Bent Alaska | Author Archives

Home » Archive by Author

Articles by E. Ross

E. Ross is the founder of Bent Alaska.

Mayor to Gays: You Don’t Count

Tuesday, 18 August 2009 – 12:47 AM | One Comment

On Monday afternoon, Mayor Sullivan vetoed the LGBT anti-discrimination ordinance passed 7-4 by the Assembly last week, citing a lack of evidence and the will of the majority as his reasons.

“I have received nearly 2,500 additional communications from Anchorage residents,” said Sullivan’s veto statement, and “the vast majority of those who communicated their position on the ordinance are in opposition.”

“Civil rights are not a popularity contest,” countered Jackie Buckley, spokesperson for Equality Works.

The news of the veto spread quickly through Alaska’s LGBTA community and protestors gathered at City Hall. A line of ordinance supporters along the street held big letters spelling EQUALITY NOW. Around them stood protestors with signs like, “Headline news: Anchorage Mayor Supports Discrimination” and “Celebrating 50 Years of Discrimination” based on the recent 50 Years of Statehood events.

The Assembly has 21 days to override the veto, and they are 1 vote short of the 8 needed to override. Their next meeting is Tuesday, August 25. Please email the Anchorage Assembly at WWMAS@ci.anchorage.ak.us and tell them that we DO matter, and we are counting on them to protect all minority groups from discrimination, not just the popular ones.

More detailed reports of the protest are posted on Henkimaa, Alaska Commons, and SOSAnchorage.NET.

Equality Works Disappointed in Mayor’s Lack of Leadership

Monday, 17 August 2009 – 10:39 PM | Comments Off

Equality Works today expressed disappointment in Mayor Sullivan’s lack of leadership in unnecessarily vetoing the hard work of the Assembly, which voted by a clear majority to provide much-needed equal rights protections for Anchorage’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

“It’s a shame that the Mayor has decided to exclude LGBT people from the city’s promise of ‘equal opportunity for all persons,’ said Jackie Buckley, Equality Works spokesperson. “We will continue to work towards an Anchorage that guarantees residents will be judged on their ability to contribute to and participate in the economy and community, and their qualifications to be tenants, homeowners or patrons. We all deserve equal access to employment, housing, and public accommodations.”

“The Ordinance passed by the Assembly, after hours of testimony clearly documenting the need for these protections, is good for business, and would ensure that Anchorage can continue to attract and retain the best employees and customers. The Mayor’s actions are a step backwards.”

Rally Against the Veto: City Hall tonight

Monday, 17 August 2009 – 5:12 PM | 2 Comments

Sullivan VETOES Ordinance 64: no evidence, will of people

Monday, 17 August 2009 – 2:01 PM | Comments Off

Statement from Mayor Sullivan’s office:

On August 11, 2009, the Anchorage Assembly passed AO2009-64(S-2) as amended. I have reviewed the ordinance, heard the Assembly justifications for and against it, and understand the sentiments expressed during the many hours of public testimony. Since the passage, I have received nearly 2,500 additional communications from Anchorage residents. I thank all of those who took the time to participate in the process.

My review shows that there is clearly a lack of quantifiable evidence necessitating this ordinance. My review also shows that the vast majority of those who communicated their position on the ordinance are in opposition.

As elected officials, we are charged with reflecting the will of the community in our decisions, particularly in the absence of compelling data that would supersede that will.

Therefore, I hereby veto AO2009-64(S-2) as amended.
Note: The mayor’s office does not plan to conduct individual media requests today. Questions will be referred back to the statement.

No “Dead Queers” means No Discrimination: Opponents of Ordinance 64

Sunday, 16 August 2009 – 10:35 PM | One Comment

Update: Mayor Sullivan VETOED Ordinance 64. Read the mayor’s statement HERE, then contact the Assembly and ask them to over-ride the veto. They have 21 days.

* * *

What is the anti-gay lobby saying about the passage of Ordinance 64? An Anchorage blogger* wrote:

[Assembly members] Chris Birch and Bill Starr said they had not been convinced that discrimination against gays and lesbians is a problem in Anchorage. “I don’t see signs that say, ‘No Gays Allowed,’. We have a tolerant and diverse community that generally gets along,” he said. Birch also bemoaned the amount of time devoted to this issue, saying he would rather have devoted the time to determine how to better deal with the homeless problem. This is a valid point, since we are not finding dead queers on our streets, but dead homeless people. [emphasis added]

Is that what it takes: “dead queers” on our streets? We don’t even know that there are no “dead queers,” since no state or city agency collects data on anti-gay discrimination. And if the 3 reported anti-gay murders and dozens of attacks and harassment incidents are not enough evidence, how many “dead queers” will be necessary before the city admits there is discrimination against gays?

Homelessness is a serious problem in Anchorage, one that deserves more attention. But there is no point in blaming ordinance supporters for the 25 long hours of testimony to the Assembly. It was the opponents’ strategy to delay the vote, by getting hundreds of church members to testify from as far away as Wasilla.

The blogger, who lists a dozen white supremacist groups on his blogroll, also calls supporters of Ordinance 64 “abusive.” He assumes that a ballot measure to repeal the ordinance, if the Mayor does not veto it by Tuesday, will pass because:

The gay-lovers may be the most vocal and the most abusive, but they are not the most numerous.

I attended the public hearings and watched in disbelief while dozens of anti-gay opponents shouted and insulted and threatened and preached hellfire at the Assembly members each night. They won the “most abusive” label, hands down.

Meanwhile, opponent Jerry Prevo of the Anchorage Baptist Church is keeping up the pressure on Mayor Sullivan, using his pulpit to rally the troops and flood the city with calls and letters:

The Gay Rights Ordinance, 2009-64(s-2), is bad public policy. It will make homosexuality and transgender (which is any form of sexual perversion) an acceptable alternative lifestyle. It is ridiculous to provide special rights for people who chose to engage in immoral, unnatural, perverted sexual activity. Do they have the right to do it? Yes, but we should not be forced to condone it. Homosexuality is a diseased and depraved lifestyle. Young people do not need to be made to think it is an “ok” lifestyle.” [emphasis added]

Prevo’s June 28 sermon “Did Jesus Discriminate?” preached against the equal rights ordinance, calling gays a long list of names, saying “you can’t be both” gay and Christian, and claiming that Jesus did discriminate, sometimes violently. Part 1 of the sermon video is posted HERE, Part 2 is posted below.

“I watched it. I was amazed,” wrote Glenn, an ordinance supporter who created the poster above. “So, I started working on a series of posters ‘Jerry, In His Own Words.’ Not trying to be mean, just trying to make a point: it’s not the gospel, it’s hate speech.”

Video of Prevo’s sermon, “Did Jesus Discriminate?” part 2:

* I’m not going to link directly to his blog, but the name would usually be a GLBT name. To find it, search for our state name followed by the short name of the LGBT community’s late June Festival. Warning: this is a political blog by a white supremacist, and many posts are disturbing.

Poster Prevo: In His Own Words © 2009 by Glenn Harvey, used with permission.

To Mayor Sullivan on Property Tax Day

Saturday, 15 August 2009 – 8:28 AM | 2 Comments

I heard that you are collecting ideas for how the city can cut the budget and save or make more money. I was thinking about that while writing a check for the second half of my property taxes, which are due on August 15, and wondered how many thousands of dollars the city has lost by allowing Anchorage Baptist Temple to keep it’s tax-exempt status while openly funding political battles through ABT’s donation site and threatening to campaign against Assembly members supported by tax-paying citizens like me, but opposed by exempt Jerry Prevo . . .

But seriously, I do have a suggestion for improving the outlook of the city during these hard economic times, a suggestion that is within your power to do:

I suggest that you let Ordinance 64 become Anchorage law.

How can an LGBT anti-discrimination ordinance help Anchorage financially?

It’s no secret that employers in Anchorage have trouble finding qualified people for certain highly skilled positions, especially in fields where the training is not available here and they must hire people from outside who are willing to relocate. Despite high unemployment and hiring freezes in the lower 48, Anchorage hospitals, for just one example, struggle to fill important medical and technical positions. Why?

Beyond the personal reasons, the public image of Anchorage and Alaska is the biggest barrier.

Most people outside think Alaska is

1. cold, dark and isolated, and

2. full of nutty yahoos and religious fanatics (thank you, Sarah Palin)

The adventure of living in a far north climate on the edge of spectacular wilderness, with a variety of outdoor sports available just outside the city (and sometimes just outside the door) makes the challenge of winter worth it for some job seekers.

But how can we improve the political and social image of Alaska? More importantly, what can we do to make sure that Anchorage is not bullied by the vocal minority of nutty yahoos and religious fanatics who do live here – like the ordinance opponents who shouted and insulted and threatened and preached hellfire at the Assembly members during the hearings?

We can support Ordinance 64.

The compromise version of the ordinance that the Assembly passed on Tuesday protects civil rights while also protecting religious freedoms. It is based on sound business practices that support a good quality of life for all residents. It shows that we value a diverse and talented workforce, but it does not burden the city or business owners with new expenses.

The Assembly created a win-win solution. Now it’s your turn to show that Alaskans are rational people who can pass reasonable laws.

What would the property tax base look like if Anchorage employers could fill more of those empty positions with skilled workers looking for good jobs, a bit of adventure – and a fair and friendly community?

Please allow Ordinance 64 to become Anchorage law.

Native Corp, Credit Union & other businesses support Ordinance 64

Friday, 14 August 2009 – 10:48 PM | One Comment

UPDATE: Alaska Airlines has asked to be removed from the list of supportive businesses.

———–

The Anchorage business community supports the LGBT equal rights protections passed by the Assembly, Equality Works announced today, and the Alaska Native Corporation CIRI took a strong stand for equality.

The statement made by Jackie Buckley of Equality Works and supported by local business leaders reads:

“The Anchorage business community strongly supports AO 64. An open and diverse workplace fosters strong customer relations and a vibrant, expanding economy. Businesses have to recruit and retain the best and the brightest personnel. For us to succeed, Anchorage must protect everyone’s right to equal opportunity in employment, education, housing, financing, and public accommodations. We are pleased with the Assembly’s action and support including sexual orientation and gender identity in equal rights laws.”

Anchorage business leaders and small, mid-size, and large businesses joined in the statement:

Arctic Wire & Rope Supply, Cabin Fever, Circular, CIRI, Classic Woman/Portfolio, Copper Whale Inn, Credit Union One, Finite Technologies, Ginger, Middleway Café, Modern Dwellers, Quilted Raven, Snow City Café, Spenard Roadhouse, Sacks Café and Restaurant, ~~Glenn Johnson, Chief Financial Officer & Executive Director of Finance, Alaska Airlines~~, and Mike Jens, owner, Hawk Consultants.

Many national businesses with locations in Anchorage understand the business benefit in ensuring lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender employees are not discriminated against. They include: Aetna, Allstate, American Airlines, Bank of America, Barnes & Noble, Best Buy, BP America, Carrs-Safeway, Chevron, Chili’s Grill, Citigroup, Continental Airlines, Costco, Hilton Hotels, JC Penney Co., Merrill Lynch & Co., MetLife, Nordstrom, REI, Sears, Shell Oil Co., Staples, Starbucks, State Farm, Target, and Wells Fargo.

CIRI (Cook Inlet Region, Inc.) sent their own letter to Mayor Sullivan today, stating their support for the ordinance and asking that he allow it to become law. The CIRI letter, signed by Barbara Donatelli, Senior V.P. of Administration and Government Relations, is posted below with permission (emphasis is theirs, typing errors are mine.)

Dear Mayor Sullivan:

Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (“CIRI”) strongly supports Anchorage Ordinance 2009-64 (“AO-64”) that was recently passed by the Anchorage Assembly and encourages you to support anti-discrimination in our community by allowing the ordinance to pass.

CIRI strongly believes that all individuals deserve fair and equal employment opportunities, protection from unfair discrimination and the right to live their lives without fear. CIRI promotes fair and equal treatment within our own company through our Business Ethics and Compliance Program and our Code of Business Ethics and Compliance. Our policies provide “… equal employment to all persons regardless of ethnicity, religion, age, gender, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital and/or parental status.” These policies were developed to provide a clear and common understanding of CIRI’s values and the ethical expectations that we have for the conduct of our employees and business activities.

As a major employer in our community, CIRI takes pride in our reputation as a good corporate citizen as demonstrated by our own monetary and in-kind contributions and volunteer activities, as well as those of our many affiliated subsidiaries and non-profit entities.

As Mayor, you can take pride that AO-64 sends a clear message that our City protects the diversity we value so much and will not tolerate discrimination against individuals based upon their sexual orientation for employment, housing, education and public accommodation opportunities.

CIRI joins many other businesses and organizations in voicing our support for AO-64 and urges you to do the right thing by not exercising your veto power over AO-64.

Sincerely,

Cook Inlet Region, Inc.

Bent Alaska applauds their stand for equality, and appreciates their willingness to support Ordinance 64 in a public letter. Although many national companies have LGBT-inclusive policies, it is significant that an Alaska Native Corporation like CIRI recognizes anti-gay discrimination as an ethical and business issue that is important to them.

Thank you to all the businesses that value us as part of the diverse workforce of Anchorage and have encouraged the Mayor to support Ordinance 64.

This Week in LGBT Alaska 8/14/09

Friday, 14 August 2009 – 2:44 PM | Comments Off

This week’s events from the statewide newsletter. Subscribe to Alaska GLBT News.

Juneau

Juneau-Douglas Picnic: Spectacular Summer Diversity Celebration at Sandy Beach Saviko Park Shelter #1, 3-8 p.m. on Saturday, August 15. SEAGLA

Pied Piper tour group Reception 8/16, 5-7 p.m. at the Imperial Saloon. Cash Bar, Dance Music. SEAGLA

SEAGLA Social Fridays (6-8 p.m.) for GLBT people and our friends over 21, at The Imperial Bar, downtown.

Fairbanks

PFLAG Booth at the Tanana Valley State Fair, thru 8/15. Fairbanks PFLAG

Mat-Su Valley

Mat-Su LGBT Community Center in Palmer is open M-F 5-8 p.m. (except 6-8 on Wed.) The social group meets Wednesdays, 5-6 p.m. at Vagabond Blues.

Anchorage

Friday Night Divas Variety Show, 9p.m followed by Karaoke with Paige. Mad Myrna’s.

Side Street Saturdays, an informal meetup for LGBT writers, at noon in Side Street Cafe.

Jay Her’s Comedy Hypnosis Show 8/15, 9 p.m. at Mad Myrna’s, followed by DJ Mad Mike at 11 p.m.

Sunday worship and monthly potluck with MCC Anchorage, 2 p.m.

Emperor and Empress Candidates BBQ 8/16, 4 p.m. at The Raven.

Transgender Support Group, Sundays 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the GLCCA.

Anchorage Frontrunners, Tuesdays, 6 p.m.

AO 64 Passes – Call Mayor Sullivan Today

Wednesday, 12 August 2009 – 4:10 PM | 3 Comments

from Equality Works

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?

Call or E-Mail Mayor Sullivan!

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!

Assembly PASSES Ordinance 64!

Tuesday, 11 August 2009 – 7:36 PM | One Comment

The Anchorage Assembly passed Ordinance 64(S-2) tonight, voting 7-4 to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the city’s non-discrimination policies. Coffey’s resolution to commission another study of LGBT discrimination, instead of passing the ordinance, failed.

“We are thrilled that the Assembly gave us a majority vote and passed version S-2,” said Jackie Buckley, spokesperson for Equality Works. “We are looking forward to Dan Sullivan doing the right thing and making it economically safer for our families.”

Ordinance 64(S-2) will protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people against discrimination in housing, employment, finance, education and public accommodations in the Municipality of Anchorage.

Many LGBT residents and allies gave testimony to the Assembly on the need for protection, including several who risked their jobs to testify. A series of supportive testimony is posted on Bent Alaska.

The Assembly held 6 public hearings on Ordinance 64 this summer, because anti-gay leaders encouraged opponents from as far away as Wasilla to testify on the Anchorage ordinance, to delay the vote until after Mayor Sullivan took office on July 1.

Mayor Sullivan has not stated a position on the equal rights ordinance that was introduced three months ago. However, Sullivan ran on a conservative platform, took anti-gay positions as an Assembly member, and is likely to veto the ordinance.

This is the third time Anchorage has tried to pass protections for gays and lesbians. Each time, the right-wing religious groups organized against us and threatened to unseat Assembly members who voted for the protections. Mayor Sullivan’s father, then-Mayor George Sullivan, vetoed one of the ordinances.

At least 108 cities have trans-inclusive non-discrimination laws, including El Paso, TX, Kansas City, MO, Gainesville, FL, and Columbia, SC. In addition, 13 states and Washington, D.C. have LGBT non-discrimination laws.

Will Anchorage join those cities and protect its residents against anti-LGBT discrimination, or will Mayor Sullivan tell the world that Anchorage will continue to allow discrimination?

Contact Mayor Sullivan today and ask him to let Ordinance 64 become a law! Call (907) 343-7170 or (907) 343-7100, or email him at mayor(at)muni(dot)org.