A long-overdue Bent Alaska update — October 2013

Sara’s News Roundup 11/28/10

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

1) World AIDS Day [Dec. 1, 2010] theme: Universal Access and Human Rights
Avert.org

2) Listen: Gay Grandma Tells Love Story
Los Angeles, Advocate, November 25, 2010

3) Lesbian cadet who quit seeks return to West Point
Findlay, Ohio, Associated Press, November 26, 2010

4) German Zoo Attempts to Re-Orient Gay Vultures
Germany, Time, November 26, 2010

5) A journey for her peers
Houston, Houston Chronicle, November 19, 2010

6) The kids are all right? Not according to the lesbian lobby
The Independent, November 23, 2010

7) High Suicide Risk, Prejudice Plague Transgender People
Live Science, November 19, 2010

8) Marines most resistant to openly gay troops
Oceanside, Calif., Associated Press, November 27, 2010

9) Dawn of the flexisexual: The new word for the women who refuse to play it straight
Daily Mail, November 27, 2010

10) TSA Screening Reveals Transgender People’s Experiences for All of Us
Huffington Post, November 24, 2010

11) Thank God I’m Gay
South Florida Gay News, November 23, 2010

12) Going Legal in Russia ~ St. Petersburg holds first sanctioned gay pride demo
St. Petersburg, Russia, Gay City News, November 24, 2010

13) F to M trans anchor says “It get’s better”
Denver, Colorado, 9News

14) Kimpton most visible hotel group among gay, lesbian travelers
USA Today, November 26, 2010

World AIDS Day events in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau

World AIDS Day is observed every year on December 1 to remember those we have lost to HIV/AIDS, to honor those still living with the disease, and to commemorate the theme of universal access and human rights.

Events including candlelight vigils are scheduled in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau. Click through on the city names to RSVP organizers about your intentions to attend.

Anchorage

• Day/time: Wednesday, December 1 · 6:00–9:00 PM
• Location: Out North, 3800 DeBarr Road
• Sponsor: Alaskan AIDS Assistance Association (Four A’s)
• Info: Join us for our annual World AIDS Day Candlelight Vigil to remember and honor all who are affected by HIV/AIDS. Vigil begins at 6 p.m. then afterward at 7 p.m. there will be a free showing of the movie “Life Support” starring Queen Latifah.

Fairbanks

• Day/time: Wednesday, December 1, 4:00–7:00 PM
• Location: Interior AIDS Association (710 3rd. Ave.) with candlelight walk to 101 Dunkel St. (Morris Thompson Center)
• Sponsor: Interior AIDS Association (IAA)
• Info: December 1, 2010 Potluck, art, and open house from 4-5:30pm at the Interior AIDS Association. Candlelight walk at 5:30 from IAA 710 3rd Avenue to the Morris Thompson Cultural Center Theatre 101 Dunkel Street. We will have Anna Nelson, executive director of IAA opening and guest speaker Dr. Saltonstall from Anchorage and Father Scott from St. Matthews Episcopal Church. Other speakers TBA. Everyone is welcome to bring a dish to share for the potluck and don’t forget to dress warmly for the walk. Remember, this is Fairbanks and it will probably be cold!

Juneau

• Day/time: Wednesday, December 1 · 6:30–9:30 PM
• Location: Baranof Hotel/Rendezvous
• Sponsor: Alaskan AIDS Assistance Association (Four A’s)
• Info: Join us for our annual World AIDS Day Candlelight Vigil in Juneau at the Baranof Hotel, beginning at 6:30 p.m. then come over to the Rendezvous for a free showing of “Rent” at 8 p.m.

“Two Truths and a Lie” benefits Out North

As we wrote last week, Out North needs our help. A national funder representing one-third of Out North’s budged has “changed direction,” and Out North need to raise money in order to keep giving us all the top-notch stuff they’ve been giving us for the past 25 years. One way you can help is to attend one, or even both, of Out North’s performances this weekend of Scott Turner Schofield’s “Two Truths and a Lie” — all proceeds of which will benefit Out North.

Sara’s News Roundup 11/22/10

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

1) Poll: Gay People Coming Out Earlier
U.K., Advocate, November 15, 2010

2) TRANS-POSITIONED
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, FORGE, Revised: 08/20/02

3) Lesbian family film “Kids” elbows into Oscar race
New York, Reuters, November 17, 2010

4) Acceptance of GW transgender basketball player a good life lesson
Sports Illustrated, November 16, 2010

5) Retired O-5 films lives of gay academy grads
Navy Times, November 22, 2010

6) Mormons Soften Language On Gays
Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Tribune, November 13, 2010

7) Theologian says much of clergy is gay
Germany, Irish Times, November 22, 2010

8) Poll: Australians for Marriage Equality
Australia, Advocate, November 21, 2010

9) Transgender Candidate Wins Judicial Race
California, Advocate, November 16, 2010

10) Study: Source of Golden Rule reminder affects Christian attitudes about gay, lesbian people
Charlottesville, Virginia, Newsleader.com, October 26, 2010

11) Catholic school paper deletes student editorials on Catholic DVD, gay teens
St. Louis Park, Minn., Minnesota Public Radio, November 16, 2010

12) Navajo transgender shares story
New Mexico, Daily Lobo, November 16, 2010

13) Gates to release ‘don’t ask’ report to enable Senate hearings
Washington, Washington Post, November 22, 2010

Thanksgiving Eve in Anchorage

Two free Thanksgiving Eve events in Anchorage this Wednesday evening.

Eve’s Family and Friends Community Thanksgiving Dinner
Event info on Facebook

At the Raven: 4:30-6:30 PM
At the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Anchorage (GLCCA): 5:00-7:00 PM
At Mad Myrna’s: 5:30-7:30 PM

The event is free, but donations are welcomed and will benefit the GLCCA.

More on GLCCA’s portion of the evening:

The GLCCA is thrilled to be able to offer a family friendly Thanksgiving dinner on Wednesday evening, Nov. 24, from 5 – 7 pm. We will be using the space next door at the YWCA for this meal. Please join us for turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy and other Thanksgiving classics. If there is anything special that you want to have on your plate feel free to bring a dish to share and place it on the table. This event is free and specially designed for families or those who prefer an alcohol free atmosphere.

336 E. 5th Avenue, (info@identityinc.org) or 929-4528

The GLCCA will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 25.

Wild Turkey Night at Bernies’ Bungalow Lounge
Event info on Facebook

Wednesday, November 24 at 9:30pm – November 25 at 12:30am

Join us and Wild Turkey in supporting the Food Bank of Alaska!

Here’s the run down: Come out on the 24th, and we’ll drink some Wild Turkey! Every $5 donation to the Food Bank of Alaska will get a chance to win a take home THANKSGIVING DINNER FROM MARX BROTHERS good for 8 PEOPLE!

Bottom line, we drink, raise money for a good cause and someone gets a (semi-) free turkey dinner without all the work!

Murkowski: “I will not oppose the Defense Authorization bill if DADT repeal is part of it”

A friend who has spoken with Sen. Lisa Murkowski told me that she’d directly said to him, “We’re going to fight for your issues.” But as shown in comments broadcast last night on Anchorage’s CBS affiliate, KTVA Channel 11, the closest she’s able to come in public to saying what she said privately to my friend is more along the lines of, “I’m not going to fight you on your issues.”

Interior AIDS Association: Three Fairbanks events

Three upcoming events from the Interior AIDS Association!

This Friday, November 19th, join us at Pike’s Waterfront Lodge in the Binkley Room for the 2nd Annual Wine Tasting and Silent Auction fundraiser – sponsored by the UAF Pre-Med Society. Tickets are available at Gulliver’s Books and at IAA. You can also buy them on line on the IAA website – www.interioraids.org. See details on the Events page. Students: $15, Adults $20, Couples $35. $25 at the door.

Wednesday, December 1st is World AIDS Day. Meet at IAA for a potluck and preview of First Friday artwork from 4:00 to 5:30 pm. Then, we will do our traditional candlelight walk from IAA to the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitor’s Center (15-20 minute walk). The program will begin at about 6:00 pm in the Theater. Our featured speaker is Dr. Elizabeth Saltonstall, MD. She is the HIV expert in Alaska!

Friday, December 3rd is IAA’s official first First Friday. Join us at 710 3rd Ave from 6-8pm. Several local artists will be displaying their work. There is also some parking in the back (709 2nd ave. – across from Gambardella’s).

DADT: Murkowski, update from HRC, and Maddow & the Daily Show take down McCain

Comments made by Sen. Lisa Murkowski to MSNBC’s Chris Hayes last night show it’s still important to keep the pressure on her with regard to repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. Meanwhile, Rachel Maddow and The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart take down Sen. John McCain.

“Debutante Balls” benefits Out North

Out North needs our help. A national funder representing one-third of Out North’s budged has “changed direction,” and Out North need to raise money in order to keep giving us all the top-notch stuff they’ve been giving us for the past 25 years. One way you can help is to attend this Friday’s performance of “Debutante Balls,” all proceeds of which will benefit Out North.

Transgender Day of Remembrance

The Transgender Day of Remembrance was set aside to memorialize those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. The event is held in November to honor Rita Hester, whose murder on November 28th, 1998 kicked off the “Remembering Our Dead” web project and a San Francisco candlelight vigil in 1999. Rita Hester’s murder — like most anti-transgender murder cases — has yet to be solved.

Tonight the University of Alaska Anchorage Women’s Studies Program will be holding a round table discussion honoring Transgender Day of Remembrance and those lives lost to violence. All are welcome.

Candlelight vigil will follow immediately after the discussion.