Bent Alaska

LDS Church supports Gay Anti-Discrimination ordinance passed by Salt Lake City

bentalaska@gmail.com (E. Ross) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:55:00 +0000

Tuesday was a big day for anti-discrimination measures, as Salt Lake City, Utah approved protections for gays in housing and employment - with the support of the Mormon church - and Fort Worth, Texas added transgender protections to their anti-discrimination law.

The Salt Lake City Council unanimously passed the gay anti-discrimination ordinance after a representative of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints offered a strong statement in support of the new law.

The ordinance represents "common sense laws that should apply to everyone," said LDS church spokesman Michael Otterson. "The Church supports this ordinance because it is fair and reasonable and does not do violence to the institution of marriage."

Their support for human rights does not extend to same-sex marriage. Yes, they miss the point that marriage is a basic human right, but their position is far ahead of the mobs that protested Anchorage's anti-discrimination ordinance this summer.

Also on Tuesday evening, the Fort Worth City Council voted 6-3 to add transgender protections to its anti-discrimination ordinance, which already includes gays. The mayor supports the measure.

More than 200 people packed the council chambers and overflow rooms. Three transgender people spoke in favor of the ordinance. One man protested against the ordinance by standing on top of his Bible in front of City Hall to symbolize that he was "standing on the word of God."

Despite a crowd of opponents, the council passed the ordinance one week after introducing it.

So Anchorage fell behind two more cities, in Utah and Texas, in our efforts to become a world class city. Even the Mormon church is more progressive than Anchorage on gay rights.

Queer, Christian, and raised in a Yupik Village

bentalaska@gmail.com (E. Ross) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:35:00 +0000

Julia McCarthy grew up Catholic in a Yupik village. She graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, worked in Anchorage for a few years, and now lives in Maine with her partner. She wrote this essay about her journey as a queer person of faith on October 30, a few days before the religious conservatives of Maine voted to repeal the state's new same-sex marriage law.

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How does that slogan go? I'm queer and I go to church - get used to it

I am a person who tries to practice my faith daily. I am a queer person who believes that we can experience mysteries that defy explanation in our daily life. I am a person who regularly attends church and believes that there are many, many paths to understanding ourselves and our relationship with the unknown. I am a person who loves math and science and logic and believes that we gain wisdom from knowledge.

My relationship with religion may seem complex to some. It is not a relationship which I choose to be very vocal about, for a variety of reasons. I've been inspired to try to share something of my path by the aggression I have seen directed toward a number of young people in our community and by the powerful words of our housemate, who chose to share his perspective. Thank you for reminding me that it's important to come out in lots and lots of ways.

Spirituality and religion have played transformative roles in my life since I was born. The village culture I grew up in practiced both Catholicism (in Yupik) and a variety of ways of celebrating the worldview of Yupik peoples – dance, singing, mask making, storytelling, honoring the cycles of life. Fellowship with your community and with God was a part of my daily life in the village and imbued almost every task in some way or another. It's how I learned to respect life, the natural world, responsibility to others, and more. These traditions are not without their challenges – most GLBTQ Yupik people I know have had both cultural and religious barriers to coming out. It was through the lessons I learned in the village that I developed a relationship with god, though, and it's important to note that the lens through which that relationship developed was guided by the elders I loved and respected.

Throughout the rest of my childhood and into my teens I was a devout Catholic. I attended St. Nicholas Church in my hometown and, as I got older, found as many reasons to be at church as I could. My devotion to my faith set me apart from many of my peers and it was sometimes difficult for me to find community that was accepting of who I aspired to be. For a long time, I thought about becoming a nun – I felt my path to being a helping person was to be found next to God. I was confirmed as an adult in the tradition of that faith, and shortly thereafter chose to leave the Church. When I left Catholicism, I lost many of my friends. More importantly for me at the time, I lost my faith. There were a number of reasons that my relationship with God was damaged and the one reason that created a huge barrier for me in finding another community of faith was my queerness.

I was taught through declamations of supposedly loving people that the god that I had developed a relationship with throughout my life HATED me because I was queer. I learned through the behavior of my community and my peers that to be queer was to be without faith, without support, without dignity. I learned through conversations with other queer people that to adhere to a path of faith was scary and wrong, especially after understanding the damage inflicted upon queer people by communities of faith. I learned to create an armor to deflect the painful phrase "Love the sinner, hate the sin." I learned to avoid conversations with people that had to do with any kind of spiritual belief system. I learned to hide my questions and to reject my beliefs and to keep my mouth shut so as not to offend anyone. I have watched people be shunned by their communities or live closeted in fear that they will be rejected and ridiculed if they come out. I have lost so many friends to suicide that I cannot keep track any longer. I decided that if there was any kind of higher purpose to life, it completely escaped me.

Then I met Jamez and with him I remembered what a joy it is to explore my faith. To lift up my voice in praise. To listen to a sermon and feel inspired to disagree with my faith leader and thereby learn more about who I am in the process. In this community of faith, I don't need to make up my mind about anything to know that I have value.

When I think about the people who have been with me to explore my faith, I feel lucky to count among them people from all walks of life and all belief systems. It is not my intention to change your mind about your particular system of belief or non-belief.

I'll tell you what I do think needs to change though:

I think more queer people need to feel safe coming out as people of faith.

I think people who are queer allies and practice any kind of religion need to feel like they can express dissent without becoming isolated.

I think people of faith who are NOT allies to GLBTQ people need to stop choosing to abuse their fellow humans with words and looks and actions.

We are complex beings, with beautiful multi-faceted identities. I want to see more love in the world, and if I can't see that, I want to see more respect for one another.

Sara's News round-up 11/8/09

bentalaska@gmail.com (E. Ross) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:12:00 +0000

LGBT news links from Sara Boesser in Juneau.

1) Maine voters reject marriage law ~ Amid disappointment, questions linger over national strategy

Maine, Washington Blade, November 3, 2009

2) Voters expand same-sex rights

Seattle, Seattle Times, November 6, 2009

3) Obama signs HIV/AIDS bill extension; implements lifting of AIDS travel ban

Washington, 365Gay.com, October 30, 2009

4) Sex-Reassignment Surgery Ban Pushed

Washington, Advocate, November 6, 2009

5) Schools emerge as new tactic in gay marriage votes

San Francisco, 365Gay.com, November 6, 2009

6) N.J. legislators may face same-sex marriage push

Mount Laurel, N.J., November 5, 2009

7) Lesbian Named Part Owner of Cubs

Advocate, November 2, 2009

8) Transsexual Jesus sparks protests

Glasgow, BBC News, November 4, 2009

9) One in five priests refuse to wed same-sex couples

Sweden, The Local, November 7, 2009

10) Can a boy wear a dress to school?

Omaha World-Herald, November 8, 2009

11) Police LGBT liaison wears uniform during Atlanta Pride parade ~ Harris reverses decision made earlier in the week

Atlanta, Southern Voice, November 06, 2009

Top Forty, UAA & VA support, MCC helps Covenant House, and the Uniting Families petition

bentalaska@gmail.com (E. Ross) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:56:00 +0000

Gay AK - notes for and about LGBT Alaska

Lesbian Journalist and Identity recognized

Congratulations to Julia O'Malley for being named one of "Alaska's Top Forty Under 40" this year! And congratulations to Identity, Inc. for being #10 on the list of Alaska's Largest Nonprofit Organizations, ranked by number of volunteers, according to The Alaska Journal of Commerce.

UAA's GLBTQA Support Group

OUT: a support group for the GLBTQA in all of us (formerly known as The Family) is meeting every Sunday at noon in the Student Union. Come Out and be a part of equality on campus!

Transgendered Veterans Support Group

The VA Mental Health Clinic in Anchorage holds a support group for Transgendered Veterans on Thursdays from 4-5 p.m. on the second floor, facilitated by Sue Ellen May LCSW and Dr. Camilla Madden PHD. If you are interested in attending, please call them at 257-4846 or 257-4857.

MCC holiday fundraiser for Covenant House

Each year, MCCA serves the community in Anchorage by raising money and needed items for those organizations which directly impact our community at large. Covenant House Alaska (CHA) provides shelter and other services to homeless, runaway and at-risk youth. Donations are tax deductible and can be made online at MCCA or sent to: Metropolitan Community Church of Anchorage, 2222 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, Alaska 99507. Please note your gift as "Covenant House 2009" and send by December 16, 2009.

The Uniting American Families Act

The Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) will provide gay and lesbian U.S. citizens and permanent residents the right to sponsor their partners for immigration. It includes the same process and penalties as applied in heterosexual sponsorship applications. Read the letter and sign the petition for passing UAFA.

This Week in LGBT Alaska 11/6/09

bentalaska@gmail.com (E. Ross) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:00:00 +0000

This week's 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, downtown.

Fairbanks

UAF Gay-Straight Alliance sponsoring The Laramie Project movie 11/7, 3-5 p.m, in Schaible Auditorium, free. Jessi.

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

The Rocky Horror Show, 11/6-11/21, Fri & Sat 7 p.m., and Sat at 10 p.m. $20 at Mad Myrna's.

MCCA Board of Directors Meeting 11/7, noon-2 p.m.

Anchorage Ducal Ball IX - A Tartan Affair, Sunday 11/8, 6-10 p.m. $10 at Mad Myrna's.

Transgendered Veterans Support Group, Thursdays 4-5 p.m. at the VA Mental Health Clinic.

Election 09 LGBT wrap-up: K'zoo wins, Maine loses, WA looks good

bentalaska@gmail.com (E. Ross) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:52:00 +0000

Tuesday's election was a mixed bag for LGBT Americans. Voters repealed Maine's same-sex marriage law, approved Kalamazoo's nondiscrimination ordinance, and may have extended the Washington state domestic partnership law. They elected openly gay and lesbian mayors and city council members, along with anti-gay governors.

On the local scene, Luke Hopkins, a democrat, appears to be the new mayor of Fairbanks, beating the socially conservative Tammie Wilson, who is rumored to be anti-gay. (Both are heterosexual.)

As for LGBT issues around the country, here is the good and bad news.

Bad News:

It looks like Maine's same-sex marriage law, passed by the legislature and signed by the governor, will be repealed by the will of the homophobes.

Anti-gay Republican Chris Christie unseated Democrat Jon Corzine in New Jersey's gubernatorial race.

Good News:

Kalamazoo, Michigan voters approved an LGBT nondiscrimination ordinance, similar to the Anchorage ordinance vetoed by Mayor Sullivan. Congratulations to K'zoo!

The vote for the Washington state domestic partnership extension hasn't been called yet, but is currently winning.

Chapel Hill, North Carolina elected Mark Kleinschmidt, a gay man, as mayor.

Charles Pugh, a gay African American, was elected president of the Detroit City Council.

Annise Parker, a lesbian, was the front-runner in today's mayoral election in Houston, Texas and will face the second candidate in a December runoff.

In Georgia, lesbian City Council members Kathi de Nobriga and Melanie Hammet were re-elected in Pine Lake, and Brian Bates, an openly gay Republican, was re-elected to the Doraville City Council.

Stan Penfold became the first openly-gay member of the Salt Lake City Council. In recent years, SLC has elected three gay state legislators.

North Carolina, Texas, Georgia, Michigan, Utah. Conservative states electing openly-gay and lesbian political candidates. Conservative states with progressive populations concentrated in one or two big cities and the capitol. States like Alaska...

Overall, we're not there yet on marriage equality, but things are getting better for gay candidates.

So, who is going to run as the first openly gay and lesbian candidates in Alaska?

FBI ready to protect queer Alaskans

bentalaska@gmail.com (E. Ross) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:42:00 +0000

GLBT Alaskans have a new ally in the fight against anti-gay and anti-trans violence. If the authorities in Alaska will not protect us against hate crimes, the federal government will.

On October 28, President Obama signed the Hate Crimes Protection Act, an expansion of the civil rights law protecting communities that are targeted for hate violence. Now, if an Alaskan is killed or caused serious bodily injury for being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, or being perceived as queer, the federal government will investigate it as a hate crime.

The local FBI agent already called the Gay & Lesbian Community Center in Anchorage to offer assistance.

"By the time the ink had dried on President Obama's signature, the Agent-in-Charge of the Alaska FBI was on the phone to me," wrote Phyllis Rhodes of Identity, Inc. and the Community Center. "Until advised otherwise by the Justice Department, the local office will fully investigate any violence against GLBT individuals."

The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act gives the federal government jurisdiction over violent hate crimes that target the victim because of sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability, when the local authorities are unwilling or unable to investigate, like in Alaska. The new law also allows funding for local, state and tribal authorities to combat hate crimes committed by juveniles, train law enforcement officers on the characteristics of hate crimes, and keep better records on the hate crimes committed.

"We have very weak anti-hate crime legislation in Alaska," Rep. Max Gruenberg, D-Anchorage told KTVA. "Probably one of the reasons that the federal government felt it was so necessary to do this [is] because a number of states, including Alaska, just do not protect their citizens."

According to the FBI, over 12,000 reported hate crimes were committed in the US based on sexual orientation during the last decade.

"We are very proud that both Alaska's Senators Mark Begich and Lisa Murkowski have supported this strong statement against hatred and violent discrimination," said Elias Rojas, newly elected Board President of Alaskans Together for Equality, Inc.

All three of Alaska's members of Congress voted for the final version of the Hate Crimes Act. Senator Begich became a co-sponsor of the original bill, and Senator Murkowski voted for it after many Alaskans called in support. Representative Young voted for the final House version as part of the Defense Authorization bill.

Election 09: LGBT issues and candidates

bentalaska@gmail.com (E. Ross) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:31:00 +0000

Putting the civil rights of minority groups up for a public vote is always risky, especially when it involves gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people.

Today's elections involve a number of important LGBT issues and candidates around the country, including same-sex marriage in Maine and an anti-discrimination ordinance in Kalamazoo, Michigan that is similar to the Anchorage ordinance vetoed by Mayor Sullivan. In Alaska, voters in Fairbanks will choose between a democrat and an anti-gay Christian for mayor.

Voters in Maine are deciding whether to repeal or affirm a state law that would allow gay couples to get married. The law was passed by the legislature last May, but anti-gay groups pushed for a repeal.

Voters in Washington state are deciding whether to uphold or overturn a recently expanded domestic partnership law that entitles same-sex couples to most of the state-granted rights heterosexual married couples receive, except the ability to get married.

The Kalamazoo anti-discrimination ordinance was passed unanimously twice by the city council, but anti-gay groups pressured them into putting it on the ballot for a public vote. If Ordinance 1856 passes today, it will be illegal to discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity in the areas of employment, housing and public accommodations in Kalamazoo.

Watch this quick ad for Kalamazoo's anti-discrimination ordinance:

In other parts of the country, openly gay or lesbian candidates, and straight allies, have a good chance of being elected. Houston, Texas could become the largest U.S. city to elect an openly lesbian mayor if they elect Annise Parker.

The Governor's race in New Jersey is also important for gay rights. The Democratic candidate Jon Corzine said he will fight to pass marriage equality in the state, while the GOP candidate Chris Christie will fight against equality. Both New Jersey and New York have same-sex marriage bills working through the legislatures.

In Alaska, voters today will choose a new mayor for the Fairbanks North Star Borough. The front-runner is Assemblymember Luke Hopkins, who has lived in Alaska since 1966. Tammie Wilson, who moved to Alaska only six years ago and still manages rental properties in Illinois, ran as a socially conservative Christian backed by the baptist churches. She won enough votes in October to force a run-off election today.

Sara's News Round-Up 11/1/09

bentalaska@gmail.com (E. Ross) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:28:00 +0000

National LGBT news links from Sara Boesser of Juneau, Alaska.

1) Sweden's Lutheran church to celebrate gay weddings

Stockholm, Sweden, AFP, October 23, 2009

2) Focus of Gay-Marriage Fight Is Maine

Maine, New York Times, October 27, 2009

3) Katherine Ragsdale installed as Episcopal Divinity School's president and dean

Cambridge, Mass., Episcopal Life, October 28, 2009

4) Prominent United Methodist Minister Elected to National Board of Directors of PFLAG

Washington, DC, PFLAG, October 26, 2009

5) Stoning law to be reviewed

Banda Aceh, Indonesia, Straits Times, October 27, 2009

6) Newsom's Out: Quits Calif. Governor Race

San Francisco, Advocate, October 30, 2009

7) Army dream of transgender man

Middlesbrough, Ireland, Belfast Telegraph, October 30, 2009

8) AP NewsBreak: IOC to hold meeting on gender cases

London, Associated Press, October 27, 2009

9) Call for equal rights for all forms of family

Malta, Times of Malta, October 30, 2009

10) Paterson calls lawmakers back for marriage bill ~ New York Governor wants 'extraordinary session'

Albany, New York, Southern Voice, October 30, 2009

Vote for Mayor of Fairbanks, COLAGE survey, and Out in Alaska recruits East Coast travelers

bentalaska@gmail.com (E. Ross) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:26:00 +0000

Gay AK - news briefs for and about LGBT Alaska

Vote in Fairbanks' Nov. 3rd Mayoral Runoff

The runoff election for borough mayor is on Nov. 3rd. The two candidates are very different in ideology and experience, and our borough will look very different depending on who wins this race. Luke Hopkins, a democrat, won the first round and now faces Tammie Wilson, a conservative Christian, in the run-off election. Please vote.

Imperial Court elects new board members

Congratulations to the new members on the ICOAA Board of Directors: Mikel Wiles, Mary Bess Bohall, Scott Turner, and Christopher Oeser.

Another Fairbanks LGBT Retreat?

Thanks to everyone who showed up at the retreat this weekend. It was a great success and the feedback suggests that people would like a similar event to happen in the near future. Contact Joshua to suggest ideas for other events.

AMP Launch

More than 20 people showed up to the AMP Launch at Snow City. "We got the ball rolling on our MPowerment Project, now it's time to spread the word about AMP throughout the community," writes Ted Jones, Prevention Coordinator/Facilitator at Four A's. The MPowerment Project is a community-level HIV prevention program for young gay and bisexual men.

Take the COLAGE Donor Insemination Survey

COLAGE, a national network of people with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer parents, announces the ART Project to highlight the experiences of COLAGErs born through Assisted Reproductive Technologies. COLAGE is calling all youth born through donor insemination, and their parents, to take a 15-20 minute online survey, available through November 30. There is a survey for LGBTQ identified parents with a donor conceived child and a different survey for people born through donor insemination with a LGBTQ identified parent. For more info, contact Jeff DeGroot.

Out in Alaska Roadshow

Meet Out in Alaska's lead guide Tim Stallard at the Gay and Lesbian World Travel Expo in Boston on 11/3, at the LGBT CENTER in New York City on 11/6, and at the All Souls Unitarian Church in Washington, DC on 11/10. Visit Out in Alaska for more info on the roadshow and the Alaskan adventures.

Alaskan Psycho-Zombie-Homophobe Halloween video

bentalaska@gmail.com (E. Ross) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 22:11:00 +0000

On Halloween, we watch scary movies. But Bent is a GLBT Alaska blog, and there aren't many scary movies set in queer Alaska. However, there are scary videos of our homegrown homophobes.

The scariest gay-related Alaska show I've ever seen was real: the public hearings on the non-discrimination ordinance. It was downright creepy listening to religious fanatics read a steady stream of random Biblical quotes and unscientific homophobic nonsense to the Anchorage Assembly as their public comments against a secular non-discrimination ordinance, while dozens of devil-red-shirted church members clapped at the lunacy. They were all kinds of crazy, and scarier than fictional characters because you might find yourself standing in the grocery store next to them after the hearing.

But I won't subject you to the testimonies. Instead, John at Alaska Commons recently posted a creepy video from Prevo's 38th Pastoral Anniversary at ABT mixed with photos from the protests outside the hearings.

Gryphen from Immoral Minority actually attended Prevo's celebration of homophobia and wrote an interesting story about that day. On John's video montage, he said,

"Crushing the enemy under our feet." No you did not hear that wrong.

I was sitting in the audience when they were singing that song and watched the congregation, with heads lifted toward the heavens, belt out that song with both conviction and passion.

They DO believe with all of their hearts that they are fighting a battle against the devil, and that the LGBT community are his agents here on earth.

Definietly creepy. So here is a video of local Alaskan homophobes for a bit of Halloween entertainment. Thanks to John and Gryphen for the video and on-the-scene commentary.

Rep. Young and Rev. Prevo support a gay rights law?

bentalaska@gmail.com (E. Ross) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:18:00 +0000

The Hate Crimes Act passed by Congress and signed by President Obama is supported by an unlikely alliance.

Advocate of the week: "After more than a decade of opposition and delay, we've passed inclusive hate crimes legislation to help protect our citizens from violence based on what they look like, who they love, how they pray, or who they are."

- President Obama at Wednesday's signing of the Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

Amen to that.

Confused person of the week: "Prevo says he agrees with this hate crime bill but he continues to stand against the anti-discrimination ordinance. 'Hopefully this will satisfy the homosexual community and they will not defy our city again...'"

- from New law protects LGBT community in Alaska, KTVA Channel 11.

Defy our city??

Prevo preached 35 years of hate and bigotry against us, and built his church on a foundation of homophobia, but he agrees that we should be protected from the violence that his hate speech promotes.

Wait... he agrees with the hate crimes bill, a gay rights law? So if we propose a similar ordinance to protect LGBT Alaskans against violent hate crimes, Prevo will publicly support us. That I'd like to see.

Surprise of the week: All three of Alaska's Congress members voted for the Hate Crimes Act. Senator Begich, Senator Murkowski and Representative Young all voted for the Defense spending bill which the Hate Crimes Act is attached to. Most republicans voted against it. Young added special projects for Alaska and voted for a gay rights bill to get them. Pork for Equality.

This Week in LGBT Alaska 10/30/09

bentalaska@gmail.com (E. Ross) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:10:00 +0000

Happy Halloween!

This week's 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, downtown.

Fairbanks

UAF Gay-Straight Alliance, Mondays at 5 p.m. Jessi.

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

The Rocky Horror Show, opens 10/30 at 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Nov 21. $20, at Mad Myrna's.

Out: University of Alaska Anchorage, GLBTQA Support Group, Sundays at noon.

Sunday worship and Wednesday Bible study with MCC Anchorage.

PFLAG Board of Directors meeting 11/3, 7 p.m. at the GLCCA.

President Obama's remarks on the Hate Crimes law (VIDEO)

bentalaska@gmail.com (E. Ross) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:48:00 +0000

Alaskans Together on today's signing of the Hate Crimes Act

bentalaska@gmail.com (E. Ross) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:58:00 +0000

Alaskans Together for Equality, Inc. applauds President Obama for signing the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act into law

Anchorage - The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act makes it a federal crime to assault an individual because of his or her actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. Alaskans Together for Equality, Inc. celebrates the final passage of this legislation, signed into law by President Obama today. We congratulate the joint efforts of everyone who worked to make this bill become law.

"This is a great day for all fair-minded Americans that our government has finally taken a strong stand in opposition to violence targeting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans simply for their identity or perceived identity," said Tim Stallard, Spokesperson for Alaskans Together For Equality, Inc.

The bill is named for Matthew Shepard, a gay Wyoming teenager who died after being kidnapped, severely beaten, and left to die tied to a fence in October 1998, and James Byrd, Jr., an African-American who in June of 1998 was beaten, chained to the back of a pick-up truck, and dragged for miles over rural roads in Jasper, Texas. While all violent crime is reprehensible, 'hate crimes' are meant to terrorize and invoke fear in an entire community of people.

This important legislation will make it easier for federal prosecutors to step in when state or local authorities are unable or unwilling to pursue hate crimes. This is welcome news for LGBT Alaskans in the wake of Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan's recent veto of a municipal non-discrimination ordinance that would have extended protection to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people from workplace and housing discrimination, despite evidence and extensive public testimony that such discrimination exists.

Alaskans Together for Equality is a membership based group that advances civil equality for all Alaskans through grass roots organizing and advocacy. Alaskans Together for Equality is the only statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender civil rights organization in Alaska.

Churches are at War over Homosexuality

bentalaska@gmail.com (E. Ross) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:56:00 +0000

This article on the harm caused by anti-gay churches was written by Matthew Moak and posted yesterday on MCC Anchorage.

If the past summer in Anchorage is any indication, Christian Churches are at war over homosexuality and this war is exacting a heavy toll among homosexuals themselves. Homosexuals are the number one persecuted group of people in the Christian community, persecuted by their own friends, families, and church families.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth are up to four times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers, according to the Massachusetts 2006 Youth Risk Survey. A 2007 San Francisco State University Chavez Center Institute study shows that LGBT and questioning youth who come from a rejecting family are up to nine times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers. And for every completed suicide by a young person, it is estimated that 100 to 200 attempts are made (2003 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey).

If that is not disturbing enough, GLBT youth left homes last year more often (12.38 times) than their heterosexual counterparts (6.69 times). GLBT youth were more likely to leave as a result of physical abuse, alcohol use in the family and conflicts with family over their sexual orientation.

Nothing says Jesus like making a child's living conditions at home so unbearable that they feel they must either take to the streets where drug addiction, sexual abuse, homelessness, alcohol addiction and more horrific realities await them on the streets, or commit suicide. Nothing says Jesus more than displaying such an utter lack of understanding or compassion that homosexuals are driven from their homes and take their lives.

This summer on the Eddie Burke show, one caller referred to the homosexual community as non-human. Other callers read Scriptures that they interpreted to mean that God did not love homosexuals. I suspect that callers believe this because it is what they have been told as opposed to seeking and searching the Scriptures.

Baptist Pastor Jerry Prevo claims that the idea of homosexuals being protected from discrimination under the law would give them special rights which are unnecessary because homosexuals already have the same rights as heterosexual individuals. Further, in a KTVA interview, Prevo also claims that he doesn't believe discrimination is actually happening in the city of Anchorage.

In an interview conducted by the Anchorage Daily News, Pastor Prevo asserts:

"I've tried to reason with these people. I don't want the issue to come up. I've just dealt with a couple. … Their daughter, 19 years old now, is taking shots to make herself a man. These parents, their daughter never had any signs of being unsatisfied with her assigned sex, which is another terminology in here that's a legal term, assigned sex at birth, and what they feel like has happened, she just got with this crowd and has been brought over. …

"My problem is when I take this stand and I can't minister to these people. I can't tell them that Jesus Christ died for them and will forgive them just like he will an adulterer or a murderer and they can be changed. It makes it hard for them to listen to me, because they frame me as being hateful. … But I see it as that I'm telling them the truth. …

"I've had those who've come out of homosexuality in my church, and I'm sure I have some there now that are homosexuals. Based on scripture, I just can't allow them to promote it as an acceptable alternative lifestyle."

Red flags should immediately be raised when the Pastor of any church is unable to minister to any individual or a group of people. What Pastor Prevo has asserted here is his inability to love all people.

Often, when we are so close to a subject we are passionate about, we fail to see that it is ourselves promoting hate, intolerance and that individuals who display such an utter lack of compassion, understanding and love (the greatest commandment) are the very people who are enabling children and young adults to take to the streets, and to take their lives.

It is time Anchorage to begin shouting from our churches that the spreading of hate, intolerance and discrimination must end. The lives of so many are being destroyed and countless lives are being lost, largely because churches and spiritual leaders such as Jerry Prevo are far too busy trying to be correct, rather than making an attempt to minister and to love.

Gay & Lesbian Alaskans at the National Equality March

bentalaska@gmail.com (E. Ross) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:58:00 +0000

When Cleve Jones announced the National Equality March for LGBT Rights, he invited people to come "from Utah and California, from Maine to Hawaii, from Alaska to Florida." Four months later, several Alaskans marched in the Washington DC rally - and people noticed.

"From as far away as Alaska, thousands of LGBT people demanding marriage, adoption and immigration rights rallied Sunday at the National Equality March," began a Washington Blade article on the DC rally.

"The National Equality March brought participants from states across the country — some from as far away as California and Alaska — and included a strong contingent from Atlanta," wrote Southern Voice Atlanta.

A description of the Camp Courage workshop on Saturday said, "About 200 participants from across the country including Alaska showed up learning the basic skills of telling your story in order to change hearts and minds." [Asian Pacific Americans for Progress]

And a 365.GAY blogger was impressed by "the huge number of young activists – or would-be emerging activists – present and eager to be accounted for. Students had come from Maine, Alaska, Texas, Tennessee and California..."

The Washington Blade reporter spoke with Maureen:

"Some marchers came from as far away as Alaska. Maureen Longworth, a lesbian physician from Juneau, and member of Alaskans Together for Equality, said she wanted to join the march because she's always been a civil rights believer."

"A plaintiff in an Alaska lawsuit that brought partner benefits to state employees, Longworth said she hoped the march would push Alaska's delegation in Congress to act more favorably on LGBT issues."

"Two of three of our legislators are very conservative, and not always voting in our favor, she said."

Three Alaskans, Marty, Lin and Maureen, were interviewed by This Way Out, an international gay and lesbian radio program that airs in southcentral Alaska on Wednesday evenings. The complete Equality March segment is online HERE (in audio) and the Alaskans are interviewed near the end, between NAACP chairman Julian Bond and America the Beautiful.

Reporter: "You're coming from Alaska?"
Marty: "Juneau, Alaska. That's right.
"That's a long way. I think you win the prize for longest distance travelled to be here."
"Yes, sore wings."
"What was the impetus for your coming here?
"We had the privilege of getting married in California about a year ago, and then when the vote turned it around, it just brought [to our] attention that this is something that was really great, it was a really important thing for the two of us after we've been together for 27 years to actually be able to celebrate this. And it's just wrong that other people don't get that privilege and that right."
"Is this the first march you've been to?"
"Yep."

Lin: "We've been several times..."
Reporter: "How would you compare this one to previous marches?"
Lin: "This isn't as big as the '93 but the spirit is huge, and it's wonderful to see a lot of young people too. I had already given up hope that in our lifetime we would have equal rights. During the Bush administration, it got very discouraging and now I feel like I have optimism again. It's really wonderful to feel like my heart is more open to our government and the government's heart is opening and softening towards us."

Maureen: "I'm here because I believe in equality for all people and I always have. I was raised that way in Los Angeles in the 60's and we started demonstrating for civil rights for African-Americans when I was a kid. So whoever needs the rights, I will be there for that person. That's why I'm here today, and they happen to be for me."

Thanks to the Alaskans who travelled so far and represented us so well at the 2009 National Equality March for LGBT Rights!

Sara's News Round-Up 10/25/09

bentalaska@gmail.com (E. Ross) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:56:00 +0000

National LGBT news from Sara Boesser of Juneau, Alaska.

1) Obama Administration to Ensure Inclusion of the LGBT Community in HUD Programs

Dept. of Washington, Housing and Urban Development (HUD), October 21, 2009

2) Gay & Lesbian Manners: Come Out, Come Out Wherever You Are

Huffington Post, October 14, 2009

3) D-Day veteran's speech on gay marriage is YouTube hit

Maine, Telegraph, UK, October 21, 2009

4) Students pledge to address anti-gay bullying

Baltimore, Maryland, Baltimore Sun, October 21, 2009

5) 8-year-old boy has "sex change"

Arizona, Vietnam Net, October 20, 2009

6) O Danny Boy! Gay tourism to Ireland booming

Dublin, Ireland, Irish Central, October 21, 2009

7) Killer renounces Mob, says he is gay

New York, UPI.com, October 20, 2009

8) Karger: Proposition 8 Film Explains Mormon Gay Marriage Involvement

Utah, On Top, October 21, 2009

9) Federal Bill Would Deny Funding to States Banning Gay Adoption

Washington, Memphis Flyer, October 19, 2009

10) Census will count same-sex couples

San Francisco, The Reporter, October 19, 2009

11) Transgender Shoplifting Story Inspires Absurd Corrections

Maryland, Washington City Paper, October 20, 2009

12) American gays looking to Indian surrogate industry to have children

Washington, New Kerala, October12, 2009

13) Bishop Spong issues personal manifesto

Auckland, New Zealand, St. Mathew In-the-City, October 20, 2009

14) Do we really want sports defining gender?

Copenhagen, Salon, October 12, 2009

15) Congress extends hate crime protections to gays

Washington, 365Gay.com, October 23, 2009

16) 2 Maine newspapers: Preserve gay marriage

Augusta, Maine, October 23, 2009

Help Kalamazoo, Apply for Scholarships, Fix Alaska's Property Tax Laws, Read the NorthView

bentalaska@gmail.com (E. Ross) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 18:21:00 +0000

Gay AK: short news items from and for LGBT Alaska

"No Discrimination" stickers

Alaskans Together created these "No discrimation" bumper stickers, and left a stack of them at the Gay & Lesbian Community Center in Anchorage. Pick up your sticker today!

Anchorage helps Kalamazoo

Join Anchorage Won't Discriminate in helping One Kalamazoo, the campaign to protect the non-discrimination ordinance facing a recall vote in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The Kalamazoo ordinance is similar to the one vetoed this summer in Anchorage.

GLCCA Open House x2

The Gay and Lesbian Community Center (GLCCA) hosted QLBTQA youth from UAA's The Family and APU's Spectrum GLBT groups for an open house, tour, pizza, and meet and greet on Sept. 26. Later the same evening, another open house was held at GLCCA to celebrate Diversity Month. The center was packed to the rafters with visitors enjoying each others' company, fine food and great entertainment. See the October issue of NorthView, Identity's quarterly bulletin, for more Community Center News.

Seeking over-65 same sex couples who own their home

Lesbian and gay couples in Alaska are not treated equally under the state's Senior Citizen Property Exemption laws. Married residents 65 years of age or older are exempt from taxation on the first $150,000 of the assessed value of their home, regardless of whether the property is held in the name of the husband, wife, or both. However, same-sex domestic partners are excluded from the full exemption. Only one person in the same sex couple can receive the exemption, and the amount is essentially cut in half because state law treats same-sex partners as roommates. If you are 1) in a long-term, committed relationship with your partner, AND 2) at least one partner is 65 or over, AND 3) you are living with your partner in a home that one or both of you own, then the ACLU of Alaska would like to talk with you. Please contact Tiffany McClain at (tmcclain@akclu.org).

Pride Foundation scholarship applications

Pride Foundation is now accepting scholarship applications for the 2010-11 school year. Each year, Pride Foundation provides educational scholarships to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and straight-ally leaders and role models from Alaska, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Washington attending any accredited post-secondary school. They offer 50 different scholarships, but have only one application to complete. Just create an account and complete your application online.

This Week in LGBT Alaska 10/23/09

bentalaska@gmail.com (E. Ross) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 18:48:00 +0000

NEWS: Congress passed the Hate Crimes Protection Act on Thursday, and President Obama has promised to sign it!

This week's 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, downtown.

Fairbanks

For info on these events, please see the post Fairbanks Retreat, Panel, GSA, and Harvest Ball

LGBTA Retreat 10/23-10/25 RSVP to Joshua.

The Halloween Harvest Ball 10/24, doors at 7:30, show at 8:30 p.m. Carlson Center $12. ICOAA.

UAF Gay-Straight Alliance, Mondays at 5 p.m. Jessi.

UAF panel on Anti-Gay Discourse 10/27 (Tuesday), 1-2 p.m. in the Wood Center.

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

Friday Movie Night at the GLCCA 10/23, 6:30 p.m. Anchorage LGBT Meetup group.

TLFMC Dinner 10/24, 6 p.m. RSVP to the Men of Alaska Meetup group.

AMP Launch Party at Snow City 10/24, doors at 6 p.m., Rocky Horror Picture Show movie at 7 p.m. Free, including snacks. Four A's.

GRRLZ-only Halloween Bash 10/24, 8 p.m. RSVP for location.

Char & Teddy at the Indian House 10/24, 8 p.m. Ever Ready

ICOAA Annual Meeting 10/25, 3 p.m. at Mad Myrna's

Sunday worship with MCC Anchorage.

Gay-Straight Alliance sparks dialogue on "ex-gays" with Chancellor's support

bentalaska@gmail.com (E. Ross) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:28:00 +0000

The third Ally Week post celebrates the determined and creative actions of the Gay-Straight Alliance at UAF, and their allies on the staff and in the community, in dealing with the pray-away-the-gay speaker on campus last month.

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Gay and lesbian students and staff at the University of Fairbanks got an unpleasant surprise when they entered the Wood Center in mid-September: "GAY? LONELY? CONFUSED?" read a banner hanging from the stairs. The solution was to stop being gay, according to the "ex-gay" speaker Edward Delgado, who was coming to UAF to preach fourteen times on how he stopped having sex with men and became heterosexual through Jesus. His speech was called "From Sin's Bondage to Christ's Freedom!"

The banner listed the anti-gay group Exodus International, but didn't mention that the Exodus "reparative therapy" methods are dangerous and discredited, or that Exodus supports forced therapy and incites hatred and violence towards gays around the world. Nor did it mention that Delgado is a deacon at Dimond Boulevard Baptist Church in Anchorage.

This was not a good way to start the school year. Nothing like a big homophobic banner in the central gathering place of the campus and a 4 day anti-gay religious event at a public university to ruin the welcoming educational atmosphere for the gay and lesbian students and staff.

But the Gay-Straight Alliance was all over it. At first, the GSA wanted the banner taken down.

"We aren't looking to stop the speaker, as he does have the right to speak," wrote Jessi Angelette, "but the banner is uncalled for. Many people from staff to students are offended by it and are working to have the banner removed."

Their plan to ask the Chancellor to remove the banner started a wide-ranging discussion in the comments of the News-Miner article and Bent Alaska post about freedom of speech and using more speech, especially humor, to counter hate and absurdity.

The students prepared factual flyers on the so-called "therapy," wrote on the UAF free speech wall, organized a peaceful sit-down protest, and created a positive banner to hang next to the anti-gay one.

Delgado's first speech was on Tuesday Sept. 15. "There were GSA members who went to hear what the speaker had to say, including me," wrote Jessi. "We thought that if we were going to be opposing someone we might as well hear what we were opposing."

Was he reasonable? "I would have to say no," Jessi replied. "One person said to the speaker that he was happy for him that he found God and everything but that he is happy with who he is and was wondering if the speaker could show him the same kindness and be happy for him... the speaker said NO."

"One GSA member said the speaker gave the most hateful loving speech she has ever heard."

That night, UAF Chancellor Brian Rogers addressed the issue during the Convocation ceremony:

"I'm committed to an open and welcoming and inclusive university. It's important to me that this is a community where people feel safe and able to pursue their academic goals. I know there are times where this campus does not feel welcoming, inclusive or safe to some of our members. I'd like to change that."

"For those in this community who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, I'm sorry that there are people who are intolerant of who you are."

The video of his speech includes photos of the anti-gay banner and the free speech wall:

With the support of the Chancellor, the GSA fought the "ex-gay" lies with truth and humor, and creative support came from all sides.

A few students put up a temporary banner near the anti-gay one, but it was quickly replaced with an approved banner advertising the weekly GSA meetings. The rainbow poster (above) starts, "Gay? Bi? Ally? Be Proud! STOP the HATE."

"I was contacted by a friend who does graphics and he offered to do the graphic for us on the computer so that we could get it printed right away," wrote Jessi. "We then took it to the Graphics Artist in the Wood Center and he printed it for us, then we talked to the scheduling office and got the banner authorized to go up that day."

Creative responses also came from UAF staff. Kate Wattum's photoshopped parody-banner advertised her "Life of Laughter (lol)" story "Move Forward, Never Straight: 'Gay' for 46 years and partnered to a fabulous woman and has three children!"

But Wattum thought the anti-gay banner should stay up for a different reason. "I think it is absolutely critical that everyone is reminded that gays face this harassment every day," she wrote.

Fairbanks resident and "Nuggets" creator Jamie Smith, a former UAF student, drew a cartoon about it for his blog ink & snow:

"Delgado was quoted saying 'the homosexual lifestyle leads to promiscuity, abuse, alcoholism and drug abuse'..."

"Fact is, the vast, overwhelming number of promiscuous, diseased, abusive drug-addicted alcoholics (some of the darned nicest folks you'd ever ask for as friends, I might add) are heterosexuals. You know, the very same people who keep constantly screwing up marriage; that righteous bastion of American moral purity, the sacred institution threatened with destruction by same-sex unions."

"Never got around to hearing any of Delgado's speeches, or a chance to confront the guy with his hypocrisy... But when all's said and done, I'm left using the tools that I have been blessed with, lobbing poo from the sidelines. So I went home and drew about it..."

Meanwhile, Jim Minnery, president of the Alaska Family Council, told their parent organization Focus on the Family that Chancellor Rogers refused to bar Delgado from the campus, entirely missing the point that the GSA had never asked for him to be barred. FOF recently got out of the ex-gay business because their donations are down $6 million this year.

"Kudos to him," Minnery said. "There are folks on the campus that may have a more conservative bent in their mindset, and I hope they're emboldened by this."

But the students who were made bold by the Chancellor's speech and the outpouring of support from the campus and community are the gay and straight students who faced this threat together and grew stronger.

"The GSA has an amazing amount of energy and has spearheaded quite a bit of that toward some good dialogue," wrote Pete Pinney of PFLAG Fairbanks. "We support them."

Jessi summed up the week for the GSA:

"The GSA not only had people stopping by the meetings after the whole thing, but it was so amazing to see how much support we were getting on campus. While we were doing our sit-down protest, a very nice man bought a few of us hot chocolate, and then later on even our Chancellor sat down with us for a few mintues... ON THE FLOOR!"

"We have had so many people tell us we were so awesome in the way we handled ourselves. For those who were once worried about how the campus feels about GSA being on campus... that week the speaker was here showed us our campus' true colors. The support we recieved was a happy and welcomed surprise. I have never been more proud to be a part of this campus then that week."

Kudos to the Gay-Straight Alliance for being true allies!

Anchorage man wins OfficeMax Diversity Award

bentalaska@gmail.com (E. Ross) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:30:00 +0000

The second post for Ally Week 2009 highlights business ally OfficeMax and local employee Christopher Oeser, who won a company-wide Diversity Award for marching in the Anchorage Pride Parade with the OfficeMax banner.

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Gays and lesbians in Anchorage have many workplace allies, from corporations with LGBT-inclusive diversity policies to small business owners who supported our efforts for a non-discrimination ordinance. One business ally is OfficeMax, a multinational office supply company with stores in Anchorage and Fairbanks.

"I just found out that my work made me the 2009 diversity champion," enthused Chris Oser on August 8, three days before the Assembly passed the ordinance and nine days before the mayor vetoed it.

"There are only 3 diversity champions in the whole company... I am having dinner with the CEO in September and I get a trophy. I am way excited and wanted everyone to know. Officemax is an awesome place to shop and work for the LGBT community!"

What did Chris do to win a company-wide diversity award? And what did OfficeMax do to get such a loyal employee?

In May, Chris called the corporate office and suggested that OfficeMax support LGBT diversity for the month of June. "Our work is all about cultural diversity and working inclusively with each other, and they pride themselves on doing that," he wrote.

And they did, as Bent reported on June 4. When Chris returned to work at the OfficeMax store in the Northway Mall, he saw a rainbow poster in the break room that read, "OfficeMax Celebrates Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Pride Month: Embracing Inclusion."

"My company OfficeMax made this June LGBT Pride Month," wrote Chris on the PrideFest wall. "I am so proud to work there!"

So he asked if he could march in the local pride parade with the company's diversity banner. And they said yes. Chris and a few others marched in Anchorage PrideFest holding a colorful banner with the message "OfficeMax: Celebrating Diversity Through Inclusion."

OfficeMax displayed their Pride Month posters in many stores and their LGBT employees marched in other pride parades. They even had a float in Chicago Pride. But they had never been represented in Anchorage PrideFest until Chris came along.

So they honored their proud employee with a company award. Just three days before the Mayor's no-diversity-allowed Unity Dinner, the CEO of OfficeMax flew to Anchorage to present a Diversity Award to Chris.

CEO Sam Duncan, Diversity officer Caroline Brooks, the head of Retail and head of Human Resources all attended the special Diversity Lunch on September 22 at the Northway Mall OfficeMax store. Leaders of the Anchorage LGBT community came to share the moment with Chris, including Phyllis Rhodes of the Gay & Lesbian Community Center, and Kevin Holtz & Miss MeMe of the Imperial Court of All Alaska.

"We had seafood dishes, King crab legs, and really good desert," wrote Chris. "I played piano for everyone. Most people didn't know that I could play 13 instruments."

And that's how OfficeMax showed their employees and the community that they Celebrate Diversity Through Inclusion. Even LGBT inclusion. Even here in Anchorage.

(Too bad the mayor wasn't listening.)

Celebrating our Allies on Ally Week, Oct 19-23

bentalaska@gmail.com (E. Ross) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 22:19:00 +0000

On Ally Week, straight students pledge to support their gay friends by speaking out against anti-LGBT bullying and harassment. In Alaska, we are fortunate to have many allies, both teens and adults, who speak out for us throughout the year.

In honor of Ally Week, Bent Alaska is celebrating our allies and the alliances that enrich our lives.

Students created Ally Week to build upon the good work of Gay-Straight Alliances across the country. Whether you belong to a GSA or not, Ally Week is the perfect time for you and your friends to sign the Ally Pledge:

"I believe all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression deserve to feel safe and supported.

That means I pledge to:
Not use anti-LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) language or slurs.
Intervene, if I safely can, in situations where students are being harassed.
Support efforts to end bullying and harassment."

School is not the only place where LGBT people face harassment, and the GSA's are not our only organized group of allies. Four chapters of PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) also speak out for LGBT Alaskans.

In addition to these organized ally groups at school, at home and in the community, LGBT Alaskans have many individual allies at work and play, in the church and the government. Our allies in Anchorage stood against bigotry this summer, testified for equality, reported the fight for our rights, and took action in support of diversity.

Today's Ally Week post is a video slideshow about the True Diversity Dinner, an Anchorage event that celebrated our political allies. Thanks to the wonderful allies who created and participated in this event, and to ally Janson for the video:

Sara's News round-up 10/18/09

bentalaska@gmail.com (E. Ross) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 02:57:00 +0000

This week's national GLBT news chosen by Sara Boesser of Juneau, plus a photo of Alaskans Together for Equality representing our state with a rainbow big dipper banner at the National Equality March in Washington, DC on October 11, 2009. (Thanks to the folks at SEAGLA for sending the photo.)

1) Equality March draws protesters from across nation

Washington, Washington Blade, October 16, 2009

2) Schwarzenegger creates day honoring Harvey Milk

Sacramento, Calif., Newsday, October 12, 2009

3) U.S. gay marriage case clears hurdle

San Francisco, Reuters, October 14, 2009

4) Sex Changes Legal in Uruguay

Uruguay, Advocate, October 13, 2009

5) Reid Criticizes Mormons for Prop 8

Washington, Advocate, October 14, 2009

6) Obama picks MN woman as 1st openly gay US marshal

Washington, 365Gay.com, October 14, 2009

7) New Hampshire's Gay Bishop Speaks On Marriage In Maine

Portland, Maine, WCSH6, October 15, 2009

8) Muslim team banned after refusing to play gay team

Paris, France, Associated Press, October 14, 2009

9) Documentary of Western Pennsylvania Transsexual's journey part of Lesbian & Gay film fest

Pittsburgh, Post-Gazette, October 15, 2009

10) HRC Completes Out in Scripture

Reconciling Ministries, Flashnet, August 27, 2009

11) Columbia celebrates Pagan Pride Day

Missouri, The Maneater, September 29, 2009

12) Takei discusses sexual equality

Philadelphia, The Triangle, October 16, 2009

13) Turner's Two Cents: Yes, Gay Rights ARE Civil Rights!

Los Angeles, EURweb, October 13, 2009

14) 14th Annual LGBT Travel Survey

San Francisco, Community Marketing Inc., October 17, 2009

Fairbanks Retreat, Panel, GSA, and Harvest Ball

bentalaska@gmail.com (E. Ross) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 18:52:00 +0000

Gays and allies in Fairbanks can enjoy an interesting variety of events in the next few weeks: the Wednesday social group is holding a cabin retreat, the UAF Women's Studies Program is hosting a discussion on anti-gay talk, the Gay-Straight Alliance is showing the Laramie Project movie, and the Imperial Court of All Alaska is celebrating Halloween a week early with "A Haunted Enchantment" Harvest Ball at the Carlson Center.

Wednesday Social & Retreat

LGBT people and allies have been meeting on Wednesday nights around 9 p.m. In addition to the weekly social, the group rented a cabin on Oct. 23-25 for an LGBTA Retreat. "If you just want to stop out and chill instead of spending the night, you are welcome to do that too," writes Joshua, the coordinator. RSVP to Joshua for the locations of the retreat and the Wednesday social.

UAF: Anti-Gay Discourse & Gay-Straight Alliance

The UAF Women's Studies Program is hosting a panel discussion called "Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Anti-Gay Discourse" from 1-2 p.m. in the Wood Center Multilevel Lounge on Tuesday, October 27. Chris Coffman (WMS Program Coordinator and English faculty), will moderate. Panelists include Sine Anahita of Sociology, Tim Lower of Psychology, Joseph Thompson of Philosophy, Jordan Titus of Sociology, and possibly others.

This semester, the UAF Gay-Straight Alliance is meeting on Mondays at 5 p.m. They will be sponsoring a free showing of The Laramie Project movie in Schaible Auditorium on Nov. 7 at 3 p.m. Email Jessi for the location of the GSA meetings.

"A Haunted Enchantment" Harvest Ball

The Grand Duchess and Grand Duke of Fairbanks invite you to their Harvest Ball "A Haunted Enchantment" on October 24 at 7:30 p.m. in the Carlson Center. The doors open at 7:30 p.m., the show starts at 8:30, and tickets are $12.

The Harvest Ball is a costume party and drag show fundraiser that introduces the community to the newly elected Duchess and Duke of Fairbanks. "A Haunted Enchantment" includes performances by members of the Imperial Court of All Alaska (ICOAA) and by members of the wider community. Everyone is welcome to participate by attending, donating the entrance fee, or getting on stage and performing.

The Fairbanks Court holds several events throughout the year to raise money for two charity organizations, chosen by the Duchess and Duke at the end of their reign. More information is available on the main ICOAA website.