Thanks to everyone who came out last night for an unexpectedly emotional debate and vote on equal rights ordinance AO-64. I am happy to report that the Anchorage Assembly voted 7-4 to pass the S-2 version, which protects LGBT people from discrimination in all aspects of public life, while providing broad protection for religious organizations to employ and serve according to their values.

Assembly Members Selkregg, Gutierrez, Claman, Johnston, Flynn, Drummond, and Gray-Jackson voted for the legislation. Assembly Members Ossiander, Starr, Birch, and Coffey voted against.

What can you do to ensure that the ordinance becomes law?

The Mayor hasn’t publicly shared his stance on AO-64, but he needs to know that people in Anchorage support equality, he needs to know why you support equality, and he needs to hear that vetoing an ordinance to protect LGBT people from discrimination sends the message that he, as the Mayor of Anchorage, believes that LGBT people should be discriminated against in employment, housing, education, financing and public accommodations. If he doesn’t want to send that message, then he should not veto this ordinance.

If you haven‘t already, PLEASE call Mayor Sullivan at (907) 343-7170 or (907) 343-7100, or e-mail him at mayor@muni.org

If you fall into one of these categories, be sure to include this information when you ask him to support AO 64:

I lived in Anchorage for X years.

I grew up in Anchorage.

I am an Anchorage voter.

I am a Native Alaskan voter.

I am a business owner/leader.

Economic justice and equality are important to me.

Then please e-mail and call the Assembly members who voted for AO 64 and thank them for their time, consideration, support and bravery. The Assembly member profiles and contact information is found HERE.

Thank you!