Please Don't Divorce Alaska's Married-in-California Couples

The "Yes on 8" campaign has filed legal papers to nullify all 18,000 gay and lesbian marriages performed in California between May and November of 2008. 

In response, dozens of families added wedding and holiday photos to a slideshow of same-sex couples who will be divorced if the anti-gay effort succeeds.

The California Supreme Court is expected to rule on the constitutionality of Prop 8 in the spring.

The "Please Don't Divorce" Project

In response to the threat to gay and lesbian families, The Courage Campaign created an online slideshow of same-sex married couples, along with friends and relatives who support them.

"It's time to put a face to the 18,000 couples facing forcible divorce by the state of California. To put a face to marriage equality," says the web site of the community photo project.

Dozens of families contributed wedding photos with the message "Please Don't Divorce Us" and holiday pictures of their children, pets and Christmas trees.

Other supporters sent pictures saying, "Please Don't Divorce Our Friends" or "Please Don't Divorce Love."

Gay Alaskans Married in California

There is no residency requirement for marrying in California, and same-sex couples from Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau were married there, along with couples from other states and countries.

Mo and Lin of Juneau were legally married in San Francisco on Sept. 15, eighteen years after their original, non-legal wedding. Juneau residents formed a "human arch of love and acceptance" for the couple to walk through during the October reception, and the party raised money for Equality California.

At the Anchorage rally protesting the passage of Prop 8, a gay couple put their wedding photo on their signs, and a lesbian couple brought copies of their Palm Springs marriage certificate. Both couples were interviewed by local television reporters at the Nov. 15 rally.

The same day at the Fairbanks City Hall protest, two young men posed for a photo with their sign: "Just Married, San Francisco, Sept 8, 2008."

The state of Alaska does not recognize these marriages, but they are recognized in at least four states, Canada, and several other countries.

Please don't divorce them!

View the pictures "Please Don't Divorce Us" and add your wedding photo, or a photo in support of your married friends. 

 - Photo: Lori & Artemis with their California marriage certificate, at the Anchorage protest against Prop 8. (photo by Koala)

Best of 2008?

2008 was a busy year for Alaska's GLBT community. In addition to all the big annual events, and the fundraising and social activities, we were also involved in local and national political issues. 

What were the best GLBT happenings in Juneau, Fairbanks, Anchorage, and statewide during 2008? What was your favorite GLBT group's most successful event? 

Send in your "Bests" and I'll list them in a new post next week. 

(Not sure what we did? Look back through the Bent Alaska archive of stories and photos for ideas.)

Lesbian Singer Performs Coming Out Song at UAF

What does a lesbian Jewish Russian-emigre songwriter do when she comes out to her mother? She writes a song about it.

Irina Rivkin, a singer/songwriter from California, and her sister Dr. Inna Rivkin, of Fairbanks, performed Irina's coming out song "Ya Eyo Lublu" at her Nov. 8 concert in UAF's Schaible Auditorium. 

The concert was sponsored by the UAF Women's Center and the Office of Multicultural Affairs & Diversity.

A week later, Irina sang her bilingual love song for the anti-Prop 8 rally outside Fairbanks City Hall on Nov. 15, part of the nation-wide protest after California's Prop 8 narrowly passed and same-sex marriage was rescinded.

"In a time of hope for change to come," wrote Irina two days after the election, "I'm taking a plane from CA to Fairbanks tonight" to perform and join the protest.

Irina returns to Alaska every summer, to visit her family and perform her music. She plans to visit again in 2009.

Celebrate the Holidays with Anchorage's GLBT Community

The Metropolitan Community Church hosts their annual Christmas Eve Service and Recital on Wednesday, from 7-8:30 p.m. All from the community and church are welcome to attend the special evening of Christmas music and fellowship.

MCC Anchorage is also celebrating the appointment of Reverend Norman Van Manen as their Development Pastor. Rev. Norman will officially take the helm on February 15th, 2009.

After the service, join the staff at Mad Myrna's for their annual Christmas Eve pajama party. 

On Christmas Day, the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Anchorage (GLCCA) will be open from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. serving cookies, muffins and sodas to the gay community and our friends. The Center will be closed on Christmas Eve.

Visit the GLCCA page on Identity's site for the address, a photo tour of the Center and pictures from the Thanksgiving Day open house.

Wrap up the season with the New Year's Eve Party at Mad Myrna's, or rock with Ever Ready on New Year's Eve in Palmer. Then begin 2009 with the GLBT community at the New Year's Day Cookie Exchange at the GLCCA. 

Trying to Blame Us for the Church Fire

Did you see this Alaska-related bit of hate made up by right-wing reporters? I hope it is quickly dispelled and no one is hurt by it. 

A suspicious fire on Dec. 12 at the Wasilla, Alaska church attended by Republican Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin was instantly blamed on gay arsonists, though no evidence exists at this time that the fire, if deliberate, was set by gays. 

Nor is there any evidence that the church was targeted, as right-wing religious publications have speculated, because of its having promoted an "ex-gay" event in Anchorage.

I quoted this from gay news site Edge Boston, but the right-wing sites used words like "terrorist homosexuals."

This is such an obvious attempt to stir up hate and encourage violence against us.

Be careful out there!

Right-wing Pastor Invited to Bless Obama's Inauguration

President-Elect Barack Obama chose Rick Warren, an ultra-conservative pastor who is anti-gay and anti-choice, to give the invocation at his inauguration in January. 

Why? Because he wants to include all voices, all Americans. 

So which LGBT leader was invited to participate the inauguration to represent our inclusion? No one. 

No openly-gay leader was given a role in the ceremony. We are represented by . . . a GLBT marching band during the entertainment. 

Which leads to the next item:

Protest for Equality

Barack Obama made promises to the LGBT community. He promised to help:

repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), 

repeal the anti-gay military policy Don't Ask Don't Tell, 

strengthen Hate Crimes Legislation, and 

pass a fully inclusive Federal ENDA (Employment Non-Discrimination Act.) 

Another national Join the Impact protest is scheduled for Saturday, Jan 10, 2009, to make our voices heard and remind him of his commitments. 

I heard from a few Alaskans who said "Let's Do It." Are you with us?

Drag*d Through the Ages raises $2,000 for IAA

Cross-dressing Vikings in Fairbanks?

On December 5, Drag*d Through the Ages performed a sold-out show in UAF's Woodcenter Ballroom as a benefit for Interior AIDS Association. 

"I'm quite proud of everyone!" wrote Leah, an organizer for Drag*d. "No one fell off stage, and everyone did wonderfully." 

The program was packed with drag kings and queens in scenes representing human history, from cavemen to future fashion models.

ICOAA Duke Liz and Dutchess Brittany made a special appearance as Spankers for the Spank-a-Thon, where audience members paid one dollar per spank on the cast member of their choice. 

The Spank-a-Thon made over $300. 

Local funk band The Good Daze played for the dance following the show.

The UAF GLBT Alliance sponsored the benefit. They are considering another show in the spring.

A review of Drag*d Through the Ages is posted on The Ester Republic, and Jesse posted this great set of photos from the show.

Good work, Drag*d!

Toys for "Nots" Gives to Gay Families First

Ms. Alaska Leather 2008 is hosting a fundraiser for Toys for "Nots" on Dec. 19, with a Christmas food sale and gift auction at Mad Myrna's. Her goal is to raise at least $500 dollars worth of donations to buy items for families in need, as the Toys for Nots committee did last year.

Tami won the title of Ms. Alaska Leather last January at Arctic Heat, the titleholder event for The Last Frontier Men's Club. 

Toys for Tots collects donated Christmas toys for needy families and is sponsored by the United States Marine Corps. But what is Toys for Nots? 

Keith, President of the Men's Club, explained the story behind the name: 

A few years ago, the Duke and Duchess of the Imperial Court held a Toys for Tots fundraiser and recieved hundreds of toys for donation. When the Marines were called to pick up the toys, the ducals were told to put the toys outside on the icy sidewalk, because the Marines wouldn't enter Mad Myrna's. They will accept toys from the gay community, but they are afraid to walk into a gay bar to pick up our donations. 

So the ducals renamed the event Toys for Nots and give first choice to the children of gay families in need. Remaining gifts are offered to the Toys for Tots program. 

"We did receive an apology phone call from a Ft. Richardson general promising that it would never happen again," wrote Keith. "However, they have not picked up our donations for the past 3 years."

The Toys for Nots Fundraiser is Dec. 19, 2008, from 6:30-9 p.m. at Mad Myrna's.

Anchorage & Juneau Wear Red on World AIDS Day

The Four A's "Painted the Town Red" for World AIDS Day again this year in Anchorage and Juneau. 

Over 60,000 red ribbons were distributed the week before World AIDS Day. Volunteers in Anchorage waved to morning traffic and handed out more red ribbons on December 1.

Fifty-five people came to the Anchorage Candlelight Vigil for World AIDS Day and read a non-denominational prayer in memory of those lost to AIDS. 

After the vigil, about 70 people attended a free showing of Rent and a panel discussion on local resources, held at the Alaska Wild Berry Theater. 

For the third year, Four A's staff and volunteers waved signs at major intersections during the morning commute. They stood on the corners of Northern Lights/Minnesota and Northern Lights/New Seward from 7:30 a.m. until around 9.

"A lot of people waved and honked," wrote Chrissy, the Director of Development at Four A's. "We usually get a positive response."

After the sign waving, they gave away red ribbons at City Hall, Providence Hospital, the 5th Avenue Mall, Northway Mall and UAA. 

In Juneau, free HIV testing was offered during the day at the University, and over 40 people attended the Candlelight Vigil. 

The Four A's thanks everyone who helped to Paint the Town Red this year. 

"Remember to wear your red ribbons not only on World AIDS Day," wrote Chrissy, "but throughout the entire year."

Got "Milk"?

Did you see Milk this weekend?

"My partner and I just returned from seeing it and it is a MUST SEE," wrote Dee. "We did not buy from the consession stand, due to the ownership of the theater (Mormon) but would not have missed the first day of this film... I urge the community and our allies to see this movie. We're thinking Academy Award for Penn."

"The Prop 6 part was disturbing because it reminds me so much of Prop 8," wrote Elias, "along with the other dozen ballot measure campaigns I've been in."

I agree that Penn gave an excellent performance, and that the comparison between winning Prop 6 and barely losing Prop 8 is heart-wrenching.

Gay and lesbian history is so hidden that many young adults don't know about the struggle for our rights. Milk opens with the police raiding a gay bar, beating the customers and dragging them off to jail, simply for being gay. The scene uses real video from the late 60's and early 70's. We've come a long way.

Then in 1978, the newly-elected Supervisors, representing minorities who had never been represented before, voted to add 'sexual orientation' to the non-discrimination policy of San Francisco. They knew the gay community was an ally, and they understood that job and housing protection is an important civil rights issue.

I watched this scene in a movie theater in Anchorage, Alaska, where 30 years later we do not have 'sexual orientation' in the city's non-discrimination policy. It isn't in the state policy either. Or the national policy.

We still have a long way to go.

If you haven't seen Milk, definitely see it. Remember to take the Milk Challenge - boycott the concession stand and give a donation to Alaskans Together for Equality, to off-set the ticket profit to the Mormon-owned and Prop 8 supporting Century/Cinemark. 

If you saw Milk, what did you think about it?

This Week in LGBT Alaska 12/12/08

Check out this week's events from Alaska GLBT News. For full listings, news and up-coming events, subscribe to AGN, the weekly email newsletter.

The movie MILK opens today (Friday, Dec. 12) in Anchorage at the Century 16. Don't support the Century/Cinemark CEO who donated $9,999 to Prop 8! Boycott Century's concessions! Eat before you go and only buy the ticket, no food or drinks. Then take the Milk Challenge!

EVENTS

Fairbanks

Jeff's Black and White Solstice Party 12/13, 9 p.m. 

PFLAG's December Meeting 12/14, 4 p.m.

Anchorage

MILK opens at the Century 16 on 12/12. Take the Milk Challenge!

A Powerful Noise at the Anchorage Museum, 12/13 at 6 p.m. (AIFF)

Half-Life 12/13 at 5:30 p.m. at The Bear Tooth and 12/14 at 4:45 p.m. at Fireweed Theater. (AIFF)

ICOAA's SnowBall Winter Wonderland at Mad Myrna's 12/13, door opens at 8:30, show at 9 p.m.

Meet MCC pastoral candidate Rev. Norman Van Manen, 12/14 at the 2 p.m. service.

The Men's Club Christmas Party 12/14, 5-10 p.m. RSVP.

The "Milk" Challenge

The movie MILK opens tomorrow (Friday, Dec. 12) in Anchorage, showing at 1:40, 4:35, 7:35 and 10:30 p.m. at the Century 16, across from Loussac Library. The message of Milk is timely, and the reviews sound great. (Watch the Milk trailer.)

Here's the problem: We want to support a good-quality gay movie (and encourage the production of more gay movies) but don't want to support the Mormon-owned Century/Cinemark whose CEO donated $9,999 to Prop 8, the California initiative that eliminated gay and lesbian marriage. 

The solution: Boycott Century's concessions! Eat before you go and only buy the ticket, no food or drinks. 

Theaters don't make much on admissions; most of their profit is from concessions. We can support the film and still deprive the theater of revenue. 

Several people wrote in about the concessions boycott (thank you!) Jason suggested that we "sneak in our own candy" as an extra dig at Century. 

Elias suggested that we off-set the ticket fees to Century with a donation to Alaskans Together for Equality, the state LGBT rights group that takes on political issues like the ones Harvey Milk fought for. It's a great way to support equal rights and, at the same time, withhold money from those who work against us!

Take the Milk Challenge: See Milk, and balance your political karma with a donation to Alaskans Together.

And Milk is the perfect time to start wearing a White Knot for marriage equality, "because everyone should be able to tie the knot."

Today is Day Without A Gay

Today is December 10, International Human Rights Day. Today is also "Day Without a Gay." We are asked to call in 'gay' to work, not contribute to the economy for one day, and spend the day helping others. 

Day Without a Gay includes:

1. An economic Boycott. For one day, do not go to work (if possible) and do not buy anything. The LGBTQ community contributes $700 billion per year to the U.S. economy, but we don't get the same rights as other citizens. Stop contributing to the economy for one day.

2. A day of Volunteering. Get out there and help a local gay rights group.

3. A day of Visibility. There are many ways to increase visibility for LGBT rights on Dec. 10. For example, wear a white knot for marriage equality ("because everyone should be able to tie the knot") and pack your lunch instead of buying it.

What are you doing for Day Without A Gay?

Homo for the Holidays

Celebrate the holidays gaily with Alaska's LGBT community! 

In Anchorage, start celebrating this weekend with ICOAA's Snow Ball Winter Wonderland on Dec 13, and an early Christmas Party with The Last Frontier Men's Club on Dec 14. 

Enjoy Christmas events at Mad Myrna's, including the "Toys for Nots" Fundraiser on Dec 19, and Miss MeMe's Gospel Christmas on Dec 20. On Christmas Eve, be filled with the holiday spirit by MCC's Carol and Recital Service. The Community Center will be open from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Christmas Day, thanks to Mike, and cookies, muffins and sodas will be available.

Wrap up the season with New Year's Eve at Mad Myrna's and the New Year's Day Cookie Exchange at the GLCCA. 

In Fairbanks, don't miss Jeff's Solstice Party this Saturday. In Palmer, put it on the calendar to rock with Ever Ready on New Year's Eve. 

Do you know a GLBT holiday event in Alaska that isn't mentioned? Tell us about it!

Gay AK Odds & Ends

Recent LGBT Alaska-related items on the web:

Beauty Queen Sissy

"Among closed-minded straights, [sissy] is a devastating insult," says the Advocate Magazine. So they give The Sissy Awards to the "biggest irritants" of the year. The winners of the 2008 award: Sarah Palin and John McCain. The announcement lists the anti-gay positions of the former running mates, including Gov. Palin's refusal to sign the National Coming Out Day proclamation submitted by Alaskans Together. The Advocate points out that "Anita Bryant was also a former beauty queen and ... a TV-ready smile can hide lots of homophobia."

Gay & Lesbian Alaskans Do Our Part

Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Family is a new awareness campaign to encourage LGBT families to consider adopting children. HRC unveiled the effort as part of its "All Children - All Families" initiative.

Gay and lesbian parents are currently raising 4% of the nation's adopted children, about 65,500 kids. The highest number of these families are in New England, the mid-Atlantic and the West Coast - and the highest percentages of gay and lesbian adoptive parents are found in Alaska, California, Massachusetts and New Mexico, according to PageOneQ.

More Gay Tourists in Juneau

RSVP Vacations announced a new all-gay Seattle to Alaska cruise on Holland America's ms Westerdam, on August 23 - 30, 2009. The cruise departs from Seattle and sails to scenic Glacier Bay, with stops in Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan. The Seattle departure means they won't be partying at Myrna's with us in Anchorage, but SEAGLA will have more gay tourists to meet and greet. 

From the Fringe

The Anchorage Daily News posted a Compass editorial by the president of a fringe Alaska Family group, complaining that far right issues, like anti-choice and anti-gay legislation, are not "fringe" issues. He is "willing to fall on the sword" for these causes, but does not consider this "radical." To prove his (il)logic, he compares putting anti-gay discrimination into the U.S. Constitution to ending slavery in the British Empire! 

Meet MCC pastoral candidate Rev. Norman Van Manen

Rev. Norman Van Manen is visiting MCC Anchorage for the next ten days as a pastoral candidate. The community is encouraged to meet Rev. Van Manen during the Sunday and Thursday services, and to view his educational and pastoral history.

The Metropolitan Community Church of Anchorage, a GLBT-inclusive church, has been without a pastor since Rev. Johnathan Jones resigned in May, after four years of service.

"While MCC Anchorage has done a good job in keeping the church together since we've been in transition," wrote Rev. Matthew Moak, the new Vice-Moderator, "the needs of the church have grown and we are headed in a new direction. A direction filled with hope, unity and love."

Rev. Norman Van Manen will speak at MCC for two Sunday worship services. "What Shall I Cry?" is his sermon title for Dec. 7, and "Let's Rejoice" is the topic on Dec. 14. The Sunday service begins at 2 p.m. and there is a time for fellowship after the service. 

Rev. Van Manen will also speak at Soul Food, MCC's mid-week dinner service, on Thursday Dec. 11 at 6:30 p.m. A $6 donation is requested for the meal. After this week, Soul Food will take a break for the holidays and will resume on January 9, 2009.

Vice-Moderator Rev. Moak will speak on "The humility in Christmas" for the Dec. 21 Sunday service. The community is invited to join MCC for a Christmas Eve Carol and Recital Service on Dec. 24 at 7 p.m. MCC meets at 7208 Duben Ave. in east Anchorage.

----

Meet and greet pastoral candidate Rev. Norman Van Manen at MCC Anchorage: 

 

Dec. 7, 2 p.m. Sunday worship service, with speaker Rev. Van Manen on "What Shall I Cry?"

Dec 11, 6:30 p.m. Thursday evening Soul Food, dinner and program with Rev. Van Manen.

Dec 14, 2 p.m. Sunday worship service, with speaker Rev. Van Manen on "Let's Rejoice."

Visit MCC Anchorage's web site and MySpace page.

This Week in LGBT Alaska 12/5/08

Check out this week's events from Alaska GLBT News. For full listings, news and up-coming events, subscribe to AGN, the weekly email newsletter.

The Anchorage International Film Festival runs December 5-14, 2008. Over 150 films will be shown, and there are four Gay or AIDS themed films. 

Dream Boy (photo right), Queer Duck, and A Powerful Noise are showing this week (details listed below) and Half-Life shows next week. 

Watch the trailers for Dream Boy and Queer Duck here.

December 10 is International Human Rights Day. Don't call in sick to work, call in "gay" and spend the day helping your favorite Alaskan LGBTA non-profit. Join the national reverse boycott Day Without A Gay!

EVENTS

Juneau

Domestic Partnership Planning Seminar 12/9, 5:15 p.m. Free. See the flyer for details.

Fairbanks

Drag*d Through the Ages, a benefit show for IAA, 12/5, 8:15 p.m. $10 at the door, $8 for students/military. Dance party after the show.

Anchorage

Anchorage International Film Festival (AIFF) 12/5-12/14

Ever Ready in Anchorage 12/5 & 12/6, 7-11 p.m. at the AMVETS Post 49.

AlaskaRainbows Dinner 12/6, 5 p.m. at Chili's.

TLFMC Cookie Exchange 12/6, 7 p.m. and Hump Day Happy Hour at The Raven 12/10 & 12/24 from 5-7 p.m.

Queer Duck, with Sex Drugs & Rock 'n' Roll, at The Bear Tooth, Sunday 12/7, 8:30 p.m. (AIFF)

Meet MCC pastoral candidate Rev. Norman Van Manen 12/7 & 12/14 at the 2 p.m. service, and 12/11 at 6:30 p.m. for Thursday night Soul Food. See MCC for details.

A Powerful Noise at the Anchorage Museum, 12/8 at 7:30 p.m. and 12/13 at 6 p.m. (AIFF)

Dream Boy at The Bear Tooth, and after-screening party with Director James Bolton at Mad Myrna's, Wednesday 12/10, 7:45 p.m. movie, 10 p.m. party. (photo above)

Light Up the Winter with More Impact Events

Join the Impact, the group that promoted the nationwide prop 8 protest, is coordinating an ongoing series of national LGBT events through February 12, the annual Freedom to Marry Day. The goal is to keep LGBT issues in the media, keep the momentum going within our community, and keep having discussions about gay rights with more and more people. 

Some of their ideas are individual actions, like sending a postcard to Obama, wearing a white knot and participating in Day Without a Gay. Other events (LGBT Food Drive, Light Up the Night and the DOMA protest) require planning. 

Which actions do you want to do in Anchorage, Fairbanks and/or Juneau? 

Actions planned for specific dates

LGBTQ Food Drive - now through Dec 20: With the first national LGBTQ Food Drive for Equality, we will reach out not only to those who have worked alongside us, but to organizations and individuals that fear us and oppose our cause by donating to *faith-based* food pantries. 

Day Without A Gay - Dec. 10: On December 10, which is International Human Rights Day, don't call in sick to work, call in "gay" and donate your time to community service. Day Without A Gay lists local volunteer organizations that need your help. (Don't see your favorite Alaskan LGBTA non-profit on the Day Without A Gay Alaska page? Send them the link so they can get on the list before Dec 10.)

Light Up the Night - Dec 20: On December 20th, join us again for a nation-wide demonstration, Light Up the Night for Equality. Hold a peaceful candlelight vigil in the commercial center of your city, in memory of the rights taken away and in support of the 18,000 marriages in legal limbo.

Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) National Protest - Jan 10, 2009: DOMA states that a) states don't have to recognize same-sex unions from other states, and b) the federal government will not recognize those marriages, even if the state does. With DOMA in place, we cannot have full marriage equality. 

Ongoing actions

Project Postcard: Make an impact on the next presidency. Send Barack Obama a postcard from your town asking him to follow through on his promises around equal rights.

Wear a White Knot: The White Knot is the symbol for marriage equality. It takes two traditional symbols of marriage - white and tying the knot - and combines them in a simple way to show support for the right of gays and lesbians to marry. Wear the knot and tell people why you are wearing it.

Which actions do you want to do?

Milk, Dream Boy and Queer Duck: Gay Movies Come to Anchorage

UPDATE: Take the Milk Challenge!

------

The movie Milk is opening in Anchorage on Friday, December 12 at the Century! Watch the trailer here: MILK

Unfortunately, Century/Cinemark is owned by Mormons who donated to Yes on 8. Some in the LGBT community are boycotting the Century and giving their movie dollars to supportive cinemas. Locally, we hope Milk will play at The Bear Tooth in a few months. 

Others are calling for a big national turnout on the opening weekends, because record-setting attendance for Milk will make it easier to get funding for future gay-themed movies. The message of Milk is timely, and the reviews sound great. 

What will you do?

1. See it this month at the Century (and not buy food or drinks, since they make most of their profit from the concession stand), or 

2. Wait until The Bear Tooth shows it in the spring.

Two other gay-themed movies are showing this month at The Bear Tooth for the Anchorage International Film Festival, which runs December 5-14, 2008. 

Queer Duck is an animated feature, and Dream Boy is a gay coming of age romance. For a special treat, go to The Gay-La, an after-screening party at Mad Myrna's with James Bolton, the Portland-based director of Dream Boy.

The trailer for Dream Boy (2008):

The commercial for Queer Duck, the Movie, which came out on Logo in 2006:

Fairbanks is "Drag*d Through the Ages" for IAA Benefit

Drag*d Through The Ages is a music, dance and comedy show with scenes from throughout human history: a caveman routine to a futuristic fashion show and plenty of drag fun in between. 

Stay for the dance party following the show, with music by local funk band The Good Daze, featured in one of the scenes.

Other headliners include Cold Fusion Tribal Dance (an experimental belly dance troupe) in a flapper number from the 1920's and a 1990's song, The Fairbanks Roller Girls doing a 1970's number, and Dance Theater Fairbanks performing an 1980's scene.

The program is also packed with drag kings and queens as cavemen, operatic Vikings, Victorians, flappers, silent film stars, 80's Vogue Off dancers, and fashion models of the future, plus songs from Marilyn Monroe, Al Green, The Blues Brothers, and Hedwig and the Angry Inch.

Drag*d Through The Ages is sponsored by the UAF GLBT Alliance and is a benefit for Interior AIDS Association (IAA.)

Don't miss this hilarious one night only show!

UAF Woodcenter Ball Room, December 5th, 8:15 pm. $10 at the door, $8 for students. All proceeds go to IAA. Dance party after the show with The Good Daze.

Candlelight Vigils and Celebrations for World AIDS Day in Alaska

Today is World AIDS Day. Four A's in Anchorage and Juneau, and IAA in Fairbanks, are holding candlelight vigils and celebrations of life tonight in honor of the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day.

In Anchorage, join Four A's at the Alaska Wild Berry Theater for the Annual World AIDS Day Candlelight Vigil at 6 p.m., and a free showing of Rent at 7 p.m.

In Juneau, Four A's is sponsoring Free HIV testing at the UAS Cafeteria from 12 to 3 p.m. and a Candlelight Vigil and Reception at the Baranof Hotel, at 5:30 p.m.

In Fairbanks, Interior AIDS Association (IAA) is celebrating their 20th anniversary and World AIDS Day at the UAF Salisbury Theatre with dance and theater performances at 6:30 p.m., followed by a candlelight vigil at 8:30 p.m.

While we have come a long ways since 1988, there is still much more to be done!

Snow Dancing in Alaska

Check out  this video of Lee in Fairbanks dancing to Beyoncé's "Single Ladies" in the snow!

Queerty commented that Lee dancing in tights in the snow is "all kinds of crazy considering a.) it's Alaska b.) it's 2 degrees and c.) Sarah Palin is out there somewhere."

Lee, based in Fairbanks, is a 24 year old professional ice skater who tours with Disney on Ice, according to his MySpace page. In October, he skated to Celine Dion's "Fly" between periods at the UAF vs. Mercyhurst game.

You go, girl!

This Week in GLBT Alaska 11/28/08

Check out this week's events from Alaska GLBT News.

For full listings, news and up-coming events, subscribe to AGN, the weekly email newsletter.

Monday, December 1, 2008 marks the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day, when individuals and organizations around the world bring attention to the global AIDS epidemic. 

AIDS organizations in Anchorage and Fairbanks are holding candlelight vigils on Dec. 1, along with celebrations of life.

Juneau

Cosmic Bowling at the Juneau Bowling Center with SEAGLA, 11/29, 8-10 p.m.

Fairbanks

IAA's 20th Anniversary & World AIDS Day 12/1, 6:30 p.m. at the UAF Salisbury Theatre.

Anchorage

Four A's World AIDS Day Vigil & "Rent" 12/1, 6 p.m. at the Alaska Wild Berry Theater.