The Imperial Court of All Alaska ushered in the reign of the new Emperor and Empress, presented nineteen scholarships and five Community Service Awards — including a group award to the Assembly members who voted “yes” on Ordinance 64 — and performed a series of well-attended shows during Coronation 2009 on Labor Day Weekend.
“We had the best attendance at all functions in years,” writes Emperor XXV Mikey La Choy. “Empress 37 Miss MeMe and Emperor 37 Kevin Holtz have a great year in store for us all, but of course they will need the support of the entire community to make it a success.”
In addition to crowning the new monarchs, Coronation 2009 gave Community Service Awards to these recipients:
Peter Dispirito memorial Award: Adam & Steve: Alex Barros, Teddy Jones, Donald Greene & Jared Krapfl
Wayne Hussey Memorial Award: Holli Yancey
Raymond Jorgenson Memorial Group Award: The 7 brave members of the Anchorage Assembly who voted “Yes” for the equal rights ordinance: Patrick Flynn, Matt Claman, Harriet Drummond, Elvi Gray-Jackson, Sheila Selkregg, Mike Gutierrez & Jennifer Johnston
Shante’ Youth Service Award: Willow Arnell and Mike Mason
Rochelle DeLite Memorial Fairbanks Service Award: Keith Darkchild
The Imperial Court intends to formally present the Raymond Jorgenson Memorial Group Award at an Assembly meeting and personally thank those members who voted in favor of Ordinance 64. The LGBTA community will be invited to the award presentation when a date is finalized.
The 2009 Emperors and Empresses Scholarship Fund awarded a total of $48,500 to 19 students: Alex Barrows, Logan Bartels, James Crump, Rolland Debler, France Desmarattes, Wiliam Ehelebe, Mark Essert, Rachel Furman, John Hirst, Kenneth Jenkins, Wendy Langley, Joshua Lee, Monica Lettner, Colleen McNulty, Juanita Reese, David Robinson, Darren Starr, Emily Tiller and Karl Wade.
Congratulations to Empress 37 Miss MeMe and Emperor 37 Kevin Holtz! We look forward to a wonderful reign.
Friday, 4 September 2009 – 9:30 AM
| Comments Off on This Week in LGBT Alaska 9/4/09
This week’s events from the statewide newsletter. Subscribe to
Alaska GLBT News.
Juneau
SEAGLA Social Fridays (6-8 p.m.) for GLBT people and our friends over 21, at The Imperial Bar, downtown.
Kenai Peninsula
“Hedwig and the Angry Inch” starring Atz Lee Kilcher, 9/4-9/7, 8 p.m. at Pier One Theater. Tickets $15 at the Homer Bookstore and Pier One.
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
CORONATION SEPT 4-7
Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead 9/3-9/14, 7:30pm Fri/Sat; 4pm Sunday Out North
Side Street Saturdays, an informal meetup for LGBT writers, at noon in Side Street Cafe.
Sunday worship with MCC Anchorage, 2 p.m.
Transgender Support Group, Sundays 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the GLCCA.
Wednesday, 26 August 2009 – 8:28 PM
| Comments Off on Coronation 2009!
The Imperial Court of All Alaska requests the Honor of Your Presence at CORONATION XXXVII – “GOLD, FUR, AND FEATHERS” CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF STATEHOOD, Sept. 3-7, 2009 in Anchorage, Alaska.
Enjoy Labor Day weekend with the Imperial Court: the meet and greet, a show with performers from Alaska and a second show with visiting performers from out of state followed by a Las Vegas party, a bus run, a glacier tour, a victory brunch, plus the big night of Coronation itself, Sept. 6 in the Sheraton Ballroom!
SEPTEMBER 3RD – 7TH
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA
SEPTEMBER 3RD
“SUNSHINE OVER SIBERIA”
7PM MEET AND GREET
SUB ZERO LOUNGE
SEPTEMBER 4TH
11:30 AM GLACIER/WILDLIFE TOUR
PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND
6 hour tour, meal included – Great Trip
IN STATE SHOW – MAD MYRNA’S SHOWROOM
SHOW @ 8PM $10
SEPTEMBER 5TH
BROWN BEAR BUS RUN
MEET IN PARKING LOT OF “THE RAVEN”
10AM $15
EMPEROR AND EMPRESS OF BEAR
CONTEST, BBQ AND FUN
OUT OF STATE SHOW- MAD MYRNA’S SHOWROOM
SHOW @8PM $10
LAS VEGAS PARTY FOLLOWING SHOW
SEPTEMBER 6TH
CORONATION XXXVII
“GOLD, FUR, & FEATHERS”
SHERATON HOTEL BALLROOM
6PM $35
FOOD FOR PURCHASE
SEPTEMBER 7TH
VICTORY BRUNCH
MAD MYRNA’S SHOWROOM
11AM $30
HOST HOTEL
ANCHORAGE SHERATON HOTEL
401 E 6TH AVENUE
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA 99501
(907) 276-8700 (907) 276-8700
WWW.SHERATON. COM/ANCHORAGE
$142 PER ROOM NIGHT
MENTION “IMPERIAL COURT OF ALASKA”
ROOM BLOCK RATE ENDS AUG 31ST
Friday, 21 August 2009 – 12:19 PM
| Comments Off on This Week in LGBT Alaska 8/21/09
This week’s events from the statewide newsletter. Subscribe to Alaska GLBT News.
Juneau
RSVP cruise Reception 8/26, 3-7 p.m. at the Imperial Saloon. SEAGLA
SEAGLA Social Fridays (6-8 p.m.) for GLBT people and our friends over 21, at The Imperial Bar, downtown.
Fairbanks
Voting for ICOAA Empress and Emperor XXXVII, 8/22, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at College Floral.
Parks Highway
Bac’untry Bruthers at the Trapper Creek Music Festival 8/21, 9 p.m.
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
Emperor and Empress Candidates Pancake Breakfast 8/22, 10 a.m.-noon at Mad Myrna’s.
Voting for ICOAA Empress and Emperor XXXVII 8/22, 10a.m.-8 p.m. at the GLCCA.
MCC Anchorage Garage Sale 8/22, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church.
Out North Garage Sale 8/22, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Side Street Saturdays, an informal meetup for LGBT writers, at noon in Side Street Cafe.
Bac’untry Bruthers performs Saturday, at the Girdwood Blueberry Festival at 3 p.m and at Tap Root Cafe in south Anchorage at 8 p.m.
Sunday worship with MCC Anchorage, 2 p.m.
Transgender Support Group, Sundays 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the GLCCA.
Anchorage Frontrunners, Tuesdays, 6 p.m.
Out North Season 25 Launch Party 8/27, 6 p.m.
Saturday, 25 July 2009 – 2:00 PM
| Comments Off on Gold, Fur & Feathers for Coronation 2009
The Imperial Court of All Alaska requests the Honor of Your Presence at CORONATION XXXVII – “GOLD, FUR, AND FEATHERS” CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF STATEHOOD, Sept. 3-7, 2009.
Enjoy Labor Day weekend with the Imperial Court: two shows, a bus run, a glacier tour, a victory brunch, the Rotten Family Reunion, plus the big night of Coronation itself in the Sheraton Ballroom!
Schedule, Tickets & Program Ads
The Coronation schedule is posted on the
Imperial Court’s Coronation page and tickets can be purchased online. The two shows and most of the other town events will be held in Mad Myrna’s showroom. Sponsorship Ads for the Coronation Ball Program are a great way to advertise your business inexpensively, not to mention raising money for one of the Court’s greatest programs, the Scholarship fund. Share your business with hundreds of people. Ads must be received and paid in full by August 7. For more information, visit the
The Imperial Court of All Alaska.
Friday, 17 July 2009 – 5:02 PM
| Comments Off on This Week in LGBT Alaska 7/17/09
** The next Anchorage ordinance hearing is Tuesday, July 21 at Loussac Library. **
This week’s events from the statewide newsletter. Subscribe to
Alaska GLBT News.
Juneau
SEAGLA Social Fridays (6-8 p.m.) for GLBT people and our friends over 21, at The Imperial Bar, downtown.
Fairbanks
Women’s Motorcycle Ride Saturday, 7/18 meets in the Regal/Goldstream Theater parking lot at 4 p.m.
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
Midnight Soapscum: Goes to Hell! Final Episode, 7/17-7/18, 10:30 p.m. Out North Tickets $15 online or at the door. Saturday’s show follows The Big Fat Gay Wedding (see below.)
Integrity (Episcopal GLBT group) monthly potluck, fellowship and worship 7/17, 6:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Lake Otis & Tudor.
Gay-Karting with Adam & Steve 7/18, 2 p.m. RSVP required.
Barony of Spenard 7/18, 7:16 p.m. at Mad Myrna’s $5. Best in Theme Contest & Auction.
The Big Fat Gay Wedding 7/18, 7 p.m. Out North. Unions blessed & vows renewed.
Mad Mike @ Mad Myrna’s 7/18, (Saturdays) 10 p.m.-2:30 p.m. with Special Guest DJ’s.
LGBT & Supporters Community Potluck at Goose Lake Picnic Shelter 7/19, 1 p.m.
Sunday worship with MCC Anchorage 7/19, 2 p.m.
Transgender Support Group, Sundays 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the GLCCA.
Anchorage Frontrunners, Tuesdays, 6 p.m.
Anchorage Equal Rights Ordinance Hearing 7/21, 5-11 p.m. Loussac Library. Equality Works.
Saturday, 11 July 2009 – 5:52 AM
| Comments Off on Golden Days, MPower, IAA, Irina Rivkin & Coronation
Gay AK – Notes from LGBT Alaska 7/11/09
PFLAG in the Golden Days Parade
Fairbanks PFLAG invites the LGBTA community to walk together in the Golden Days Grand Parade on July 25, starting at the Carlson Center and carrying the large rainbow flag from Key West. Let’s show Fairbanks our pride! PFLAG will also have a booth at the Tanana Valley State Fair in August.
Adam & Steve seeks Program Assistant
Adam N Steve, an Mpowerment Program in Anchorage, is seeking a Program Assistant to help coordinate a multi-level intervention HIV prevention program aimed at men who have sex with men, with an emphasis on community building and empowerment activities among gay and bisexual men ages 18-29. Read the
job description and
email Alex Barros, Director of Prevention at
The Four A’s in Anchorage.
Interior AIDS (IAA) Raffle
Enter the Raffle to support
Interior AIDS Association, drawing on August 8, 2009. Only 250 tickets sold, $100 each, with a grand prize of $11,000 and other prizes.
Irina Rivkin returns to Alaska
World-folk live-looping harmony singer-songwriter
Irina Rivkin will be back on tour in Alaska July 23-August 11
with new songs. If you would like to host or produce a concert (including a house concert or yard concert) or a live-looping workshop in Anchorage, Fairbanks or elsewhere, please
contact Irina.
Coronation Schedule & Program Ads
The Imperial Court of All Alaska requests the Honor of Your Presence at
CORONATION XXXVII – “GOLD, FUR, AND FEATHERS” CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF STATEHOOD, on Sept. 3-7, 2009. The preliminary schedule is posted. Share your business with hundreds of people! Sponsorship Ads for this year’s Coronation Ball program are a great way to advertise your business and support the Scholarship fund. Ads must be received (in JPG or PDF and “camera ready”) and paid in full by August 7.
The Imperial Court.
Wednesday, 8 July 2009 – 2:24 PM
| Comments Off on Palin and Gays Make the Queerest July 4th Ever
Gay Alaskans planned the queerest July 4th in years, with openly LGBT contingents in three Independence Day parades around the state. Then Gov. Palin announced her resignation on Friday, ensuring that all Alaskans – gay and straight – would have a downright queer 4th of July.
That’s So Palin
Palin’s resignation speech gave no real reason for quitting in the middle of her first term as governor, so Alaskans spent the holiday weekend speculating on why she did it. When bloggers wrote about rumors of investigations, Palin’s lawyer issued a statement warning reporters not to investigate and threatened legal action against Alaska blogger
Shannyn Moore. Threatening freedom of speech and freedom of the press, on Independence Day? That’s so… Palin.
Meanwhile, LGBT Alaskans in Homer, Anchorage and Ester added a festive touch of queerness to our local Independence Day parades.
Anchorage Something Fierce
Two floats brought LGBT creativity to Alaska’s biggest Independence Day Parade. ‘The Starship Something Fierce’ hovered around the Delaney Park Strip with the Queer Trek crew on the bridge, hosted by the Imperial Court’s Duke & Duchess of Anchorage. Youth 14-19 rode their own float, ‘Let Our Colors Bloom, Youth for Equality’ which was covered with rainbow flags and balloons.
Making History in Homer
The new Homer PFLAG chapter painted a rainbow skiff for the July 4th parade, cut ALASKA rainbow toe-socks from Safeway into colorful arm and leg warmers, added a hula-hooper in the truck, and paraded down Pioneer Avenue carrying signs saying “support”, “advocacy”, “respect”, “peace” and “equality” for LGBTQ people, their families and friends.
“We were received very warmly,” said PFLAG board member and hooper Catriona Lowe. “It felt like people saw us there, understood what we were about, and really appreciated what we were doing.”
This was the first time in Homer’s history that LGBTQ community members, and their friends and allies, marched in a local parade as an openly-gay contingent. Over 20 adults, 6 children, and 3 dogs marched with the float, making it one of the largest groups in attendance.
PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays)
burst onto the Homer scene a few months ago, sponsoring a booth at the health fair and the movie MILK at the Homer Family Theatre. The group decided to further increase its visibility by marching in the 4th of July Parade. Alaska also has chapters of PFLAG in Juneau, Fairbanks and Anchorage.
Ester Dyke on Bike
Dykes on Bikes (a.k.a. the Thursday Women’s Motorcycle Group) planned to ride in the irreverent Ester Fourth of July Parade, where it’s traditional to bribe the judges.
“This year there was only one Dyke on Bike,” writes Jeanne, coordinator of the women’s ride night, “but with an appropriate bribe (I gave a bottle of Gnarly Head red zinfandel to the judges) I, on behalf of all Dykes on Bikes, won the Most Colorful award.” A dyke giving the judges gnarly head?
And that wraps up our Queerest July 4th Ever!
Photos:
The crew of ‘The Starship Something Fierce’
‘The Starship Something Fierce’ float and truck
Youth float, ‘Let Our Colors Bloom, Youth for Equality’
Anchorage Youth float contingent
PFLAG marching group in the Homer July 4th parade
Homer PFLAG’s rainbow skiff float
Hula-hooper, Catriona Lowe
Dyke on Bike in Ester’s July 4th Parade
Gay AK – Notes from LGBT Alaska
Four A’s at PrideFest, Testing Day, and Drag Queen Bingo
A record breaking 200 people attended Drag Queen Bingo this year! The standing room only event won Best Non-Bar Event for Pride Week and raised over $2,800 for the Adam and Steve HIV Prevention program.
Four A’s marched for equality in the Pride Parade, showing that ABT equals “Anything But Tolerant” (photo below.) Mayor Matt Claman got tested on June 27, National HIV Testing Day, as one of 85 Mayors nationwide getting tested in the national campaign.
Pride Foundation’s Raffle With A Twist
An Alaskan non-profit will win $1,000 from
Pride Foundation again this year, and another could win the grand prize. What’s the twist?
If your name is drawn on September 15, 2009, they will make a $2,500 donation in your name to your favorite nonprofit. They will also give $1,000 to each of the most named organizations in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. Winning nonprofits must have a non-discrimination policy that includes sexual orientation and gender identity and/or expression. There is no cost to enter the raffle, and no donation required.
Enter the raffle here.ICOAA Applications for Emperor/Empress and Scholarship Program
The application for Emperor and Empress of the ICOAA is due on July 12. Applicants must submit the completed form, required documents, fees, and photo no later than 4 p.m. on 7/12 to the board meeting at Mad Myrna’s. Applications are
available online and at Mad Myrna’s or The Raven. The application for the 2009 Scholarship Program is also
available for download. The Scholarship application is due on July 31.
Gay Cruises Visit Juneau
SEAGLA posted this summer’s schedule of gay and lesbian cruise groups visiting Juneau:
- 07/14/2009 RFamily tour group visits Juneau aboard the MV Norweigan Star, 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- 08/16/2009 Pied Piper tour group visits Juneau 8 a.m.- 9 p.m. on the M/V Celebrity Millennium. SEAGLA Reception at a local venue, 5-7 p.m. Plan to be there!
- 08/26/2009 RSVP Vacations visits Juneau aboard the MS Westerdam, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- 09/22/2009 Olivia Cruises visits Juneau aboard the MS Veendam, 3 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
- 09/27/2009 Aquafest Gay tour group visits Juneau aboard the MS Zaandam, noon to 10:30 p.m.
Friday, 3 July 2009 – 4:44 PM
| Comments Off on Gays Join Alaska’s July 4th Parades
Three of Alaska’s 4th of July Parades – Anchorage, Ester and Homer – will have openly gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender contingents celebrating Independence Day this Saturday, and all LGBTA Alaskans are invited to join the fun.
Anchorage
The Anchorage
July 4th Parade will include the
Imperial Court float ‘The Starship Something Fierce’ hosted by the Duke & Duchess of Anchorage, and the LGBT Youth float from PrideFest. The youth float theme is ‘Let Our Colors Bloom, Youth for Equality’ and youth 14-19 are invited to join. Adults are welcome to join the Court float, or the ACLU marchers.
“If you would like to join the Court float, please meet us at 7th & H St. between 9 and 10 a.m.,” writes Paige Langit, Anchorage Duchess. The youth float will meet at 7th & I St. This year’s parade route circles the Delaney Park Strip in downtown Anchorage.
The
ACLU of Alaska also invites the LGBTA community to join their walking contingent. They meet at 8th & I St. at 10:30 a.m.
After the parade,
Bernie’s Bungalow is hosting a marathon 4th Fest with live music, burlesque & circus performances from 4 p.m.-midnight, followed by a DJ dance party. The $10 cover gets you an all-event wristband from a VivaVoom Brr-Lesque hostess.
Ester
In the Fairbanks area, Dykes on Bikes (a.k.a. the Thursday Women’s Motorcycle Group, and friends) are riding in the
Ester Fourth of July Parade. They will meet at 11 a.m. for the parade, and stay for the community picnic/potluck afterwards.
“Inspired by our recent motorcycle runs, and the general funky, festive atmosphere of Ester in a high holiday mood, I’ve gotten us a spot in the Ester July 4th parade,” writes Jeanne. “Women looking for a good time in a ‘family’ friendly atmosphere should join us. Any size bike or scooter will do.”
The Ester event is not a typical Independence Day Parade. “Anything goes,” writes Deirdre Helfferich on
The Ester Republic blog. “We’ve had Revolutionary War soldiers, a Visqueen statue of liberty, leather-and-whip wielding fishnetted literati, giant puppets, men in drag and mops, dogs in costume, pigs in porkmobiles, fake politicians with real bribes, real politicians with fake bribes, dance troupes, couch potatoes, marching bands, gaggles of kids, horses, extremely loud firetrucks, etc.” Compared to that, Dykes on Bikes will seem tame.
Bribing the judges is a tradition at the Ester Parade. It’s not required, but it’s part of the fun. The Dykes on Bikes contingent is planning a bribe, a sign, and decorations for the motorcycles.
The Thursday Women’s Motorcycle Group meets at the Regal/Goldstream Theater parking lot every week at 6 p.m. and features a 45-60 minute ride to dinner and back. “If you want to hitch a ride, meet us Thursday evening and we’ll see what we can do,” writes Jeanne. Remember that helmets are mandatory for passengers in Alaska.
Homer
The new
Homer PFLAG chapter made a colorful float for the Homer July 4th parade down Pioneer Ave. to Sterling Highway.
“Come show your support for LGBTQ in Homer,” reads the
event’s Facebook message. “We are gathering at 5 p.m. in the Homer High Parking Lot to put the dazzel on and work out the ditty to do before the judges. Wear bright colors. Let’s show there is a safe place to celebrate diversity in Homertown.”
Happy Independence Day!
