A long-overdue Bent Alaska update — October 2013

Moving on — watching closely

The time comes when Bent Alaska must move forward bearing our sadness over James Crump’s death on June 25 and getting back to our core business of sharing information and serving as an information hub for Alaska’s LGBTA communities. But first, I’d like to share some of the information I learned about healing from grief and trauma.

A message from Identity, & talk next Wednesday on healing from trauma

A message from Identity, Inc. Board of Directors regarding the tragic accident on June 25, 2011

This one for you, James Crump

James Crump came to Alaska to find himself, and stayed in Alaska to share himself with us. His death on June 25 at Anchorage’s Pride parade was a blow not only to his family & friends, but also to our whole community. But just what is our community — and where do we go from here?

ICOAA’s 4th of July celebration — & a winning float!

The Imperial Court of All Alaska (ICOAA) float won the Judges Choice Award at the Anchorage 4th of July festival and parade. Paige, Empress 38 of Alaska, graciously accepted Bent Alaska’s invitation to post her account of the day’s festivities; photos and additional comments by Bent Alaska contributor Mel Green.

Hedwig & the Angry Inch at Out North July 8–30

Out North Contemporary Art House presents, through the end of the month,  Hedwig and the Angry Inch.  With a two-year run after its February 1998 opening at New York’s Jane Street Theater, Hedwig and the Angry Inch has since been performed in hundreds of stage productions around the world — including a production starring Atz Lee Kilcher in Homer and Anchorage in 2009 — and was made into a film in 2001.

This groundbreaking, Obie-winning, Off-Broadway smash hit tells the story of “internationally-ignored song stylist” Hedwig Schmidt, a fourth-wall smashing East German rock ‘n’ roll goddess who also happens to be the victim of a botched sex-change operation, which has left her with just “an angry inch.” She performs her outrageous & unexpectedly hilarious story in the form of a rock gig/stand-up comedy routine backed by the hard-rocking band “The Angry Inch.”

Out North’s production is directed by Jonathon Minton. A special re-mix of the show by Out North’s artistic director Scott Turner Schofield will take place July 22 at 7 PM. Scott is calling it Hedwig and My Angry Inch — same music, one guy in a fundraiser for Out North Contemporary Art House.

• Dates/times: July 8-30 on Fridays (7:00 PM show) and Saturdays (two shows at 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM).
• Location: Out North Contemporary Art House, 3800 Debarr Road, Anchorage (see map)
• Cost of admission: At the door $30 general; $25 students/60+/military (show ID); $25/$20 available in advance at www.CenterTix.net. This is part of Out North’s Live Art and MashUp season pass series.
• Further info: See Out North’s event page.

Juneau Pride Picnic on July 9th

July is the month for LGBTQ Pride Picnics in Juneau and Fairbanks! Here is an update from our friends at SEAGLA about the Juneau Pride Picnic on July 9, 2011:

You are invited to the annual SEAGLA picnic to be held July 9, Saturday, at Sandy Beach Shelter #2, the shelter with the fireplace. The shelter is reserved for the full day and the grills will fire up at 11 a.m. and at intervals throughout the day.

SEAGLA will provide some burgers, hot dogs, salmon burgers, buns and an ice chest with soft drinks. Everyone is asked to bring a side dish (salad, chips, deviled eggs, baked beans, desserts …. anything yummy to eat!!)

Please bring some firewood — especially if the weather is rainy and/or cool.

There will be games (horseshoes, volleyball, music, dancing, ….) and even a Hula Hoop contest if anyone dares!! Anyone wanting to do face paintings for the kids, and the kids in all of us, please feel free to bring and set up your space and show your talents!

Anyone with great music is asked to step forward, speakers will be furnished. A portable P.A. system or a Karaoke machine would be fantastic as well. There may even be a guest appearance by our newly crowned Duchess and Duke!

Anyone who cares to meet and discuss the picnic, or volunteer for the picnic or anything else they want to take on, are welcome to meet us at “Social Hour” at Jaded on Fridays at 6:00 p.m.

Updates will be posted on the SEAGLA calendar as the picnic date approaches, or on the SEAGLA Facebook wall.

Here’s to fun — and sun — on July 9th!!

Sara’s News Roundup 7/4/11

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

1) In NY, gay marriage law brings wedding plans
New York, Associated Press, June 27, 2011

2) Etiquette Expert: Hey, NY – 10 things you need to know about gay weddings
365Gay.com, June 24, 2011

3) Cuba’s gay pride parade: big debut, few marchers
Havana, Cuba, AFP, May 28, 2011

4) Anna Paquin on Her Husband’s Gay Fans, Prejudice Against Bisexuals
Advocate, June 28, 2011

5) The End Of Gender?
NPR, June 23, 2011

6) Catholic Church Denies Funeral For Local Gay Man
San Diego, 10News.com, June 27, 2011

7) Political Notebook: White House invites bisexual activist to Pride event
San Francisco, Bay Area Reporter, June 23, 2011

8) Will marriage change gay love?
Salon, June 28, 2011

9) Wanna cash in on gay marriage? NYers say ‘I do’
Niagra Falls, NY, 365Gay.com, June 28, 2011

10) Forced Sex Change On Young Girls A Growing Concern In India
India, Huffington Post, June 28, 2011

11) Australian lesbian housing first in Brunswick
Australia, Moreland Leader, June 11, 2011

12) Gay marriage supporters plan referendum in Maine
Lewiston, Maine, Associated Press, June 30, 2011

13) Beijing’s Gay Community Fights Censorship
Beijing, China, Time, July 1, 2011

14) Taiwan’s Gays Welcome Lady Gaga
Taichung, Taiwan, Advocate, July 3, 2011

15) Transgender Jews Seek Place in Jewish Life
Berkeley, Calif., Baltimore Jewish Times, June 26, 2011

16) Census Shows Drastic Increase in Gay and Lesbian Households in Alaska
Alaska, Your Alaska Link, June 30, 2011

17) NBC’s hit show “The Voice” is giving a voice to gay singers
Associated Press, June 28, 2011

Drag Queen Bingo, or, how I learned I was part of something greater than myself

It’s times like these that we learn to live — Christopher Constant on Drag Queen Bingo and James Crump’s death at Pride: Everything we do should pave the way for a better world beyond the reach of our lives.

Bravery

This past Saturday in Anchorage offered us to tragic realities: the death of a human being; and the rash of ugly and bigoted comments made by some about that death, reminding us of where we are as a divided community — and the need for our active involvement in local government.

A personal note from a Bent Alaskan

By this time, four days after the accidental death of James Crump at the Anchorage Pride parade, some people must feel as if Bent Alaska is in a 24/7 crisis mode… and as if we are writing about nothing else, nothing that might take people’s minds off the sadness that so much of Anchorage’s LGBTQA community has been feeling these past few days. That’s kind of what I’ve been thinking too. And so I thought it might be helpful to explain a little about what’s going on at Bent Alaska right now.