Articles tagged with: PFLAG
This Week in LGBT Alaska 8/7/09
The next Ordinance 64 meeting is Tuesday August 11, and the Assembly may vote on the ordinance that evening. We need YOU in BLUE, sitting in the Assembly chambers on the first floor of Loussac Library, to show that we support them in passing the equal rights ordinance. Please attend!
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
Ducal Ball 2009 – A Fetish Ball 8/8, doors open at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m., to elect a new monarch for Fairbanks. Pioneer Park Civic Center. Fun, food, entertainment, and fetish-friendly attire (no nudity.) $15 at the door, 18 and older. (18-21 in a separate area.)
PFLAG Booth at the Tanana Valley State Fair 8/7-8/15. Volunteer at the booth for a 2-hour shift and enter the Fair free for the whole day. Email Mike to volunteer or visit Fairbanks PFLAG for more info.
Parks Hwy
Ever Ready at the Talkeetna Bluegrass Festival 8/7, 4-5 p.m. Mile 102 Parks Hwy, Talkeetna.
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
Compassionate Communication Workshops for Parents and Anyone Working with Children 8/6-8/8, 6:30-9 p.m. T-F, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.
Side Street Saturdays, an informal meetup for LGBT writers, at noon in Side Street Cafe.
Friday Night Divas Variety Show benefit for The Roscoe (Pet) Fund 8/7, 9p.m. $5, followed by Karaoke with Paige. Saturday DJ Mad Mike 8/8 at 11 p.m. Both at Mad Myrna’s.
Irina Rivkin performs 3 nights in Anchorage: Organic Oasis on Saturday August 8, at 7 p.m. Midtown Studio concert on Sunday August 9, at 7:30 p.m. with an optional audience-participation live-looping piece, 6407 Brayton Drive, $5-15 sliding scale. Tap Root Café on Monday August 10, from 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Sunday worship and monthly potluck with MCC Anchorage, 2 p.m.
TLFMC Potluck meeting & social 8/9, 6 p.m. at Mad Myrna’s.
Transgender Support Group, Sundays 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the GLCCA.
Assembly meeting and possible Ordinance 64 vote, Tuesday 8/11, 1st floor of Loussac Library, meeting begins at 5 p.m but come early for a seat inside. Wear blue.
Anchorage Frontrunners, Tuesdays, 6 p.m.
This Week in LGBT Alaska 7/24/09
This week’s events from the statewide newsletter. Subscribe to Alaska GLBT News.
Join the ACT for Health Care Reform rally on the Park Strip, Saturday in Anchorage. The local organizers haven’t heard about the LGBT provisions that were added to the national Health Care Reform bill last week, so this is your chance to educate them about our health care needs.
Sunday is Sarah Palin’s last day as Governor of Alaska and people all over the state are celebrating with Quitting Parties. Also on Sunday is a memorial service for progressive ally Allan Tesche, at the Central Lutheran Church on 15th and Cordova, in Anchorage.
McCarthy
Irina Rivkin performs in McCarthy on 7/25, 8 p.m. at BMAC’s, and on 7/27, 6:30 p.m. at Wrangell Mountain Center & Hardware store, playing a concert plus audience-participation live-looping jam, $5-15 sliding scale donation. See her current tour schedule here.
Juneau
SEAGLA Social Fridays (6-8 p.m.) for GLBT people and our friends over 21, at The Imperial Bar, downtown.
Fairbanks
March with PFLAG and carry the Key West Pride Flag in the Golden Days Parade, 7/25. Meet in the Carlson Center parking lot by 9:30 a.m. in space 36. Post-parade Picnic at Nussbaumer Park from 2-6 p.m.
Women’s Motorcycle Ride Saturday, 7/25 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
Lesbian Film Group & Potluck 7/24, 6 p.m. See The Anchorage LGBT Meetup Group for details.
The Diva’s Variety Show Fridays, 9 p.m. at Mad Myrna’s.
Adult Comedy Hypnosis Show with Jay Her, Saturday 7/25, 9 p.m. $10 at Mad Myrna’s. Tickets available online here.
Mad Mike @ Mad Myrna’s spinning Electro, House & Trance, Saturdays 11 p.m.-2:30 p.m. with Special Guest DJ’s.
Sunday worship with MCC Anchorage 7/26, 2 p.m.
The Last Frontier Men’s Club Annual Meeting and Election 7/26, 6 p.m. Mad Myrna’s.
Transgender Support Group, Sundays 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the GLCCA.
Self-Healing & Compassionate Communication Workshop for LGBT Community & Allies 7/27, 6-8:30 p.m. 1057 W. Fireweed, Suite 102 (Four A’s Building), United Way Conference Room. Please pre-register if possible.
Anchorage Frontrunners, Tuesdays, 6 p.m.
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.
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
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!
Equality Works Sets the Record Straight
Equality Works Seeks Truthful Discussion on Proposed Ordinance
Sets Record Straight on Mayor’s Proposal to End Discrimination in Anchorage
Equality Works, a coalition of Alaska Organizations working to end discrimination in Anchorage, today announced a coordinated effort to ensure that debate about the proposed equal rights Ordinance focuses on the facts.
Jackie Buckley, spokesperson for Equality Works stated: “Equality Works believes that workers in Anchorage should be judged solely on their qualifications and the merits of their work, and that no one should have to deny who they are in order to keep an apartment or a job. We know that the vast majority of Anchorage residents want to protect their friends, neighbors, family and coworkers from discrimination or harassment.”
“Unfortunately, there has been an effort to misrepresent what the proposed updates to the Municipality’s Equal Rights law would do,” continued Buckley. “It is important that in considering Anchorage’s future and the kind of city we strive to be, that we base our decisions on facts — not unfounded and unproven fears.”
- Anchorage already has a nondiscrimination law. However, because “sexual orientation” is not currently a protected class, the Anchorage Equal Rights Commission has no jurisdiction to track or investigate these cases of suspected discrimination. The Anchorage Equal Rights Commission has unanimously endorsed 2009-64, the proposed Ordinance updates. Supporters of equality are only asking that sexual orientation be included in the list of protected classes for a law that is already on the books.
- Anchorage’s nondiscrimination law has never prohibited businesses from establishing standards of conduct and behavior suitable for the marketplace and other professional settings. The majority of Fortune 500 companies, including some with a local presence — such as BP, Alaska Airlines, and Wells Fargo — have voluntarily adopted internal policies to protect people from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation/gender identity. These corporations understand that LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination policies help to recruit and retain a more diverse, talented, and productive workforce. No clause in the proposed Ordinance requires an employer, business owner, or realtor to tolerate anyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, who behaves in an inappropriate, disruptive or unprofessional manner, including in a restroom or other facilities.
- The US Constitution’s Bill of Rights promises every American the freedom to practice their religion and express their opinion without persecution. The Municipality of Anchorage recognizes those rights by including “religion” as a protected class in its current nondiscrimination laws, and the Ordinance includes language that allows churches and other religious organizations to limit access or admission to those who share their beliefs.
- People need protection from discrimination on the basis of their gender identity/expression. No one — straight or gay — should be treated unfairly in work or the public sphere. Equality Works believes the small minority of transgender people in our community — people who have served in our military, who drive our taxis, and who have children and families to provide for — are no less deserving of employment and housing than anyone else. While some in our community try to paint transgender people as a dangerous threat, transgender men and women are far more likely to be the targets of violent harassment and discrimination than those who would refuse them equal opportunity under the law.
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, and includes the Alaska Women’s Lobby, Alaska Women’s Political Caucus, Alaskans Together for Equality, Alliance for Reproductive Justice-Alaska, American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska, Anchorage Education Association, Anchorage Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Anchorage Urban League, Association of Fundraising Professionals-Alaska Chapter, Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network-Anchorage (GLSEN), Identity, Inc., Immanuel Presbyterian Church, League of Women Voters of Anchorage, National Association of Social Workers-Alaska Chapter, Parents, Friends and Families of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), and Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest.
More information regarding the true facts about the proposed Ordinance may be found at Equality Works.
Pride Chorus keeps on singing
June 1 is Blogging for LGBT Families Day 2009. The Pride Chorus is “a chorus of mothers, daughters, sisters, lovers & grandmothers” and Juneau Woman of Distinction Marsha Buck does her LGBT activism on behalf of her children, so this is Bent’s LGBT Families Day post. Last year’s post was Two Moms and Two Boys DO Make a Family.
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The Juneau Pride Chorus annual (spring) concert was early this year, ‘way back in February. In March, the Chorus sang at the annual AWARE Dinner, where Chorus member Marsha Buck was honored as a Juneau Woman of Distinction. In April, the Chorus sang at the Juneau Folk Festival. Then in May, they opened for a special concert by Emma’s Revolution.
“It was a privilege to open for Emma’s Revolution and sing a song with them,” writes Pride Chorus member Juanita Reese. “There was a big turn out, and they are wonderful people – funny, inspiring – with good music.”
The Pride Chorus also performed the opening set for the Women of Distinction Dinner. Marsha Buck attended the dinner with her daughter Lys, who was visiting from Wisconsin.
“She and her wife, Liz, and their two children are the ones on whose behalf I do my LGBT activism,” writes Marsha.
In addition to being a member of the Juneau Pride Chorus and a Juneau Woman of Distinction 2009, Marsha is a member of PFLAG Juneau and the Board President of Alaskans Together for Equality.
“These women were chosen for their dedication and relentless service to peace, justice and the empowerment of women,” reads the Women of Distinction 2009 page. “Each honoree has enriched the lives of women and children and has made a legacy of compassion out of their own lives.”
The 35th Annual Folk Festival described the Juneau Pride Chorus as “a chorus of mothers, daughters, sisters, lovers & grandmothers bonded by a love of singing and & a desire to celebrate diversity.”
The theme of the Women’s Pride Chorus 2009 annual concert in February was Women’s Bodies, Women’s Strength. The concert was followed by a dance, with music performed by female musicians.
The Juneau Pride Chorus singing at AWARE’s Women of Distinction dinner in Juneau.
Marsha Buck with her daughter Lys at the AWARE Dinner.
Chorus member Juanita Reese at the AWARE Dinner with her daughter Janae.
Pat Humphries and Sandy O of Emma’s Revolution.
Juneau Highway Cleanup with Rainbow Pride
For over a decade, there have been two “PFLAG Adopt-A-Highway” signs on the Juneau public road system near Auke Bay. The signs have been vandalized and replaced more than once, but both signs can still be seen by every driver on that scenic 2 mile stretch of the Egan Highway.
PFLAG Juneau and SEAGLA need your help to fulfill their biannual cleanup duty on Saturday, May 2, from 10-noon.
Volunteers will meet at the Auke Lake parking lot. Bright yellow trash bags and sanitary gloves will be provided, along with free cookies for the cleanup crew.
“Please wear very bright colored clothing,” write Bronze of SEAGLA and Lin of PFLAG. “We want you to be safe while working near the highway, and we also want to show a very bright rainbow of colors on the road Saturday morning.”
Gay AK round-up
Fetish Ball
Scott Turner “would like to thank everyone involved with making Fetish Ball 2009 a huge success. Even with the volcano going off, we made over $3,000 for The Alaskan AIDS Assistance Association. You kinky people ROCK!”
UAA panel rocked
The LGBTQ panel discussion Tuesday night at UAA was “fantastic!” writes Kimberly Pace, Director of Women’s Studies at UAA. “There were about 30 people in attendance and it was a great combination of students and community members. UAA’s “The Family” and Identity both had speakers as well as PFLAG. It was a wonderful blending of the campus and the community. Powerful information was exchanged and partnerships were forged. We all agreed that we should have similar gatherings at a minimum of once a semester. All in all, I pronounce it a smashing success!”
LGBT anti-smoking campaign
“The Smokefree Anchorage Coalition (SFAC), the people responsible for Anchorage’s clean indoor air ordinance, are re-grouping to focus on smokefree housing and disparate populations. We’re looking for someone to be a voice for the LGBT community in developing our strategic plan, and providing info on cessation and secondhand smoke in LGBT venues and media. Big Tobacco targets the LGBT community (and all marginalized groups) and about 30,000 gays, lesbians and bisexuals in America die from tobacco-related causes each year. Let’s reduce that number and save lives.” Contact Joanie Fogel, Tobacco Control Coordinator of the American Lung Association of Alaska.
Equality Works seeks web content & social networking volunteer
“Are you a creative person with great ideas for making a website engaging, and easy to navigate? Do you know Facebook, use Facebook, love Facebook and have ideas for turning its users into engaged citizens? Do you want to make Anchorage a place where all residents and workers can live free of harassment and discrimination, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity? Please be our Web Content & Social Networking Volunteer! 2-4 hours a week, very flexible. You can work anytime, from anywhere.” Contact Tiffany McClain at Equality Works.
Support Pepsi
Anti-gay groups are boycotting Pepsi because of this cool gay-themed ad that aired in the UK, and because Pepsi supports PFLAG.
Signs of Gay Life at the End of the Road
Homer now has its very own PFLAG chapter, and the potential leaders of a Gay-Straight Alliance.
“We had a fundraiser with a showing of Milk at the Homer Theatre and got an amazing turnout,” wrote Jennifer, President of Homer PFLAG. The group brought handouts on LGBT issues and ‘Homer PFLAG’ buttons to the theater. “We plan to have another fundraiser soon to raise money for a scholarship.”
Alaska has active PFLAG chapters in Juneau, Fairbanks and Anchorage. Chapters in Kenai and Palmer are not currently active.
At the southern tip of the Kenai Peninsula, Homer has a reputation for being artistic and progressive, but in many ways it is also a conservative fishing town.
“We are so excited about the two outspoken high school student allies who recently wrote letters to the editor in the Homer News,” Jennifer wrote. The letters were published in the March 11 issue of the paper, calling for more acceptance of gay people and less discrimination by students, teachers and society.
In “GBTLs are human too,” Lukas compares the lack of tolerance at Homer High to the acceptance seen at his previous school:
“I just moved to Homer from Portland, Maine, seven months ago. I was really surprised at the lack of acceptance of gay, bi, transgender and lesbians (GBTL) in the community. Where I went to school in Portland almost half the freshman class was GBTL, and more than a third of my friends were, too. They were accepted into the community like everyone else. We celebrated Gay Pride Day and had a Gay-Straight Alliance at school. On Gay Pride Day we had guest speakers who were GBTL speak to our school about their experiences. We listened to their stories in complete silence, some brought to tears. Even those of us who were homophobic listened with respect, acknowledging the speakers for who they were.“Here at Homer High School it is as if being GBTL is an infectious disease. People cringe at the mention of gay love. In my Alaska studies class the role of gay men in Inupiat communities was briefly mentioned. Our books said that they had an important role in the community; they were honored for their fine skills in medicine. Immediately my classmates started to gag and proclaim how disgusting this was. I confronted one of them and told him I saw no problem with being gay. He started to laugh. I see no education in the school promoting GBTL, or even promotion for acceptance from the teachers. Whenever something is boring or frustrating it is automatically referred to as gay.“GBTLs are human too; there is no difference between them and me. Some may not see eye to eye with them, but I see no reason to bash them. Just as I accept you for who you are, can we not live our lives and accept them for who they are?”
In “Nation needs more acceptance,” Emerson argues that accepting those who are different by nature is a moral act:
“It has been recorded that a gay percentage of the human race has existed ever since we first came onto this earth. This makes me wonder why it is that we can’t accept them as just another faction of our race. The population of this country doesn’t seem interested in making gays a welcome part of society as shown in the recent banning of gay marriage in all states [DOMA], and especially by proposition 8 in California, which intends to nullify all of the gay marriages in the state. I consider this a terrible tragedy, and am baffled by our inability to accept the fact that this is the way humans are and always will be.“I think it’s time that this country matured as a people, to accept those things that are different and stop being afraid of those things unfamiliar. We have all seen the good that can be done when we join together for a cause or a belief. Beautiful things can happen, but at this point in time we seem incapable of achieving unity. If we have the ability to accept, than there is no valid excuse not to; and I can tell you here and now that every human has the capability to accept those who are different, and I say that it is morally incorrect not to do so.”
Thank you to the students for writing these letters, and thank you Homer News for printing them. Congratulations to Homer PFLAG on a good start.
