A long-overdue Bent Alaska update — October 2013

Palin on DADT Repeal: Unnecessary

“I don’t think so right now,” she said. “I’m surprised that the president spent time on that in his State of the Union speech when he only spent about 9% of his time in the State of the Union on national security issues. And I say that because there are other things to be worried about right now with the military. I think that kind of on the back burner is sufficient for now. To put so much time, and effort, and politics into it? Unnecessary.”

Watch the video clip here:

Freedom to Marry Week 2010

Sara’s News Roundup 2/7/10

Sara’s News Roundup 1/31/10

2) Colin Higgins Foundation Seeks Nominations for Youth Courage Awards

3) For Transgender People, Name Is a Message

4) Indian Prince To Wed Partner in Nepal, Raises Gay Tourism Hopes

5) Moscow Mayor Bans ‘Satanic’ Gay Parade

6) Project Examines Black / LGBT Struggles

7) Can The Church Repeal Its Own DADT Policies?

8) Italy builds first transgender prison

9) To tell or not to tell, that is the question

10) Utah Lawmakers Won’t Take Up a Ban on Discrimination Against Gays

11) The Third Mom

Singing Valentines and Pride Chorus Concert

Denny’s update and Hater Quote of the Day

Denny’s received a pile of email about the local anti-trans incident reported by Anja on Tuesday, and leaders of the Anchorage LGBTA community are in contact with the manager/owner. Meanwhile, an anonymous hater left this comment on the Bent post:

you people need to face the facts, by people I mean gays, trans whatevers etc. You are not “normal” and though you are allowed to co-exist in our society it does not mean everyone has to accept your lifestyle. you all need to grow a thicker skin, remember the saying sticks and stones can break my bones but names will never harm me ? get off your politically correct high horse and shut up already

Note to Mayor Sullivan: Do you really think this hater will treat his neighbors, co-workers, clients, employees and renters fairly and equally – without discrimination – when he learns that they are gay or trans? FAIL

This Week in LGBT Alaska 1/29/10

This week’s LGBT events from the statewide newsletter Alaska GLBT News.

Juneau

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

Fairbanks

UAF Gay-Straight Alliance Get-Together 1/29, 4:30-6 p.m. in the Alumni Lounge.

“Bears, Bears, Bears” Taco Feed 1/30, 7 p.m. for Bears and Bellies and their admirers. $5 RSVP.

LGBTQ Discussion with Heather Neville 1/31, 12-1 p.m. at the UUFF.

Wednesday Social & Movie “A Serious Man” 2/3, 7:30 p.m. at the Blue Loon. Joshua.

Mat-Su Valley

Lulu Small and the Small Band at Del Roi’s 1/30, Old Glenn Hwy just north of the Knik River bridge.

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

“The Laramie Project” Movie and panel discussion 1/30, 7p.m. in the Student Union Den, for Alaska Civil Rights Month, sponsored by UAA Women Studies.

Colleen Crinklaw’s “Soul Searching Tour” begins 1/30, 7-9 p.m. $10 at Mad Myrna’s.

Kodiak Bar and Grill GIRL PARTY 1/30, 9 p.m.

UAA’s “Out” 1/31, new time: 2 p.m. on Sundays, 2nd floor of the Student Union.

Memorial Birthday Party for Nicole Blizzard 1/31, 3:30 p.m. at Mad Myrna’s. Sign her memorial book.

Midnight Over Siberia: Re-investitures 1/31, 6 p.m. at Sub Zero.

LGBTQA Game Night at the GLCCA 2/3, 6-9 p.m. Anchorage Meetup group.

Church Life AK Special Prayer Vigil for Uganda 2/4, 6:30 p.m. at the GLCCA as part of the nationwide “American Prayer Hour.”

On the 12th day of Testimony, the Prop 8 trial ends (for now)

It has been an amazing two and a half weeks. This trial has been a truly historic moment for our community. It is the first time a federal court has heard, first hand, from real live witnesses, about the harm that the denial of marriage equality causes lesbians, gay men and their families every day. It’s also the first time a federal court has heard the arguments in favor of marriage equality presented live in court by an array of internationally renowned scholars who are truly experts in their respective fields.

What stands out the most after having seen all the witnesses on both sides is how overwhelmingly one-sided the evidence in this case turned out to be. The plaintiffs, represented by some of the most skilled attorneys in the country, laid out a well-crafted, meticulous case, backed by the testimony of half a dozen of the most respected historians, psychologists, economists, and political scientists who study marriage, sexual orientation, and child development. Using the Prop 8 proponents’ own outrageous and inflammatory words, ads, and emails, the plaintiffs powerfully demonstrated that Prop 8 was a direct product of hostility, fear-mongering, and demonization of lesbians and gay men. And through the deeply moving testimony of the plaintiffs and other members of our community, they proved beyond question that denying same-sex couples the right to marry causes great harm to LGBT people and their children.

Stacked up against this mountain of facts, scholarship, and science, the Prop 8 proponents – though represented by fine attorneys – were not able to come forward with a case of their own. Before trial, they dropped nearly every witness they had planned to present and relied entirely on two poorly qualified, ill-prepared expert witnesses, neither of whom was able to establish that banning same-sex couples from getting married has any rational or legitimate purpose relating to procreation, child rearing, tradition, or any of the other justifications that have been offered in the past in support of anti-gay discrimination. In fact, nearly all of the defendants’ experts agreed with the plaintiffs that marriage equality would benefit same-sex couples and their families in many real, tangible ways.

It should not have come as a surprise that the defense’s case turned out to be so weak. As our executive director Kate Kendell is fond of saying, the arguments against marriage equality have always been “all hat and no cattle.” This trial showed more powerfully than ever that there truly is no substance to the arguments of those who would deny equality to our families. It has been extremely gratifying to see those arguments aired out in public, before a smart, independent-minded judge, in a way that’s never been done before. It is a shame that the public was unable to see the trial in video, but the transcripts, available at http://www.equalrightsfoundation.org/our-work/hearing-transcripts/, are fascinating reading for anyone interested in learning more about this important chapter in our civil rights struggle.

Judge Walker will now take some time to review all the evidence that has been presented. The lawyers for both sides will return to court in a few weeks (on a date still to be determined) to present their closing arguments.

The 305 Most LGBT-Friendly Employers

Gay Weddings on Everest (not Denail)