Talk on the Rock is KSTK’s live call-in show. Every Tuesday at 1pm we welcome a local guest to discuss events and topics of interest to our little island town. For this week’s episode, host June Leffler spoke with Eli Michael and Vivian Faith Prescott about LGBTQ protections from employment, housing and healthcare discrimination. Eli focused on a group of cases the U.S. Supreme Court just heard oral arguments for. The separate cases concerning the employment of two gay men and a transgender woman are for the court to decide on by next summer. The court’s decision will set a precedent for whether queer folks are protected in the same ways everyone is protected based on their religion or ethnicity.

Community Roots meets regularly. Contact Eli or Vivian if you are interested in joining the group.

If you are queer or questioning your sexual orientation or gender, Eli says to be on the look out for rainbow stickers around town. The stickers signal the business, group or individual is an ally and is there for you.

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Eli Michael and Vivian Prescott join KSTK in the studio to talk about Community Roots. (June Leffler/ KSTK)

Talk on the Rock is KSTK’s live call-in show. Every Tuesday at 1pm we welcome a local guest to discuss events and topics of interest to our little island town. For this week’s episode, host June Leffler spoke with Eli Michael and Vivian Prescott about the LGBTQ focused group Community Roots. Eli says visibility is essential for gay and trans folks. And that all folks are asking for is respect and compassion. Vivian and Eli say that down the road the group will host more educational opportunities, an open mic and even a drag show.

The post Talk on the Rock 023: Eli Michael and Vivian Prescott on LGBTQ issues appeared first on KSTK.

Wrangell’s LGBT group Community Roots hosted a vigil for the global transgender day of remembrance on Nov. 20,
2017. (Jill Privett/KSTK)

Yesterday was the global day of remembrance for those murdered from anti-transgender hate crimes. 25 transgender people have been murdered so far in 2017 in the U.S., according to research from the Human Rights Campaign. And these numbers are increasing.

The local LGBT group, Community Roots, took part in the global day of remembrance. Right now, the group has less than ten members. Eli Michael is a founding member of the group.

“It’s a chance to recognize all those that were lost. To bring awareness to the heightened hate crimes violence, discrimination and bullying that transgender and gender non-conforming folks face on a daily basis.”

Michael moved to Wrangell a year and a half ago. He had just graduated from University of Alaska Anchorage where he was involved in LGBT education and advocacy.

“And when I moved to this island there was nothing. No LGBT group, no support. And not very many people that were out and about, at least publicly.”

So he started the LGBT group.

“Our main focus is to get the awareness out the visibility the education be that pillar of support for others that may not be out for different reasons.”

The group started the beginning of this year. Since then, it’s held an equality march and monthly meetings for those who identify as LGBT in Wrangell.

“I think it is one of the friendliest communities in Alaska. And as a member of LGBT community I’ve felt nothing but support here. I’ve just heard stories of other people not always receiving support.”

Michael hopes to host a LGBT film series and a drag show down the road.

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