A long-overdue Bent Alaska update — October 2013

Benefit Friday for the Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Anchorage (GLCCA)

A benefit for Identity, Inc. and the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Anchorage will be held on Friday, 4 Feb 2011, at the A Street Event Hall.

Changes at Bent Alaska

A new blogging platform, increased presence on Facebook, a Twitter feed, a new co-admin: here’s a look at some of the changes taking place at Bent Alaska.

Sara’s News Roundup 1/30/2011

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

1) Gay Tucson Hero to Sit with First Lady at State of the Union
Washington, Advocate, January 24, 2011

2) Pentagon to outline training for post-DADT life
Washington, Army Times, January 26, 2011

3) Iowa Dems Block Marriage Repeal
Iowa, Advocate, January 28, 2011

4) ‘Becoming Chaz’ tells the complicated, touching story of Chaz Bono’s sex change
Park City, Utah, LA Times, January 24, 2011

5) Task Force: Roberta Achtenberg excellent appointment to U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
Washington, National Gay and Lesbian Taskforce, January 26, 2011

6) Lambda Legal Reaches Settlement Agreement with Indiana School District After Transgender Student Was Barred from Prom
Gary, Indiana, Lambda Legal, January 28, 2011

7) White House announces three major gay appointments
Washington, 365Gay.com, January 28, 2011

8) Meet the Anti-Bullying Contest Grand Prize Winners!
365Gay.com, January 27, 2011

9) Marriage Equality U.S.A. and Get Equal Call For Gay Marriage ‘Counter Actions’ on Valentine’s Day
LA Weekly, January 28, 2011

10) Wyoming passes anti-gay marriage legislation
Wyoming, 365Gay.com, January 28, 2011

11) Play explores light, heavy side of transgender
Colorado, Coloradoan, January 27, 2011

12) Police seek rapport with gay community
Portland, Maine, Press Herald, January 28, 2011

13) Milan offers Italy’s 1st gay studies course
Milan, Italy, Associated Press, January 27, 2011

14) Gays Seeking Asylum in U.S. Encounter a New Hurdle
New York, New York Times, January 28, 2011

15) PC Air, New Thai Airline, Seeks To Be The First Airline To Employ The ‘Third Sex’
Thailand, Huffington Post, January 28, 2011

16) Girl with girl cheating OK, half of boyfriends say
New York, Reuters, January 28, 2011

17) Jonathan Knight: I Outed Myself
Advocate, January 29, 2011

Fairbanks fundraiser for gay cabbie injured in assault

Early on the morning of Thursday, January 13, Johnmichael, a driver for Eagle Cabs in Fairbanks, was beaten in the face with the claw side of a hammer. His assailant, Robert Charles Evans, is in jail charged with first degree assault and first degree robbery. Both charges are class A felonies in Alaska, and could garner Evans a sentence of up to 20 years in prison.

Anchorage’s LGBT Discrimination Survey

The Anchorage LGBT Discrimination Survey, now in progress, is the first effort since the late 1980s to compile rigorous data about the incidence of sexual orientation bias and discrimination in Anchorage — and the first effort ever to document Anchorage or Alaska-specific data about discrimination and bias on the basis of gender identity. Originally published as an op-ed in the Anchorage Press on Thursday, January 27, 2011.

Sara’s News Roundup 1/23/11

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

1) Quinn To Sign Civil Unions Bill Soon, In Public Ceremony In Downtown Chicago
Chicago, Illinois, Huffington Post, January 21, 2011

2) Gender-neutral toilets divide gay community in Brazil
Brazil, LA Times, January 21, 2011

3) New counseling center offers specialized services
Maryville, Tenn., Daily Times, January 20, 2011

4) Berkeley May Fund Employee Sex Change Surgeries
San Francisco, Advocate, January 19, 2011

5) Schwarzenegger’s Mom Took Him to the Doctor Because She Thought He Was Gay
TowerRoad, January 2011

6) Gay couple win case against Christian hotel
London, AFP, January 18, 9:07 am ET

7) Nepal introduces transgender census category
Kathmandu, Nepal, Inquirer.net, January 9, 2011

8) Pastor Terry Jones Barred from U.K.
U.K., Advocate, January 21, 2011

9) Wyoming House gives early nod to anti-gay marriage bill after impassioned debate
Cheyenne, Wyo., Billings Gazette, January 20, 2011

10) Marriage [and Gender Identity Bill] in Maryland by April?
Maryland, Advocate, January 21, 2011

11) Why Transgender Activism
Pam’s House Blend, January 12, 2011

Young is getting old for Alaska!

– by Caleb Pritt

Don Young is a good person to meet and to visit with. I would love the opportunity to go fishing with him sometime if he ever offered, though I doubt he would. But Young is getting Old for Alaska.

Now before you think this is an attempt by a young man to use Don Young’s thirty-eight years in Congress against him, it’s not. It’s the fact that his votes are so out of line with Alaska and Alaska’s best interest, something he likes to say he represents. Don Young has reverted more and more to voting the Republican Party line, rather than voting for Alaska’s line, for the future.

Today, Don Young joined a band of reactionary Republicans in voting to repeal the Healthcare Reform that ALREADY passed the House before. This was a moment where a senior “indpendent-minded” Republican could have said, “We need to focus on the issues before us, not what is behind us.” Instead, Don Young chose the party politics of Washington, D.C. over Alaska’s best interest. He says the bill was unconstitutional, yet why didn’t he do anything when it was decided the first time? Theres plenty of parlimentary tricks he could have employed. Even at that, he could have split the provisions of the bill and voted against the Individual Mandates and yet still voted for providing health care to those with preexisting conditions. He could have added a rider to provide more funding for rural and for native health care efforts. Instead, Don Young disappointed Alaska and turned his back on Alaska by playing the Washington, D.C. game.

Awhile back, there was a move to alleviate the American taxpayer of the tax-dollar draining provision known as Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, a provision that has wasted hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars. Don Young claims he’s a friend and advocate for taxpayers but rather than using that as justification to remove DADT, he voted against repeal. In fact, Lisa Murkowski could look past her partisan label and partisan leanings to do the right thing, but Don Young who talks Alaska when running for re-election every two years, par for the course votes Washington, D.C. politics once safely back in office.

Don Young has built up a mystique of invincibility to some of the political prognisticators and the press. But my question as a constitutent of the Congressman is who do you represent: Alaska or the Republican Party? This past November, a plurality of Alaska voters said no to partisan politics and yes to those who place Alaska first in the U.S. Senate. In fact, 2/3rd’s did this if you combine Murkowski & McAdam’s votes over the very partisan Miller. So the question must be asked, is Alaska not getting too old to deal with Young?

Congressman, you can’t go forward by going back. Alaska has always moved forward. I suggest it’s time to start doing that again or come home and let another Alaskan go forward with Alaska, not back with party politics!

Dennis Goff (1951-2010)

Dennis Goff, formerly of Anchorage, died unexpectedly at the age of 59 on Nov. 3, 2010, in Hawaii. Sorry for the late posting, I didn’t know until recently. His legacy book is still open, and friends are encouraged to add a message. Condolences to his partner Sheldon, his many friends and students, and all who were touched by his life and his music.

A local gathering was held in the UAA recital hall. His ashes were divided among his favorite Hawaiian beach, the Chugach Mountains in Alaska and his family’s hometown in Ohio.

Born Aug. 19, 1951, in Toledo, Ohio, he graduated from East Anchorage High School in 1969, and taught voice and English in the Anchorage School District until his retirement in 1994.

After retirement, Dennis continued to tutor students in his home and advocated for their success in the music profession. His was a familiar face at many musical venues throughout the city.

He was a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), Anchorage Community Chorus, Alaska Chamber Singers, Anchorage Festival of Music, Trattoria Singers, Anchorage Opera, Camarato Otto and Waikoloa Outdoor Circle.

One of Dennis’s favorite excursions was sharing with friends the beauty of Denali National Park. Another special recreation spot was the Chugach Mountains. It was his desire to move to a sunny climate. That goal was met when he recently relocated to the Big Island of Hawaii.

Warm and good-natured, Dennis was a reliable friend whose sunny smile and quirky humor endeared him to those of us who knew him best. Though he is gone too quickly, he enjoyed every day, especially the last few months in his Hawaiian paradise. The space he left cannot be filled. He cared deeply about us, and has a permanent place in our hearts, where he will always make music.

He was predeceased by his parents, Harvey and Violet (Lemon) Goff, who lived in Port Clinton, Ohio.

Surviving family members include his life partner, Sheldon Meier of Waikoloa Village, Hawaii; his sister, Marsha (James) Elsen and niece Becky Elsen of Croton, Ohio; nephews, Jimmy Elsen of Anderson, Ind., and Scott Elsen of Bay City, Mich.; and many close friends in Anchorage.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in Dennis’ memory may be sent to the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Alaska Chapter Student Scholarship fund, 9050 Basher Drive, Anchorage 99507 or to a charity of the donor’s choosing.

The obituary above was in the ADN. He was also remembered in West Hawaii Today, which covers his home in Waikoloa Village.

Rest in Peace, Dennis.

Time Travel with Four A’s at 25

You are cordially invited to join Four A’s in celebrating our 25th anniversary. Experience 25 years in one night during a most triumphant fundraiser. Reserve your seat in our time machine and experience live time travel. The evening will be a most excellent adventure showcasing our history and the history of HIV/AIDS in Alaska. You won’t believe where we visit and who visits us!

Four A’s 25th Anniversary
Saturday, February 26, 7-9:30 pm
Crosspoint Community Church, in Anchorage
Tickets $50 each. Call (263-2050) to reserve your tickets, or buy on online at Four A’s.

Alaska ACLU’s 40 Heroes include Identity, Out North

2011 will mark the 40th Anniversary of the ACLU of Alaska and they’re celebrating with a Gala Evening honoring 40 Heroes of Constitutional Rights. Identity, Inc. is one of the heroes. Other honorees connected to the LGBT community include Out North and Anchorage attorney Allison Mendel.

“Please join the ACLU of Alaska on Saturday, January 22, 2011 at the Dena’ina Center to honor these individuals and organizations who have led the way in creating a state that honors and protects personal freedom, individual liberty, and constitutional and civil rights.”

The evening will include live music, a cocktail reception, sit-down dinner, commemorative program, silent and live auctions, and dancing.

For tickets and more information, visit the ACLU of Alaska.