Pride Conference 2011 — Step Up, Step Out

Are you ready for the annual Pride Conference? It will be here before you know it.

This year, the planning committee is focusing on youth issues and bringing youth from all over Alaska to Anchorage for the weekend Conference, October 14-16.

Identity, Inc., because of the gracious fundraisers and individuals who have Stepped Up, Stepped Out, will be able to provide scholarships for GLBT youth interested in attending the Conference but need help with transportation costs.

Know of any GLBT youth who might be interested? Or someone who could get us in touch with GLBT youth in rural Alaska? Get in touch with us at info@identityinc.org or call the GLCCA at 907-929-4528.

The theme for this year — Step Up, Step Out — will be brought back for Pride Conference in a whole new fashion.

What does Alaska Pride mean? That is the question this years Pride Conference will try to answer.

Looking at our mission statement, “One heart, One mind, Alaska Pride.”, Pride Conference will serve to stimulate the mind. In fact, the Alaska Pride website has the following to say about the Conference: “Pride Conference fuels the mind for Alaska Pride, allowing us to come together across the state and plan our future.  Please join us, and youth from across the state, for a series of workshops and presentations which will ask the question: What is Alaska Pride?”

Save the date: Friday, October 14 to Sunday, October 16. More information regarding great keynote speakers, workshops, social events, and more coming soon.

Interested in helping out with this years Pride Conference? Email us at felix@alaskapride.org or johnathan@alaskapride.org.

Join us as we forge the future for GLBT Alaska, from our youth who will make that future to those already fighting the good fight.

When is a Drag Queen not a Drag Queen?

(Re-posted with permission)

By Alex Barros

On June 23rd at 6 PM Anchorage will be filled with the most sparkly, bravest, and shiniest of our LGBT rainbow.  The third annual Drag Queen Bingo Event will take place on 4th Avenue between K and L streets in front of Snow City Café.  If you attended last year’s event you may recall fun, mayhem, community, and unity.  Two hundred of us crammed the Snow City Café for Bingo with a distinct twist.  Daphne Do All La Chores, the acclaimed Diva of Bingo lead a family friendly night of auctions, games, and performances.  Daphne was a wonderful emcee in high drag fashion and of course the popular DRAG OFF stole the show!  If you missed it, this is not the year to miss it again.  This year the men of AMP will bring you the biggest most fabulous-est event of the Alaska Pride season.  We have closed off 4th Avenue (thank you Municipality for being so pump-friendly) and we plan to fill the streets of downtown Anchorage with gender-bending high energy frivolity.

Drag Queens continue to be at the forefront of the LGBT revolution, as they were in Stone Wall.  We, as a community, have the opportunity to create our own Stone Wall.  In a city that continues to support inequality, it’s time to Step Up, and Step Out in DRAG! Let’s come together, let’s get dressed up, let’s drag it up, and let’s do a little pushing back of our own.  This event is loud and proud and draws a huge diverse crowd that is not afraid, and who will not be ashamed or intimidated.

Drag Queen Bingo has prizes, countless laughs, food, beer, boys dressed as girls, and girls dressed as boys.  Four makeup artists will be available to help you get your drag on.  Most of all we have community, we have love.  All proceeds from this event will support the outstanding work of the young men of AMP.  In the last year, AMP has done so much for this community where volunteerism and community building are the pillars that AMP upholds.  Join us and be a part of the revolution.  If nothing else you will have a good time, but if you join us you are part of a revolution.  It’s time Anchorage Step up and Step Out at Drag Queen Bingo.

When is a drag queen not a drag queen? Never, she is always a drag queen, but in Alaska she is a voice for change, equality and fundraising.

Please join us.

Drag Queen Bingo is June 23rd. Doors open at 6:30, show at 7 p.m. at Snow City Café, don’t miss it!

With Love and Pride,

Alex Barros

Director of Prevention

Alaskan AIDS Assistance Association

“Stepping Up” — Heather Hamilton

This blog is the third in the series of the recipients of the “Stepping Up” Recognition Award.

Aside from Heather Hamilton, other recipients include Mya Dale, Ben Masters, Jay Hawj, and Michael Brenner.

 

BIO:

 

Heather Hamilton was born and raised in Saginaw, MI. She had her first gay-ish experience with a friend when she was in eighth grade, but wasn’t until her freshmen year in college here in Alaska that she was really exposed to a gay community.

At 21, roughly three years later, she came to terms with the fact that she adores women just as much as she does men, and has for most of her life. One year later, she is now an out and proud bisexual in Alaska, though she is still slowly informing her family back in MI of who she is.

Heather is the current president of The Family, the LGBT club at UAA. The Family is an all-inclusive, tightly knit group of students and community members working together to raise awareness, support equal rights, and network with other organizations within the community. She couldn’t be more proud of what they have accomplished together, and all they will do in the future.

***

Heather, as a leader at the University of Alaska Anchorage, is a spokesperson for the GLBT community to many influential people.

She has clear dedication and passion on behalf of the community, and we look forward to see her continue Stepping Up, Stepping Out!

Congratulations Heather!

Recent Great News!

Here are two recent stories that have made headlines:

NEW YORK:

GLBT New Yorkers are optimistic that marriage equality will be passed soon, as lawmakers come close to a vote.

Opponents and supporters line the city hall in Albany, chanting and making a stand for what they believe in. Since we believe in Equality, lets hope for swift passage of this bill!

Read the full story here: http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2011/06/21/249478/the-morning-pride-june-21-2011/

For the second year in a row, the Seattle Space Needle will fly the gay pride flag!

The Space Needle is also fundraising for local GLBT non-profits and charities, hoping to raise $50,000.

Read the full story here: http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=646&sid=501760

As equality movements around the country gain steam, what will this bring to the fight for equality in Alaska?

“Stepping Up” — Mya Dale

This blog is the second in the series about the recipients of the “Stepping Up” Recognition award.

Aside from Mya Dale, the other recipients are Michael Brenner, Heather Hamilton, Ben Masters, and Jay Hawj.

 

BIO:

Mya Dale was born in Hill Air Force Base, Utah, nearly twenty-one years ago. At seventeen, she began to accept her attraction to the same sex. Eventually, she approached my mother about the subject. She held her close and refused to let go. She said, “Mya, I love you and I am going to keep holding on, until you realize that I love you no matter what.” Her mother and family have always supported her in all of my endeavors and they continue to do so.

 

She volunteers at the Gay and Lesbian Community Center in downtown Anchorage and donates to Identity Inc. through the Adopt-a-Day program. She has participated in college drag shows and advocated for LGBT issues in the realm of municipal politics. She has also presided as president of my high school GSA.

 

Currently she is working on an event that celebrates people who identify as both LGBTQA and disabled. The event will coincide with Pride Conference as an effort to further stimulate the diversity our community. In the future, she hopes the event grows into an annual celebration of LGBT diversity.

***

Mya has shown a clear willingness to become more active in the community, and taking clear steps now to become a future leader of the community.

We are excited to see how Mya continues to Step Up, Step Out.

Congratulations Mya!

 

 

 

A note to our Sponsors

Dear Sponsors,

This year, Alaska Pride was faced with a daunting task: Raising more money for Pride than we ever have before in a less-than-stellar economy.

We thought that reaching out to sponsors would be a daunting task. We prepared charts, diagrams, and numbers; we read studies on why you as a sponsor should support the GLBT community; we prepared presentations; and we even put it all in a nice and tidy packet.

We thought we would have to convince you to generously support and make this year’s Alaska Pride a reality.

Boy, were we wrong!

Instead, what we found was a love, dedication, and passion for Pride in our community that left us in awe.

In a year where we thought we would have reduced sponsors, not new sponsors, three sponsors came out of the blue to support Alaska Pride: Crazy Horse, Great Land Infusion Pharmacy and Credit Union 1.

In a year where we thought we wouldn’t be getting any money from the Pride Foundation, they handed us a hefty check.

In a year where we thought press coverage and media would be slim, the Anchorage Daily News offered us a great deal on a full-page ad, the Anchorage Press gave us a free 1/4 page ad, and Bent Alaska decided to cement its relationship with Pride.

Pride exists in all of us, and our sponsors are shining examples of Alaska Pride. Thank you for showing us what it means to Step Up, Step Out, even during these hard times.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

With Pride,

Gail Palmer, Johnathan Jones, Emily Kloc, Felix Rivera

“Stepping Up” — Michael Brenner

This blog is the first in a series about the recipients of the “Stepping Up” Recognition Award recipients.

Aside from Michael Brenner, the other recipients are Heather Hamilton, Ben Masters, Jay Hawj, and Mya Dale.

 

BIO:

Michael Brenner, 18, was born June 13, 1993, in Kodiak.

Michael has been attracted to guys his entire life. He came out to friends and family at the beginning of his sophomore year at Dimond High School. At the time, Michael remembers being the only openly gay guy at his school.

He felt a complete lack of respect for the GLBT community from his peers, as jokes, derogatory terms and teasing was common.

Eventually, Michael stepped up and became the president of the GSA and helped to organize a “Think Before You Speak” campaign. The campaign, and other actions he helped to lead, created a more accepting atmosphere at school.

Michael has always tried to work hard and set an example for his peers.

He would like to continue to Step Up, Step Out as a member of The Family, the GLBTQA club at UAA, and work more with Identity, Inc.

“I’m gay and proud of it!”

***

Michael was an easy choice for the committee. As a president of a local GSA chapter, he has proved his willingness to Step Up. He is also interested in getting involved with AMP, and Identity, Inc. as a possible University Representative.

We all look forward to seeing Michael continue Stepping Up in our community

Congratulations Michael!

Events this Weekend for Pride

Pride kicks off this weekend, with our first event on Friday.

What events will you attend? Check out the listing below:

Friday June 17th

• 5pm – 7pm – Pride Exhibit Opening – Out North Contemporary Art House – 3800 DeBarr Rd

Saturday June 18th

• 10am – 6pm – Identity booth at the Downtown Market and Festival. Pride Fest t-shirts,   rainbow merchandise, raffle tickets, and PrideFest information will be available.
• 3pm – 4pm – PINK DOT Alaska Pride Supports “The Freedom to Love” Just show up at Town Square in your pinkest wear. This is an opportunity for everyone who supports our GLBT community to “step up, step out” and show their love! Put on your pink and join the dot.
• 7pm – ICOAA 2011-12 MGA Pageant. Stepdown of current Mr. Gay Alaska, Tim Minnick, and Miss Gay Alaska, Destiny Diamonds, and crowning of new Mr., Mister, Ms. and Miss Gay Alaska. $10 at the door
• 7pm – Pride Movie Screening – Out North Theater, 3800 Debarr Rd, Role/Play

Sunday June 19th

• 10am – 6pm – Identity booth at the Downtown Market and Festival. Pride Fest t-shirts,   rainbow merchandise, raffle tickets, and PrideFest information will be available.
• 11am – Annual LGBT Pride Memorial Service @ the Pride Memorial,        Anchorage Memorial Park Cemetery (6th and Fairbanks St, enter off Fairbanks St or
  9th  Avenue, NE corner)
• 4pm – Kick-Off BBQ at The Raven. Free.

We hope to see everyone Stepping Up, Stepping Out and supporting your community this Pride Week!

Lets make it the best one yet!

How New York could effect Alaska…

Today, breaking news occurred in New York in the march for equality.

New York Republican State Senator James Alesi said that he would support marriage equality. This is coming from a state senator who, last time this measure came around, voted against equality for all.

Read the full story here at Towerload: http://www.towleroad.com/2011/06/vote-gap-closes-in-ny-as-gop-state-senator-alesi-announces-support-for-marriage-equality.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=towleroad+page

The measure is a meager two votes shy from passing.

As more republicans become aware and react to the shifting mood in many Americans regarding marriage equality, one wonders what the effects will be for those in Alaska?

One victory, even though it may be thousands of miles away, is a victory for all GLBT Americans.

So as we continue to Step Up, Step Out in preparation for Alaska Pride Fest, lets remember that we still have a ways to go before we, as GLBT Alaskans, are equal to all other Alaskans.

But the same fight is occuring all over the nation, and any victory should give us hope.

Why you should attend the Fairview Block Party

As some of you may have heard, a band originally set to perform at “The Sound of Fairview” block party cancelled.

The band called Christopher Constant, vice-president of the Fairview Community Council, and told him that they wouldn’t be performing because of the “fag shit” at the party. They felt that the gay lifestyle and children don’t mix.

But don’t gay couples have children all the time, through adoption or other methods?

I’ll let you read the actual stories (Press: http://www.anchoragepress.com/news/article_d6cb625a-9222-11e0-8155-001cc4c03286.html) (Bent Alaska: http://www.bentalaska.com/2011/06/sound-of-fairview-block-party-2011/) .

Pay close attention to some of the user comments made in the Press article.

These comments and the fact that this still happened are the reason why every one of us should Step Up, Step Out and come to the block party.

We need to show the community what we are all about. No matter if you are in drag, wearing your rainbow regalia, or just being plain you. We are a part of this community.

So I hope to see you there tomorrow, at the Fairview block party at 2 p.m.

Find more information here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=197297820305944