A long-overdue Bent Alaska update — October 2013

Fairbanks Rainbow Prom: Born This Way

The Imperial Court’s Grand Duke and Duchess of Fairbanks would like to invite you to the 2011 Rainbow Prom show and dance…We Were Born This Way!

Your Duke and Duchess, Lynnette and Kara, did a survey at the very first event. We asked everyone to comment in the theme section and an overwhelming request for a prom was given.

We hope you come out in one of the PRIDE colors, or all of them. Be creative, be fun, be daring like Lady GaGa! If wearing a Tux/Prom dress is not your thing, come dressed head to toe in PRIDE colors and we will give you a $5 discount. (Michael will be at the door and he will be expecting a bright Lady GaGa all-OUT type outfit.)

Our host is Empress Paige Pila Boho Langit!
DJ 50/50 is spinning the tunes.

When: Saturday, May 7, from 8pm to 2am. Doors open at 7pm. Show starts promptly at 8, with dancing afterwards.
Sponsored by: The Imperial Court of All Alaska
Where: The Blue Loon, 2999 Parks Hwy Fairbanks, Alaska
How much: $15 cover; $10 if you come dressed for a prom (or in Pride colors!) 21+ only.
Further info: See the Facebook event page.

Note: This is not a youth prom, it’s a prom-themed drag show and dance for 21+ only. However, the Duke and Duchess are planning an all-ages step down show on July 30. Put it on your calendar.

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

Brandi Carlile returns to Alaska

Both Anchorage and Fairbanks are on Brandi Carlile’s summer 2011 tour!

Out North celebrates Tennessee Williams’ 100th birthday with “The Glass Menagerie”

In celebration of the 100th birthday of playwright Tennessee Williams, Out North Contemporary Art House will present Williams’ most produced play, The Glass Menagerie from May 6 to 22, with a preview on May 5.

How many gays must God create before we accept them?

The Minnesota legislature is debating a ban on same sex marriage, similar to the one passed in Alaska in the 90’s. On Monday, Rep. Steve Simon spoke in support of gays and lesbians and raised thoughtful questions, like this one that earned him spontaneous applause:

“How many more gay people does God have to create before we ask ourselves whether or not God actually wants them around?”

Watch the video:

Ex-ADN sports editor Roger Brigham recalls coming out gay in 1980s Alaska

Roger Brigham did not write a coming out column in the Anchorage Daily News after telling his editor that he was gay, back in 1982, because he did not want to become a political lightning rod. Twenty-nine years later, he still writes a sports column, now for a San Francisco gay paper, and he was ready to tell his personal story in a recent interview with OutSports.com and today to Bent Alaska.

Sara’s News Roundup 5/1/11

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

1) League of Women Voters Joins N.Y. Marriage Coalition
New York, Advocate, April 25, 2011

2) West Point rejects lesbian cadet
Albany, New York, Associated Press, April 22, 2011

3) Clement to defend DOMA with different firm
Washington Blade, April 25, 2011

4) Put It Gets Better In School Libraries
Advocate.com, March 28, 2011

5) Texas may strip away transgender marriage rights
Austin, Texas, Associated Press, April 25, 2011

6) U.S. Department of Labor adds gender identity and pregnancy status to its equal employment policy
Washington, National Gay and Lesbian Taskforce, April 28, 2011

7) Uncensored, Gay Dorian Gray
Advocate, April 28, 2011

8) Marines get trained on accepting gay recruits
365Gay.com, April 28, 2011

9) Ellen DeGeneres leads celebrities on Out’s power 50 list
San Francisco Chronicle, April 28 2011

10) Archie Comics devoting series to new gay character
San Francisco Chronicle, April 4, 2011

11) StoryCorps: A military man finds peace with his sexuality and his Mormon faith
San Francisco Chronicle, April 7, 2011

12) White House to host first ever trans meeting
Washington, Washington Blade, April 27, 2011

13) Business moguls pen letter endorsing same sex marriage
New York, CNN, April 29, 2011

ICP Ball 2011: Happily Ever After…A Storybook Masquerade

Hansel and Gretel, The Gingerbread Man, Red Riding Hood, or the Big Bad Wolf? Who was your favorite? Come to the ICOAA Imperial Crown Prince and Princess Ball XIX dressed as your favorite storybook character!… and don’t forget, it’s also a Masque!

Celebrate with Imperial Crown Prince XVIII R.J. and Princess XVIII Ashley, as they take you through a fairy tale night marking the end of their year as ICP, and the beginning of a new year, for three hopeful candidates — Imperial Crown Prince Candidate Steve Smith and Imperial Crown Princess Candidates Alexis Kellie and Colleen Crinklaw. Voting will take place at the Ball!

Date/time: Sunday, May 1, 5:00 to 8:00 PM
Location: Mad Myrna’s, 530 E. 5th Ave, Anchorage
Cost of admission: $15.00. Tickets available at the door, or you can purchase your ticket in advance (check with R.J., Ashley, Empress 38 Paige, or Emperor 38 Cory) All proceeds to benefit the Imperial Court of All Alaska
Further info: See the Facebook event page

The new & improved Bent Alaska events calendar

Bent Alaska has a really good events calendar now! Check it out.

Illusions of Delusion — Anchorage’s newest drag show

The Crazy Horse Saloon: most people probably think of Anchorage’s oldest female strip bar. But now it’s even crazier, with Illusions of Delusion, Anchorage’s newest drag experience, every Friday & Saturday night beginning at midnight.

The Who’s “Tommy” at Mad Myrna’s

The Tony-Award winning Tommy, Pete Townshend’s tale of a young a “deaf, dumb, and blind boy” is now an ambitious local production with performances being held at Anchorage’s Mad Myrna’s every Friday and Saturday through May 14.