Alaska Pride 2009

Alaska is celebrating LGBT Pride in Anchorage, Juneau, Fairbanks, and Homer this summer, with a variety of events beginning on June 13.

On June 1, President Obama proclaimed June 2009 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. For the last few years, Anchorage has declared the third Saturday in June as Gay Pride Day, and then Mayor, now Senator Mark Begich read the proclamation from the Festival stage. 

Anchorage Pride Week 6/13-6/21

Anchorage Pride Week 2009: "The Last Queer Frontier" runs June 13-21, with the Diversity Parade and Festival on the Park Strip on Saturday, June 20. The full schedule of PrideFest 09 includes movies, a play, religious services, a reception, and the choosing of this year's Mr/Ms/Miss Gay Anchorage.

Juneau Gay Men's Hike 6/14, and Gay Pride Picnic at Skater's Cabin 6/20

Juneau is celebrating LGBT Pride Month with a Gay Men's Hike up West Glacier Trail on June 14, and a Gay Pride Picnic Celebration at Skater's Cabin on June 20.

West Glacier hike is mostly moderate with a little bit of rock scrambling, but not technical. Please dress for the weather, and wear appropriate foot wear and clothing. Bring a day pack with your own drinking water, trail or energy snacks, and a sandwich. The round trip should take about 6 hours with an hour break at the glacier. Meet at the trail head next to Skater's Cabin at 9:45 am and depart promptly at 10:00 am.

The Gay Pride Picnic Celebration at Skater's Cabin is on June 20, 2-7 p.m. Everyone in the LGBTA community is invited. Please bring a side dish, and SEAGLA will provide burgers and some beverages. Glass containers are prohibited. This year's Pride Picnic is sponsored by SEAGLA, PFLAG, Alaskans Together, Juneau-Douglass GSA, and the Imperial Court of All Alaska.

Homer: Hedwig and the Angry Inch 6/19-6/21, and PFLAG in the July 4th Parade

The queer show "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" is being performed live with a five-piece band at the Best Western Bidarka Inn as a benefit for Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic, Homer's gay-friendly clinic. Tickets for opening night are $50, other performances $15, and are available at the Homer Bookstore and KBFPC. There is a discount for KBFPC members. 

Also, the new Homer PFLAG chapter has decided to make a float for the local July 4th parade this year, and the entire LGBTA community is invited participate.

Fairbanks PFLAG in the Golden Days Parade 6/25

Fairbanks PFLAG will march in the Golden Days Grand Parade on July 25, starting at the Carlson Center, and the LGBTA community is invited to help carry the historic rainbow flag again this year. There will be an LGBT picnic after the parade. 

It has become a tradition for the PFLAG contingent to carry a forty-five-foot rainbow flag from Key West, Florida, a segment of the longest gay pride flag ever made, in the Fairbanks Golden Days Parade.

"This will be PFLAG's third year in the parade, and the Chamber, the city, and the crowds have been really good about us being a part," writes Pete of Fairbanks PFLAG. "PFLAG is also planning a booth for the Tanana Valley State Fair again this August."