Saturday, 15 May 2010 – 8:17 AM
| Comments Off on Coronation, 2nd Celebration for F. Ken, Leaders & Cleaners
Gay AK – Notes from LGBT Alaska
Coronation 38, Labor Day weekend
Alaska Coronation 38 — “Kickin’ it old School…Back to our Roots” Labor Day weekend in Anchorage, Sept. 2-6, 2010! Call the Sheraton for reservations (907) 276-8700, mention ‘ICOAA’ for the special rate. Visit Imperial Court of All Alaska for updates throughout the summer.
2nd Celebration of Life in August for F Ken Freedman
F. Ken Freedman, a long-time member of the Anchorage LGBT community, a licensed professional counselor, Queer Activist and loving presence in the world, passed away on Saturday, May 1, 2010. Many calls and e-mails came in after the Celebration of Life was held on May 6th saying “But I did not know”, “Can we have a second service?” We decided to do so. Please send your name to Victoria if you would like to be kept in the loop about this service. His brother, who was very close to F Ken, spoke to him daily on the phone would love to meet all of F Ken’s Alaskan family. They are planning a second Celebration of Life in August 2010 to allow the greater community to mourn with them. More details to follow as they are planned. Please sign his guest book and share your memories with F Ken’s family of origin and family of choice.
Judge Lack wins Harvard fellowship
Judge Jonathon Lack, appointed in 2007, serves as the Superior Court Master and District Court Magistrate in the Alaska Court System, and he is one of ten LGBT leaders to win a Harvard fellowship this summer from The Gay & Lesbian Leadership Institute. Congratulations!
New leader for the UAF Gay-Straight Alliance
Jessi Angelette, president of the UAF Gay-Straight Alliance and the student spokesperson for the effort to add gays to the UA non-discrimination policy, is moving out of state this summer. Lauren Tibbitts-Travis, current pres. of the GSA at Juneau Douglas High School, is graduating and moving to UAF where she will be their new GSA president and will continue working for the UA policy change. The Regents agreed to deal with it this year, their next meeting is June 3-4 in Anchorage, and Lauren will speak at the meeting. Thanks, Lauren! Congratulations to Jessi on the pregnancy, and good luck in your next state!
PFLAG thanks Mary Parker
The Anchorage PFLAG Board of Directors has accepted, with gratitude and thanks, the resignation of Board member Mary Parker. Mary has been a board member for the past 14 years, among many other things she has been our primary contact person with all aspects of Anchorage youth and UAA during that entire time. She plans to continue her work as a point of contact for both youth and UAA, but she wants to eliminate Board meetings from her busy schedule. The Board thanks Mary for her many years of valuable service and we hope her future schedule has a little more flexibility. Thank you very much for your time and efforts Mary, your wisdom will be missed!
Thanks to the Fabulous Nine
A great big Thank You to the Fabulous 9 people who showed up at 10 a.m. on Saturday and worked so hard to clean the highway for PFLAG Juneau. There were 4 men and 5 women who worked really hard! We collected 12-15 bags of garbage and quite a bit of recyclables. The sunshine was glorious, the lake was beautiful, and we got several waves and gratitude honks from passers by. That was community service you can see and feel good about, SEAGLA and PFLAG working together on improving the community in which we all live… Thanks!
Friday, 16 April 2010 – 8:31 PM
| Comments Off on Three Fairbanks parties benefit LGBT groups
Get ready for summer by planning PFLAG’s entries in the Golden Days Parade and Tanana Valley State Fair, then party, party, party to raise money for Fairbanks PFLAG, the Imperial Court, and Alaskans Together.
PFLAG plans for Fair and Parade 4/18, 4 p.m.
This year’s Tanana Valley State Fair theme is “Barn in the USA.” PFLAG will be planning our Golden Days Parade theme and entry for mid-July at our next meeting, on Sunday, April 18 at 4 p.m.
Fairbanks PFLAG meets on the third Sunday of the month at 814 6th Ave.
Dance Party, PFLAG fundraiser 4/24, 9 p.m.
DJ White Chocolate/Nicole will once again be spinning your favorites along with new dance music so be ready to shake, shake, shake your booty! The dance party at Jeff’s house is open to GLBT people and our allies 21 or older. It’s also a fundraiser for
Fairbanks PFLAG to help pay for the LGBT community’s entry in the Golden Days parade in July and the booth at the Tanana Valley Fair in August. Suggested donation: $5 or more.
Pretty ‘n Pink Prom, Imperial Court fundraiser 4/30, 7 p.m.
It is show time again in Fairbanks! You can be the next Prom King or Prom Queen. Join the ICOAA for a great show and lots of fun hosted by the reigning Grand Duke and Duchess of Fairbanks, Stephen and DixiE Normous. Doors open at 7 pm, show starts at 8 pm. Tickets are $12, and all proceeds benefit the
Imperial Court of All Alaska. Open to everyone age 18 and above, must provide proof of age. The
Prom and Drag show will take place at the Pioneer Park Civic Center.
Kentucky Derby Party, Alaskans Together fundraiser 5/1, 12:30 p.m.
They’re off! Mint Juleps, mimosas and snacks, contests with prizes, like the most Fabulous Hat contest, as well as Virgin Gambling. Saturday, May 1 from 12:30-3:30 p.m. at the Cafe Alex building in Fairbanks (310 1st Avenue). 21 and over only. The actual Kentucky Derby race will be on at 2 p.m. Alaska time, and we’ll have a TV set on so we can watch the action. There is a suggested donation at the door of $10-$25, and there will also be a 50-50 raffle, with the proceeds going to
Alaskans Together for Equality. Hope to see you at the
Kentucky Derby Party!
Thursday, 11 March 2010 – 2:56 PM
| Comments Off on Emma’s Revolution in concert, Pride Chorus opens
Pat Humphries & Sandy O of Emma’s Revolution bring their music of “truth, hope and a dash of healthy irreverence” to Juneau on March 18, 7:30 p.m. at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, and Juneau Pride Chorus will open the concert with a few songs. They will also perform in Sitka and on KTOO radio.
Emma’s Revolution has traveled around the world and throughout the US spreading their message of peace and justice. As a duo, they performed at hundreds of peace and justice events over the last eight years. Their current tour is for their new CD We Came To Sing!, a collaboration with the legendary Holly Near.
Tickets can be purchased at the door, or in advance through
Emma’s Revolution and are $15, or $12 for members of co-sponsoring organizations. The concert is co-sponsored by Juneau Pride Chorus, Juneau Veterans for Peace, Juneau People for Peace & Justice and Juneau Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.
During their week in Alaska, Emma’s Revolution will also perform in Sitka and be live guests on KTOO radio. On Monday March 15, they will join “A Juneau Afternoon” at 3:30 p.m. Tune in to KTOO 104.3 FM or
via live streaming (click “Listen Live” in the top left logo.)
On Saturday, March 20 they perform in Sitka at the Sheet’ka Kwaán Naa Kahídi
Tribal Community House. Tickets are $15 in advance, $18 at the door, no one turned away for lack of ability to pay. Advance tickets may be purchased at Old Harbor Books. On March 21, they will be adding music to the Sunday service at the
Sitka Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. All are welcome.
Emma’s Revolution has been called “Smart, funny and informative. Like Rachel Maddow and Jon Stewart with guitars.” Don’t miss them.
Wednesday, 10 March 2010 – 4:19 PM
| Comments Off on Fly-fishing, SRS, Gay-friendly Music & Free Healthcare Guide
Gay AK: Notes from and for LGBT Alaska
Free Fly-fishing Retreat for Breast Cancer Survivors
The Casting for Recovery Alaska program is accepting applications to attend our 2010 summer retreat on July 9-11. This 2-night weekend features flyfishing instruction, all meals & lodging on a quiet lake outside Wasilla, and the support of other women breast cancer survivors (including optional support program in the evening) – for free. No fishing experience required! Apply online at
Casting For Recovery Alaska by April 30th. Fish on!
Sexual Reassignment Surgery is tax deductible
A few years ago, a transwoman tried to deduct the medical expenses of SRS from her taxes and was denied by the IRS because they said it was cosmetic surgery and not medically necessary. On Feb 2, a federal court affirmed that
SRS is medically necessary and not cosmetic. Along with the American Medical Association resolution saying the same thing, insurance companies will hopefully drop one of their main arguments for the discriminatory “transgender” exclusion, that it is a cosmetic procedure. Also: FFS (Facial Feminization Surgery) will soon be available in Anchorage, Alaska!
Local Irish Band Seeks Gay-Friendly Gigs
Back Alley Banned plays traditional Irish music around Anchorage. “Since Mayor Dan Sullivan vetoed the anti-discrimination ordinance last summer, I’ve had my own small boycott of the McGinley’s Irish Pub of which Sullivan is part owner,” writes banjo player Heather Resz, “and my band declined the offer to play at the bar for St. Patrick’s Day. If you know of a nice gay-friendly venue that needs an Irish band any time, Back Alley Banned is available.”
MCCA Looking for Guitarist/Pianist
Metropolitan Community Church of Anchorage is an Inclusive Church looking for an additional half-time musician with strong guitar and vocal skills to play in our weekly worship services. We are a thirty plus member Christian church that includes a diverse worship service for a church of GBLT, affirming, and straight congregants. Candidate will work directly with the Worship Leader to construct meaningful, Spirit-filled worship. Students/Interns welcome. Interested applicants may submit a letter of interest or resume with to
MCC Anchorage 2222 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99507.
PFLAG Releases New Healthcare Publication for Allies
PFLAG’s Straight for Equality project announced the release of its newest publication,
Straight for Equality in Healthcare. For many LGBT people, accessing healthcare can be difficult because they often do not know how their healthcare provider will react to their sexual orientation or gender identity. This new publication and website were developed to provide a solution that demonstrates to providers why it’s important to be inclusive, give concrete steps they can take to creating a comfortable environment for LGBT patients in their practice, and much more. Visit
Straight for Equality to view the website and download the free
Straight for Equality in Healthcare guide. A new chapter workbook that you can use to create welcoming healthcare environments in your community is coming soon. Contact
PFLAG national for more information.
Saturday, 30 January 2010 – 10:09 AM
| Comments Off on Singing Valentines and Pride Chorus Concert
Mark your calendars for the Juneau Pride Chorus “Eye on Chicago” Concert on February 20, and order your Singing Valentine today.
Singing Valentines all over the state
Make Valentine’s Day extra special with a Singing Valentine sung by members of the Juneau Pride Chorus!
Anyone can order a Valentine: an ensemble from the Chorus will sing by phone to a sweetheart, or in person if the loved one lives in Juneau. The cost is $10 on the phone or $35 in person (this includes one song, a rose, and a personalized card, $55 for two).
Orders must be made by February 11, and can be sung on the 12th or 14th of February. To order a Valentine, call 586-6984 and send a check made out to “PFLAG Juneau” to: Juneau Pride Chorus, PO Box 32245, Juneau, AK 99803.
“Eye on Chicago” Concert 2/20
Join the Juneau Pride Concert for “Eye on Chicago,” a Chicago-themed concert sponsored by PFLAG Juneau, on Saturday, February 20 in the Juneau Arts & Culture Center. The silent auction begins at 6:30 p.m. and the concert starts at 7:30 p.m.
The concert is a fundraiser for the Chorus to participate in the Sister Singers Network Festival on July 4th weekend in Chicago.
Tickets are available at the door or from chorus members: $15 adults, $30 families, $12 students & seniors.
Saturday, 16 January 2010 – 8:37 AM
| Comments Off on No Name-Calling Week, Prof. Smoke on Matthew Shepard, & the Women’s Summit
Gay AK – notes for and from LGBT Alaska
No Sticks, No Stones, No Dissing
GLSEN’s No Name-Calling Week is January 25-29, 2010, a week of educational and art activities aimed at stopping name-calling and bullying in schools. The Creative Expression Contest is an opportunity for students to submit essays, poetry, music, original artwork, or other pieces that convey their experiences and feelings about name-calling, and their ideas for putting a stop to verbal bullying in their schools and communities. Lesson plans and other resources at
No Name-Calling Week.
Gale Smoke on Matthew Shepard
Professor Gale Smoke will review Judy Shepard’s book “The Meaning of Matthew, and a World Transformed” (Hudson Press, 2009) at this month’s Anchorage PFLAG meeting. Refreshments will be available and all are invited to the meeting at Immanuel Presbyterian Church on Jan. 21 at 7 p.m.
Anchorage PFLAG.
Alaskans Together announces new board and officers
Congratulations to the new board members: Heather Bayless, Kelli Burkinshaw, Shayle Hutchison, Miguel De Marzo, Verner Wilson, and Christopher Narvaez. For 2010, the new executive officers for the organization are as follows: Elias Rojas – Board President, Joseph Lapp II – Vice President, Kevin Kristof – Treasurer, and Miguel De Marzo – Secretary. We are happy to announce that ATE is now a member of the Equality Federation. Come and join in the fun and hard work by volunteering to serve on one of the committees, which meet monthly by conference call. There is room for you! Join
Alaskans Together.
Women’s Summit: Anchorage lunch 3/17 and Juneau conference 3/18 – 3/19
It’s time to sign up for the 2010 Women’s Summit on March 17-19. The theme for this year is “Interpersonal Violence in Alaska: Why Alaska Ranks at the Top, and Strategies for Success.” The keynote speaker is Rebecca Levenson, Senior Policy Analyst with the Family Violence Prevention Fund. Come listen, learn and network with other women from around the state. Rebecca will also speak at a luncheon in Anchorage on Wednesday, March 17, 12 pm at the Sheraton Hotel downtown, $35/person. A limited number of scholarships are available for the Juneau conference (for travel, lodging and registration) and are due by March 1. For those arranging your own travel and lodging, applications are due by March 10. The Women’s Summit is organized by the
Alliance for Reproductive Justice.
Tantric Wisdom for the Activities of Daily Living
Bird Trungma, Rinpoche, has moved her short essays on Tantric Wisdom to HubPages. She hopes you will keep reading them, and continue to enjoy and benefit from them. Her first essay tells her story of moving to Anchorage, almost leaving, then deciding to stay. Check out
Bird’s Tantric Wisdom.
Friday, 8 January 2010 – 2:53 PM
| Comments Off on This Week in LGBT Alaska 1/8/10
Juneau
SEAGLA Social Fridays (6-8 p.m.) for GLBT people and our friends over 21, at The Imperial Bar.
Juneau Pride Chorus rehearses every Friday, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Resurrection Lutheran Church. Marsha
Fairbanks
Greek Gods and Goddess: Toga Party 1/9, 7 p.m. An Imperial Court all-ages event with food, fun, fashion show, dancing and live entertainment. $12 in costume, $15 in street clothes, at the Carlson Center.
LGBT Call for Action with guest speaker Harriet Drummond on 1/10, service at 10:30 a.m., conversation at 12:30 p.m. at the UUFF.
PFLAG Meeting 1/10, 4 p.m.
Wednesday LGBTA Social at 9:30 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 Divas Variety Show, 9 p.m. at Mad Myrna’s.
Sunday worship with MCC Anchorage, 2 p.m.
Gay, Joyous and Free AA Meeting on Mondays, 6 p.m. at the GLCCA.
Pride Festival 2010 Planning Meeting 1/13, 5:30 p.m. at the GLCCA.
Scott T. Schofield’s “Debutante Balls” 1/14-1/16 at 7:30 p.m. and 1/17 at 4 p.m. at Out North.
Friday, 8 January 2010 – 6:51 AM
| Comments Off on Anchorage Assembly’s Drummond brings LGBT Call for Action to Fairbanks
Harriet Drummond, a member of the Anchorage Assembly and a supporter of the recent attempt to pass an LGBT non-discrimination ordinance, will be a guest speaker at the Fairbanks Unitarian Church on Sunday, Jan. 10 for the program “The Anchorage Gay Rights Ordinance: Lessons Learned and a Call for Action.”
After the service, there will be a Community Conversation on Fairbanks GLBT Issues and Developing an Action Agenda, at 12:30 p.m. A light lunch will be provided, and potluck items are appreciated.
Other Fairbanks LGBT events this weekend:
The Imperial Court’s
Greek Gods and Goddess Toga Party, 7 p.m. at the Carlson Center. Food, fun, fashion show, dancing and live entertainment at an all-ages event. $12 in costume, $15 in street clothes.
Fairbanks PFLAG is holding their first meeting of 2010 on Sunday, Jan. 10 at 4 p.m. Please
RSVP.
PFLAG Juneau has received another grant to give away several hundred more copies of the book by local author Sara Boesser, Silent Lives: How High a Price?
Silent Lives combines autobiographical stories, personal interviews and questions for reflection to explore issues about everyone’s sexual orientation and gender status, whether heterosexual, or gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or intersexual.
Boesser examines the consequences a sexual minority person suffers when attempting to pass as heterosexual or as having a traditional gender expression. She also looks at how society as a whole is affected when an individual is pressured to hide his or her sexual identity.
This year, the gift copies are available for furthering the work of “Welcoming Ministries” around the country: for faith and religious people, groups and denominations that are working to become more accepting of GLBT people, for your own work to make your faith community more accepting of GLBT people, or to give to someone you know who is involved in that effort, maybe a copy for a church or synagogue library, a counselor’s office, a religious parent, or a faith leader, rabbi, minister, preacher, pastor, or priest.
The book isn’t religious per se, but Boesser is a minister’s daughter and she reflects on that in the book. Excerpts of
Silent Lives are posted on the
Silent Lives web site.
“This book is the result of my personal struggle for integrity,” Sara wrote in the introduction to Silent Lives. “I realized I could no longer be silent and let society condemn a core part of me while praising the outer manifestations I selectively permitted it to see. And with that realization came another: while society was blind, my very silence was what blocked its vision.”
“From that instant of realization, my only hope for personal peace was to seek clues that could free me from my silence and to speak out about what I discovered in the process. This book is the result of the first fourteen years of that search.”
“Where is the silence in my life or yours? What do we lose when, as Sara Boesser challenges us, we “pass”- we pretend for whatever reason to be something else to make it comfortable for others and easier for ourselves – and lose our authenticity in the process?”
“… Boesser suggests we all lose when silence separates us. We end up hiding from ourselves. When the safety net is widened for all of us, the lives of everyone will be enriched.”
If you’d like a free copy or two, write to
Sara Boesser with your name and mailing address, and say how many copies you’d like. And feel free to forward this message to others who might be interested.
Friday, 30 October 2009 – 12:10 AM
| Comments Off on This Week in LGBT Alaska 10/30/09
Happy Halloween!
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.
