A long-overdue Bent Alaska update — October 2013

A Lesbian in the Bush: Tales of LGBT Life in a Native Village

by Angela Minor

Please welcome a new contributor,  Angela Minor, with a new series on her experiences as an openly LGBT teacher in the Southeast Alaska village of Angoon. First of a multipart series.

Angela Minor is a professional freelance writer. She specializes in destination pieces, personality profiles, and civil rights commentary. Her work is published locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. Sample portfolios can be seen at iFreelance, Yahoo Contributor Network, and 10ThousandCouples. Follow her on Twitter @Angela_Minor.

Moving to a new location and starting a new job both rank at the top of the greatest-stressors-in-life list. I feel sure the data for these studies did not include relocating to a Native Tlingit subsistence village in the bush of Alaska. Nor did they incorporate information from LGBT individuals. Therefore, the stress-findings on this list paled in comparison to the “nerves” I experienced as Mal inched her way into the deep port at Angoon.

With two dogs, a bird, and a U-Haul trailer in tow, I exited the ferry M/V Malaspina (Mal) into the pouring rain and darkness. The school system had offered me a teaching job several months earlier, and this was the moment for which I had planned. Two teachers met me at the dock and guided me to the system-housing apartment. They pointed to the building and quickly departed, leaving behind admonitions to watch for bears. I knew that Admiralty Island had three bears to every person, but I didn’t think that meant in the town! After all, the island was almost a million square acres? I added this to the stress list for the night.

After sitting anxiously on the floor of the empty apartment waiting for daylight, the first visitor arrived at my door. The neighbor, a fellow teacher, came knocking with greetings and advice. “The native people will want to know why you came with a female companion,” he stated. My partner at the time was with me, so there was, in my mind, no confusion as to my demographic – female, white, lesbian. He “assured” me that in a village the size of Angoon (pop. 600) everyone would know by lunchtime. I had plainly told the hiring committee months ago, and had lived openly for many years. I did not see a problem. Honestly, the bears made me more nervous that the neighbor’s predictions.

The first day of school arrived and my little leaky pre-fab classroom was overflowing with fifth and sixth grade students. This was the day to test the new teacher, which is the rule in every school. One student in particular, let’s call him Johnny, led the charge to determine who was the leader. He danced around, shouted, told jokes, left the room, and rolled around on the floor. So I sat on the floor with him, calmly explaining that he could participate in his own education or go see the principal. He chose the principal. All was calm, until the next morning.

Before the school day began, I was summoned to the principal’s office to meet with Johnny’s grandfather. Walking up the hill to the main building, the neighbor’s predictions rushed unexpectedly into my mind. This meeting was not going to be about teaching, the classroom, or Johnny – it was going to be about me personally. As my blood pressure rose, I reviewed all the responses that every LGBT person keeps in their mind for just such an occasion.

I entered the office and could cut the tension with a knife. The grandfather’s body language was hostile and Johnny wore a look of smug victory. Clearly the meeting had begun without me. Without the niceties of introduction, the grandfather spouted out, “Why are you picking on Johnny?” Before I could inhale for a reply, he responded to his own question. “You white people always treat us like this…” My brain froze. This was not about LGBT bigotry; it was about racial bigotry. As we continued through the meeting in search of common ground for Johnny’s education, I listened carefully for any indication whatsoever of anti-gay sentiment. There was none. I could not, however, take comfort in this since the room was filled with the grandfather’s racially laden accusations and ignorance. Clearly I would have an even steeper hill to climb in Angoon.

To be continued.

It Gets Better for Native American Youth

“This is for all the LGBTQ Native youth throughout the country. From the villages in Alaska, to the Islands in Hawaii, to every corner of Indian Reservations across America… It Gets Better… we are living proof!!”

If you or someone you know is feeling alone, call the Trevor Project, they can help: 1-866-4U-TREVOR.

Watch the new It Gets Better video from the National Native American AIDS Prevention Center:

Sara’s News Roundup 7/31/11

Recent LGBT news selected by Sara Boesser in Juneau, Alaska.

1) New Study: Support for Gay Marriage Grew Faster in Past Two Years
US News and World Report, July 27, 2011

2) Lesbian couple are Norway heroes
SameSame, July 26, 2011

3) Lesbian soldier Cammermeyer ‘Serving in Silence’ no more
Langley, Washington, Seattle PI, July 26, 2011

4) Pioneering LGBT Ministry Debunks ‘Pray the Gay Away’ with Debut Film
Angeles, Calif., Rainbow Times, July 24, 2011 Newswire

5) Gay couple asked to reverse shirt at Dollywood
Dollywood, Tenn., Associated Press, July 27, 2011

6) Group Targets California’s LGBT Education Law
California, Advocate, July 27, 2011

7) When They Play Women, It’s Not Just an Act
New York Times, July 28, 2011

8) SLDN Releases Freedom to Serve Guide, Re-launches Online Site
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, July 28, 2011

9) Wedding Expert: NY’s Gay and Lesbian Comedians Riff on Marriage
365Gay.com, July 24, 2011

10) Pregnant man Thomas Beatie reveals buff body, ripped abs in new photos after baby number three
Oregon, New York Daily News, July 27, 2011

11) Gay Ski Week ‘fantastic’
Ontago, New Zealand, Ontago Daily News, August 1, 2011

Alaska hearts Pink Dot

Anchorage joined cities around the world on June 18 when we gathered a circle of people wearing pink – a human Pink Dot – in an Anchorage park to support the Freedom to Love. In addition to the dot, we made a big heart in honor of Love. Pink Dot Anchorage was an official Alaska PrideFest event. Here’s the wrap up report and photo from Pink Dot Anchorage Alaska.

This weekend in LGBTQ Alaska (7/29/11): Fairbanks Ducal Ball & Hedwig’s last weekend

This weekend’s big events in Fairbanks are a late morning bar-hopping float down the Chena River and the Fairbanks Ducal Ball at the Blue Loon. In Anchorage, it’s the very last weekend to see Out North’s production of “Hedwig and the Angry Inch.” Those events and more, plus a preview of what’s coming up next week.

Things I have learned this year as Grand Duke XVIII

What is it really like to hold your first title in the Imperial Court of All Alaska? A few weeks before the step-down Ducal Ball, Fairbanks Grand Duke Lynnette wrote a list of lessons she learned during the year as Duke of Fairbanks. Although it’s specific to her reign, many of the lessons are true for titleholders in general.

Freedom to Serve: New guide for LGBT servicemembers in a post-DADT world

It’s not a post-DADT world yet, but it will be after September 20 — and now Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) has prepared a comprehensive new legal guide to laws and policies related to U.S. military service as an LGBT servicemember once Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is finally gone.

Dukes, duchesses, queens, & divas in Fairbanks this weekend

The Fairbanks Ducal Ball XIX is on Saturday, and they’re starting the day with a big splash — rafting the Chena River with Queens and Divas! Have fun on the river, enjoy the last great show by Duke Lynnette and Duchess Kara after a fantastic year, and welcome the new Duke and Duchess of Fairbanks.

Wanda Sykes + k.d. lang = Best. Weekend. Ever.

OMG! Wanda’s coming to Anchorage! Tickets are on sale now for the Dena’ina Center on Sept 17… oh, wait… that’s the same date as k.d. lang’s second night at the PAC. Whose idea was that? Where is the Lesbian Coordinating Committee when you need it?

Well, if you’re lucky enough to have tickets for k.d. lang’s Friday concert, then get your Wanda tickets for Saturday and you’ll be ready for a weekend of amazing entertainment with a lesbian twist, right here in Anchorage.

Wanda Sykes has been called “one of the funniest stand up comics” by her peers and ranks among Entertainment Weekly’s 25 Funniest People in America.

Her HBO Special “I’ma Be Me” has been nominated for Two Primetime Emmys. She’s already won 4 Emmys for other projects. Watch the awards on August 29 to see if she wins again.

In addition to her three television specials – “Wanda Sykes: Im’a Be Me”, “Wanda Sykes: Sick and Tired”, and “Tongue Untied,” all available on DVD – she can also be seen on HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and heard on Comedy Central’s “Crank Yankers” as the voice of Gladys Murphy.

In June, she was honored with the first Hope of L.A. award presented by Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa to celebrate the city’s LGBT Heritage Month.

Watch this hilarious clip from “I’ma Be Me” on coming out Black to her parents:

And this clip on how anyone could believe Sarah Palin’s “death panels” meme:

Don’t miss this show!

Wanda Sykes in Anchorage
Another Northern Stage Production
When: Sept 17 at 8pm
Where: Dena’ina Civic & Convention Center
600 W 7th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska
Cost: $48.50 and $68.50
(Actual price: $59.55 and $80.35 with the fees.)
Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com, the Sports Arena (named after the mayor who vetoed our rights), and Fred Meyer ticket outlets.
More Info: Wanda Sykes home page and the Anchorage event.

Lesbian couple saved 40 from rightwing Norwegian terrorist

Hege Dalen and Toril Hansen — a lesbian couple — put their own lives at risk to save about 40 youth from the July 22 massacre in Norway. A total of 250 to 300 youth were rescued by Hege, Toril, and others camped near them that day. We salute their heroism.