Equality Works optimistic on gaining equal protection (press release)

Despite the Anchorage Daily News doomsaying story that came out earlier today, Equality Works is still optimistic about gaining equal protections for LGBT people in Anchorage.  Here’s the press release they just issued.

Contact: Jackie Buckley, (907) 229-6219
Mia Oxley, (907) 222-6770

Equality Works Supports Democratic Process on Equal Protection
Laments Obstructionist Tactics by Opponents of Fairness

ANCHORAGE, AK, June 17, 2009 — Equality Works, a coalition of Alaska Organizations issued the following statement regarding the Assembly consideration of Ordinance 64. Jackie Buckley, spokesperson, stated: “Equality Works believes in protections for Anchorage’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community. We appreciate the patience of the Assembly and Anchorage during the hours of hurtful and offensive testimony by those who oppose equality.

“While those who oppose equality pretend to be willing to compromise, the truth is that they will never accept any ordinance that protects LGBT people from discrimination. What they really want is to maintain the right to treat us as second-class citizens and, with no valid or reasonable objections to an equal rights ordinance, have decided to obstruct the democratic process by filibustering the public hearing and postponing a vote indefinitely.

“Equality Works, our many allies, and the fair minded members of Anchorage know we have made the case that LGBT citizens deserve protection from discrimination. We have provided statistics, we have shared our stories of discrimination, and we have waited over thirty years.

“We need and deserve real equality—full protections in housing, public accommodations, and employment. Without the right to work, all the other protections mean nothing.

We will continue to stand together as a community: straight, lesbian, bisexual, gay, and transgender. We are ready to bring our case to the Assembly and to Mayor Claman, we are willing to bring our case to Mayor Elect Sullivan, and we are willing to bring our case to the people of Anchorage.”

Equality Works is a coalition of organizations and individuals working to protect Anchorage citizens from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in matters of employment, housing, and public accommodations, and includes the Alaska Women’s Lobby, Alaska Women’s Political Caucus, Alaskans Together for Equality, Alliance for Reproductive Justice-Alaska, American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska, Anchorage Education Association, Anchorage Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Anchorage Urban League, Association of Fundraising Professionals-Alaska Chapter, Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network-Anchorage (GLSEN), Identity, Inc., Immanuel Presbyterian Church, League of Women Voters of Anchorage, National Association of Social Workers-Alaska Chapter, Parents, Friends and Families of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest.

More information regarding the Ordinance may be found at: www.equalityworks.org.

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