Ex-gays inspire Kill the Gays bill in Uganda, CBC & Prevo are silent

American ex-gay leaders, mega-church pastors and conservative senators are behind the push for Uganda's anti-homosexuality law that will impose life imprisonment for being gay, death by hanging for having gay sex if you're HIV positive, and up to 3 years in prison for not reporting gay people to the government.

U.S. ex-gays organized a conference in Uganda earlier this year that provided the inspiration and supposed "evidence" to justify the Anti-Homosexuality Law, introduced right after the conference. If gays can be cured by prayer, goes the argument, then those who continue to be gay are just not praying hard enough. In Uganda, being gay is already a crime, and now anyone who isn't cured will be sent to prison for life or killed.

Is the true intent of the ex-gay industry to eliminate homosexuals - by any means necessary? Do the sponsors of the ex-gay events in Alaska support this? Why haven't the UAF Campus Bible Club, the Abbott Loop Community Church, and Jerry Prevo spoken out and condemned this death bill?

Rachel Maddow is reporting an on-going series called "Uganda Be Kidding Me" on the U.S. connection to the proposed law. A segment focusing on the ex-gays shows three American groups closely involved with Uganda's effort to eliminate gays: congressmen connected to The Family, evangelical pastors, and the ex-gays.

Watch Uganda Be Kidding Me: the story behind 'curing' gays (Dec 8):

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

The ex-gay methods are dangerous and ineffective, and these groups are exporting a deadly homophobia to countries like Uganda. But the larger goal of The Family is Dominion, a world run by evangelical Christian rule. In other words, sharia, and a return to the Dark Ages.

Frank Schaeffer on the Brad Blog shows that killing gays for Jesus is just part of the larger plan. Bruce Wilson on Talk To Action connects Rick Warren's purpose driven "reformation" to Uganda's anti-homosexuality law, and explains the Dominion plan for setting up evangelical Christian governments. Uganda is just the tip of the iceberg.

Box Turtle Bulletin tracks the ex-gay industry and has been following the Uganda bill all year.

For an inside look on African gays, GayUganda is a blog written by a gay Uganda man who is still in the country, writing about the bill and the international response, and questioning whether he and his partner should leave or stay and be martyred. It's heartbreaking.

So who is going to ask Campus Bible Club, Abbott Loop, and Prevo if they support the Kill the Gays bill?

Wasilla Gays to Levi: We're here

Levi, honey, we love the photos and interviews, but what's all this talk of never seeing any gays in Wasilla? We're here, we're queer, and we live on the Last Frontier, even in Wasilla.

Perhaps you don't think you've seen us because you don't know what we look like: We look like Alaskans. Really.

Did you expect us to shop at the Wasilla Fred Meyer looking like Adam Lambert at the AMA's? Did you expect us to kiss in line at Home Depot? We have strong survival instincts and know better than to look, act, or talk queeny in a town like this. You might not know we're gay, but I'm sure you've seen us.

We live here and shop here and work here. We even have a Mat-Su LGBT Community Center in Palmer and hosted Wasilla's first drag show fundraiser at the Best Western on Lake Lucille. We have all kinds of jobs, including work you probably don't think of as gay. We raise children and run dogs, gather round the bonfire, barbeque in the summer and shoot off fireworks in the winter. Some of us go to church, but not the anti-gay churches. We keep a low profile because of people like this Wasilla pastor who says we're the anti-christ... and the people who like Sarah.

We do appreciate the way you keep reminding everyone that she's a liar. She tried to use you, to control you, but you stood up for yourself and forged a different path. Good for you. Hopefully, the rest of the country will see through her lies and choose a different path as well.

If you ever want to meet the local gays, come join us for drag queening down at the ... well, we'd better meet in Anchorage at Mad Myrna's, we don't want any trouble from the local yahoos. You're not a gay icon in Alaska, but you're sure to get a warm welcome at Myrna's.

Kisses,

Your gay Wasilla homeboys

video of Levi on the Joy Behar Show:

Gay Movie Night at the Anchorage Film Festival

"American Primitive" is this year's gay movie at the Anchorage International Film Festival, showing at the Bear Tooth on Wednesday Dec 9 at 8 p.m. and followed by an after-party at Mad Myrna's. Tickets are $7 for the movie, and the party is free.

American Primitive is set in Cape Cod in 1973. A widowed father relocates to Cape Cod with his teenage daughters to begin a new business and a new life, and struggles to withhold a secret that would tear the family apart. Ideas of sex and identity are questioned, topics that seemed to be on the tip of everyone's tongue in the early 70s but were actually still taboo.

Here's the trailer:

Sara's News Roundup 12/6/09

This week's LGBT news roundup from Sara Boesser in Juneau.

1) Gay rights group asks UA to update policy

Fairbanks, Alaska, Juneau Empire, December 2, 2009

2) Cleveland council approves transgender protections

Cleveland, Ohio, WKYC.com, December 1, 2009

3) Blind LGBT Pride International

California, November 2009

4) Sweden to end ban on gay blood donors

Stockholm, Sweden, AFP, December 1, 2009

5) Event promotes transgender strength

Salt Lake City, Utah, Daily Utah Chronicle, December 1, 2009

6) Judge aims to bar first Latin America gay wedding

Buenos Aires, Reuters, November 30, 2009

7) Adam Lambert: People Aren't Used to Seeing a Sexual "Gay Man" on TV

US Magazine, December 1, 2009

8) Gay community mourns loss of Southern Voice

Atlanta, Georgia, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, November 16, 2009

9) Window Media Closes Down Southern Gay Publications

November 2009

10) Walters Finds Lambert, Gaga, Palin Fascinating

Advocate, December 2, 2009

11) Web site to out priests who are gay but anti-gay

Washington, D.C., Washington Post, December 5, 2009

12) Long-term health insurance a priority for gay community

Farmington, Connecticut, Bristol Press, December 4, 2009

13) Maine Revisited: Is There a Backlash Against Same-Sex Marriage?

Maine, fivethirtyeight.com, December 4, 2009

14) Washington, D.C. Council Votes in Support of the Freedom to Marry

New York, Freedom to Marry, December 1, 2009

15) Lesbian Swede Joins N.J. Soccer Team

New Jersey, Advocate, December 4, 2009

Meditation, Grants, Facebook, Arctic Heat, and lots 'o news

Gay AK - news for and about LGBTA Alaska

Good News, Bad News

In national news this week, DC approved gay marriage, New York defeated gay marriage, and New Jersey said they are almost ready to vote on gay marriage. Washington state's expanded domestic partnership law took effect on Thursday. Atlanta GA elected the first openly lesbian African-American state senator in the U.S., and Campbell CA elected the youngest openly gay Asian-American mayor. Meanwhile, Christopher Constant of Anchorage went to the Victory Fund conference to get ready to run the first openly-LGBT candidates for anything in Alaska. Email Chris at constant(at)alaska.net to see how you can help. We have work to do.

In local news, Gov. Parnell appointed Judge Craig Stowers, a conservative Christian, to the Alaska Supreme Court. The anti-gay and anti-choice groups are thrilled. Speaking of anti-choice and anti-gay, the same local groups that strongly oppose granting protected status to gays are pushing a new ballot initiative to give personhood status to fetuses so that abortion will become murder. They're doing this in several states, and the Alaska version was just introduced.

Facebook: Hold Sullivan Accountable & Church Life Alaska

Two interesting new Facebook pages: Hold Mayor Dan Sullivan Accountable was created by a young man who lists the ordinance veto as one of many reasons he is concerned about our mayor. Church Life Alaska is a Christian Church for the LGBT community of Anchorage and Allies. If you know about a new local LGBT-related page or group, please share it on Bent's FB wall.

Arctic Heat 2010 seeks volunteers and candidates

Arctic Heat will be in February 2010 and we are looking for people to help plan and produce the event as well as those interested in running for the following titles: Mr Alaska Leather, Ms Alaska Leather, Mr Bear Alaska, Alaska Bear Cub. Other titles are being considered and will be included if people show an early interest in assisting. Please contact The Last Frontier Men's Club if interested.

Identity and ACLU win Pride Foundation grants

Congratulations to Identity, Inc. and the ACLU of Alaska for being the two Alaska non-profits awarded new grants by the Pride Foundation on Wednesday.

Gay-friendly Meditation Center & "Your mind is not your enemy"

Bird Trungma is opening the Dharma Joy of Enlightenment Buddhist Meditation and Study Center of Anchorage, and is giving a talk called "Your mind is not your enemy" on 12/13, from 1-3 p.m. at the A.T.O.M. Center, 4025 Raspberry Road, requested donation $25.

Bird is bisexual, with a preference for women, and was "a student of the Tibetan Buddhist guru, the Vidyadhara, Venerable Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche since the 1970's. He was the first Buddhist guru to not only accept gays, but to appoint an openly gay man, Thomas Rich, as his Regent, meaning his chief student and acting guru to all of the rest of us. Besides being the first gay person appointed to such a high position, he was also the first Westerner so appointed. Thomas Rich was given the name Osel Tendzin by Trungpa Rinpoche and acted in that capacity during the 1970's and 1980's, prior to his death from AIDS. I knew him personally and loved (and still love) him very much." For more info on the Center and the talk, email Bird at Joy of Enlightenment.

This Week in LGBT Alaska 12/4/09

The Anchorage International Film Festival begins today, and it's also Art Walk First Friday.

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

Juneau

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

Fairbanks

LGBTA Christmas Concert Gathering with the social group, Sunday 12/6, 4 p.m. for the Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra Christmas Concert in the David Concert Hall, UAF. Tickets here, and email Joshua to RSVP.

UAF Gay-Straight Alliance meets Mondays at 5 p.m. in the Women's Center (Eilson 112). Jessi.

Wednesday LGBTA Social around 9:30 p.m. Email Joshua for the current location.

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.

Anchorage

Kristara is co-hosting the Friday Night Diva Variety Show 12/4, 9 p.m at Mad Myrna's.

Comic Mike Lebovitz 12/5, 8 p.m. performs at Mad Myrna's and part of the proceeds benefit the YWCA.

Sunday worship with MCC Anchorage at 2 p.m.

Gay, Joyous and Free AA Meeting, Mondays 6:00 p.m. at the GLCCA.

"American Primitive" showing at the Bear Tooth 12/9, 8 p.m. as this year's Gay-La gay movie with the Anchorage International Film Festival. Followed by an after-party at Myrna's around 10 p.m.

Anti-Gay Lobby Bullies UA Regents and Students

Bent Alaska and the UA student, staff and faculty group asking the Board of Regents to add sexual orientation to the UA non-discrimination policy both got an unusual Facebook friend request the day after Thanksgiving: from Dave Bronson, of the anti-gay Alaska Family Council.

Why did Bronson ask to friend us three days before the regents meeting at UAA, when it was already public knowledge that the students would make their request again? Did he hope we wouldn't notice that he's an employee of the Family Council? Was he that desperate to know what else we might have planned?

Earlier in the week, the Alaska Family Council - a political lobby group unrelated to the university - sent an email blast titled "Don't Let UA Regents Be Bullied By Homosexual Activists," denouncing the students who are asking for the policy change (and who mostly happen to be heterosexual):

"We have learned that activists in the homosexual movement are attempting to convince the University of Alaska Board of Regents to change the university non-discrimination policy so as to give special recognition to homosexuals. If successful, individuals engaging in homosexual behavior will be afforded the same recognition as members of racial and ethnic minorities."

Of course we want the same recognition as other minority groups. And if we're asking for the same rights, then they aren't special rights, they're equal rights.

The Family Council told their members to email each of the 11 regents and pressure them to reject the students' request.

Jessi Angelette, a UAF student leading the effort, did testify at the meeting, saying in part:

"I am here today before you once again to urge you to amend the current non-discrimination policy and to add it to the next meeting's agenda..."

"The Alaska Family Council has sent out an email stating that you the Regents are being bullied by homosexual extremists. This couldn't be farther from the truth. We are a representation of the students you have sworn an oath to educate and protect. There are thousands of students who call the campuses home while trying to attain their education. Isn't it their right to feel protected from being harassed and discriminated against based on their orientation or their perceived orientation where they call home?"

"After doing research of other college and university non-discrimination policies, we have found that many have sexual orientation included in their polices and some of the schools are in states that do not have laws protecting LBGT citizens, such as Alabama. We have also looked at Tier 4 in the school rankings where UAF is ranked and have found only 1/6 of the schools do not have sexual orientation in their non-discrimination policy. These schools have shown that even though their cities and states may not have laws to protect the LBGT citizens, they have taken it upon themselves to insure the safety of their students."

UAA students John and Heather Aronno also support the policy change. In The Bully on Campus at UAA, they quote the Family Council argument that this policy would limit their freedom to insult us, then respond to Jim Minnery, who signed the email:

"...Have you been to UAA Jim? The right-to-life club hands out fliers with a revolver aimed at a fetus. We're not in any danger zone that threatens the suppression of free speech, nor is anyone impeding the free exercise of religion… Unless it's hate speech. You're the one asking people who are otherwise in no way affiliated with UAA to flood board member inboxes and voicemail, and if that doesn't work, barge into a board meeting and scream bloody murder. Again."

The students also note that the Council email links to a faux-college video called "Indoctrinate U: Our Education, Their Politics" and the page only lists past screenings, not the upcoming ones (to avoid protests?) Don't be surprised if it shows in Anchorage next year.

So, which group do you think the UA Regents should give priority: UA students and staff, or an unrelated political lobby trying to force their religious bigotry on our public university?

Please take a moment and contact the UA Regents in favor of the student request. If you are a current or former UA student, staff or faculty member, please mention your connection to the university.

And if you moderate a GLBT Alaska Facebook page, please check profiles before you accept friend requests. You never know who will want to be your "friend."