A long-overdue Bent Alaska update — October 2013

Motion filed in Schmidt v. Alaska

A lawsuit by three same-sex couples against Alaska’s biased property tax rules progressed to the next step on Wednesday.

The national ACLU and the ACLU of Alaska filed a motion for summary judgment in Schmidt v. Alaska, a lawsuit challenging the state’s tax-assessment rules. The tax rules discriminate against same-sex couples by denying them equal access to a property tax exemption for senior citizens and disabled veterans.

Those who qualify and who live with same-sex partners are only permitted, at most, half of the exemption available to opposite-sex married couples because they are treated as roommates rather than as families.

Each of the three couples are denied full access to a $150,000 property tax exemption available to opposite-sex married couples. The couples are asking that the Alaska Superior Court declare this discriminatory law to be unconstitutional.

“Denying gay seniors and disabled veterans the tax protection for their family homes afforded to heterosexuals serves no purpose other than to treat same-sex couples like second-class citizens,” said Tom Stenson, Legal Director of the ACLU of Alaska. “People should not have to pay a higher tax simply for being lesbian or gay.”

The three couples challenging the unfair gay tax are described HERE, in Bent’s first post on the Schmidt v. Alaska lawsuit that was filed last year.

GLAAD recognizes Anchorage-raised comic book artist

The Anchorage Press last week ran a profile by Scott Christiansen of animation and comic book artist Brad Rader, who did the illustrations for the graphic novel Fogtown (published 2010), a finalist for best comic book in this year’s GLAAD Media Awards of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. (The winning comic book was DC Comics’ Batwoman.)

Will Alaska get gay Presbyterian ministers?

The Presbyterian Church (USA) becomes the fourth mainline Christian denomination to permit the ordination of LGBT ministers and lay leaders. Celebrating Immanuel Presbyterian Church (Anchorage) and other More Light churches which worked for decades to bring about this change.

3 LGBT movies at Out North

In addition to the lesbian-themed film Three Veils (posted here), Out North is also screening two gay-themed films in the next few weeks, both starring Steve Callahan: Abrupt Decision is playing this Saturday, May 14, and Role/Play is showing on June 18, the first night of Alaska Pride Week.

1. Three Veils
You know about Three Veils, showing on June 11 at 7pm. Director Rolla Selbak will be in attendance. Just confirmed: Sheetal Sheth is returning to Alaska for the show! There will be more events connected with this screening, so stay tuned to Out North and to Three Veils movie websites, facebooks and twitters. And if you haven’t already, friend Sheetal and welcome her back on her wall.

2. Abrupt Decision
This Saturday, May 14 at 7pm, will be a fundraiser showing of Abrupt Decision. This is a gift to Out North for the work they do, and all box office proceeds go directly to Out North, allowing the theater to bring more films of interest to us.

Denis’ world is falling apart and his marriage is shattered. He went into the office Friday morning. Ten minutes later he was fired and his entire world changed. As a man in mid-life crisis, he believed there has to be more to life than this. A stray dog in the park opens his eyes. It takes an angelic vision to see the light in this dramatic romance about passionate true love.

Abrupt Decision stars Steve Callahan and David LaDuca, and is a new film from Silly Bunny Pictures, a production company that creates ‘Movies about men in the heartland.’

3. Role/Play
Role/Play is showing on Saturday, June 18 at 7pm. It stars Steve Callahan and Matthew Montgomery.

When hunky soap opera star Graham Windsor (Steve Callahan; East Side Story, Make the Yuletide Gay, Nine Lives) is outed as the result of a gay sex tape scandal, he seeks refuge at an exclusive Palm Springs resort. But quiet anonymity eludes him when handsome marriage-equality activist Trey Reed (Matthew Montgomery; Redwoods, Back Soon, Pornography: A Thriller) checks in to escape the fallout from his own bitter divorce. As an undeniable passion begins to sizzle between Graham and Trey, they force each other to confront their professional downfalls — and the firestorm each has created in the gay press.

The trailer looks good. Watch:

Out North is delighted to show these films and invites you to come down and support the theater, LGBT film makers and their allies by seeing these up and coming films.

Abrupt Decision on May 14. Tickets are $10 at the door.

Three Veils on June 11. Tickets are $10 general admission, $7.50 students/60+/military, and available at the door only.

Role/Play on June 18. Tickets TBA.

All three movies are showing at 7 pm. Check for updates at Out North.

– Thanks to Maureen Suttman for providing this information.

A majority of Republicans support either marriage or civil unions for same-sex couples

A majority of Republican voters support some form of legal recognition for same-sex relationships, according to a recent poll; and national trends show that a majority of Americans support marriage equality for same-sex couples.

Sara’s News Roundup 5/8/11

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

1) Bill Clinton Endorses N.Y. Marriage
New York, Advocate, May 5, 2011

2) Lesbian ex-cadet giving up West Point fight
Albany, New York, Associated Press, April 27, 2011

3) Gay Mormon Comes Out on The Voice
Advocate, May 4, 2011

4) 15-year-old girl says Christian school threw her out for talking about being bisexual on Facebook
Sacramento, New York Daily News, April 28, 2011

5) How Chaz Bono, Cher’s son, became a man — and possibly a transgender icon? [documentary on Oprah’s OWN channel May 10]
Los Angeles Times, May 6, 2011

6) ‘True Blood’s’ Evan Rachel Wood says she’s bisexual, ‘into androgyny in general’
LA Times, April 18, 2011

7) Maternity Store Offers Discount Only To Lesbian Customers
New York, CBS News, April 23, 2011

8) S.F. Catholic lawsuit rejected by Supreme Court
San Francisco, San Francisco Chronicle, May 3, 2011

9) Hands up! Moment a sham wedding groom was seized at the altar after officers hid in the church vestry
U.K., Daily Mail Reporter, April 15, 2011

10) Despite rapid growth, India lets its girls die
Moren, India, Associated Press, May 4, 2011

11) Growing Up Gay and Transgendered in Appalachia
Appalachia, The Atlantic, April 30 2011

12) Harvey Milk High School Competes for Gaga Funding
New York, Advocate, May 4, 2011

13) NYT Editorial: Fit to Rule on Same-Sex Marriage
New York Times, May 3, 2011

14) Gay Calif. mayor seeks U.S. House seat
California, Washington Blade, May 5, 2011

15) Arthur Laurents Dies at 93
New York, Advocate, May 5, 2011

16) USOC official Peter Vidmar resigns after anti-gay marriage actions
USA Today, May 7, 2011

Believe Out Loud: A Million Christians for LGBT Equality

This Mother’s Day, Believe Out Loud is inviting mothers and children everywhere to break the silence.

Determined to give voice to the millions of Christians who believe in equal rights for all, including the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) community, Believe Out Loud is launching a campaign to get one million Christians to break the silence and join the burgeoning chorus for full LGBT equality in the church.

Progressive Christians across numerous denominations believe that Jesus’ message of justice, compassion and love compels them to be fully welcoming of all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Now is the time to speak up and remind the world that it is possible to be Christian AND believe in LGBT inclusion.

Simply believing that LGBT individuals ought to be welcomed into our church communities is not enough. The time has come to break the silence. Believe Out Loud. Express your compassion by welcoming and supporting the gay and lesbian members of our communities. Join us, and raise Christian voices around LGBT issues.

How can you make your beliefs real? Be active. It can be as simple as starting a conversation. Lending a hand. Offering a seat. Kind gestures are the first step down the road to inclusion.

Watch their new video and be inspired to break the silence around LGBT equality in your church:

Community Bake Sale to benefit the Four A’s

It’s time for Scott’s annual Bake Sale for the Four A’s, and it’s happening on Mother’s Day. So stop in and buy your mother a delicious treat, or bake your mother’s favorite dessert for the auction and raise money for AIDS services in Alaska.

“Please bring some yummy baked goods to auction/sell, or yourself to bid on sweet treats, or both! Check out the Live and Silent auction items, our special guest bakers, or just buy something yummy to take home from our buy-and-go table! This event benefits the Alaskan AIDS Assistance Association (Four A’s.)”

The annual bake sale brings out some of the best bakers in the community. If you like sweets, don’t miss it.

Date/time: Sunday, May 8, 2011 from 4pm – 7pm.
Location: Mad Myrna’s, 530 E 5th Ave, Anchorage, AK
Further info: See the Facebook event page.

Keep track of this and other events in LGBTQ Alaska with Bent Alaska’s new & improved events calendar.

“Inside and Out” and Creative Outreach at IAA

The Fairbanks public is invited to “Inside and Out” tonight, a First Art Friday exhibit at Interior AIDS Association and part of their Creative Outreach program.

This exhibition will include stories, posters, and artwork from agency consumers of the Interior AIDS Association. The presenters chose the title “Inside and Out” because some of them are telling stories or sharing concepts that have had to remain hidden for years, while others are sharing artwork that they have never shared outside of their immediate friends and families. There will likely be stories of recovery, struggles, prejudice, and unique original artwork.

Samuel Johnson has been working with people at IAA to put their stories together and consolidate artwork for the show.

“It won’t be artsy in the same way that other FF openings will be… it will have posters, written stories, pictures, and art that folks here have made. Some of it relates to the above themes, and some relates to the person’s own interest or efforts at drawing and art.”

The previous IAA story event on April Fools Friday showed digital stories related to HIV/STD Prevention. Check out Samuel’s cool digital story about finding IAA and joining the Creative Outreach project:

Interior AIDS Association Creative Outreach Digital Story from Samuel Johnson on Vimeo.

Inside and Out
Date/time: Friday, May 6, 6:00-8:00 PM
Location: Interior Aids Association, 709 W. 2nd, in downtown Fairbanks, across from Gambardella’s.
Cost of admission: Free
Further info: See the Facebook event page.

Keep track of this and other events in LGBTQ Alaska at Bent Alaska’s new & improved events calendar.

Lewis: I’m gay and from Wasilla, Alaska

The second video from Wasilla was uploaded today on I’m From Driftwood!

After coming out, Lewis is met with religious fanatics at school but love and support at home.

Watch Lewis: I’m From Wasilla, AK

Thanks to Lewis for sharing his home and school coming out stories, and a big high five to his parents for being so loving and supportive of their son!

IFD traveled all the way to Alaska to include us in their story tour, collecting “true stories by gay people from all over in an attempt to help LGBTQ teens feel not so alone.”

Read about their great Alaska adventures here, and watch the other I’m From Wasilla video story here.

IFD has posted five written stories from LGBTQ Alaskans, in addition to the 2 videos. They’re all listed on the IFD Alaska page.

If you haven’t submitted a story yet, write one and send it to them. The story guidelines and submission page is here.