Where to Find GLBT Alaska - Annual Events, Revised for 2011

The main annual events held by the LGBT organizations and local communities in Alaska are listed here in calendar order, along with city-wide events that we participate in every year.

Fur Rondy Grand Parade (Feb 26) - The Imperial Court creates a float for the Rondy Parade in downtown Anchorage.

Femme Fatale (mid-April) - The Imperial Court's Juneau show closes the state legislative session and is a benefit for Four A's.

Day of Silence (April 15) and Pride Prom (April 23 in Anchorage) - Alaska's students, teachers and Gay/Straight Alliances (GSA's) join the National Day of Silence, and break their silence celebrating at Pride Prom.

Celebration of Change (April 23) - Radical Arts for Women's 'break-up' performance celebrates women, music and art in Anchorage.

Juneau Pride Chorus spring concert (April 30) - The concert is a spirited evening of women, song and dance at the Juneau Arts & Culture Center, and the chorus performs at various events during the spring and summer.

LGBT Pride Picnic (May 30, Memorial Day) - The Anchorage Picnic and BBQ celebrate unity in the community and the beginning of summer.

Alaska Pride Week and Festival (3rd week in June) - The summer solstice parade and festival celebrates LGBT Pride in downtown Anchorage, following a week of Pride events.

Northern Exposure (during Pride Week this year) - Alaska's new gay & straight BDSM/Leather conference returns for a second year.

Juneau Pride Picnic and Glacier Hike (summer) - Juneau celebrates Pride with a GLBT community picnic and glacier hike organized by SEAGLA.

Marching in July 4th Parades - LGBT contingents design floats and march in July 4th parades in Anchorage and Homer.

PFLAG in Golden Days Parade (late July) and Tanana Valley State Fair (August) - PFLAG and the Fairbanks LGBTQA community march in the annual Gold Rush parade, host a Pride Picnic after the parade, and create a booth for the Interior state fair.

Coronation (Labor Day Weekend, Sept.) - An extravaganza of performances in Anchorage invests the new Emperor and Empress of the Imperial Court of All Alaska, and announces community awards and scholarships.

Pride Conference (Saturday near October 11) - Identity's back-to-school youth conference is inspired by National Coming Out Day, celebrated nationally on October 11.

Alaskans Together annual meeting (Sunday after Pride Conference) - The state-wide LGBT advocacy group holds a strategy meeting each year in Anchorage.

Thanksgiving Community Meal (Thanksgiving Day) - Several gay-owned businesses in Anchorage host a Thanksgiving Day meal for the LGBT community.

World AIDS Day (Dec. 1) - Alaska commemorates World AIDS Day with red ribbons and candlelight vigils sponsored by Four A's and IAA in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau.

Arctic Heat (Jan. 2012) - The Men's Club chooses the new Bear and Leather titleholders every other year.

Alaska's LGBT groups hold many other events and performances, as well as weekly and monthly meetings and events, that the community is invited to attend. Visit the links in the side column of the blog for more lists of Where to find LGBT Alaska.

World AIDS Day events in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau

World AIDS Day is observed every year on December 1 to remember those we have lost to HIV/AIDS, to honor those still living with the disease, and to commemorate the theme of universal access and human rights.

Events including candlelight vigils are scheduled in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau. Click through on the city names to RSVP organizers about your intentions to attend.

Anchorage

• Day/time: Wednesday, December 1 · 6:00–9:00 PM
• Location: Out North, 3800 DeBarr Road
• Sponsor: Alaskan AIDS Assistance Association (Four A's)
• Info: Join us for our annual World AIDS Day Candlelight Vigil to remember and honor all who are affected by HIV/AIDS. Vigil begins at 6 p.m. then afterward at 7 p.m. there will be a free showing of the movie "Life Support" starring Queen Latifah.

Fairbanks

• Day/time: Wednesday, December 1, 4:00–7:00 PM
• Location: Interior AIDS Association (710 3rd. Ave.) with candlelight walk to 101 Dunkel St. (Morris Thompson Center)
• Sponsor: Interior AIDS Association (IAA)
• Info: December 1, 2010 Potluck, art, and open house from 4-5:30pm at the Interior AIDS Association. Candlelight walk at 5:30 from IAA 710 3rd Avenue to the Morris Thompson Cultural Center Theatre 101 Dunkel Street. We will have Anna Nelson, executive director of IAA opening and guest speaker Dr. Saltonstall from Anchorage and Father Scott from St. Matthews Episcopal Church. Other speakers TBA. Everyone is welcome to bring a dish to share for the potluck and don't forget to dress warmly for the walk. Remember, this is Fairbanks and it will probably be cold!

Juneau

• Day/time: Wednesday, December 1 · 6:30–9:30 PM
• Location: Baranof Hotel/Rendezvous
• Sponsor: Alaskan AIDS Assistance Association (Four A's)
• Info: Join us for our annual World AIDS Day Candlelight Vigil in Juneau at the Baranof Hotel, beginning at 6:30 p.m. then come over to the Rendezvous for a free showing of "Rent" at 8 p.m.

Sitka Lesbians, Gays & Allies for Scott McAdams

Scott McAdams is a serious contender for the U.S Senate and Lisa is trying to steal votes from him with an ad featuring her supporters from his home base of Sitka. It's a low blow to turn someone's neighbors against him, especially in a small town. But it doesn't seem to be working with LGBTA Sitkans. The few gays, lesbians and out-spoken allies that I could find in Sitka are all voting for Scott.

When Scott won the democratic nomination and Joe won the GOP primary, I contacted a straight friend of my lesbian friend who used to live in Sitka. What did she think of Scott, I asked, and did she know any gay or lesbian Sitkans who might educate me on his attitude towards us?

She knew someone, and they knew someone, and we started a conversation. Three of them gave me permission to publish some of their comments - one lesbian, one gay man, and one ally - but only Mo, the ally, is comfortable including her real name with her comments. The others are 'out' about voting for Scott, but they (or their partners) do not want to be known as gay or lesbian to their employers.

The gay man summed up the thoughts of many LGBT Alaskans:

Scott would be a big improvement on what we have had and would get otherwise.

Our ally Mo McBride worked with Scott and had more to say:

I know Scott very well having worked in the school district he was on the board for. I will give you my impression which has its own biases... He is mayor of our city and was on the school board here for about 10 years. He has served on the statewide school board and even did some work with the national school board... I did not agree with his decisions many times when he was one the school board but I did not find him to be biased in his approach to his decisions. He has political speak which for me is like coctail speech, can talk briefly on many things and has good sound bytes but not good depth... He is a quick learner and can search out info when he wants to. He is supportive of gay issues, he has openly gay people who are working under him and they say he has not ever made that a concern for them... He is the first to say he is still learning, but he also now has experience in goveernment... I plan to vote for him even with my disagreements on his school board stuff. I think he can be an advocate for Alaska... I just hope we can keep Miller out. So my vote is for him and I think he is the most GLBT friendly vote of the three.

The lesbian and her partner both like Scott:

[My partner] liked working with Scott... I have dealt with Scott in a different capacity. He was on the local school district school board when I was a teacher within that school district. I dealt with him occasionally and it was always professional. He is our current mayor and seems to be doing okay. There have been concerns that the meetings are not as thorough and inquisitive when the assembly should be delving further into issues. Also, there are concerns that he has conflicts of interest between being mayor and working for Community Schools, which is a part of the school district. [He is currently on Leave of Absence from Community Schools, and Cheryl Westover is the new mayor.] I don't know Scott on a friend level so I really can't speak to more than this.

I'm pleased to hear that he attended [the LGBT Pride Conference]. I will be voting for Scott on Tuesday. There is no question about that for me.

There you have it - the word from LGBTA Sitkans: Vote for Scott McAdams!

Thanks to my Sitka friends for adding their voices to the conversation.

Scott also has a Sitka ad. Watch:

Not In Our Town: Juneau

In the spring of 2009, the Juneau Human Rights Commission showed the video Not In Our Town to start a discussion about prejudice and discrimination in general and about specific incidents in Juneau. Now they're working on the next step: setting up a local coalition on human rights.

The members of the Juneau Human Rights Commission have been working this past year on developing a Juneau Human Rights coalition of organizations and individuals here in Juneau. Juneau has many people of different ethnic origins and nationalities whom, in the past, have been victims of discrimination. Nationally, there has been an increase in groups promoting hate crimes towards racial minorities, gays and lesbians, and those of different religions and ethnic backgrounds. Bullying in schools has continued to plague communities around the country. To counter these concerns and to develop opportunity for dialogue among our citizens, the Juneau Human Rights Commission proposes to develop a local Human Rights Coalition.

The impetus for this has come from the efforts of the people in Billings, Montana, to confront hate crimes in the late 1980's and early 1990's. When violence against racial, ethnic and religious minorities exploded in Billings, the people of that city, through various groups and as individuals, drew together to demonstrate their belief in the pluralistic values that have been the bedrock of our nation. They dubbed their efforts, "Not In Our Town". Since then, "Not In Our Town" has become a national movement emulated in communities and cities across the country.

The Commission members here in Juneau want to foster that movement here in Juneau for many reasons. We want to foster a high level of understanding, support and acceptance of all members of our community. We want there to be a forum where issues can be discussed. We want to support the school district in its efforts at reducing bullying in the schools.

To better understand the nature of such a coalition and how it functions, we have invited Eran Thompson to speak at the Egan Library on the evening of November 3. Eran is from Billings, and while he wasn't there during the initial period of the early 1990's, Eran is current president of their "Not in Our Town" coalition. He will speak on the formation of the coalition, what it does, who belongs, how it relates to the community, and how it provides a forum for issues that Billings confronts.

This Not In Our Town video is an excerpt from a program they produced about communities uniting against hate.

Juneau sales tax discriminates against same sex partners

The Juneau Assembly may extend a sales tax exemption for seniors and their spouses to include same sex partners because the current policy is unconstitutional, the Juneau Empire reports:

A tax exemption policy on the City and Borough of Juneau's books technically violates the Alaska Constitution, and Assemblyman Jonathan Anderson wants it corrected.

He addressed the assembly on Friday and presented the problem and two ways of fixing it.

The city code allows senior citizens to apply for an exemption to the sales tax. Their "spouses" who are under age 65 are allowed the same benefit.

Anderson said that's where the language is unconstitutional, and cited ACLU vs. State and Municipality of Anchorage, a 2005 Alaska Supreme Court case. Alaska state law prohibits same sex marriages, but on the same token the tax exemption benefit can't exclude domestic partners or folks who can't get married, the state's top court ruled then.

"The law says you can't exclude people on basis of marriage when one group is excluded from getting married," Anderson said in an interview. "To make our code constitutional, we need to add 'and same-sex partners.'"

The other option to fix the issue of violating the state constitution, is for the city to no longer offer a sales tax exemption for all senior citizens.

Anderson noted the city already addressed this issue in other portions of its code, including establishing rules for providing benefits for domestic partners of its employees.

City Attorney John Hartle said he had reviewed the information and found Anderson's assessment to be correct.

Hartle said if the assembly chooses to go the route of inserting the language "or same-sex partners" it will have to be sure similar documentation standards are implemented as with married couples.

"I will suggest what is probably apparent," said Assemblyman Bob Doll. "What we really want to do is insert the language, 'or same-sex partners' and proceed that way."

The finance committee will review the code amendment issue at its November meeting.

"The assembly will have to decide do we remove it entirely or do we provide it for same sex partners," Anderson said in an interview.

Free Coming Out Day films for Juneau

October is both LGBT History Month and National Bullying Prevention Month, which is sadly appropriate this year with all the recent gay teen suicides due to bullying.

In addition, National Coming Out Day is on October 11, and the Juneau community is recognizing the day, and the month, by screening two LGBT documentaries, one about families and one about bullying:

Free Films Sunday and Monday, October 10 & 11, at 6 pm, kick-off the new Conscientious Projector Film Series at the Nickelodeon Theater, sponsored by the Juneau Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.

In honor of National Coming Out Day, the October Films are co-sponsored by SEAGLA (SouthEast Alaska Gay and Lesbian Alliance) and PFLAG (Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays).

** Bullied is the new Southern Poverty Law Center release by an academy award nominee filmmaker documenting a true story of one student's ordeal at the hands of anti-gay bullies. His story offers inspiration to those fighting harassment. 40 min

** Straight from the Heart interviews a wide cross-section of American parents including a police chief, a Mormon couple, an African American mother, and Bobby Griffith's mother (the mother of Bobby from Prayers for Bobby) all speaking from the heart about their grown gay and lesbian children. 27 min

Optional discussion following both films. Snacks and admission are free. Donations are appreciated.

The Juneau Unitarian Universalist Fellowship meets Sundays at 10 at the corner of Cordova & Foster in West Juneau and is a Welcoming Congregation, welcoming people from every class, nationality, race, gender and sexual orientation. For more information, please visit JUUF online.

The film Bullied is available free to schools from Teaching Tolerance, along with a viewer's guide. Watch the trailer:

Gay AK: Get ready for late summer and fall events

Gay AK is a semi-regular column with short news items and up-coming events for LGBT Alaska. This week, we have a variety of late summer and fall events in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau and the Mat-Su.

----

PFLAG Fairbanks has a booth at the Tanana Valley State Fair, which continues through August 14. The theme of the fair is "Barn in the USA." Beverly designed an adorable PFLAG booth and Jenn did the art work (see photo). Stop by and say hello, or sign up for a shift and go to the fair free that day.

The LGBT Center in the Mat-Su Valley has closed due to a lack of volunteers and donations. However, the Wednesday Social continues at Vagabond Blues in Palmer at 5 p.m.

Juneau Pride Chorus begins rehearsing again on September 7, on Tuesday evenings 5:15 - 6:45 p.m. Potential new members are welcome to attend rehearsals. Email Juneau Pride Chorus for information.

Anchorage events

Come to a Meet & Greet at Bernie's Bungalow on August 18, 5-7:30 p.m. to celebrate Alaska's LGBT community and the 25th anniversary of Pride Foundation, a northwest organization that helps local LGBT projects and people through grants and scholarships. A 21+ event.

Northern Exposure 2010 is Alaska's first educational SM and Leather convention, Aug 20-22. Three days of workshops, classes, parties and meals. Register at NE2010. (This is not specifically LGBT, but is a GLBT-friendly event.)

The gay and lesbian bowling league of Anchorage is getting ready to start another season. Our first league meeting is Sunday August 29 at Jewel Lake Bowl at 4 p.m., and our first day of bowling is September 12. Contact the Northern Exposure Bowling League.

The Imperial Court's Coronation is traditionally held on Labor Day weekend, and Alaska Coronation 38 - "Kickin' it old School...Back to our Roots" will be Sept. 2-6 in Anchorage. Visit the ICOAA for the schedule and tickets.

The annual Alaska Pride Conference is coming up: October 8-10 at Alaska Pacific University.

Gay cruise groups visit glaciers & towns of southeast Alaska

Five gay cruise groups visit the coastal towns of southeast Alaska in 2010, but the big all-gay cruises that sailed here last year went to other locations this year.

Juneau reception on August 15

The annual Pied Piper gay travel group joins a 7-night "Voyage of the Glaciers" cruise from August 13-20, docking in Juneau on Sunday August 15 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. aboard the Celebrity Millennium. A "Welcome to Juneau" reception will be held in the Jaded lounge from 4:30-7 p.m. If you're in Juneau, come on down and say hello to the gay group!

The cruise sails from Seward on August 13, visiting Hubbard Glacier, Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait and Ketchikan before docking in Vancouver, Canada.

Out in Alaska Cruises

The gay-owned local travel company Out in Alaska is also running Glacier cruise groups in Southeast this year, 8 days between Seward and Vancouver, visiting Hubbard Glacier, Sitka, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan. All three trips are full, so I guess they are popular.

"New for 2010 we are offering voyages on 3 luxurious cruises with Holland America Lines to or from Alaska that can be combined with our Land Trips. These cruises are an easy way to see Alaska and you can even bring your mom, kids, and extended family."

The spring trip was in May-June. The summer and fall cruises are on August 15-22 and September 12-19.

"With our local knowledge and expertise, Out in Alaska is your best bet for a fun and authentic Alaska Vacation. You will get the local insiders' perspective on the Last Frontier while experiencing the real Alaska that most tourists miss."

Check out their Land Trips for the rest of 2010, and bookmark Out in Alaska for the 2011 cruise adventures.

Aquafest

The other gay cruise group coming to Alaska this year is the annual 7 night Aquafest hosted group on the Norwegian Pearl, leaving Seattle on September 5 and returning to Seattle on Sept. 12, visiting Juneau on the third day, Tuesday Sept. 7 from 2-10 p.m.

Have you sailed in Alaska with a gay cruise or cruise group? Send your Alaska travel story to Bent Alaska, and I'll post it on the blog!

This Week (and next) in LGBT Alaska 7/9/10

Several great events are happening this weekend, with two on Sunday: the Ray Boltz (Gay/Christian) Concert at MCC, and the Seven Deadly Sins Dinner at Mad Myrna's... an interesting coincidence. On Saturday, the Comedy Hypnosis Show returns to Myrna's. On Friday, the "Life's a Drag" show in Juneau is a benefit for Four A's and the ICOAA.

Next weekend's events are also listed, including the Brandi Carlile concerts in Anchorage and Fairbanks, and the Pride Picnic in Juneau.

To get the LGBT events as a weekly email newsletter, subscribe to Alaska GLBT News.

Juneau

"Life's a Drag" show and flogger making party 7/9, 8:30 p.m. at the Rendezvous Bar, $10 benefit for Four A's & the ICOAA.

SEAGLA Social Fridays (6-8 p.m.) for GLBT people and our friends over 21, at The Jaded Lounge.

SEAGLA and PFLAG Annual Pride Picnic, 7/17, 4-8 p.m. at Skater's Cabin.

Fairbanks

Brandi Carlile concert at The Blue Loon, Thursday 7/15, 8 p.m. Tickets HERE.

Angry, Young & Poor 2010, 7/17 noon-midnight, a (gay-friendly) music event at Ester Community Park.

ICOAA Ducal Ball XVIII: The Duck Awards, Pioneer Park, 7/17, doors at 7 p.m. show at 8. $15 for food and show.

Mat-Su Valley

Coyote Gardens Open Garden 7/17 from 10-5 and 7/18 from noon-4, garden tours by Les and Jerry to raise funds for The Alaska Rock Garden Society and the Willow Garden Club.

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

EverReady plays the Bear Paw Festival in Eagle River, 7/10, 1:00p.m.

Comedy Hypnosis (Summer Hump) Show 7/10, 9-10:30 p.m. at Mad Myrna's. Tickets HERE.

Seven Deadly Sins 3.0, on 7/11 at 5:30p.m., Mad Myrna's. Tickets $25 in advance for the 7 course meal and entertainment. Proceeds to benefit NE2010 and Identity Inc. Tickets HERE.

Ray Boltz Concert at MCCA, 7/11 from 7:15-9 p.m. Register HERE for FREE tickets.

LGBT Caucus of the Alaska Democratic Party meeting 7/13, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at ADP headquarters, 2602 Fairbanks Street in Anchorage.

Operaoke! 7/13, 9-10:30 p.m. at Myrna's.

Identity & PFLAG Volunteer Appreciation Picnic, 7/15, 6 p.m. at Goose Lake Park.

Brandi Carlile concert at The Discovery Theater 7/16, 7:30 p.m. SOLD OUT.

Being LGBT in Juneau, 40 years apart

Sara Boesser, writer of the weekly News Roundup, and Lauren Tibbitts, leader of the JDHS Gay Straight Alliance, were interviewed on "Call Dr. E" on KTOO radio earlier this week. If you missed the live show, you can listen to "Being LGBT in Juneau" in the KTOO archive HERE.

The show should be very interesting: I'm just having my 40th high school reunion this weekend. The other guest, Lauren Tibbitts, just graduated this summer from the same Juneau high school I attended. I realized I was a lesbian while attending my high school; Lauren realized she was bisexual in the same high school 40 years later. The show will be reflections on some of the differences 40 years can make in the same town being a GLBT teenager.

Thanks to Sara and Lauren for sharing their perspectives as LGBT women in southeast Alaska, and to Dr. Elaine Schroeder for moderating the show.

Miss MeMe's Glee-themed promo for HIV Testing Week (video)

This week is National HIV Testing Week, June 21-27, and the Four A's made a great promo video, "MeMe's Corner" starring the Imperial Court of All Alaska's fabulous Miss MeMe in a Glee parody. MeMe knows best and she is lending her name to a very important cause - HIV Testing.

Watch "Miss MeMe's Corner" and subscribe to the Four A's YouTube Channel:

One of many free HIV testing opportunities that week will be at PrideFest on Saturday June 26. The Four A's and the Municipality of Anchorage will be offering free HIV testing and free gonorrhea and chlamydia testing from 1-5 p.m. Just come visit the Four A's booth.

There will be a week long series of events offering free HIV testing in both Anchorage and Juneau. It's important to know your status for the health of yourself and your loved ones. Getting tested is quick and easy. All events will use an oral swab that gives results in 20 minutes.

The Anchorage testing dates and locations are listed below. The Juneau events were posted with the Juneau Pride schedule. Check out Four A's at www.alaskanaids.org for more information about National HIV Testing Week.

Anchorage

Saturday, June 19

Mad Myrna's

10 p.m. -12 a.m.

(530 E. 5th Avenue)

Monday, June 21

Teen Clinic at Transit Center Downtown

12:30 p.m. -2:30 p.m.

Four A's Evening Hours

1057 W. Fireweed Lane, Suite 102

4 p.m.-7 p.m.

Wednesday, June 23

Four A's Evening Hours

4 p.m.-7 p.m.

Friday, June 25

Mad Myrna's

10 p.m.-12 a.m.

Saturday, June 26

PrideFest

1-5 p.m.

Get tested and know your status. MeMe says so.

Juneau adds Film Night to Pride Picnic and Hike

Juneau's Pride events for June and July include a new LGBT Film Night benefit for Alaskans Together featuring the award-wining film Out in the Silence, along with a Pride Picnic at Skater's Cabin, a hike at West Glacier, a drag show benefit for Four A's, and local events for HIV Testing Week.

The First Annual Alaskans Together for Equality LGBT Film Fun-Raiser is on Thursday, June 17 at the Gold Town Nickelodeon Theater, 171 Shattuck Way. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. and the film schedule is below. Come for one segment or stay for the whole evening. Finger foods and refreshments will be available. Bring your checkbook and cash for the donation baskets. Membership in Alaskans Together for Equality, Inc. is available at all levels, from $10 up.

LGBT Film Fun-Raiser Schedule - June 17

6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Dramatic Narrative Shorts

Coming to Terms – College student deals with coming out by phone

The Manual – Sent to psychiatric institution as a boy, Sonny tries to help niece avoid similar treatment

The Call – Lesbian women interact with their sperm donor

Two Encounters – Hidden cameras reveal difference in treatment of blacks and whites in gay bars

7:15 - 8:15 p.m. Main Feature

Out in the Silence – Challenges of coming out and living in small towns and rural America

The film will be followed by an optional discussion in a breakout room led by Juneau Assembly member Jonathan Anderson

8:30 – 9:30 p.m. Humor & Love Shorts

Hi Maya – Mature women strike up relationship in hair salon

Float – Male love in the Bahamas

Hummer – Dinner party brings surprises for women participants

For further information or to help with the event, email Kelli or Marsha.

Watch the trailer for Out in the Silence:

Juneau's other LGBT events for June and July include the Mendenhall hike, the Pride Picnic, the Friday social, a drag show fundraiser for Four A's, and free testing during National HIV Testing Week.

Mendenhall Journey: June 19, 2010. Meet at 9:30 AM at the trail head of West Glacier Trail. Round trip is 5-6 hours, distance is 3.4 miles one-way, bring a lunch and water to drink, trail mix would also be wise, good footwear is mandatory. The hike departs promptly at 10 AM. Do not be late! Access directions: take Montana Creek Road from the Mendenhall Loop road, and follow the signs to the campground. Go past the campground entrance, and Skater's cabin to the parking area at the end of the road. This trail is rated "more difficult" by the Juneau hiking trail guide. There is some rock scrambling/climbing involved to reach the ice caves.

Annual Pride Picnic with SEAGLA and PFLAG: July 17, 2010 at Skater's Cabin from 4-8PM. Please plan to be there. Bring a salad and whatever you would like to drink, glass is not allowed. Firewood might be good depending on weather. Volunteers are requested to help with set up, breakdown, music, and a BBQ grill. SEAGLA will provide paper plates, cups and plastic ware that we already have. Also we will provide some burgers both meat and non-meat as well as hot dogs, and soft drinks. But if you can bring a salad or bake some cookies or a cake that would be great.

Friday Social: June 18, June 25, 2010. Each Friday after work from 6-8 PM, community members and their friends, both men and women are invited to get together. Drop by the Jaded Lounge in the Goldbelt Hotel, downtown Juneau to unwind from the work week. If you are over 21, you are invited to join us. Please try it out this Friday, or another Friday in the future. Come on out, and make a new friend today! Visit SEAGLA for future locations.

Drag Queen and King show: July 9, 2010 at the Rendezvous Bar. Marguerite the recently appointed Duchess of Juneau is planning a local Drag Queen and King show and recycled flogger making party as a fundraiser for Four A's, at the Rendezvous Bar on Friday July 9th, and she's looking for help. Donations of time, supplies, ideas and funds are welcome. Please email Marguerite.

National HIV Testing Week is an annual campaign coordinated by the National Association of People with AIDS to encourage people of all ages to "Take the Test, Take Control." National HIV Testing Week is June 21-27, 2010. The Four A's will be providing free testing (Oral Swab, results in 20 minutes) at closed and public locations for the whole week in Juneau. The public locations:

Tuesday, June 22: 7-10 p.m. at Rendezvous

Wednesday, June: 23 11-4 p.m. at Blaze and 4-8 p.m. at Four A's

Thursday, June 24: 8:30 a.m.– 3:30 p.m. Free blood draws at Juneau Public Health (no appointment necessary) and 8-11 p.m. at Alaskan Bar

Friday, June 25: 4-8 p.m. at Four A's

Free HIV Testing also available at Four A's (174 S Franklin Street, #207/Above Heritage Coffee) during business hours, call 586-6089 for an appointment.

I'm from Alaska: True LGBT Stories

The "I'm From Driftwood" project collects and shares true LGBT stories from all over the world, based on the towns where people were raised, and they're starting a 50 state tour this year. They only have two stories from Alaska, both by gay men, one from Eagle River (posted below) and one from Juneau. The guy who wrote "I'm From Juneau, AK" now lives in Texas, but he came out in Alaska:

I had my first [coming out] conversation twenty-nine years ago, driving my friend, Trent, back from a high school dance in downtown Juneau to his house near mine in the Valley:

"I want to tell you something, but I'm afraid it could hurt our friendship, and I don't want it to. It's hard to talk about, and I've been avoiding telling you, but I want to."

"Okay."

"I'm gay."

"Okay. It's no big deal. Just slow down!" Apparently, my nervousness had caused me to tense up and clamp down, including clamping my foot down on the gas pedal.

"Well," I thought afterward, "that went a lot better than I feared."

The Driftwood team is still planning and fundraising for the 50-State Story Tour. They expect to fly to Alaska in November 2010.

There are gay stories from every corner of the Earth and I think they should be told. But why? What does it mean??

To the gay teens struggling to come out and deal with their sexuality, who to this day still attempt suicide 4 times more than straight kids, it says "you are not alone." Other people have dealt with similar situations, families, communities and churches, and have overcome and are now living happy lives. It can happen for you, too. It gets soooo much better, I promise. Hang in there, kiddo.

And to the people who don't support equal rights, it says we're not all that different after all. We all have stories and problems and loves and lives just like everyone else. So maybe we should all be treated like everyone else, too.

The other Alaska story, "I'm From Eagle River, AK" by John Ashton, is about the anti-gay hostility he feels and the importance of coming out:

"Mom, I have something I need to tell you." I said, trying to find the words. "I don't know how to tell you this, so I will just put it out there. I am gay."

There are some things in my life that I never considered that I would be sharing with my mother, or any of my family for that matter. I never saw my preference in a love partner as anyone's business but mine. The climate of hostility that still surrounds the issue of gay and lesbian people only secured the thought in my mind. All of that changed last year.

In January of 2009 a good friend of mine, Chris, passed away from complications with the HIV virus. I took his death hard, but in a way it helped me more than I knew at the time. The whole time that I knew Chris he pushed me to talk with my family about being gay. He told me that the closet put so much stress on me that I wasn't even able to see yet. When he passed away I was finally able to see what he meant.

For over a month I was not able to discuss with anyone that a close friend of mine had just died. I was not able to cry about it. I was not able to deal with the feelings that his death brought up in me. Instead these feelings were only allowed to fester and grow inside of me until I could not bear it anymore.

I called my mom one morning. "Mom, we need to talk. Would it be alright if I came over tonight?"

"I would love to talk with you, John." She said. "Come over when I get home from work."

Even with the now obvious stress that keeping quiet was putting on me, I almost backed down. I almost chose to remain silent. The level of hostility that still remains in society around the issue of gay and lesbian people scared me enough that I was not sure how my own mother would take this news.

"Mom, I have something I need to tell you. I don't know how to tell you this, so I will just put it out there. I am gay."

"I am not shocked." my mother said.

"Is that all?" I asked, ready for any response.

"John, I still love you. I am not shocked by this. If you are going to choose to explore this path, I will support you. There may come a time when things change for you. You don't really know who you are until you are a bit older." she said.

I had a mixture of feelings. Mostly overwhelming joy, though. There was a subtle hint of annoyance, but joy overpowered this. She still loved me. These were the words I was hoping to hear for longer than I realized.

"What made you want to tell me this now?" She asked me.

I explained to her that I had a friend that had died recently, and that having to hide this part of me meant having to hide my pain in relation to him.

The conversation went long into the night. There were a lot of happy tears mixed with some sad ones. When the conversation drew to a close my mom offered these last words.

"John, I want you to be happy. If this is what will make you happy I will support you. If you bring someone home, though, be sure it is someone I would approve of, male or female."

In the months since this I have had similar conversations with the other members of my family. I look back on the last 9 years that I spent hiding with a lot of regret. I somehow allowed other people's fear and misunderstanding of gay and lesbian people to damage and restrain my relationships with my family. I spent nearly a decade hiding from myself. Now I will spend the next decade, and longer, working to ensure that the next generation will not have to hide from themselves, or anyone else.

I leave you with the words of the author Dr. Seuss. "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."

According to the guidelines, the "I'm From Driftwood" stories are based on the town and state you were raised in (not the town you live in now). 300-word stories are best, and make it a story, not an essay, a social commentary, or a rant. Try to write about something other than your coming out story. Keep it clean, this is a for-all-ages site.

Contribute a written story (guidelines and submission form HERE), set up a video interview (examples), or be a featured artist with IFD.

Memorial Day Picnic, Homer GSA, Juneau benefit, Palmer gallery, Marcia's Lodge

Gay AK: Notes from Homer, Juneau, Palmer, Kenai and Anchorage

May 22 is Harvey Milk Day. He would have been 80 today.

Community Memorial Day Picnic

Please join the Imperial Court as they host the annual Memorial Day Picnic in Anchorage, at the Kincaid Park chalet again this year, on Monday, May 31, noon-5 p.m. For more than 30 years, this showcase event has launched the summer meet and greet season. Strike a pose! See you there!

Homer's New Youth-Community GSA

A group of young adults in Homer started a Youth-Community GSA. Their first meeting is on Saturday, May 22, from 3:30-5:30pm in the Homer Public Library Conference Room.

Marcia's Redfish Lodge on the Kenai

Thinking about a summer tip to the Kenai? Check out Marcia's Alaska Redfish Lodge. Beautiful cabins, friendly environment, and a great place to get away.

Half Moon Creek opens new art gallery in Palmer

The new Palmer store is open! Come support some fabulous lesbians and some of Alaska's finest artists. Half Moon Creek.

Juneau Drag Queen and King benefit show, help needed

The recently appointed Duchess Marguerite of Juneau is planning a Drag Queen and King show as a fundraiser for Four A's, at the Rendezvous Bar on Friday June 18th, and she's looking for help.

"I need some awesome talent to get up there and shake it. You can lip synch, sing live or karaoke, juggle, I don't care really, just as long as you're willing to cross dress while doing so. Or not, I'm pretty open to any help! Not a performer? How about help with sound, lighting, costumes? Sign making, donations, general street team getting the word out action is definitely needed. Donations of time, supplies, ideas, money, I want it all." Please contact Marguerite, to offer assistance.

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!