Fairbanksers are holding a fundraiser for the equal rights of their fellow Alaskans 360 miles south this Thursday, March 1 at the Pub in University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Wood Center . The fundraiser, for One Anchorage, will feature a night of live music from local Fairbanks talent, and a dessert auction of donated baked goodies.

Among the local Fairbanks musicians to appear: Jesse Hobbes, Nathan Zody, Cackling Red, and Liz Melendez. The dessert auctions give attendees the opportunity to bid on single servings or entire pies and cakes.  Beer and wine will also be available. Unfortunately, credit cards cannot be accepted for beverage purchases.

There is no cover charge, though contribution envelopes will be available, along with information about One Anchorage and the Anchorage Equal Rights Initiative, which will appear as Proposition 5 on the April 3 ballot in the Municipality of Anchorage. (Credit cards can be accepted in making contributions to One Anchorage.)

If passed, Proposition 5 will amend Anchorage’s equal rights code,  to provide the same legal protections against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or transgender identity that are already provided based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, marital status, age, and  physical or mental disability. It will, if passed, be the first and only nondiscrimination law affecting everyday citizens in an Alaska locality. While LGBTQ residents of Fairbanks don’t themselves stand to gain equality under the law through Anchorage’s Prop 5, organizers see it as important nonetheless.  “I believe that one of the best ways to support this cause is to show solidarity across the state for One Anchorage’s mission,” says one of the event’s organizers, Donald Crocker. “I hope to see you all there.” Other organizers are Anna Gagne-Hawes, and Heather Kraemer.

Prior to the event, organizers are accepting donations of baked goods and any other donated items in the UAF Pub’s office from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM.  The revels themselves begin at 7:00 PM in the UAF Pub.

• Date/time: Thursday, March 1, 7:00–11:00 PM
• Location: UAF Pub, Wood Center, 811 Yukon Dr, Fairbanks, AK (see map)
• Cost of admission: No cover; but please donate to One Anchorage. Credit cards accepted for donations, but cannot be used for beverage purchases.
• Further info: see Facebook events page or contact event organizer Donald Crocker at optimuscrocker@gmail.com or 907-799-2818.