A long-overdue Bent Alaska update — October 2013

The Kids Are All Right opened Friday in the lower 48. It’s a family comedy starring Annette Bening, Julianne Moore, and Mark Ruffalo. Two teenagers raised by a lesbian couple (Bening and Moore) find their sperm donor father (Ruffalo) and bring him into the family. The household will never be the same.

Watch the trailer:

Juneau

“Life’s a Drag” show and flogger making party 7/9, 8:30 p.m. at the Rendezvous Bar, $10 benefit for Four A’s & the ICOAA.

SEAGLA Social Fridays (6-8 p.m.) for GLBT people and our friends over 21, at The Jaded Lounge.

SEAGLA and PFLAG Annual Pride Picnic, 7/17, 4-8 p.m. at Skater’s Cabin.

Fairbanks

Brandi Carlile concert at The Blue Loon, Thursday 7/15, 8 p.m. Tickets HERE.

Angry, Young & Poor 2010, 7/17 noon-midnight, a (gay-friendly) music event at Ester Community Park.

ICOAA Ducal Ball XVIII: The Duck Awards, Pioneer Park, 7/17, doors at 7 p.m. show at 8. $15 for food and show.

Mat-Su Valley

Coyote Gardens Open Garden 7/17 from 10-5 and 7/18 from noon-4, garden tours by Les and Jerry to raise funds for The Alaska Rock Garden Society and the Willow Garden Club.

Mat-Su LGBT Community Center in Palmer is open M-F 5-8 p.m. (except 6-8 on Wed.) The social group meets Wednesdays, 5-6 p.m. at Vagabond Blues.

Anchorage

EverReady plays the Bear Paw Festival in Eagle River, 7/10, 1:00p.m.

Comedy Hypnosis (Summer Hump) Show 7/10, 9-10:30 p.m. at Mad Myrna’s. Tickets HERE.

Seven Deadly Sins 3.0, on 7/11 at 5:30p.m., Mad Myrna’s. Tickets $25 in advance for the 7 course meal and entertainment. Proceeds to benefit NE2010 and Identity Inc. Tickets HERE.

Ray Boltz Concert at MCCA, 7/11 from 7:15-9 p.m. Register HERE for FREE tickets.

LGBT Caucus of the Alaska Democratic Party meeting 7/13, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at ADP headquarters, 2602 Fairbanks Street in Anchorage.

Operaoke! 7/13, 9-10:30 p.m. at Myrna’s.

Identity & PFLAG Volunteer Appreciation Picnic, 7/15, 6 p.m. at Goose Lake Park.

Brandi Carlile concert at The Discovery Theater 7/16, 7:30 p.m. SOLD OUT.

A federal judge in Boston ruled today, in two separate cases, that Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional. Bay Windows summed up the cases:

“In one challenge brought by the state of Massachusetts, Judge Joseph Tauro ruled that Congress violated the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution when it passed DOMA and took from the states decisions concerning which couples can be considered married. In the other, Gill v. Office of Personnel Management, he ruled DOMA violates the equal protection principles embodied in the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment.”

Judge Tauro’s ruling states:

This court has determined that it is clearly within the authority of the Commonwealth [of Massachusetts] to recognize same-sex marriages among its residents, and to afford those individuals in same-sex marriages any benefits, rights, and privileges to which they are entitled by virtue of their marital status. The federal government, by enacting and enforcing DOMA, plainly encroaches upon the firmly entrenched province of the state, and, in doing so, offends the Tenth Amendment. For that reason, the statute is invalid.

… and…

DOMA fails to pass constitutional muster even under the highly deferential rational basis test. As set forth in detail below, this court is convinced that “there exists no fairly conceivable set of facts that could ground a rational relationship” between DOMA and a legitimate government objective. DOMA, therefore, violates core constitutional principles of equal protection.

Judge Tauro explains what “equal protection” really means:

YES! The judge also gave a sensible response to the nonsense that same-sex marriage somehow limits or undermines heterosexual procreation:

So, in conclusion:

In the wake of DOMA, it is only sexual orientation that differentiates a married couple entitled to federal marriage-based benefits from one not so entitled. And this court can conceive of no way in which such a difference might be relevant to the provision of the benefits at issue. By premising eligibility for these benefits on marital status in the first instance, the federal government signals to this court that the relevant distinction to be drawn is between married individuals and unmarried individuals. To further divide the class of married individuals into those with spouses of the same sex and those with spouses of the opposite sex is to create a distinction without meaning. And where, as here, “there is no reason to believe that the disadvantaged class is different, in relevant respects” from a similarly situated class, this court may conclude that it is only irrational prejudice that motivates the challenged classification. As irrational prejudice plainly never constitutes a legitimate government interest, this court must hold that Section 3 of DOMA as applied to Plaintiffs violates the equal protection principles embodied in the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution.

Marriage equality groups are celebrating the victory, and anti-gay forces are freaking out. You can read the full ruling HERE on the website of GLAD, the legal group that filed the suit.

Will the Obama Administration appeal this decision? We should know within 60 days. We should also know Judge Walker’s decision in the Prop 8 case by then.

Show your glittery gay pride with PFLAG in the Golden Days Parade on July 24, and stay for the Pride Picnic afterwards at Growden Park. The parade theme this year is ALL THAT GLITTERS.

My oh my, can we have fun with that! Come out and join us all you Queens, Kings, and Princesses. Bring your tiaras and your glittery best. Tell your friends and anyone else who’ll be interested, and let’s show Fairbanks our Pride!

The entire LGBTQ community, friends, relatives and allies are welcome to march with Fairbanks PFLAG. Meet at 10 a.m. at the Carlson Center. Kids are welcome, and anyone under 18 needs to sign a permission slip. Sorry, no pets.

Contact Shayle about the parade, and Jenn to help with the picnic.

Two days into a camping trip, I received a text message that a Pride Parade float entered in the Anchorage 4th of July parade had been destroyed by a suspicious fire.

The Imperial Court had 48 hours to rebuild. They called for volunteers and for the LGBTA community to march along with the new float. In the nearest town, I shared that information on Bent’s Facebook wall before the connection quit.

Coming home last night, I saw photos of the new LGBT float and the queer youth float that also participated in Sunday’s parade.

The Pride float was built by the efforts of many. Thanks to the LGBT people and allies who created the float so quickly and with so much style. Thanks to the businesses and individuals who donated the materials, funds and labor to rebuild the float. Thanks to all who rode and walked with the float. And thanks to the Facebook users, local media, and bloggers for reporting the fire and the story of Phoenix Rising, the LGBT float that won the Grand Prize in the 4th of July parade. It was a community effort, in every way.

A fund is set up to help rebuild Paula & Ken Butner’s garage (Wells Fargo account #9297382088). The fire investigation is still in progress. In a possibly related incident, the police are investigating eggs thrown on the home of Daphne, the emcee for the LGBT float.

KTUU has a good report on the float, but their video can’t be embedded. KTVA also reported the suspicious fire, and that the rebuilt float won the Grand Prize. Watch the parade story:

Linda of Celtic Diva posted a photo essay about the float on Mudflats. Gryphen on Immoral Minority asked if Mayor Sullivan considers the fire “quantifiable evidence” of hate toward the gay community in Anchorage. The incident was also reported by the Associated Press, and by the national gay blog Towleroad.

Meanwhile in the town of Homer, Alaska, the LGBTA float for the July 4th parade was created without incident by PFLAG and the Gay/Straight Alliance, but the announcer refused to introduce the PFLAG/GSA float when they passed the judging booth. One of the marchers had to step forward and tell the crowd who they were.

More people rode in the PFLAG rainbow skiff this year, and several of the walkers wore Alaska rainbow socks. The LGBT contingent included the skiff, two bicycles, two gay olympic athletes with their medals, a skateboarder, a group of walkers, and a blond queen wearing a pink sweater-set with black leather boots and riding a motorcycle.

Thanks to the national LGBT book blogger Band of Thebes (who lives part time in Homer) for the story and photos.

1) Court: Christian group can’t bar gays, get funding

Washington, Associated Press, June 28, 2010

2) British soap opera to include transgender character

U.K., 365Gay.com, July 3, 2010

3) Leviticus Loses: The Inevitability of Equal Rights for Homosexuals

Huffington Post, April 30, 2010

4) Balancing on the Mechitzah: Transgender in Jewish Community

Yes! Coalition, June 2, 2010

5) Iceland’s PM marries female partner

Iceland, Press Association, June 28, 2010

6) Tying the Knot After Six Decades

Washington, Advocate, June 25, 2010

7) Billie Jean King appointed to President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition

Washington, 365Gay.com, June 24, 2010

8) Understanding the “Reason” Why Fundamentalists Must Exclude Gays (and Other “Sinners”)

Huffington Post, June 28, 2010

9) Tobacco use high in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community

Salt Lake City, Deseret News, June 30, 2010

10) Caster Semenya in limbo after press conference is cancelled

South Africa, Times UK, June 11, 2010

11) Sweden Named Most Pro-Gay European Country

Sweden, Just Out, June 1, 2010

12) Lesbian teen bounced from prom goes on to meet president

Washington, Yahoo News, June 22, 2010

At her Supreme Court confirmation hearings this week, nominee Elena Kagan stated her continuing opposition to DADT: “I have repeatedly said the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy is unwise and unjust. I believed it then, and I believe it now.”

Later Kagan said, “One thing I do know is that my politics would be, must be, have to be completely separate from my judging.”

Kagan will likely be hearing the Prop 8 case in the next couple of years, and could only discuss side issues when asked about states’ rights and same-sex marriage:

The Texas GOP platform made headlines for stating that gay sex should be illegal, and anyone issuing a marriage license to a same-sex couple should be jailed, among many anti-gay points. The Montana GOP platform calls for “legislation to keep homosexual acts illegal” even though sodomy laws were declared unconstitutional. What does the Alaska GOP platform of 2010 say about gays?

“We affirm the family, defined as people living together related by blood, marriage or adoption, as the foundational unit of society. We embrace the definition of marriage in our State constitution as the union of one man and one woman and support reserving certain benefits to this union alone.”

They oppose same sex marriage, and they also oppose domestic partnership benefits, which are legal for state and some city employees in Alaska. Adding insult to injury, their official platform does not want gay and lesbian couples to be called FAMILIES, even when we are living together and raising children.

“We support requiring active, written parental consent prior to teaching any sex education curricula. Any such curriculum must be age appropriate and abstinence based. We also support teaching prenatal development. We oppose teaching or promoting alternative lifestyles as legitimate or desirable.”

Only abstinence based sex ed, and the parents can opt out of that. Ignorance is bliss. And that last sentence: they don’t want kids to know that some people are gay, that being gay is “legitimate or desirable.” They don’t even want the gay kids to know they are ok. Perhaps they would rather have the kids commit suicide. And who still uses “alternative lifestyles” as code for gays? That’s so 90’s.

“We oppose any modification of the application of the current “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy as adopted in 1993 to implement Public Law 103-106.”

Oppose gays serving openly in the military? Check. Oppose same sex marriage? Check. Oppose school programs that lower the suicide rate of LGBT teens? Check. And they also oppose our legal domestic partnerships.

But what about ENDA? They oppose labor unions, but don’t mention non-discrimination policies. Maybe they recognize the inevitable passage of a jobs ordinance and are softening on that. Or maybe they just forgot.

If their statements against gays aren’t appalling enough, look at their section on education. They support the teaching of Creationism, and want science teachers to present evidence against evolution:

“We support teaching various models and theories for the origins of life and our universe, including Creation Science or Intelligent Design. If evolution outside a species (macro-evolution) is taught, evidence disputing the theory should also be presented.”

Here’s another interesting item:

“We support a change to the Alaska Constitution that would eliminate the practice of the Alaska Judicial Council to limit the list of potential appointees to only those it finds “qualified.” The council could still give its rating, but the Governor could choose a nominee from all applicants.”

They want to put unqualified judges on the bench! Why would they want to pack the courts with judges who don’t have strong legal skills, or don’t have the temperament for being a good judge?

The GOP could hand pick judges who pass their “morality” test, including their views on gay rights. Like Sarah Palin appointing Wayne Anthony Ross to be the Attorney General… calling gays “degenerates” and comparing us to lima beans (among his many prejudices) made him their perfect choice for the state’s top lawyer, despite the low rating by his peers. Expect judges like WAR if the GOP gets it’s way on this.

And the platform calls for a constitutional amendment against choice:

“We endorse the Human Life Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Man is made in the image of God; therefore, we embrace the sanctity of life from the moment of conception until natural death. We heartily encourage our elected officials to use every legal means to protect the unborn and recognize the worth of even the smallest members of the human race.”

The GOP platform also opposes gaming, health reform, embryonic stem cell research, taxes, amnesty for illegal aliens, human cloning, marijuana and assisted suicide. They are the party of “no”.

So, what does the Alaska Democratic Party platform say about LGBT rights? The first principle of the platform is Equality:

“We are committed to the protection of full civil and equal rights for all people and the continued efforts to eliminate all forms of discrimination.”

Nice. That covers all of our issues. Other sections discuss families…

“Alaskans must be guaranteed the freedom to make and act on personal decisions regarding religion, reproduction, medical care, and marriage and life partners.”

… and jobs…

“Every worker is entitled to a living wage and a safe, healthy, harassment-free workplace that promotes equal employment opportunity in all terms and conditions of employment. We expect the enforcement of nondiscrimination laws and the promotion of Alaska preference in hiring.”

… and international human rights.

“We believe that the U.S. government should support multinational efforts through the United Nations and elsewhere to stop genocide, reduce hunger and disease, protect human rights, and to promote justice, prosperity and peace in the world.”

Neither the ARP nor the ADP specifically mention LGBT Alaskans in their platforms. But the Republican platform openly opposes gay rights and the Democratic platform supports full equal rights for all. Although gay rights are becoming a cross-party issue in some states, a big divide remains in Alaska. On gay issues, the choice is clear.