18,000 Marriages are Upheld, but Not One More

Mo and Lin of Juneau were legally married in San Francisco City Hall on Sept. 15, 2008, exactly eighteen years after their original (non-legal) wedding. Today's California Court decision means they are allowed to remain married, although other same-sex couples will not be able to legally wed in California.

The California Supreme Court today upheld Proposition 8's ban on same-sex marriage, and also ruled that gay couples who wed before the election will continue to be "married" under state law. A statement from Alaskans Together for Equality and the link to the Anchorage protest information was posted earlier.

Many Alaskan same-sex couples were married in California last year when the marriages were legal, and were waiting to hear if the court would divorce them. Other couples were hoping they would be able to get married in California this year.

Conservative groups that support the ban are angry that the 18,000 couples married before the election can stay married.

On Oct. 5, Mo and Lin held a Jump the Broom wedding reception in Juneau, and their friends created a Human Arch of Love and Acceptance for them to walk through. Then Mo and Lin joined hands and raised their arms as part of the Arch, and other couples walked through.

 

"We may need to do that Arch of Love and Acceptance again and again, letting it grow until all are included and equal in our nation," wrote Mo after the reception. "Perhaps we can have arches of love and support all over our state in 2009, or all over our nation."

Here are photos of the Arch of Love, the Newly-wed/Oldy-wed Game, the 3-tiered cupcake tower, and Mo & Lin dancing at the Juneau reception after their California (still-legal-today) wedding:

Lin responded to today's CA court decision: "It's a sad day for fairness and equality but I take heart from many things. Fair-minded people are planning for the next step toward full equality. I take heart from Meghan McCain's recent words (paraphrased), "Republicans believe in fairness and equality and I believe that supporting gay marriage is part of our platform."

Mo is in California today and plans to attend the Day of Decision action in Santa Barbara tonight. She sent this response:

I will use Martin Luther King, Jr.'s words here among mine, my hero of civil rights introduced to me by my Father in the 60's.

"I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant."

Now is the time for us all to work together, harder than before to change this injustice.

"He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it."

Let us stand together, let me hear YOU!

"History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people."

Good people please join us, and let us be the change we wish to see in this world.

CA's Prop 8 Upheld (for now)

The California Supreme Court today upheld Proposition 8's ban on same-sex marriage, but also ruled that gay couples who wed before the election will continue to be legally married under state law.

The decision ensures another fight at the ballot box over marriage rights. Equality supporters in California said they may ask voters to repeal the ban as early as next year, and opponents have pledged to fight that effort. Proposition 8 passed with only 52% of the vote.

Gay rights supporters will protest the decision in over 100 US cities tonight, including Anchorage.

"No civil rights movement has EVER lost. It is not a matter of IF our community will win full equal rights, including marriage. It is only a matter of WHEN. But as in all civil rights movements, we will have to fight like hell for it," stated Robin Tyler, the lead petitioner in the case to overturn Prop 8.

In response to the decision, Alaskans Together for Equality wrote: "We believe that the option to get married is a basic human right. Gay and Lesbian Americans should have the same access to marriage and associated rights as other citizens. We are disappointed that the California Supreme Court has let a narrow majority of citizens vote to take away rights from a minority group. The State Constitution and Court System are supposed to prevent such a tyranny of the majority injustice."

Same-sex marriage was legal in California for almost 6 months before Prop 8 passed. Gay marriages are currently legal in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, Iowa and Maine, and may become legal in New Hampshire and New York later this year.

Today is the Day of Decision

Today, Tuesday, May 26, at 10 a.m. pacific time, the California Supreme Court will announce its decision to either uphold or overturn Proposition 8 and the thousands of same-sex marriages performed last summer. 

Will we be celebrating or protesting tonight? Cross your fingers for a civil rights victory, and check back after 9 a.m. Alaska time for the ruling.

In Memory of ALL who Served our Country

New ICP's focus on Families, Fundraising and Scholarships

Congratulations to Cory and Natasha, the new 17th reigining Imperial Crown Prince and Princess of the Imperial Court of All Alaska!

"I am really looking forward to this year," wrote Natasha. "I already have a ton of ideas." 

"Congrats to one of my best friends," wrote April Rains, the 16th ICP, about Natasha. "May her reign as Imperial Crown Princess 17 of All Alaska be spectacular! And thanks to everyone who attended the 2009 ICP Ball at Mad Myrna's."

I asked Natasha and Cory about their goals as Prince and Princess:

1. We really want to stress the importance of family within our community, and involve the youth of our community. We call ourselves a family, therefore the families of the court and community should be involved. These children are our future voices and I want them to see the greatness we as adults see.
2. We also are looking forward to working and raising money for the 4 A's, Equality and Identity.  
3. Lastly we would like to emphasize the ICOAA scholarship program. Approximately $60,000 is given each year (Cory was a recipient of the scholarship previously) and we really want people to be aware of these scholarships.

Here's to a fabulously fun and successful reign!

 - photo of Natasha ICP 17, and April ICP 16

Outrage hits Anchorage for Pride Week

The controversial movie Outrage will premiere in Alaska during Pride Week, showing at The Bear Tooth on Monday, June 15 at 5:30 & 7:45 p.m. The Bear Tooth's other Pride Week film will be Poltergay, shown on June 18.

Outrage: Do Ask, Do Tell is "a searing indictment of the hypocrisy of closeted politicians with appalling gay rights voting records who actively campaign against the LGBT community they covertly belong to. Outrage boldly reveals the hidden lives of some of our nation's most powerful policymakers." 

Poltergay is "Poltergeist meets Saturday Night Fever with a gay spin. This French horror spoof, of a young couple who unknowingly buy a mansion haunted by disco dancing homosexuals, is set to a monstrous '70s musical score."

Watch the Outrage trailer:

This Week in LGBT Alaska 5/22/09

BREAKING: On Tuesday, May 26, the California Supreme Court will announce its decision to either uphold or overturn Proposition 8 and the thousands of same-sex marriages performed last summer! Check back Tuesday for the ruling.

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This week's events from the statewide newsletter. Subscribe to Alaska GLBT News.

Fairbanks

Dance Your Heart Out: Country Western 2 step lessons & dancing 5/22, 7:30 p.m. $12/drop in per class. Bovee Studio, 1845 Caribou Way, off College Rd. RSVP to Judith.

Bac'untry Bruthers at the Trapper Creek Festival 5/23, 8 p.m.

Juneau

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

Mat-Su Valley

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. Harmony Choir meets at the Center on Thursdays, 6:30 p.m.

Anchorage

Side Street Saturdays for LGBT writers, Saturdays noon-3 p.m. at Side Street Cafe.

Jay Her's Adult Comedy Hypnosis show at Mad Myrna's 5/23, 9 p.m. $10

Sunday worship with Rev. Norman Van Manen and MCC Anchorage, Sundays 2 p.m.

Transgender Support Group, Sundays 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the GLCCA.

The Big Annual Memorial Day GLBT Community Picnic in front of the Kincaid Park chalet 5/25, noon-5 p.m. Sponsored by the Imperial Court (ICOAA) which sells burgers, hot dogs, chips and drinks as a fundraiser.

Gay, Joyous and Free AA Meeting, Mondays 6 p.m. at the GLCCA.

Anchorage Frontrunners, Tuesdays, 6 p.m.