Alaskans Attend Creating Change

Creating Change 2009, The 21st National Conference on LGBT Equality, runs Wednesday through Sunday in Denver, and two Alaskan leaders are attending this year.

"I am excited about Creating Change," wrote Tiffany McClain. "I'm really hoping that I learn something I can put to use in the campaign for Equality Works."

Tiffany is managing the Equality Works campaign "to protect Anchorage residents from discrimination and harassment, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity." She is the LGBT Coordinator for the ACLU of Alaska, and the Secretary of Alaskans Together for Equality.

"Identity is sending me to Creating Change," wrote Scott Turner, co-chair of Identity, Inc. "I will do my best to bring back plenty of good info on things we are working on locally."

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) sponsors and organizes Creating Change, "the nation's pre-eminent political, leadership and skills-building conference for the LGBT social justice movement."

This isn't the first year that Alaskan activists have attended the national conference.

"Creating Change was very educational for me every time I went," wrote Elias Rojas, also of Alaskans Together. "I think for Alaskans it offers understanding of the bigger GLBT issues that are happening across the country and the trends and issues."

"Any Alaskan that makes it to the conference will come back with a fresh perspective."

Dying City & Shakespeare's R&J in Juneau

Two plays of interest to the LGBT community are being performed by the Thunder Mountain Theatre Project in Juneau, this weekend through mid-February: Dying City by Christopher Shinn, and Shakespeare's R&J, adapted by Joe Calarco.

Shakespeare's R&J explores issues of sexuality as four boys act out a secret production of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet to rebell against their oppressive school. Four male actors play all the roles, including the female characters, remaining in their boy's school uniforms throughout the show. (pictured at right)

Dying City is about the cost of the Iraq war on a dead soldier's wife and gay twin brother, and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. The author Christopher Shinn is a recipient of the Robert S. Chesley Award, which recognizes the work of an emerging gay or lesbian playwright. 

Thunder Mountain Theatre Project was founded in 2007 by Flordelino Lagundino. "We choose plays that act as a mirror to society by exploring the social, political, and cultural issues of our time," says the Project's web site. "[W]e seek to provide theatrical experiences for all ages that speak to the rich diversity of our community."

Dying City & Shakespeare's R&J will be performed in repertory at the The Old Elk's Hall, 109 S. Franklin Street, January 29 - February 15, 2009. Tickets are available at Hearthside Books. See the Thunder Mountain schedule for dates and times.

This Week in LGBT Alaska 1/30/09

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.

NEWS

MILK returns to Anchorage

MILK, the movie based on the life of Harvey Milk, got 8 Academy Award Nominations and is showing at The Bear Tooth this week, Friday-Sunday at 7:50 p.m. and Tuesday-Thursday at 5:30 p.m. Only 6 showings - don't miss it!

Savage Love Live

Dan Savage will speak at UAA on Feb. 12 at 7:30 p.m., answering questions about virginity, orgasms, monogamy, and other "taboo" topics. Students with UAA ID get in free. General Public tickets are $10 and are available now at UAATix. 

EVENTS THIS WEEK

Juneau

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

Two Gay-Interest Plays at Thunder Mountain Theatre Project, 1/29-2/15, 7:30 p.m. Dying City by Christopher Shinn, and Shakespeare's R&J, adapted by Joe Calarco.

Mat-Su Valley

Mat-Su LGBT Community Center social support group meetings to discuss LBGT issues in the valley. Mondays at 2 p.m. and Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Vagabond Blues in Palmer.

Anchorage

MILK showing at The Bear Tooth 1/30-2/1 at 7:50 p.m. and 2/3-2/5 at 5:30 p.m.

Gay Rights Dessert & Discussion 1/31, around 10:30 p.m. (after MILK) at the Modern Dwellers Chocolate Lounge.

Alaska Club/ICOAA Open House membership drive 1/31, 4:30 p.m. at Mad Myrna's.

MILK in Anchorage: A Tale of Two Theaters

The movie MILK is showing at The Bear Tooth, Friday-Sunday at 7:50 p.m. and Tuesday-Thursday at 5:30 p.m. Only six showings - don't miss it!

MILK is based on the life of Harvey Milk, an openly gay man who was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977. 

MILK shows Harvey (played by Sean Penn) uniting the gay community under his charismatic leadership, adding 'sexual orientation' to the city's non-discrimination policy, and defeating Prop 6, Anita Bryant's crusade against gay and lesbian teachers. 

He also faced the constant threat of assassination.

The issues are timely after the narrow passing of Prop 8, California's ban on gay marriage, and relevant in Anchorage where we still do not have 'sexual orientation' in the non-discrimination policy of our city or state.

MILK received 8 Academy Award Nominations including best picture, best director (Gus Van Sant), best actor (Sean Penn) and best supporting actor (Josh Brolin).

The biggest crowds are expected for the Friday and Saturday shows at The Bear Tooth.

An Unsuccessful Opening

MILK opened in Anchorage at the Century Theater on Dec 12. A few readers saw it and sent comments, posted here along with my review. But MILK was removed from the schedule after only two weeks. It was the lowest-grossing film in the theater that month, according to a Century 16 employee.

"I was stunned and disappointed to say the least," wrote Matt in an email to Bent Alaska. "I'm no political activist, but the news of the film's Anchorage demise didn't make me think too highly of the community."

Why did MILK flop at the Century in December?

• The national LGBT community is boycotting the Century/Cinemark Theaters because the company is Mormon-owned and the CEO donated almost $10,000 to pass Prop 8. The LDS Church urged members to donate to Prop 8, preached their support from the pulpit, and may have violated their tax-exempt status as a religious organization by engaging so directly in a ballot issue. Protests have occurred outside Mormon temples, and many LGBT people refuse to support business owners who gave money to take away our civil rights.
• Alaska's LGBT community already boycotts Mormon-owned businesses like the Century because the Utah-based Church was a main backer of Alaska's Measure 2, banning gay marriage here in 1998.
• MILK opened at the Century in the middle of the Anchorage International Film Festival, where other gay-themed films were shown the same week.
• We knew that MILK would have a second run at The Bear Tooth, a GLBT-supportive theater.

These factors combined to make the Century opening almost a non-event. It's no wonder that ticket sales were dismal. 

The real question is why the MILK producers chose to open the film at the Century, despite the boycott. If it had opened at a Regal Theater, like Brokeback Mountain did at the Dimond, the results would have been different.

A Strong Second Run

In contrast, The Bear Tooth is a favorite of the LGBT community, as much for the good food and progressive atmosphere as for the showing of LGBT films. 

Go see MILK this weekend at The Bear Tooth. Learn how Harvey lead successful campaigns for gay rights, and prove that a gay-themed movie can be successful in Anchorage.

Town Hall to End Discrimination

Do you believe that all Anchorage workers deserve to be judged solely on their qualifications and merits of their work? 

Do you believe that all Alaskans deserve protection from discrimination or harassment, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity? 

Do you believe that no Alaskan should have to deny who they are in order to keep a job or an apartment? 

Are you ready to bring change to Anchorage? 

Join us for a Town Hall Meeting for LGBT Community Members & Allies

When: Wednesday, February 11, 2009, 7 p.m. 

Where: Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 2311 Pembroke Street (near the Intersection of E. 24th and Boniface). 

What: Learn about the current state of civil rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, & transgender people in Alaska, learn about Equality Works and our plans for protecting all Alaskans from discrimination, and learn what you can do to bring equality to Anchorage! (Need a ride? Contact Tiffany)

Who is Equality Works? 

Equality Works is a group of individuals and organizations working together to protect Anchorage residents from discrimination and harassment, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. 

Our Coalition: Alaskans Together for Equality, Alliance for Reproductive Justice-Alaska, American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska, Anchorage Education Association, Identity, Inc., Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Metropolitan Community Church of Anchorage, and National Association of Social Workers-Alaska Chapter 

Gay & Lesbian TV and Radio in Alaska

Do you want Alaska's public radio and television stations to air programs for Gay Pride Month in June and Gay History Month in Oct? 

Do you want to hear "This Way Out" on statewide radio, and watch "In The Life" on local television? 

Would you support a locally hosted LGBT radio show? 

Ask and you might receive. The public radio station KSKA is asking listeners to suggest new program ideas, so now is a good time to request LGBT radio shows and topics. 

KSKA does not currently broadcast any monthly or weekly gay programs, but they have in the past. They mention LGBT Alaskans about once a year. (This interview is about the one gay AK story for 2008.)

The radio station is also connected to KAKM, the public television station. KAKM used to air the national LGBT news magazine "In The Life." 

Last April, they aired the documentary "Anyone & Everyone" with a half hour response filmed by KTOO in Juneau. That may have been the only LGBT program to air on Alaska's public television station in 2008.

Public radio and tv stations in other states plan LGBT programming every year for Pride Month in June and Gay History Month in Oct. Talk show hosts often interview local LGBT organizers before the local PrideFests and National Coming Out Day events.

Email KSKA or use their online contact form and suggest more LGBT programs for 2009.

Celebration of Change calls for Performers and Art

The 25th Anniversary of Celebration of Change will be June 13 at 7 p.m. at the Wilda Marston Theatre, ZJ Loussac Library, Anchorage, Alaska. Tickets will be available May 1, 2009. We'll also have an Art Show this year.

 

Call for Performers: Radical Arts for Women invites all women to showcase their talents at Celebration of Change on June 13 at the Wilda Marston Theatre. Celebration welcomes singers, dancers, poets, actors, comedians and more. First-time performers are encouraged to apply. Backstage volunteers and participants in the opening piece are also needed. Apply by May 30. For more information, visit www.radicalartsforwomen.org.

 

Call for Art: Female visual artists are invited to submit their work for the inaugural Celebration of Change Art Show, which will be June 5-29 at the Kodiak Bar and Grill. Drop off entries June 3 after 3 p.m. For entry form and more information, visit www.radicalartsforwomen.org.