Well folks.
I hate to say this but our yard sale fund raiser didn't. Raise funds, I mean. I have to admit that I didn't listen to people very well when they warned me about being too early in the season. Add to that a whole cascade of logistical and preparation problems, and we have the recipe for a life learning lesson.
I admit I was disappointed briefly. Having to cancel the sale/show just because we didn't have enough to sell, and our "vendors" didn't show is almost enough to damp my spirits.
But throwing in the towel on this is a mistake. I think more effort and planning will make a second try come off more successfully.
Points I've learned:
1. Make everyone's job extremely clear.
2. We need more advertising.
3. I need to aggressively pursue more stuff to sell.
4. (not in my control) A warm sunny day will help too.
That being said. I'm of the opinion that we can do this in three weeks, and make it work.
To make it work we'll need a sandwich board sign, some helium balloons, a couple of smaller signs to point the way to the site. I want advertising in the Frontiersman and the ADN as well as our usual LBGT sources. We need to get at least four tables lined up. I need to arrange for the cash box and money for change. MOST IMPORTANTLY, by waiting a few more weeks we can take advantage of the typical seasonal garage clearing that goes on all over the valley.
Never give up, never give in, there's always some way to do what needs to be done.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Mourning, The Day of Silence, and Hate management.
Hi all.
Outproud.org has this interesting article on the subject
Suicides among Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, & Transgender Youth
In 1989, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued its "Report on the Secretary's Task Force on Youth Suicide," which found that "A majority of suicide attempts by homosexuals occur during their youth, and gay youth are 2 to 3 times more likely to attempt suicide than other young people. They may comprise up to 30 percent of (the estimated 5,000) completed youth suicides annually. (5) The report recommended that "mental health and youth service agencies can provide acceptance and support for young homosexuals, train their personnel on gay issues, and provide appropriate gay adult role models; schools can protect gay youth from abuse from their peers and provide accurate information about homosexuality in health curricula; families should accept their child and work toward educating themselves about the development and nature of homosexuality"
According to Kevin Berrill, Director of the Anti-Violence Project of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force at the time of the report,s release stated, "The increased risk of suicide facing these youth is linked to growing up in a society that teaches them to hide and to hate themselves. We welcome this report and hope it will lead to action that will save lives."
Initially, however, the report was suppressed by the Bush administration under pressure from right-wing groups and by conservatives in Congress. After the findings, William Dannemeyer, who was at the time a conservative Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California, called for then-president Bush to "dismiss from public service all persons still employed who concocted this homosexual pledge of allegiance and sealed the lid on these misjudgments for good." HHS Secretary Louis Sullivan wrote in a letter to Dannemeyer that the study "undermined the institution of the family." (6)
The findings of the report were leaked to the press and finally released. Other studies confirm these findings. Gary Remafedi, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, and author of Death by Denial: Studies of Attempted and Completed Suicide in Gay and Lesbian and Bisexual Youth, found in a 1991 study of 150 gay and lesbian youths in Minneapolis, more than 30% said they had attempted suicide at least once as a teenager.
The youths who are at the greatest risk for suicide are the ones who are least likely to reveal their sexual orientation to anyone. Suicide may be a way of making sure that no one ever knows. It's homophobia that's killing these kids. (7)
Remafedi confirmed a 30% suicide rate among gay and bisexual youth, and also found that young men with more "feminine gender role characteristics" and those who recognized their same-sex orientation at an early age and acted on those sexual feelings seem to face the highest risk of self-destructive behavior. This study also documents an unusually high relationship between homosexuality and sexual abuse, drug abuse, homelessness, prostitution, feelings of isolation, family problems, and school difficulties. Thirty percent of these subjects reported at least one suicide attempt, and almost half of the attempters reported more than one attempt. The mean age in this sample at the time of the suicide attempts was 15 1/2 years. Ingestion of prescription and/or nonprescription drugs and self-laceration accounted for 80% of the attempts. Twenty-one percent of the suicide attempts resulted in medical or psychiatric hospitalization, but almost 3 out of 4 attempts did not receive any medical attention. One-third of the first attempts occurred in the same year that subjects identified their bisexuality or homosexuality, and most other attempts happened soon thereafter. Family problems were the most frequently cited reason for attempts. Eighty-five percent of the attempters reported illicit drug use and 22% had undergone chemical dependency treatment. (8)
The earlier a young person is aware of a gay or lesbian orientation, the greater the problems they may face and may be more likely at risk of suicidal feelings and behavior.
Younger gay adolescents may be at the highest risk for dysfunction because of emotional and physical immaturity, unfulfilled developmental needs for identification with a peer group, lack of experience, and dependence on parents unwilling or unable to provide emotional support. Younger gay adolescents are also more likely to abuse substances, drop out of school, be in conflict with the law, undergo psychiatric hospitalization, run away from home, be involved in prostitution, and attempt suicide. (9)
Pollak found that nearly all gay and lesbian suicides occur between the ages of 16 and 21. (10)
The fear of AIDS adds to the anxiety gay youths experience. According to Joyce Hunter, Behavioral Researcher at the New York State Psychiatry Institute's HIV Center in New York City:
Gay teenagers already have so much to deal with that when they find out they are HIV-positive or even that they are going to have to live in a world where HIV is prevalent and a constant threat, they become overwhelmed. It's just another factor that can add to their suicidal thoughts. (11)
Issues of race and gender identity also impact suicide. Thirty-six percent of African-American lesbians compared to 21 percent of white lesbians, and 32 percent of African-American gay males compared to 27 percent of white gay males attempted suicide before age 18. (12)
Transsexuals may be at higher risk than homosexuals and much higher risk than the general population to suicidal behavior. (13) Fifty-three percent of transsexuals surveyed had made suicide attempts. (14)
In February 1992, Massachusetts Governor William F. Weld signed an executive order establishing the Governor's Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth, taken, in large part over concerns for the high incidence of suicide among gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender teens.
Most of you have heard about Angie Zapata's murder, or read about the trial here. The man whose hatred fueled the deed "struck Zapata twice in the head with the extinguisher and thought he had "killed it" before hitting her again as she struggled to get up" and reported from jail that " "gay things need to die""
From the Day of Silence comes something I find nearly overwhelmingly emotional, another victim of the War on Diversity;
Carl Walker-Hoover took his life last week after enduring constant bullying, including anti-LGBT bullying. Though Carl did not identify as gay, his story is a tragic reminder that anti-LGBT bullying and harassment affects all students. Carl would have turned 12 on the Day of Silence.
And Another;
-HoovEric Mohat, 17, was harassed so mercilessly in high school that when one bully said publicly in class, "Why don't you go home and shoot yourself, no one will miss you," he did.
Just a few recent tales of horror fueled by the common acceptance of hateful spite in our public sphere.
Outproud.org has this interesting article on the subject
Suicides among Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, & Transgender Youth
In 1989, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued its "Report on the Secretary's Task Force on Youth Suicide," which found that "A majority of suicide attempts by homosexuals occur during their youth, and gay youth are 2 to 3 times more likely to attempt suicide than other young people. They may comprise up to 30 percent of (the estimated 5,000) completed youth suicides annually. (5) The report recommended that "mental health and youth service agencies can provide acceptance and support for young homosexuals, train their personnel on gay issues, and provide appropriate gay adult role models; schools can protect gay youth from abuse from their peers and provide accurate information about homosexuality in health curricula; families should accept their child and work toward educating themselves about the development and nature of homosexuality"
According to Kevin Berrill, Director of the Anti-Violence Project of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force at the time of the report,s release stated, "The increased risk of suicide facing these youth is linked to growing up in a society that teaches them to hide and to hate themselves. We welcome this report and hope it will lead to action that will save lives."
Initially, however, the report was suppressed by the Bush administration under pressure from right-wing groups and by conservatives in Congress. After the findings, William Dannemeyer, who was at the time a conservative Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California, called for then-president Bush to "dismiss from public service all persons still employed who concocted this homosexual pledge of allegiance and sealed the lid on these misjudgments for good." HHS Secretary Louis Sullivan wrote in a letter to Dannemeyer that the study "undermined the institution of the family." (6)
The findings of the report were leaked to the press and finally released. Other studies confirm these findings. Gary Remafedi, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, and author of Death by Denial: Studies of Attempted and Completed Suicide in Gay and Lesbian and Bisexual Youth, found in a 1991 study of 150 gay and lesbian youths in Minneapolis, more than 30% said they had attempted suicide at least once as a teenager.
The youths who are at the greatest risk for suicide are the ones who are least likely to reveal their sexual orientation to anyone. Suicide may be a way of making sure that no one ever knows. It's homophobia that's killing these kids. (7)
Remafedi confirmed a 30% suicide rate among gay and bisexual youth, and also found that young men with more "feminine gender role characteristics" and those who recognized their same-sex orientation at an early age and acted on those sexual feelings seem to face the highest risk of self-destructive behavior. This study also documents an unusually high relationship between homosexuality and sexual abuse, drug abuse, homelessness, prostitution, feelings of isolation, family problems, and school difficulties. Thirty percent of these subjects reported at least one suicide attempt, and almost half of the attempters reported more than one attempt. The mean age in this sample at the time of the suicide attempts was 15 1/2 years. Ingestion of prescription and/or nonprescription drugs and self-laceration accounted for 80% of the attempts. Twenty-one percent of the suicide attempts resulted in medical or psychiatric hospitalization, but almost 3 out of 4 attempts did not receive any medical attention. One-third of the first attempts occurred in the same year that subjects identified their bisexuality or homosexuality, and most other attempts happened soon thereafter. Family problems were the most frequently cited reason for attempts. Eighty-five percent of the attempters reported illicit drug use and 22% had undergone chemical dependency treatment. (8)
The earlier a young person is aware of a gay or lesbian orientation, the greater the problems they may face and may be more likely at risk of suicidal feelings and behavior.
Younger gay adolescents may be at the highest risk for dysfunction because of emotional and physical immaturity, unfulfilled developmental needs for identification with a peer group, lack of experience, and dependence on parents unwilling or unable to provide emotional support. Younger gay adolescents are also more likely to abuse substances, drop out of school, be in conflict with the law, undergo psychiatric hospitalization, run away from home, be involved in prostitution, and attempt suicide. (9)
Pollak found that nearly all gay and lesbian suicides occur between the ages of 16 and 21. (10)
The fear of AIDS adds to the anxiety gay youths experience. According to Joyce Hunter, Behavioral Researcher at the New York State Psychiatry Institute's HIV Center in New York City:
Gay teenagers already have so much to deal with that when they find out they are HIV-positive or even that they are going to have to live in a world where HIV is prevalent and a constant threat, they become overwhelmed. It's just another factor that can add to their suicidal thoughts. (11)
Issues of race and gender identity also impact suicide. Thirty-six percent of African-American lesbians compared to 21 percent of white lesbians, and 32 percent of African-American gay males compared to 27 percent of white gay males attempted suicide before age 18. (12)
Transsexuals may be at higher risk than homosexuals and much higher risk than the general population to suicidal behavior. (13) Fifty-three percent of transsexuals surveyed had made suicide attempts. (14)
In February 1992, Massachusetts Governor William F. Weld signed an executive order establishing the Governor's Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth, taken, in large part over concerns for the high incidence of suicide among gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender teens.
Now that I have both depressed myself thoroughly and ranted against the inhumanity, I urge you to observe the day of silence. It's not much, but it's something. And here is a little reminder of why we need it.
Monday, April 6, 2009
All the News that's Print to Fit!
Hi, it's Bri again.
I just wanted to share some news items culled from various sources on the WWW, that should interest all us LBGTIQA and Alpha-Omega minorities. whew.
Who want's to just call the Community the Queer community? Seems pretty inclusive to me, It's so much more streamlined than that Dang Alphabet Soup. The point to me is that we are not umpteen separate communities, but one allied community of different individuals. Unity of people, Unity of purpose, that's where our strength comes from! From now forward, I urge us all to say "queer" as a blanket term!
I'm going to post a sad news story next;
Eric Mohat, a 17 year old boy, a precious part of our future was hazed to suicide recently. This is what the LBGTA Community Center is being organized to help put an end to.
I'm going to plug once again for your financial and organization commitment, we can do this job. Even saving one life, and making the future of our people one person more sound is worth everything we can spare. Escorting and nurturing kids safely into sane adulthood is the responsibility of everyone! So please, sacrifice what you can to preserving the most important treasure we have. One child is everyone's child!
Now for a few pic's from April's Follies;
I'd love to caption them with names, etc. but I can't as far as I can tell. Blogger seems to be a little imperfect as you can see.
April's Follies, Saturday night live at the Best Western, north Wasilla. I think April and the Court did a wonderful job entertaining the crowd. The laughing was uproarious- especially when Ms. Rotten and Mad Myrna performed their numbers. It was such a treat. They are real stage royalty. Bless them.
The University of Southern Maine has made a bold move in support of the TG part of the Queer Community. See more href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=8614771629859301442&postID=6458940436718788812"">here;
Queer Alaska has an article about Gay print media facing trials and tribulations. I personally don't know quite to make of it, beyond profit motive drives publications. But make your own mind up, here's the article. http://www.ontopmag .com/article. aspx?id=3516&MediaType=1&Category=28
I've written my representative and my senator about the appointment of WAR to Attorney General of the Alaska. I'm not fond of the response so I'll share it here. I'd really like to see more Queer Alaskans take a fundamental role in directing the republic. As you know from the Obama campaign Grassroots works! We can change things, slowly, but it requires all our participation. So, read this, think about who we are choosing to represent us, and GO TO YOUR PARTY CAUCUSES! I can't stress enough that when all us Queer folk turn out at the caucus we have the power to choose who the lazier population must vote for later. That's how the christian right has manipulated things, and I think we can do better if we want to.
OK here's the letter;
I've written my representative and my senator about the appointment of WAR to Attorney General of the Alaska. I'm not fond of the response so I'll share it here. I'd really like to see more Queer Alaskans take a fundamental role in directing the republic. As you know from the Obama campaign Grassroots works! We can change things, slowly, but it requires all our participation. So, read this, think about who we are choosing to represent us, and GO TO YOUR PARTY CAUCUSES! I can't stress enough that when all us Queer folk turn out at the caucus we have the power to choose who the lazier population must vote for later. That's how the christian right has manipulated things, and I think we can do better if we want to.
OK here's the letter;
" dear="" brianne,="">
I'll point out that our esteemed Senator got a copy of my email as well, but hasn't seen fit to respond.
Now I know there are no alcoholics, druggies, shopaholics, compulsive overeaters, or other kinds of addicts in the Queer community but if you might be curious about the whole AA experience I'll go ahead and post this off the Anchorage Pride mailing list;Title: Gay, Joyous & Free AA Meeting
Date: Monday April 6, 2009
Time: 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Repeats: This event repeats every month on the first Monday.
Location: Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Anchorage
Street: 336 E 5th Avenue
City State Zip: Anchorage, AK 99501
Phone: 929-GLBT
Notes: Gay Joyous and Free Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting
Held the first Mondays of every month
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
at the GLCCA (Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Anchorage - new location at 336 W. 5th Ave. - next to Country Kitchen - lots of free street parking)
Anyone from any 12-Step group is welcome to attend
No children, please
Questions? Call the GLCCA at 929-4528 or Laura G. at 344-2474
Date: Monday April 6, 2009
Time: 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Repeats: This event repeats every month on the first Monday.
Location: Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Anchorage
Street: 336 E 5th Avenue
City State Zip: Anchorage, AK 99501
Phone: 929-GLBT
Notes: Gay Joyous and Free Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting
Held the first Mondays of every month
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
at the GLCCA (Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Anchorage - new location at 336 W. 5th Ave. - next to Country Kitchen - lots of free street parking)
Anyone from any 12-Step group is welcome to attend
No children, please
Questions? Call the GLCCA at 929-4528 or Laura G. at 344-2474
here;
Queer Alaska has an article about Gay print media facing trials and tribulations. I personally don't know quite to make of it, beyond profit motive drives publications. But make your own mind up, here's the article. http://www.ontopmag .com/article. aspx?id=3516&MediaType=1&Category=28
I've written my representative and my senator about the appointment of WAR to Attorney General of the Alaska. I'm not fond of the response so I'll share it here. I'd really like to see more Queer Alaskans take a fundamental role in directing the republic. As you know from the Obama campaign Grassroots works! We can change things, slowly, but it requires all our participation. So, read this, think about who we are choosing to represent us, and GO TO YOUR PARTY CAUCUSES! I can't stress enough that when all us Queer folk turn out at the caucus we have the power to choose who the lazier population must vote for later. That's how the christian right has manipulated things, and I think we can do better if we want to.
OK here's the letter;
" dear="" brianne,="">There's a lot of good news for us lately, especially about the fight for marriage equality, please go here to catch some of it.
Iowa's historic legalization of Gay Marriage is perhaps the most heartwarming event of the week. It gives me a sense of hope that we might win this struggle, finally realizing the national dream of a nation of equals. Maybe I won't be fleeing to Canada after all.
A Happy Birthday to Kristara of the Imperial Court! The day was Saturday April 4. Many happy returns to her.
From the great girls at Grrlzlist I borrow this;
Events this Week and Next
1. Anniversary Celebration at the Kodiak Bar-friday 4/3 at 9;00 p.m.
2. The Brits & Their Telly 4/3-4, 10-11 various times
3. Celebration of Change Meeting-4/11 at noon at Café Felix inside Metro Books
Mark Your Calendar
4. Pride Prom 4/17, 7-10:30 p.m.
5. womyn’s dance at the snow goose-4/17, 7:30 p.m.
6. Off The Wall ~ Recycled Art Sale, 5/1 4:30-7:00 p.m.
7. Arctic Bike Club’s 9th Annual Bike For Women 5/3, 11 a.m., registration is open now
8. The Alaska Women's Gold Nugget Triathlon 5/17
9. Celebration of Change Call for Performers & Backstage volunteers 5/30
10. Celebration of Change Call for Art 6/3, 3 p.m.
11. alaska run for women 6/13 (registration begins 4/20)
12. Celebration of Change 6/13, 7 p.m.
13. Anchorage PrideFest 2009 6/13-21
14. FLy Fishing retreat “Casting for Recovery”- 7/10-12 in the Valley
1. Anniversary Celebration at the Kodiak Bar-friday 4/3 at 9;00 p.m.
2. The Brits & Their Telly 4/3-4, 10-11 various times
3. Celebration of Change Meeting-4/11 at noon at Café Felix inside Metro Books
Mark Your Calendar
4. Pride Prom 4/17, 7-10:30 p.m.
5. womyn’s dance at the snow goose-4/17, 7:30 p.m.
6. Off The Wall ~ Recycled Art Sale, 5/1 4:30-7:00 p.m.
7. Arctic Bike Club’s 9th Annual Bike For Women 5/3, 11 a.m., registration is open now
8. The Alaska Women's Gold Nugget Triathlon 5/17
9. Celebration of Change Call for Performers & Backstage volunteers 5/30
10. Celebration of Change Call for Art 6/3, 3 p.m.
11. alaska run for women 6/13 (registration begins 4/20)
12. Celebration of Change 6/13, 7 p.m.
13. Anchorage PrideFest 2009 6/13-21
14. FLy Fishing retreat “Casting for Recovery”- 7/10-12 in the Valley
Get involved as best you can, making friends and bonding us all together makes the world a better place, and helps satisfy deep human needs in a healthy way! YAY!
What do we want to do for the Day Of Silence folks? I'm taking recommendations on our Yahoo list!
OK, that about wraps up this post.
If you've read the whole thing I thank you. Just reading this blog makes you involved in the Queer community, links you to other people, and gives us all the connections we need to be well, happy and functioning.
Good job! many people don't take the time to nurture themselves this way, and you have, so Gratulations!
~Brianne!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
The Day After!
Elections were held last night at the Matsu LBGTIA Community Center!
The new secretary now has the results, and will be posting a full report, this is just a gloss of the evening.
Co-chair; Jaime
Co-chair; Brianne
Vice-Chair; Chris
Treasurer; Carolyn
Secretary; Chris
Director; Roxy (Sergeant at Arms of Cellphones)
Director; Woody
Director; Talyne
Director; Kathleen
Now I won't swear my memory is perfect, so the Secretary will probably be posting a correction or two, but that's pretty much it.
Last night the following business was attended to by the new board;
Brianne and Chris were authorized to take care of the internet and phone thing. We will be going with GCI for cable internet.
The Board decided to hold a large yard sale on the weekend following Easter. Donations for the yard sale are being taken now! Contact Kathleen on the LBGTACC yahoo group.
The board has created a comittee to begin to draft a policy, guidelines, and a program to fashion a youth - safe and nurturing environment at the center. We want the coming generation to feel secure, develop functioning and happy identities, and be in better shape to live in the world than all previous Alaskan generations have been in.
Absolutely no Alcohol, Drugs, Violence, or Pornography will be tolerated, that's all got to stay outside the doors of the center. We are a family friendly place.
For more questions contact Woody.
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