Gay & Trans films in the Anchorage International Film Festival

December 8 is Gay-La Night in the 2010 Anchorage International Film Festival, with two shorts and a feature at Bear Tooth, and an after party at Mad Myrna's.

This year's Gay-La program includes three films about gay men: Now and Forever, a supershort about an artist, a painting and two hearts that become one; a short narrative called Bedfellows, a modern-day spin on a fairy tale genre with two gay characters in the classic boy-meets-girl story set in New York City; and an award-winning one hour documentary Holding Hands, about Craig and Shane, a couple in Australia, who face a difficult journey to recovery after suffering a hate crime. Join AIFF for the screening and then head to Myrna's for drinks and food.

Holding Hands won two awards at the Spokane GLBT Film Festival last month, including the audience choice award. More about Holding Hands, and the trailer:

"Craig and Shane were holding hands when they fell victim to a brutal hate crime off Sydney's Oxford Street in 2007. The image of Craig's shattered face on the cover of the local newspaper called Sydney's queer community to action, and the couple were nominated leaders of the 2008 Sydney Mardi Gras Parade. The hardest year of this young couple's lives is documented through endless surgeries, physical and psychological recovery and their struggle to plan for their future. But at its heart, Holding Hands reveals that even in the worst circumstances, we can all create positive change."

Also screening in AIFF 2010 is Ticked-Off Trannies With Knives [link includes trailer] on Dec. 4 at Bear Tooth and on Dec. 10 at Out North. (Viewers must be 18 and older.)

"A group of transgender women are violently beaten and left for dead. After regaining their consciousness the violated vixens turn deadly divas and with their new-found confidence and courage, slice their way to vengeance. A homage to the exploitation/revenge films of the 70's and 80's, this film sets out to create a new and unique genre called -- transploitation. Loaded with titillating dialog, bodacious bods and extreme violence, this revenge-fantasy proves that it takes more than balls to get even."

The 2010 film festival runs December 3-16 at the Bear Tooth, Out North, Organic Oasis, Anchorage Museum, Wilda Marston Theatre and the Alaska Dispatch Hangar.

"North America's northernmost independent film festival celebrates its 10th event by getting movie-goers out from the cold and into the illuminating glow of hot films from around the globe."

Gay-La Night:

Wednesday, December 8

Screening at Bear Tooth at 8:15 pm

After Party at Mad Myrna's starts at 10:00 pm

Miller to Maddow on gay rights: "I wanna be straight with you"

Rachel Maddow broadcast her show live from Anchorage on Tuesday night, after interviewing our U.S. Senate candidates and their supporters. Well, she interviewed Democrat Scott McAdams and write-in Lisa Murkowski, and finally got Tea Party Joe Miller to answer a few questions while walking through a building.

At one point she asked Miller, "Do you agree that homosexuality can be cured?" and he responded "it's a state issue." (Huh?) When she asked if he thinks being gay is a choice, he began part of his answer by saying "I wanna be straight with you." (I guess he doesn't know that she's a lesbian.) Later in the interview, she corners him on the federal marriage ban, which he supports despite the fact that he thinks it's a state issue. (Gotcha.)

Watch the Miller "interview" here:

The other segment that covered LGBT issues in Alaska was her candid talk with Tank Jones, bodyguard for Levi Johnston and tour guide for Rachel. At one point she asked if people here are conservative on social issues and are anti-gay, and he gave an interesting response:

No. Not here because we have... 3-4 gay bars here in this small town of Anchorage, and probably over half of the people that's in these campaigns are secretly gay but they won't come out. So we don't really have a anti-gay movement here like they have in other places because... diversity runs big here, very very big here, so we don't have that problem.

Well, there wouldn't be so many people afraid to come out if they felt accepted by the community, and we obviously do have that problem here. We also have an anti-gay movement. On the positive side, his answer is the only comment on the show about gay life in Anchorage, and it completely denies the existence of the anti-gays. Anyone who disses the local bigots is OK by me.

Watch the Tank segment:

The best part of the evening was Rachel's interview of Vic Fisher, a delegate to the convention that wrote the Alaska state constitution, and radio host Shannyn Moore. Vic points out that a constitution is designed to be a living framework, not a static document, and asks us to vote our values, not our fears. Shannyn notes that this election is part of an on-going feud between the Murkowski family and the Palin family. They both explain why we need to support and vote for Scott McAdams.

Watch the Vic and Shannon segment:

The other Alaska segments can be viewed on The Rachel Maddow Show and include interviews with Scott and Lisa and their supporters, and a great segment with ignorant Joe supporters. Between the taped sections, Rachel reported live from the Taproot Cafe in Anchorage. (Guess which bloggers can be seen behind Rachel?)

Thanks to Rachel and her crew for reporting from Alaska, and thanks to Shannyn Moore, Taproot and everyone who encouraged Rachel to visit. She rocks!

Rachel Maddow in Alaska Tomorrow!

The Rachel Maddow Show will be broadcast live from Anchorage on Tuesday! Shannyn Moore, host of Moore Up North, made the announcement on her radio show and blog today:

Grab a Redbull and buckle up, Buttercup. The Rachel Maddow Show is coming to Anchorage! Apparently, our tight, 3-way US Senate Race is generating a lot of national interest. Rachel did a great 10 minute segment on our crazy race last week... [posted Friday on Bent HERE]

So, here are the details. Rachel will be broadcasting live from the new home of Moore Up North, Taproot, TOMORROW, Tuesday, October 26, 2010 at 5:00 pm.

Tickets are free but limited. Go to the announcement on Moore's blog, Just a Girl from Homer, to request your tickets.

Thanks to Shannyn and Linda Kellen Biegel for convincing the incredible (and openly lesbian) Rachel Maddow to give national attention to Alaska's election!

Former Elmendorf NCO escorts Lady GaGa to MTV awards to support DADT repeal

Lady Gaga won 8 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, and former Elmendorf AFB staff sergeant David Hall (far right in photo) escorted her to the show, along with three other service members who lost their military careers because of the ban against open service by gays and lesbians, a policy known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT).

Lady Gaga spoke in favor of repealing DADT when she accepted her award for Best Female Video for "Bad Romance" and thanked the four "discharged soldiers" who came with her, adding "And thank you to all the gays for remaking this video over and over again."

Her escorts were former U.S. Air Force Staff Sargent David Hall; former U.S. Air Force Major Mike Almy; top West Point cadet Katie Miller, who resigned in August in protest of DADT; and Former U.S. Army Sargent First Class Stacy Vasquez.

David Hall was a decorated Elmendorf NCO before starting officer training at the University of Alaska, Anchorage, and was a top student in the Air Force ROTC. He was dis-enrolled from the ROTC because a female cadet suspected he was having a relationship with Jack Glover, another UAA airman, and told their superior officer. Both men were kicked out because of the DADT policy.

A federal judged ruled DADT unconstitutional last week, but the government is expected to appeal the decision. The U.S. House already passed a repeal of DADT, and the Senate vote is scheduled for next week.

Call your Senators today at 202-224-3121 and urge them to repeal the policy!

Senotor Begich supports repeal, while Sen. Murkowski is undecided. But she voted for the Hate Crimes Act after hearing from Alaskan voters. She lost the GOP nomination and has not announced a write-in campaign, so she might be persuaded to vote for the Defense Budget and the DADT repeal.

In Feb. 2008, KTVA in Anchorage aired a special report on David Hall and "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (one of the first videos ever posted on Bent Alaska.)

This week, Hall was interviewed by MTV about escorting Lady GaGa to the Video Music Awards:

"We met her before the show last week and told her our stories, and that's when she said she wanted to do more," said David Hall, 36, a former member of the Air Force who was booted out in August 2002 after a female cadet told his commander that he was gay and in a relationship. When confronted, Hall said he told his commanding officer he had no comment, but "he took her word for it over mine," and Hall, a five-year veteran, was discharged.

"We talked to [Gaga] for a bit and she said, 'It would be great if I could bring you to the VMAs,' " he said. A longtime Gaga fan, Hall was ecstatic about the idea, but said it seemed unlikely that they could pull it off on such short notice. But when you're Lady Gaga and you have 13 VMA nominations, it seems anything is possible.

"I just kept thinking, 'How can we get this together? Can we do it that fast?' " Hall said. "To my surprise, we were able to pull it off."

Hall and three of his cohorts — Katie Miller, Stacy Vasquez and Mike Almy — ended up walking the white carpet with Gaga and chatting with MTV's Sway before they took their seats right behind Gaga in the Nokia Theatre in some of the most primo spots in the house.

Hall has been working with the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN.org) since 2006, helping the advocacy organization push to have "Don't Ask" repealed. He said even with all the work he's been doing for the organization, having Gaga spread the word to her 6 million Twitter followers and millions of VMA viewers was a huge boost.

"I've done tons of media over the past four years ... but I knew she would reach out to her Little Monsters and tell them about the repeal of 'Don't Ask' on the white carpet and [it would have a huge impact]," he said. "You couldn't ask for a better person to do it. She's very genuine. It's not some ploy to get attention. She really wanted to know about the repeal and why we need to get rid of 'Don't Ask.' "

... Gaga's decision to use the VMA platform to publicize the attempt to push the repeal of "Don't Ask" through — a commitment President Obama made during his campaign and which he has repeatedly said is his goal — came at just the right time, according to Hall.

"The Senate is just coming back and we're hoping that they will pass something this month," he said, noting that Democratic control of Congress could possibly be weakened if Republican candidates score key victories in the November elections, which could set the repeal process back once again. "We were telling her that it is very important to speak out on this now," Hall said of SLDN's message to Gaga, who paid for the service members to fly out to Los Angeles for the VMAs.

In addition to their swank seats and walk down the carpet, Hall said the organization members met with Gaga as she was prepping for the show earlier in the day Sunday to go over talking points. They also were invited to attend the post-VMA party put on by Gaga's Interscope Records label, where they chatted with Mother Monster and her actual mother, Cynthia Germanotta.

Hall's highlight? "She gave us a shout-out during the acceptance for her first award," he said. "And the interview with Sway on the white carpet ... But every time Lady Gaga won, it was great. And when she won Video of the Year, I loved her meat outfit."

Video: Lady Gaga Introduces Special Guests On VMA White Carpet

2010 MTV Video Music Awards - More VMA Video

David Hall is currently the Development Director & Information Technology Manager of SLDN.

GLAAD media training in Anchorage

What would you say - and how would you say it - if a reporter, coworker or neighbor who is not yet an ally asked why we need LGBT rights? What are the best ways to get across our message of equality and be understood?

A top gay media strategist is coming to Anchorage next weekend to teach the LGBT community how to speak to the public and the media to advance equal rights in Alaska.

Adam Bass, a Senior Media Strategist at GLAAD in Los Angeles, is coming to Anchorage to offer a media workshop for the LGBT community and allies. Community members, religious and organization leaders, and allies are invited to come to the workshop.

The event will be from 10am to 1pm on Saturday, September 11, at the conference room in the lower level of 1057 West Fireweed Lane.

The workshop will focus on how to tell our stories and build support through media advocacy. By ensuring that the stories of LGBT people are heard through the media, we will promote understanding, increase acceptance, and advance equality.

Participants will learn the ins and outs of communications strategy, talking points, media interviews, and the power of telling their story.

Communications work, like lobbying or door knocking, involves strategy that can move public opinion about issues to accomplish a goal. This advocacy workshop will give you the resources you need to speak up about equality, to move public opinion, and to help make equality in Anchorage a reality!

The workshop will be free of charge. For more information, please contact Adam Bass, Senior Media Strategist at GLAAD, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.

We can all be more media savvy to advance LGBT rights in Anchorage. Don't miss this excellent opportunity.

Meet Actress Sheetal Sheth at her Alaska film premiere

Yes, it's true! Join this hot actress for a Q&A session following her girl-gets-girl action in the Alaska premiere of two award-winning lesbian movies, I Can't Think Straight and The World Unseen, playing as a double-feature at Out North on October 8 & 10. And it's a benefit! Tickets go on sale at Metro in September.

The timing is great. It's right before National Coming Out Day (Oct 11) and the same weekend as the annual Alaska Pride Conference (Oct 9 at APU in Anchorage) and the biannual Womyn's Dance (Oct 9 at the Snow Goose). With the conference all day on Saturday, the dance Saturday night, and the films and Sheetal on Friday and Sunday, you'll definitely want to Come Out and join us!

Maureen Suttman is the organizer of the premiere. She chose I Can't Think Straight and The World Unseen (see the trailers below) partly because of their rich multi-cultural perspectives and the long term lesbian couple who created the films.

"They have earned over 30 international awards AND haven't been screened here," she wrote to Bent Alaska. "I happened to cross emails with Sheetal and stepped out there and invited her, and she has been saying "yes" for the last 2 months about coming here. Alaska sure does help in sparking interest."

"Last Spring, I saw 2 films that have been gaining the attention of both lesbians and the greater GLBT community. One set in London and a romantic comedy, the other set in South Africa and a drama, they both take on multiple layers of culture without losing underlying relationship themes--and while bringing tremendous heart and thought provoking images to the screen. Looking more, I found that between the two films they have won over 30 awards from around the globe. Further research into the production house behind them showed that at its helm are 2 women who are long-term domestic partners (and moms to their boys). Shamim Sarif is an award winning novel writer turned screen writer turned director. Hanan Kattan is her partner and the films' producer. Together they head London-based Enlightenment Productions and are gearing up additional novels to movies, music and television projects."

"Thinking others here would be interested in the films and the women behind them, I found myself compelled to show them in Anchorage. I sought out permission from EP's main office and am happy to report that on October 8th and 10th there will be a benefit screening of the films I Can't Think Straight and The World Unseen at Out North. In addition, and by an incredible stroke of good luck, Sheetal Sheth--co-star of both films (and NOH8 campaign supporter!) is coming to join us and will be available for audience Q&A and after-film conversation. Tickets will go on sale at Metro Music and Books in September."

"Since the films' releases, Sheetal's co-star Lisa Ray was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and underwent stem cell replacement treatment. Though now in remission, she was unable to work throughout treatment. Out of concern for her, there was an outpouring of fan support and a project to generate income for her was set up. The benefit film screenings will support both the Lisa Ray audio book project fund, as well as our own Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Anchorage."

"Check out Enlightenment Productions for more info on the films and the very creative gals behind them. More information on the Lisa Ray audio book project can be seen on Shamim Sarif's blog."

"Check out Sheetal at www.sheetalsheth.com. Her email address is there so why not leave her a message in anticipation of her visit? Personal experience suggests she will likely answer especially if you reference Alaska in the subject line."

"Thanks and hope to see everyone there!"

Thanks to Maureen for inviting this internationally-known actress to visit Alaska with the premiere of these two great films! Let's give Sheetal a warm Alaska welcome and fill that theater.

Where: Out North, 3800 DeBarr Road

When: Friday October 8 at 6:30 p.m., and Sunday October 10 at 1 p.m.

How much: $15 for the double feature

Watch the trailer for I Can't Think Straight:

Watch the trailer for The World Unseen:

Howl (trailer)

A new film Howl was the opening night feature at Outfest, the 11 day LGBTQ film festival in Los Angeles.

The film interweaves three stories: the landmark 1957 obscenity trial over Ginsberg's epic poem, an imaginative animated journey through Howl, and a portrait of a gay man who found new ways to express himself and in doing so, galvanized a generation. Howl will open in select theaters on September 24.

James Franco stars as the young Allen Ginsberg - poet, counter-culture adventurer and chronicler of the Beat Generation. In his famously confessional, leave-nothing-out style, Ginsberg recounts the road trips, love affairs and search for personal liberation that led to the most timeless and electrifying work of his career, the poem HOWL. Meanwhile, in a San Francisco courtroom, HOWL is on trial. Prosecutor Ralph McIntosh (Strathairn) sets out to prove that the book should be banned, while suave defense attorney Jake Ehrlich (Hamm) argues fervently for freedom of speech and creative expression. The proceedings veer from the comically absurd to the passionate as a host of unusual witnesses (Jeff Daniels, Mary-Louise Parker, Treat Williams, Alesssandro Nivola) pit generation against generation and art against fear in front of conservative Judge Clayton Horn (Bob Balaban).

HOWL is simultaneously a portrait of a renegade artist breaking down barriers to find love and redemption and an imaginative ride through a prophetic masterpiece that rocked a generation and was heard around the world.

Watch the Howl trailer:

Go GaGa for Monster Ball tickets with KFAT & Myrna's

Mad Myrna's, the new KFAT 92.9, and Alaska Airlines have teamed up to send two lucky Alaskans to Lady Gaga's Monster Ball concert in Tacoma, Washington.

Everyone who comes to Mad Myrna's on the next four Saturday nights will qualify for a chance to win round trip tickets for two to Lady Gaga's August 21 concert at the Tacoma Dome. Double your chances by showing up at Myrna's dressed as Lady Gaga!

Go GaGa starts on July 17 from 8-10 p.m. at Mad Myrna's, 530 E 5th Avenue in downtown Anchorage, and continues every Saturday night until the grand finale on August 7.

Go GaGa with the new KFAT 92.9, Mad Myrna's and Alaska Airlines

Grand prize winner receives:

Round trip tickets for two to Tacoma, Washington

Hotel stay and tickets to Lady Gaga's Monster Ball Tour

Come to all the dates! We'll also be playing games for other prizes at each event. You don't want to miss it!

**Must be at least 21 years old to enter**

**Must be present to win**

EVENT DATES:

SATURDAY, JULY 17TH FROM 8 – 10 PM

SATURDAY, JULY 24TH FROM 8 – 10 PM

SATURDAY, JULY 31ST FROM 8 – 10 PM

SATURDAY, AUGUST 7TH FROM 8 – 10 PM

Official rules are HERE. (pdf)

Can't wait to see Myrna's packed full of gay and straight Alaskans - women and men - dressed as Lady Gaga. It's enough to give Prevo nightmares!

Watch: Robosexual Marriage

Futurama is back on Comedy Central, and last week's episode on robosexual marriage coincided with the federal court ruling that DOMA is unconstitutional. The clip parodies the infamous Gathering Storm ad, and includes the pro-equality part of a public debate. Later in the episode, the opponent turns out to be a closet robosexual, of course.

Watch a clip of "Futurama: No on Infinity":

Futurama	Thursdays 10pm / 9c
No on Infinity
www.comedycentral.com
Futurama New Episodes Futurama New Episodes It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

In a previous episode, Bender and Amy tried to keep their love hidden from coworkers, and dealt with a street preacher (another closet robosexual) who sounds like a familiar Anchorage homophobe. How many of our local haters are closet cases? Watch the clip:

Futurama	Thursdays 10pm / 9c
Bender and Amy's Taboo Love
www.comedycentral.com
Futurama New Episodes Futurama New Episodes It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

Watch: The Kids Are All Right

The Kids Are All Right opened Friday in the lower 48. It's a family comedy starring Annette Bening, Julianne Moore, and Mark Ruffalo. Two teenagers raised by a lesbian couple (Bening and Moore) find their sperm donor father (Ruffalo) and bring him into the family. The household will never be the same.

Watch the trailer:

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.

Pride Float destroyed & rebuilt for July 4th parade wins Grand Prize (video and links)

Two days into a camping trip, I received a text message that a Pride Parade float entered in the Anchorage 4th of July parade had been destroyed by a suspicious fire.

The Imperial Court had 48 hours to rebuild. They called for volunteers and for the LGBTA community to march along with the new float. In the nearest town, I shared that information on Bent's Facebook wall before the connection quit.

Coming home last night, I saw photos of the new LGBT float and the queer youth float that also participated in Sunday's parade.

The Pride float was built by the efforts of many. Thanks to the LGBT people and allies who created the float so quickly and with so much style. Thanks to the businesses and individuals who donated the materials, funds and labor to rebuild the float. Thanks to all who rode and walked with the float. And thanks to the Facebook users, local media, and bloggers for reporting the fire and the story of Phoenix Rising, the LGBT float that won the Grand Prize in the 4th of July parade. It was a community effort, in every way.

A fund is set up to help rebuild Paula & Ken Butner's garage (Wells Fargo account #9297382088). The fire investigation is still in progress. In a possibly related incident, the police are investigating eggs thrown on the home of Daphne, the emcee for the LGBT float.

KTUU has a good report on the float, but their video can't be embedded. KTVA also reported the suspicious fire, and that the rebuilt float won the Grand Prize. Watch the parade story:

Linda of Celtic Diva posted a photo essay about the float on Mudflats. Gryphen on Immoral Minority asked if Mayor Sullivan considers the fire "quantifiable evidence" of hate toward the gay community in Anchorage. The incident was also reported by the Associated Press, and by the national gay blog Towleroad.

Meanwhile in the town of Homer, Alaska, the LGBTA float for the July 4th parade was created without incident by PFLAG and the Gay/Straight Alliance, but the announcer refused to introduce the PFLAG/GSA float when they passed the judging booth. One of the marchers had to step forward and tell the crowd who they were.

More people rode in the PFLAG rainbow skiff this year, and several of the walkers wore Alaska rainbow socks. The LGBT contingent included the skiff, two bicycles, two gay olympic athletes with their medals, a skateboarder, a group of walkers, and a blond queen wearing a pink sweater-set with black leather boots and riding a motorcycle.

Thanks to the national LGBT book blogger Band of Thebes (who lives part time in Homer) for the story and photos.

Watch: Drag Queen Bingo & Alaska Pride Parade (videos)

Thanks to KTVA channel 11 for airing several stories throughout the week of Alaska PrideFest this year. The report at the beginning of PrideFest was posted on Bent HERE. This next story was filmed at the annual Drag Queen Bingo at Snow City Cafe. The event is a benefit for AMP, a young men's empowerment group at the Four A's. What is Trevor wearing!

Drag Queen Bingo

Snow City Cafe hosts annual Drag Queen Bingo to celebrate PrideFest 2010.

The last clip was at the Pride Parade & Festival. Check out the awesome flash mob dancing by the Four A's! It's time for the LGBTQ community and our allies to bring flash mobs to Anchorage. Miss MeMe introduces the Festival with her usual flair.

Anchorage Community Joins in PrideFest Celebration

Volunteers say the celebration is attracting a whole new generation.

What does PRIDE mean to you?

IN THE LIFE speaks with a diverse group of LGBT people and discovers what Pride means to them. Watch the episode and tell us what LGBT Pride means to you:

The ordinance one year later (video)

KTVA looks back at the 2009 battle for an equal rights ordinance, and asks where the LGBT community of Anchorage is today, as we celebrate PrideFest 2010.

Four voices speak for fairness and equal rights: Matthew, Rachel, Johnathan and MeMe. Only one person speaks for hate: Prevo. Which side are YOU on?

KTVA on PrideFest 2010 (video)

KTVA Channel 11 in Anchorage reported on the week of events for Alaska PrideFest, with video and interviews from Saturday's Annual Gay Memorial Service and clips of last year's Pride Festival. The intro reads: "A bevy of businesses will host special events around town celebrating PrideFest - a ten-day lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender community celebration."

Watch the KTVA story: Ten Days of PrideFest:

For more information on Alaska PrideFest, visit www.AlaskaPride.org.

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.

"City of Borders" at Mini Film Fest for Anchorage Pride

The Bear Tooth is hosting a GLBT Mini-Fest for Anchorage Pride Week with three movies: City of Borders (an Israeli documentary), The Big Gay Musical (a romantic date movie) - both showing on Monday June 21 - and the 1994 classic The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert showing Thursday June 24.

City of Borders: Monday, June 21 at 5:30 PM, tickets $3

In the heart of Jerusalem stands an unusual symbol of unity that defies generations of segregation, violence and prejudice: a gay bar called Shushan. City of Borders goes inside this vibrant underground sanctuary on the East/West border of the Holy City, where people of opposing nationalities, religions and sexual orientations create a community among people typically viewed as each other's "enemy." The documentary follows the daily lives of the five Israeli and Palestinian patrons as they navigate the minefield of politics, religion and discrimination to live and love openly. In observing the lives of the bar regulars, City of Borders explores the bond forged when people from warring worlds embrace what everyone shares in common - the right to be accepted and belong - rather than be defined, or limited by the differences that tear them apart. (Israel, US 2009, not rated)

The other two trailers will be posted separately. For more information, visit the Anchorage Pride Mini GLBT Film Festival, and see the full Pride Week schedule at Alaska Pride 2010.

"Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" at Mini Film Fest for Anchorage Pride

The Bear Tooth is hosting a GLBT Mini-Fest for Anchorage Pride Week with three movies: City of Borders (an Israeli documentary), The Big Gay Musical (a romantic date movie) - both showing on Monday June 21 - and the 1994 classic The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert showing Thursday June 24.

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert: Thursday, June 24 at 10 PM, tickets $3

This is the tale of two drag queens and a transsexual who embark on a road trip to a remote resort town in the Australian desert on a bus christened Priscilla. When Anthony "Tick"/Mitzi (Hugo Weaving) is invited to perform in Alice Springs, he recruits flamboyant young stud Adam/Felicia (Guy Pearce) and the legendary, refined Bernadette (Terence Stamp) to join him. Mitzi, however, fails to disclose one important fact to his friends: his wife is the one who invited them to Alice Springs.

With one big secret about to be revealed and another one up his sleeve, Mitzi is a little stressed. With long hours on the road ahead of them, the trio lip-synchs campy songs on the bus, creates fabulous costumes, and meets a multitude of colorful characters along the way. They party with friendly aborigines, are confronted by judgmental townspeople who are averse to drag queens, and meet Bob (Bill Hunter), a warmhearted mechanic and drag fan who joins them for the last leg of their trip when their bus breaks down in the middle of nowhere.

Fantastic costumes and fabulous makeup abound, and fine performances are delivered all around. But perhaps most important are the implicit messages that families come in all forms, that friends can make a family, and that love really knows no boundaries.

It's the Australian film that blitzed overseas box offices. It caused a near riot at the Cannes Film Festival. It won an Academy Award®. It's fun, daring, over-the-top and unforgettable. It's a road movie with attitude and the occasional frock. (Australia 1994, Rated R)

The other two trailers will be posted separately. For more information, visit the Anchorage Pride Mini GLBT Film Festival, and see the full Pride Week schedule at Alaska Pride 2010.