A long-overdue Bent Alaska update — October 2013

This weekend in LGBTQ Alaska (5/20/11), as we await the End Times

Another packed weekend in LGBTQ Alaska, as with bated breath we await the Rapture.

Back Rubber Ball III — Friday night in Fairbanks

The Third Annual Black Rubber Ball in Fairbanks Alaska is a DS/BDSM friendly event featuring the lovely lades of Cabaret Noir Burlesque Dance, the outrageous Grande Dame of Haus of Fusion, Beyonca, the enchanting seductive voice of Kelly “Spade” of the band “Some Kind Of Sorcerer”, and other featured performing artists, with industrialized remix beats from DJ Vlad.

There will be full menu food service upstairs before show & special appetizer plate available downstairs before show; wine bottle & full bar service to tables throughout show (to 21+ only tables), and bar service for those over 21, limited 18+ in restaurant section.

• Date/time: Friday, May 20, 9:00 PM to 2:00 AM the next morning. Doors open at 8:30 PM; show starts at 9:30 PM.
• Location: The Lower L.A. (the downstairs banquet room & lounge at Los Amigos), 636 28th Ave. in Fairbanks (see map)
• Cost of admission: VIP tables (by reservation): $15 in advance ($18 at door if available); general admission $13 advance, $15 at door.
• Further info: See the Facebook event page.

Alaska students awarded $2,500 in scholarships from Pride Foundation

Two Alaska students, Kara Carlson of Fairbanks and Colleen McNulty of Anchorage, have been awarded $2,500 in scholarships from Pride Foundation, according to a press release from Tiffany McLain, the foundation’s regional development organizer for Alaska.

Gay/lesbian youth are doing better than you think, says Ritch Savin-Williams

LGBT youth are a lot stronger and more resilient than we usually give them credit for. That’s what Dr. Ritch C. Savin-Williams of Cornell University said this past Monday as a guest on Line One: Your Health Connection on KSKA, Anchorage’s public radio station. The program can now be downloaded or listened to online.

AMP asks: How do couples keep their relationships strong?

How do gay and lesbian couples keep their relationships strong? Anchorage MPowerment Project (AMP) would like to invite you to be a part of an evening discussion on Thursday, March 19, to find out.

Alaska Presbyterians react to LGBT ordination vote

Last week the Presbyterian Church (USA) ratified a historic change permitting the ordination of gay and lesbian clergy. How have Alaska Presbyterians reacted?

Wasilla High School & LGBT youth: A more complex picture

Last week we wrote about the “Bohemian Rhapsody” controversy at Wasilla High School and the wider picture for LGBT youth in Mat-Su schools. Since then, we’ve learned that things might be better for LGBT students at Wasilla High School than our story portrayed.

Sara’s News Roundup 5/15/11

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

1) Virginians are almost evenly split on gay marriage, Post poll finds
Virginia, Washington Post, May 6, 2011

2) Marriage equality film comes to Harlem
Harlem, New York, Pam’s House Blend, May 5, 2011

3) Female-to-male transsexual people have more autistic traits
University of Cambridge, Mass., May 5, 2011

4) Brazil’s Supreme Court approves civil unions for gay couples
Brazil, Pink News, May 6, 2011

5) Brazilian volleyball player says he is gay after enduring homophobic taunts
Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, Associated Press, May 6, 2011

6) Phoenix gay dads adopt, raise 12 happy kids
Arizona, Arizona Republic, May 2, 2011

7) More companies covering transgender surgery ~ Advocates want corporate America to see sex reassignment as AMA does
MSNBC, February 21, 2011

8) Inclusive Message for Mother’s Day
Advocate, May 7, 2011

9) Betty White Reflects on Gay Following
Advocate, May 0, 2011

10) NCLR honors George Washington University transgender student athlete
San Francisco, Metro Weekly, March 16, 2011

11) Justice Dept. to Continue Policy Against Same-Sex Marriage
Washington, New York Times, May 8, 2011

12) More cancer among gay men, California study finds
California, CNN, May 9, 2011

13) Air Force lesbian who won reinstatement retiring
Seattle, Associated Press, May 10, 2011

14) LGBT Elders Raise Serious Fears About Long Term Care Facilities
Washington, Red Wire, April 5, 2011

15) Gay marriage bill introduced in NY State Assembly
New York, 365Gay.com, May 10, 2011

16) Larry King for N.Y. Marriage Equality
New York, Advocate, May 12, 2011

Bohemian Rhapsody “too gay” for Wasilla? — Beyond the snark, bad situation for gay kids in Mat-Su schools

Beyond the headline-catching absurdity of the short-lived Wasilla High School ban on “Bohemian Rhapsody,” there’s a more serious reality for LGBT students in the Mat-Su — one which hasn’t gained so much media attention.

This weekend in LGBT Alaska (5/13/11): Tommy, The Glass Menagerie, & roller derby

Events this weekend in LGBT Alaska include Mad Myrna’s production of “Tommy,” Tennessee Williams’ “The Glass Menagerie” and two films at Out North, three regular Anchorage drag shows, a dehibernation “bear bust” & BBQ, and roller derby. And don’t miss the submission deadline for the summer issue of Alaska Women Speak!