. A graduate of Juneau-Douglas High School, he received his bachelor’s degree from the New School for Social Research in New York City and his master’s from the University of Amsterdam. He is a case manager at the war crimes tribunal in The Hague.

After a brief honeymoon on the Belgian coast, the couple returned to their home in Amsterdam.

Congratulations to Crispian and Jeroen on their wedding, and to the Juneau Empire for their first same-sex marriage announcement.

This Week in GLBT Alaska

Friday, 2 May 2008 – 3:47 PM | Comments Off

From the newsletter Alaska GLBT News:

“5K Graze to Raise” (Anchorage) 5/2, 5:30 p.m.

MCC Yard Sale 5/3, starting at 8 a.m. Contact Johnathan: revjohnathan@gmail.com

TLFMC De-Hibernation Bus Run (Anchorage), 5/3, 11:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Men of Steel, Sunday 5/4, 9 p.m. Mad Myrna’s

Anchorage Frontrunners weekly Fun Run on the Coastal Trail begins 5/5, 6 p.m.

Margaret Cho 5/5, 8 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center

ICOAA Scholarship, apply by 7/31

The Imperial Court of All Alaska College of Emperors and Empresses (ICOAA) is pleased to open the 2008 ICOAA Scholarship Program. Scholarship awards are granted for the 2008/2009 academic year. Awards are based on economic need, scholastic achievement, leadership ability and contributions to the Lesbian/Gay community. Application is offered to Alaska residents with preference given to members of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Allied (GLBTA) community. Download an application at www.imperialcourtalaska.org

‘Fairbanks Lifestyle Site’ Misses the Point of Anti-Gay Campaign Tactics

Thursday, 1 May 2008 – 11:21 AM | 5 Comments

by E. Ross

Someone is making dirty Internet-based attacks on an Alaskan democratic candidate for senate, The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported on Monday:

The addresses direct viewers to either a fake blog, a San Francisco-based gay lifestyle site or a merchant selling items imprinted with the phrase “Trust Fund Baby.” The implication is that [he] is a rich California liberal — otherwise known as an Outsider.

Actually, the implication is that he’s a rich ‘queer’ Outsider.

One of the fake addresses redirects to CastroOnline.com: “Your Online Guide to Gay San Francisco” with business listings, a calendar of events, and articles from SF Spectrum, an LGBT publication that reports news, entertainment and information for the gay community in the SF Bay Area.

The political attacks include a second fake address that redirects to a gay site, which the News-Miner didn’t describe. The address goes to Only in San Francisco: The Official Visitor’s Site for San Francisco. But it doesn’t redirect to the home page of the city guide – it goes to Itinerary 6: Queer Culture Tour.

The attacks are specifically anti-gay, not just anti-Outsider.

This attempt to harm a politician’s reputation by falsely linking his campaign to gay web sites was exposed during the same week that Alaskans were debating the participation of local students in Day of Silence, a national event that brings attention to anti-LGBT name calling and harassment by highlighting the voices that are silenced by prejudice.

The News-Miner article did not discuss the anti-LGBT aspect of the attacks. Instead, the author brought attention to his own lack of awareness by describing the destination page as a “gay lifestyle site.”

If a gay news site posts news, and a gay events site lists events, what does a gay lifestyle site post? Fashion tips?

Castro Online is a community guide and the online home for a news magazine – similar to the News-Miner’s web site for posting articles, ads and events relevant to Fairbanks. Does that make newsminer.com a Fairbanks lifestyle site?

The Anchorage Press didn’t have the News-Miner’s problem describing a gay web site. They published the story first and wrote that the fake site redirects to “CastroOnline.com, a San Francisco calendar and information guide for the LGBT community.”

The News-Miner changed it to a “gay lifestyle site” in their article posted five days later. The next day, the Juneau Empire described the sites as “pages associated with gay culture in San Francisco.” Awkward, but accurate.

So what happened at the News-Miner? They report a story about an anti-gay smear campaign, but they barely acknowledge the anti-gay aspect and instead refer to the gay community as a lifestyle.

Perhaps our journalists should take a Day of Silence to highlight the lack of good quality news reports on LGBT issues in Alaska.

Elton John Plays Alaska

Tuesday, 29 April 2008 – 9:37 PM | Comments Off

It’s true: Elton John is performing in Alaska!

Elton is to play two SOLO concerts in Alaska, USA. The dates are: Wednesday May 28, 2008 at the Sullivan Arena, Anchorage, Alaska, and Thursday May 29 at the Carlson Center, Fairbanks, Alaska.

This will be the first time Elton has played in the state of Alaska, and comes as a result of huge popular demand for him to play there. These concerts also take him within sight of achieving his aim to have performed in every state of the USA. Alaska will be the 49th state in which he has performed. (www.eltonjohn.com)

In Anchorage, tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 5. There is a six-ticket purchase limit, and prices range from $56.50 to $116.50. Tickets will be available online at Ticketmaster.com, Charge-by-Phone at 562-4800, Fred Meyer Ticketmaster outlets and Sullivan Arena box office.

In Fairbanks, tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 3 and will be available at Fred Meyer Ticketmaster outlets, the Carlson Center box office, 456-4800, and Ticketmaster.com. Ticket prices are set at $75 and $115, not including fees.

The Advocate Wants Your Stories of Hometown Pride

Monday, 28 April 2008 – 11:46 AM | Comments Off

by E. Ross

They say that the best thing about Anchorage is that it’s only 15 minutes from Alaska. What do you like most about living in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, or wherever you live? The Advocate, a GLBT news site and magazine, wants to know what makes you proud of your hometown:

Tell us what you love and what you wish you could change. Describe where you go to wander and where you wouldn’t be caught after dark. Share your favorite place to get a beer with friends, have a romantic dinner for two, or escape from the world for a little while. We want to hear about the people you meet and the vibe that greets you when you walk down the street. Anything goes.

What’s this all about? We want to bring America’s LGBT people closer together. How many times have we separated ourselves according to where we live? Coasts versus heartland, big city versus small town, gay ghetto versus mainstream suburb — our life experiences reflect the places where we put down roots. So…what makes you proud about your hometown? Tell us — and tell the world.

Let’s put Alaska on their map. Send your submission to hometownstories@advocate.com with “Hometown Stories” in the subject line. Selected entries will appear in the annual Pride issue or on Advocate.com.

Photo by dphershman

This Week in GLBT Alaska

Friday, 25 April 2008 – 5:03 PM | Comments Off

From Alaska GLBT News (subscribe)

Juneau’s Femme Fatale 4/25-4/26, 9:30 p.m.

Get ready for Femme Fatale, Juneau’s annual show and benefit for Four A’s. The hottest performers from Anchorage are coming down for 2 shows at Marlintini’s Lounge, 9121 Glacier Hwy. Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door. For more information, email Lee: LWagner@alaskanaids.org.

Fairbanks Men’s Discussion, 5/1

The next men’s discussion is scheduled for May 1. Contact Brad for time and location: bradoen@yahoo.com.

Anchorage Pride Prom 4/25, 7 p.m.

Pride Prom is ON – Friday 4/25, ending Day of Silence with a night of celebration! At Russian Jack, $10.

Bac’untry Bruthers 4/25-4/26, 9 p.m.

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

TLFMC’s Last Saturday Brunch 4/26, 10:30 a.m.

Last Saturday Brunch (Anchorage) will be held at Sunrise Gill & Pancake House again this month. This location was very popular last month, so worth a repeat. Now located at 8201 Old Seward Hwy. Contact Road Captain: ykhway@yahoo.com

A Starry ~ Starry Night to benefit S.T.A.R. 4/26, 8 p.m.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and the stars of Myrna’s stage are holding a benefit for Standing Together Against Rape (S.T.A.R.) MC’s Paige and Daphne lead us through a night of glamour. $10 Mad Myrna’s

Ever Ready at the Del Rois 4/26, 9 p.m – 1 a.m.

Rock, country & blues at Del Rois Bar (Mile 39.5 Old Glen Hwy, in Palmer).

“Graze to Raise” for Identity, register by 4/28

Raise money for Identity on May 2 at the 8th Annual Alaska Charity Walk. Eat and walk through downtown Anchorage, then return to the Park Strip for dessert, prizes and entertainment. Adults $30, $15 for kids 5-18. Register by 4/28 at GLCCA or online. Information and online registration: Alaska Charity Walk

Get it On short sleeve t-shirts, order by 4/28

Due to the overwhelming interest in the Get it On campaign t-shirts, the Four A’s is going to make another order. The short-sleeve t-shirts cost $10.00 each, and the SMART design is available for the first time. To see the designs, visit www.getitonak.org.