Day of Decision – Anchorage, Alaska
Celebrations of the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act sprang up across the country yesterday, and Anchorage joined in. A happy and boisterous group gathered in front of the Federal Courthouse downtown to hug, and wave flags, and be present with each other. Despite Alaska’s dubious honor of being the first state to discriminate against marriage for all people in its Constitution, the LGBT community and its allies are strong and committed to equality for all. Christians for Equality had a large banner, and there were rainbow flags everywhere. I was struck by how many honks and waves the…
Begich Supports Same-Sex Marriage
Alaska Senator Mark Begich has come out with a definitive statement in support of same-sex marriage. Monday night, the Senator’s office sent the following statement to BuzzFeed: “I believe that same sex couples should be able to marry and should have the same rights, privileges and responsibilities as any other married couple. “Government should keep out of individuals’ personal lives—if someone wants to marry someone they love, they should be able to. Alaskans are fed up with government intrusion into our private lives, our daily business, and in the way we manage our resources and economy.” The comment comes after…
Bigotry is Not “In His Name.”
~Jim Minnery of the Alaska Family Council By Shannyn Moore I don’t know how many hours I’ve spent in church, but it’s a lot. I guess it doesn’t matter since they’re not counted as frequent flier miles for admission into heaven. Some of my greatest life lessons were learned at the foot of a pulpit. Some I missed, and had to learn the hard way. One lesson was particularly memorable. It may have been the shock of delivery, but it stuck. I’d always believed the commandment “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord in vain” had something to…
“One Anchorage” Takes the Case for LGBT Rights to the People
Last week, an organization called Equality Works launched the One Anchorage Campaign for a ballot initiative to be voted on by Anchorage residents in the Spring 2012 Municipal Election. The initiative would add sexual orientation and transgender identity to the Municipality’s Equal Rights Code. Per the Press Release from Equality Works: One Anchorage Files Initiative Application for Legal Protections The One Anchorage campaign filed an application this morning with the Anchorage Municipal Clerk’s Office to place an initiative on the April 2012 ballot asking voters to include lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Alaskans in the same legal protections already…
Anchorage Non-Discrimination Ordinance. (Photos)
The mood was different outside last night’s Assembly meeting. Once again, public testimony was being taken on ordinance 64, which would add the words “sexual orientation” to the city’s non-discrimination policy that addresses housing, employment, education and public accommodations. As I pulled up to the library which houses the Assembly chambers, the “red shirts”, members of the Anchorage Baptist Temple were out on the corner. But this time, there were also lots of “blue shirts,” those who support the ordinance. They carried hand made signs, had music playing, and seemed to be having a great time. There were rainbow flags,…
Anchorage Assembly Meeting – Non-Discrimination Ordinance Testimony
You can stream the Assembly meeting live HERE. More public testimony will be taken on the non-discrimination ordinance. Chair Debbie Ossiander has stated that there are 250 people left to testify who signed up last week. 88 people were heard then. Each person has approximately 3 minutes to speak, but people were reminded that all must be heard before discussion among Assembly members can begin. My understanding is that testimony on the non-discrimination ordinance will begin at 7pm Alaska time (8pm Pacific/11pm Eastern) Feel free to live blog the event in the comments. I know many who enjoyed rereading your…
Palin Snubs Pride-Fest as Anchorage Prepares for Round II.
By E. Ross at Bent Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has ignored a Gay Pride Month proclamation submitted by Anchorage PrideFest, but a proposal to add “sexual orientation” to the city’s non-discrimination policies caught the attention of Wasilla fundamentalists, who arrived in busloads to testify at an Anchorage hearing on Tuesday while their children protested outside. Children opposed to the equal rights ordinance lined the entrances to the parking lot and building during the meeting, wearing red shirts and carrying mass produced signs from the Alaska Family Council. Palin’s hometown of Wasilla is not part of the Anchorage Municipality, but perhaps…