Bent Alaska’s blog will continue in hiatus indefinitely; but the Bent Alaska Facebook Group on Facebook is thriving — join us! A long-overdue update from Bent Alaska’s editor.
Read the full story »Thursday, June 7: This evening’s going to be a real drag — Drag Queen Bingo, that is, the annual Four A’s fundraiser for AMP, followed by Cupcakes & Monsters karaoke at Mad Myrna’s, a fundraiser for Alaska Pride.
Wednesday, June 6: It’s a jam-packed Pride Week day in Anchorage, with two showings of “On These Shoulders We Stand,” local and national LGBT poets at Out North’s Pride Parley, and lube wrestling and float–building at the Raven.
Tuesday, June 5: It’s an athletic Pride Week evening, with a fun run (or walk) at Westchester Lagoon with Anchorage Frontrunners, a Pride hike to Flattop with Arctic Foxes Rugby Club, or a wet slide to pride with the Imperial Court at H2Oasis. Or, head over to UAA to learn about LGBT history with a screening of “On These Shoulders We Stand.”
Anchorage Front Runners is hosting the 2nd Annual Tuesday Night Pride Fun Run/Walk and BBQ on Tuesday, June 5. The run/walk will start at Westchester Lagoon (6:00–7:00 PM) and will follow up with a BBQ (7:00–9:00 PM) at Timmie’s (walking distance from the running location).
The biblical command to “love the stranger as yourself” — to accept and love the person different from you — is what the Jewish tradition teaches, writes Rabbi Michael Oblath of Anchorage’s Congregation Beth Sholom. Congregation Beth Sholom holds its annual Shabbat for Pride tonight. Also, a list of GLBT/Jewish resources.
Not everything began with Stonewall. On These Shoulders We Stand is an illuminating historical account of early gay life and activism in Los Angeles told by the people who lived it. For those of us who supported Prop 5, this film provides perspective and inspiration. The film will be followed by a conversation with the filmmaker, Glenne McElhinney, and local activists. Three showings during Pride Week in Anchorage on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 5–6.
Sunday, June 3: Get yer Pridestuff here! Visit Identity’s booth at Anchorage’s Downtown Market for your PrideFest t-shirts, rainbow merchandise, and just to say hi to some really cool people. Then go for a late-afternoon Pride kick-off barbecue at the Raven!
Gat out of town and join the fun in Seward on beautiful Resurrection Bay, with a pre-party at the Nauti Otter Inn, bonfire, hors d’oeuvres, and pub crawl, on Saturday, June 2.
Barbara Jones, currently the Anchorage Municipal Ombudsman, has been appointed Anchorage Municipal Clerk, and will take up the position on July 1. She will replace Barbara Gruenstein, who submitted a letter of resignation on May 22, on the same day that the Anchorage Assembly recertified the botched April 3 municipal election after the limited 15-precinct hand recount. The 10-voter group which paid for the recount is preparing a report which will reportedly be part of the discussion at an Anchorage Assembly work session on June 15.
Saturday, June 2: lots to do for Pride! Drink Lemonade 4 LOVE in Anchorage, Wasilla, or Fairbanks, remember those who came before us, visit Identity’s booth at Anchorage’s Downtown Market, enjoy Gay Day at the Alaska Zoo, and finish it off with the glamor and fabulousness of ICOAA’s annual MGA Pageant at Mad Myrna’s!