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Where to Find GLBT Alaska – Annual Events, Revised for 2011

Friday, 14 January 2011 – 11:25 PM | 2 Comments

The main annual events held by the LGBT organizations and local communities in Alaska are listed here in calendar order, along with city-wide events that we participate in every year.

Fur Rondy Grand Parade (Feb 26) – The Imperial Court creates a float for the Rondy Parade in downtown Anchorage.

Femme Fatale (mid-April) – The Imperial Court’s Juneau show closes the state legislative session and is a benefit for Four A’s.

Day of Silence (April 15) and Pride Prom (April 23 in Anchorage) – Alaska’s students, teachers and Gay/Straight Alliances (GSA’s) join the National Day of Silence, and break their silence celebrating at Pride Prom.

Celebration of Change (April 23) – Radical Arts for Women’s ‘break-up’ performance celebrates women, music and art in Anchorage.

Juneau Pride Chorus spring concert (April 30) – The concert is a spirited evening of women, song and dance at the Juneau Arts & Culture Center, and the chorus performs at various events during the spring and summer.

LGBT Pride Picnic (May 30, Memorial Day) – The Anchorage Picnic and BBQ celebrate unity in the community and the beginning of summer.

Alaska Pride Week and Festival (3rd week in June) – The summer solstice parade and festival celebrates LGBT Pride in downtown Anchorage, following a week of Pride events.

Northern Exposure (during Pride Week this year) – Alaska’s new gay & straight BDSM/Leather conference returns for a second year.

Juneau Pride Picnic and Glacier Hike (summer) – Juneau celebrates Pride with a GLBT community picnic and glacier hike organized by SEAGLA.

Marching in July 4th Parades – LGBT contingents design floats and march in July 4th parades in Anchorage and Homer.

PFLAG in Golden Days Parade (late July) and Tanana Valley State Fair (August) – PFLAG and the Fairbanks LGBTQA community march in the annual Gold Rush parade, host a Pride Picnic after the parade, and create a booth for the Interior state fair.

Coronation (Labor Day Weekend, Sept.) – An extravaganza of performances in Anchorage invests the new Emperor and Empress of the Imperial Court of All Alaska, and announces community awards and scholarships.

Pride Conference (Saturday near October 11) – Identity’s back-to-school youth conference is inspired by National Coming Out Day, celebrated nationally on October 11.

Alaskans Together annual meeting (Sunday after Pride Conference) – The state-wide LGBT advocacy group holds a strategy meeting each year in Anchorage.

Thanksgiving Community Meal (Thanksgiving Day) – Several gay-owned businesses in Anchorage host a Thanksgiving Day meal for the LGBT community.

World AIDS Day (Dec. 1) – Alaska commemorates World AIDS Day with red ribbons and candlelight vigils sponsored by Four A’s and IAA in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau.

Arctic Heat (Jan. 2012) – The Men’s Club chooses the new Bear and Leather titleholders every other year.

Alaska’s LGBT groups hold many other events and performances, as well as weekly and monthly meetings and events, that the community is invited to attend. Visit the links in the side column of the blog for more lists of Where to find LGBT Alaska.

Take the Anchorage LGBT Survey

Saturday, 8 January 2011 – 12:40 AM | Comments Off

– by Shelby Carpenter

I am pleased to announce that the Anchorage LGBT Discrimination Survey is now available! This survey will collect information on experiences of bias and discrimination in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community in Anchorage, Alaska. It is the product of a coalition effort by organizations that serve the community, including Identity, Inc., Alaskan AIDS Assistance Association, Alaskans Together for Equality, Equality Works and the ACLU of Alaska.

It is the first survey of its kind in over 20 years, and the first to collect information about transgender Alaskans.

Please see below to take the survey. All answers are completely confidential, and survey administration has been designed to ensure the privacy of all respondents. While the survey website may contain cookies, your survey responses cannot be tied to your IP address.

An individual PIN number is required to access the survey. To request a PIN or for questions, contact Shelby Carpenter, LGBT Public Policy Director for the ACLU of Alaska, at (907) 263-2006 or at scarpenter@akclu.org. Paper surveys are also available upon request.

TO TAKE THE SURVEY, CLICK ON THIS LINK:

TAKE THE ANCHORAGE LGBT DISCRIMINATION SURVEY TODAY!

New youth grant and Alaska staff from Pride Foundation

Monday, 20 December 2010 – 12:55 AM | Comments Off

Pride Foundation of the Pacific Northwest is strengthening their commitment to Alaska’s LGBT community by funding a full time regional staff position and continuing to provide grants for Alaska’s LGBT non-profits.

Thanksgiving Eve in Anchorage

Monday, 22 November 2010 – 12:14 PM | Comments Off

Two free Thanksgiving Eve events in Anchorage this Wednesday evening.

Eve’s Family and Friends Community Thanksgiving Dinner
Event info on Facebook

At the Raven: 4:30-6:30 PM
At the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Anchorage (GLCCA): 5:00-7:00 PM
At Mad Myrna’s: 5:30-7:30 PM

The event is free, but donations are welcomed and will benefit the GLCCA.

More on GLCCA’s portion of the evening:

The GLCCA is thrilled to be able to offer a family friendly Thanksgiving dinner on Wednesday evening, Nov. 24, from 5 – 7 pm. We will be using the space next door at the YWCA for this meal. Please join us for turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy and other Thanksgiving classics. If there is anything special that you want to have on your plate feel free to bring a dish to share and place it on the table. This event is free and specially designed for families or those who prefer an alcohol free atmosphere.

336 E. 5th Avenue, (info@identityinc.org) or 929-4528

The GLCCA will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 25.

Wild Turkey Night at Bernies’ Bungalow Lounge
Event info on Facebook

Wednesday, November 24 at 9:30pm – November 25 at 12:30am

Join us and Wild Turkey in supporting the Food Bank of Alaska!

Here’s the run down: Come out on the 24th, and we’ll drink some Wild Turkey! Every $5 donation to the Food Bank of Alaska will get a chance to win a take home THANKSGIVING DINNER FROM MARX BROTHERS good for 8 PEOPLE!

Bottom line, we drink, raise money for a good cause and someone gets a (semi-) free turkey dinner without all the work!

Alaskans speak out on National Coming Out Day

Thursday, 14 October 2010 – 12:53 PM | Comments Off

In addition to the many individuals who came out to friends and relatives on Monday, October 11, several LGBT Alaskans representing local organizations spoke out about National Coming Out Day and the importance of supporting queer youth by providing safe spaces and passing equal rights.

Johnathan Jones of Identity, Inc. explained on Channel 11 why the National Coming Out Day message is even more critical this year:

Anne Marie Moylan and Scott Turner, co-chairs of Identity, wrote an editorial in the Anchorage Daily News: True equal rights could stop harassment. They describe recent attacks on gays and teen suicides from anti-gay bullying, and ask what effect the lack of LGBT equal rights has on creating this atmosphere of violence.

The events of recent weeks beg the question: What is it in our culture that says that gay lives are worthless? Gay teens commit suicide because others tell them their lives are not worth living. And homophobes go so far as to verbally and physically attack gay people, believing their actions are perfectly justified.

As chairs of Identity Inc., the organization that runs the Gay and Lesbian Community Center in Anchorage, we take the view that political inequality is a key piece of the problem. The lack of legal protections for the gay community both in Alaska and across the country legitimizes anti-gay bias and harassment.

The kind of virulent homophobia that leads to hate crimes and teen suicides is not limited to the Outside — just recall the sea of red shirts at the Loussac Library when the Anchorage Assembly considered Ordinance 64. That Mayor Sullivan vetoed the ordinance means that right now in Anchorage, we can be fired from our jobs, kicked out of our apartments, or refused service in a restaurant based on our sexuality and have no legal protections.

By letting discrimination slide, the city of Anchorage is saying that gay and transgender Alaskans are less valuable members of the community.

This National Coming Out Day, we say that it is time for things to change — time for Anchorage to stand for fairness and equality.

Read the full Compass piece and leave supportive comments HERE.

Scott T. Schofield, director of Out North, wrote a letter to the Anchorage Press:

I have heard that Alaskans get things done. I have heard that Alaskans pull together, crossing social boundaries to get through tough times. We must take action against this tragic possibility facing our young people, a possibility that no doubt many of us have faced down in our own families, whether gay, perceived to be gay, or were bullied for other reasons. At the very least, we must stop being silent about it. Coming out is for everyone: Come out as an ally, come out as conflicted but accepting of all people, come out as pro-life and therefore anti-bullying, come out and make a majority that does not tolerate hate, nor the tactics of shame, nor the senseless death of good people. You never know how what you say can affect a person: say your support for a hate-free community out loud.

Schofield offers Out North as a safe space for the people of Anchorage, especially LGBTQ youth, and adds a personal message:

I do not write this to capitalize on a disturbing national trend. I write this to break my own silence on an issue rooted deep in my own heart. When my own identity issues brought me to seriously consider suicide as a teen, a place very much like Out North kept me alive: They told me I was okay, and gave me an outlet for my otherwise destructive energy. I owe it to the child I was then to speak to children and adults now. I am grateful that I am alive to do so, and grateful that I have something to offer. I offer it sincerely.

Out North’s motto is Art for Everyone, No Exceptions. Whatever your identity, but especially if you are an LGBTQ teen who doesn’t know why to stick around for tomorrow, you are welcome here. We encourage you to explore your own mind, to work and laugh with people who are different from you, to learn how there is strength in diversity. We are holding a place for you in our community, and we are excited for you to fill it, whoever you are. We invite you to drop in from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., every day after school. We have a drug-free space to do your homework, create your own art, volunteer your time, and share your experiences with new friends. We want to know you.

But seriously, if you feel isolated, we beg you to let your first act—before your final act—be to come see us, tell us your story, and let us tell you that you are valued.

Read the full letter HERE.

Thanks to these LGBT Alaskans for speaking out on National Coming Out Day!

McAdams is keynote speaker at Alaska Pride Conference, Oct 9

Thursday, 7 October 2010 – 7:26 AM | Comments Off

The Alaska Pride Conference theme this year is “Equal” and we have structured the conference around this. The keynote speaker will be US Senate candidate Scott McAdams speaking on how we can move forward for Equality for LGBT Alaskans. (Please note that all senate candidates were invited to speak). Senator Mark Begich’s office will give a “State of the State” report on LGBT Equality.

With 17 workshops, 11 vendors, 4 guest speakers, free rapid HIV testing, a drag king performance, door prizes, gift certificates, food and friends, you don’t want to miss the Pride Conference!

AK Pride Conference 2010 is being held in the Carr-Gottstein Building at APU on Sat. Oct 9th from 8a.m. to 4:30p.m.

Guest Speakers and Panelists

· Scott McAdams: Scott is the mayor of Sitka and is the Democratic Candidate for the US Senate representing Alaska. He is here today to give his take on how Alaskans can move forward in achieving full equality.

· Kim Mack: At Gay Pride this year, Kim gave an impromptu thank-you speech for the benefits she has received as the result of activism by others. She is here today to tell her story.

· Panel: “Opportunities for Activism in Alaska”: Our panelist will speak on ways we can move forward in the fight for Equality in Alaska. Our Panelists include:

– Shelby Carpenter works with Equality Works. Equality Works is a coalition of organizations and individuals working to protect Anchorage citizens from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in matters of employment, housing and public accommodations.

– Elias Rojas is the President of Alaskans Together for Equality. Alaskans Together for Equality, Inc. is a political nonprofit incorporated in the State of Alaska. Its mission is to advance civil equality for all Alaskans through grass roots organizing and advocacy.

– Edie Bailey is a Board Member of the Anchorage Equal Rights Commission (AERC). Established in the Anchorage Charter in 1975, the AERC is the Municipal law enforcement agency charged to eliminate and prevent unlawful discrimination under Title 5 of the Municipal Code within the geographic boundaries of the Municipality. (Sexual orientation/gender identity is not covered under Title 5).

We have three streams of workshops: Activism, Community, and Relationships. Workshop details, the full conference schedule, and registration forms are available at Identity, Inc. – Conference. Register before the conference and save $5!

We will have door prizes, raffles, entertainment and delicious food catered by The Last Frontier Men’s Club.

In conjunction with the Alaska premier of the films I Can’t Think Straight and The World Unseen, AK Pride Conference will be holding a post-conference Brunch on Sunday morning at 10:00a.m. at Out North Theater.

Join us at APU on Sat. Oct 9th for the Alaska Pride Conference 2010!

Alaska Pride Conference 2010

Friday, 3 September 2010 – 5:49 AM | Comments Off

The 17th annual Alaska Pride Conference will be held on Saturday, October 9, 2010 from 8 am to 4:30 pm at Alaska Pacific University in the Carr-Gottstein Building. The conference organizers are calling for workshop proposals and vendor applications. The forms are available for download at Identity, Inc.

Workshop Proposals are due by Sept. 15, and Vendor Applications must be submitted and paid in full by Sept. 30.

They have a special deal with the WestMark Hotel downtown for those who live outside of Anchorage, and have secured a block of rooms for just $75 a night. To make your reservation, please call their reservations department toll free at (1-800-544-0970). Ask for the 17th Annual PRIDE Conference sleeping room rate and they will be happy to confirm your reservation over the phone.

The AK Pride Conference is held every year in Anchorage, on or near National Coming Out Day (Oct 11). The mission is to facilitate unity within the queer communities of Alaska and our Allies, to promote equality for all, and to provide education and fun.

If you have any questions, please contact Johnathan or visit the AK Pride Conference 2010 Facebook page.

Meet actress Sheetal Sheth at her Alaska film premiere

Thursday, 26 August 2010 – 2:11 PM | Comments Off

Yes, it’s true! Join this hot actress for a Q&A session following her girl-gets-girl action in the Alaska premiere of two award-winning lesbian movies, I Can’t Think Straight and The World Unseen, playing as a double-feature at Out North on October 8 & 10. And it’s a benefit! Tickets go on sale at Metro in September.

The timing is great. It’s right before National Coming Out Day (Oct 11) and the same weekend as the annual Alaska Pride Conference (Oct 9 at APU in Anchorage) and the biannual Womyn’s Dance (Oct 9 at the Snow Goose). With the conference all day on Saturday, the dance Saturday night, and the films and Sheetal on Friday and Sunday, you’ll definitely want to Come Out and join us!

Maureen Suttman is the organizer of the premiere. She chose I Can’t Think Straight and The World Unseen (see the trailers below) partly because of their rich multi-cultural perspectives and the long term lesbian couple who created the films. She wrote to Bent Alaska:

They have earned over 30 international awards AND haven’t been screened here. I happened to cross emails with Sheetal and stepped out there and invited her, and she has been saying “yes” for the last 2 months about coming here. Alaska sure does help in sparking interest.

Last spring, I saw 2 films that have been gaining the attention of both lesbians and the greater GLBT community. One set in London and a romantic comedy, the other set in South Africa and a drama, they both take on multiple layers of culture without losing underlying relationship themes — and while bringing tremendous heart and thought provoking images to the screen. Looking more, I found that between the two films they have won over 30 awards from around the globe. Further research into the production house behind them showed that at its helm are 2 women who are long-term domestic partners (and moms to their boys). Shamim Sarif is an award winning novel writer turned screen writer turned director. Hanan Kattan is her partner and the films’ producer. Together they head London-based Enlightenment Productions and are gearing up additional novels to movies, music and television projects.

Thinking others here would be interested in the films and the women behind them, I found myself compelled to show them in Anchorage. I sought out permission from EP’s main office and am happy to report that on October 8th and 10th there will be a benefit screening of the films I Can’t Think Straight and The World Unseen at Out North. In addition, and by an incredible stroke of good luck, Sheetal Sheth — co-star of both films (and NOH8 campaign supporter!) is coming to join us and will be available for audience Q&A and after-film conversation. Tickets will go on sale at Metro Music and Books in September.

Since the films’ releases, Sheetal’s co-star Lisa Ray was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and underwent stem cell replacement treatment. Though now in remission, she was unable to work throughout treatment. Out of concern for her, there was an outpouring of fan support and a project to generate income for her was set up. The benefit film screenings will support both the Lisa Ray audio book project fund, as well as our own Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Anchorage.

“Check out Enlightenment Productions for more info on the films and the very creative gals behind them. More information on the Lisa Ray audio book project can be seen on Shamim Sarif’s blog.”

“Check out Sheetal at www.sheetalsheth.com. Her email address is there so why not leave her a message in anticipation of her visit? Personal experience suggests she will likely answer especially if you reference Alaska in the subject line.”

“Thanks and hope to see everyone there!”

Thanks to Maureen for inviting this internationally-known actress to visit Alaska with the premiere of these two great films! Let’s give Sheetal a warm Alaska welcome and fill that theater.

Where: Out North, 3800 DeBarr Road
When: Friday October 8 at 6:30 p.m., and Sunday October 10 at 1 p.m.
How much: $15 for the double feature

Watch the trailer for I Can’t Think Straight:

Watch the trailer for The World Unseen:

Memorial & Open House for FKen – Aug 5th

Friday, 30 July 2010 – 9:37 PM | Comments Off

Some people did not hear about the initial memorial service for FKen Freedman held soon after his passing, so we’re having a second memorial celebration of his life to coincide with the sale of his home and belongings. Friends and community members are invited to an Open House Remembrance Ceremony and Private Estate Sale on August 5, beginning at 5 p.m.

5-6 PM Hors d’ oevres: Hearty hors d’ oeuvres & open house. Catered by his favorite restaurant – Thai House!

6-7 PM Remembrance Ceremony: FKen’s Celebration of Life was at the U/U Fellowship Hall on May 6th and was hurriedly organized to accommodate FKen’s family from out of state. This is an opportunity for those who were not able to make the original service to collectively gather and share their memories. Those who were at the first service are again invited to this more informal event.

This will be a time to share stories and memories of a remarkable man who is a long-time friend and community organizer. His home, where this event is taking place, is the birthplace of the NorthView and the Identity Helpline. We hope you will join us for an evening with our community, as FKen liked to say, “our tribe” in this very special place.

7-8 PM Private Estate Sale for friends and community members: FKen’s house will be on the market for sale in the next two weeks. Most of FKen’s belongings are in place. This is an opportunity to purchase items from the estate sale before they are offered to the public on Friday and Saturday August 6 & 7th. The proceeds will go to continue FKen’s support of his mother.

Please RSVP for the location and directions.

Arson? Anchorage Gay Float was torched UPDATES AFD needs our help!

Thursday, 29 July 2010 – 2:26 AM | 2 Comments

UPDATE 3: The Butners have verified that the insurance inspector has not made a final report. That information came from a usually reliable source, but is incorrect and has been removed from the main post. My apologies to the Butners and the community for this series of misunderstandings and updates.

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UPDATE 2: The Anchorage Fire Department has now posted their report HERE. “At this time, the cause will be listed as undetermined. The AFD Fire Investigator is seeking the public’s help in identifying an unknown white male who was observed in the area by a witness only moments before the fire was discovered. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Anchorage Fire Department’s Arson Hotline 267-5060 or Anchorage Crime Stoppers (561-STOP).” So it was probably arson, but they call it undetermined until they catch the guy.

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CORRECTION: [The report stating that the fire was arson came from the insurance fire inspector. — this information is incorrect and has been removed from the post.] The Anchorage Fire Department is still seeking information that will lead to the arrest of the potential arsonist and has not released a report yet. [The report is released and linked above.] Apologies for the confusion.

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The Anchorage Fire Department has concluded [correction: is seeking the public’s help in identifying an unknown white male who was observed in the area by a witness only moments before the fire was discovered and may have] deliberately burned down a Gay Pride Float two days before it would appear in the city’s 4th of July parade.

The fire also destroyed the garage and damaged the house of Ken and Paula Butner, allies who kept the Imperial Court’s float in a car tent in front of the garage. Their daughter was awakened around 5:30 a.m. on July 2 by the sound of paint cans exploding outside her window, and she woke the rest of the family. Luckily, no one was injured.

“They have finally finished the investigation, and said that it is not our fault or an accident,” wrote Paula. “They said that it was started by someone! They are still asking for information from anyone who may know who started it.”

The LGBTA community rallied and built a new float in less than 48 hours that included burned pieces salvaged from the original. They named the new float Phoenix Rising, and it won the Grand Prize in the July 4th parade.

Meanwhile, the city Fire Inspector labeled the fire “suspicious” and asked the state to assist in the investigation.

“This has been a horrible situation for everyone involved, and worse to know that this may have been a targeted crime,” wrote Miss MeMe, Empress of the Imperial Court of All Alaska.

“I have been incredibly proud that our community has shown great courage and Pride, and I know that we will continue to work together to conquer hate towards our community and its allies. We also continue to support the Butners during what has been a challenging time for them, and continue to be grateful for all of the support they have shown the LGBTA community over the years.”

A fund was set up to help the Butners repair their home and rebuild their garage, with security cameras and a big enough garage to store the float inside. A fundraising dinner has been announced for August 14 to replace the destroyed float equipment.

“Insurance will not cover the sound equipment belonging to Daphne Do All LaChores, emcee of Drag Queen Bingo and PrideFest Parade announcer,” wrote Phyllis of Identity, Inc.

Hence, a fundrai$er to replace the equipment—a spaghetti feed with salad on Saturday afternoon, August 14, 2010, from 1:00 to 5:00 pm at Guido’s, 549 W. International Road. Tickets $10.00 per person, $5.00 under 10 years old. $5.50 of every adult ticket sold will go to Daph. There will also be a 50/50 split the pot and silent auction to raise funds for the equipment.”

Daphne rode the Imperial Court float and dished to the crowds at both the July 4th parade and the Fur Rondy parade in February, and is co-host of the Friday Night Diva Show. Daphne and the Butners have organized the creation of the Imperial Court’s annual float since 2002.

“We lost our trailer and all of the sound equipment, tools and supplies,” Daphne commented on Linda’s photo essay of the fire. “Ken and I started to upgrade the space into a workshop and storage facility to house all of the decorations and scraps of previous award winning floats. It’s all gone now.”

Tickets to the spaghetti feed fundraiser are on sale at the Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Anchorage, 336 East 6th Avenue. Cash or check donations will also be accepted.

If you have any information that might lead to the arrest of the arsonist, please contact the Anchorage Fire Department.

When Mayor Sullivan vetoed the equal rights ordinance last year, he said there was no evidence of anti-gay prejudice in Anchorage. Does he still think that? No one was injured – this time. What will it take for the mayor and city assembly to pass and sign, or override the veto and approve, a law that protects the LGBT residents of Anchorage?

– hat tip to Linda of Celtic Diva for her report on the fire, and the photo of the burned float. The Phoenix Rising photo is from Daphne’s Facebook page.