A long-overdue Bent Alaska update — October 2013

Gay Games director still comes home to Alaska

Although Darl Schaaff is forming Team Alaska for the 2010 Gay Games, Cleveland.com said that Schaaff — a martial arts competitor, Alaska Statehood event planner, and Federation of Gay Games board member — is moving to the midwest next year. It’s partly true.

Action: Anti-trans Denny’s manager needs diversity training

A transgender support group in Anchorage was harassed during a recent meeting at Denny’s restaurant and now the Denny’s corporate office is backing out of a proposed diversity training for the local staff. Anja co-founded the trans support group and their TransAlaska Pipeline website. She sent this message to Bent Alaska:

After the ugly incident that ocurred here in Anchorage, Alaska on December 27, 2009 in which a Denny’s manager openly pointed out and made fun of a group of trangendered people TO OTHER CUSTOMERS in the crowded restaurant, we were led to believe that Denny’s would be subjecting their employees to sensitivity training concerning transpeople as an acceptable resolution.

We have been more than diplomatic in dealing with them, requesting that the manager who incited the incident not be fired, but instead be required to attend an Identity, Inc. sensitivity training.

Denny’s obviously took this as a sign of weakness, and is trying to ignore the whole incident now.

It appears that Denny’s corporate is now pushing this off as a local matter to be swept under the carpet with NO action taken anywhere.

We must take a stand on this. To all of my sisters and brothers out there who are tired of being discriminated against, PLEASE write a letter/e-mail of concern to Denny’s Corporate. Let them know that doing nothing about this is unacceptable, and that it must never be allowed to happen again.

Go to the national Denny’s contact page, click the “Email Us” link and voice your concerns.

Denny’s was involved in a series of lawsuits in the 1990’s involving servers denying or providing inferior service to racial minorities, especially African-American customers. After a $54.4 million settlement, Denny’s created a racial sensitivity training program for all its employees.

Last year, Denny’s lost a transgender bias case in Maine. “This company needs diversity training to understand what it means to be gender-nonconforming,” said Betsy Smith, executive director of Equality Maine.

Off-Road Alaska Gays first to Queer the Census

The census tells the story of who we are as a nation, and that includes LGBT people — but only when we participate, and only when we’re fully counted. Thanks to the collection of unmarried partner data, a more complete picture of who we are has emerged. For example, we know that same-sex couples live in 99% of all US counties, LGBT parents live in 97% of all US counties, and that Black and Latino same-sex couples are raising children at nearly the rates of their heterosexual peers, while earning lower incomes.

Still, there is no question on the 2010 census that asks individuals if they are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender — and LGBT questions are not included in almost all other major federal surveys.

It’s a big problem. The census, which counts everyone living in the United States every ten years, provides the data that is used to determine funding and policy priorities at the national and state level.

Being counted isn’t just a numbers game, but a question of whether the LGBT community gets access to the resources that support our health, economic well-being, safety and families. The LGBT community must be visible–and that means participating in the census, but it also means being counted fully.

Stop School Bullying on No Name-Calling Week

"8: The Mormon Proposition" debuts at Sundance

Sara’s News Roundup 1/24/10

Gay Church gives offerings to Haiti, plans Open House & Valentine’s party

Haiti: Countering Robertson’s Lies with Love

– guest post by Rev. Johnathan Jones of Church Life Alaska

As the death toll from Haiti’s devastating earthquake rises to 200,000 the world is literally scrambling to send aid and relief to the broken country. However, some people are making outlandish claims that the earthquake was punishment from God. Just think of the recent comments made by the 700 Club’s so called “Reverend” Pat Robertson. It reminds me of other ridiculous comments made in the past. Like Jerry Falwell’s comment that “AIDS is not just God’s punishment for homosexuals; it is God’s punishment for the society that tolerates homosexuals.”

What do we do with such comments? Shake our heads in disbelief? Stare in shock at our TV screens? Discuss the comments over a cup of coffee and declare how dumb such people are? The reality is that many people agree with such statements, and the media delights in reporting them. We should be taking notice of such comments and speak against such lies.

As a Christian, I am moved to let folks know that the majority of Christians don’t think this way. I also want to apologize on behalf of those Christians who do believe that way. I apologize not because I have some type of spiritual bond with them but rather because they are children of God, just like I am. As a gay man I am also aware just how hurtful and upsetting such comments can be. Even though these words are absolute lies, it hurts knowing people actually think this way and are saying “Amen” to the Pat Robertson’s of this world.

I want to come up with some solution that will dispel these false comments, solutions that will reveal them for the lies that they are, I want to stop them from being said in the first place. Except, there’s nothing I can really do that is going to stop Pat Robertson from making such comments again or from having the media report on them. But, I can do my best to reveal them as the lies that they are.

Through relationships. As queer folk we know anecdotally that homophobes and fence sitters often change their views about homosexuality when they become friends and enter into relationships with people who are queer. I have seen this time and time again. I believe that with the same philosophy we can show the people of Haiti, and those who are hurt by such ugly words, that these are not the truth.

By offering our support, love, prayers and money we can show Haiti and the world that we do not believe the earthquake was punishment from God because of some so-called pact made with the devil 200 years ago. By loving the people of Haiti, by caring for those hurt by others’ words, by loving our neighbors as we love ourselves we can reveal a God of love rather than a God of hate.

Sticks and stones can break our bones and words can break our spirits, but love and care can build those bones and renew our spirits. Let’s do our part to make a good difference during this time of trial. Let’s spread love and stop hate.

This Week in LGBT Alaska 1/22/10

Juneau

New Year Class for Changing Directions 1/24, 12:30-5 p.m. with Dr. Maureen Longworth at Alaska Holistic Family Medicine.

Ryan’s Travel Slideshow & Cocktail Party 1/25, 7 p.m. at the Silverbow.

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

Juneau Pride Chorus rehearses every Friday, 5:15 – 7:15 p.m. at Resurrection Lutheran Church. Marsha

Fairbanks

Women’s Bowling, Sundays at 2 p.m in the Polar Alley at UAF.

Wednesday LGBTA Social at 9 p.m. Email Joshua for the current location.

Mat-Su Valley

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

Ever Ready performs in Eagle River 1/22, 7:30-11:30 p.m. at the VFW Post.

UAA’s “Out” resumes 1/24, 12 p.m. on the 2nd floor of the Student Union.

Miss MeMe’s FRICKIN’ COLD Gospel Show! 1/24, 4 p.m. at Mad Myrna’s

Dolores, Rachel and Wendy play the Folk Fest 1/26, 7 p.m. at Cafe Felix, inside Metro Books and Music.

Wasilla blogger: liberals use children for sex toys & gays are "dead end" of society