Sunday, 6 October 2013 – 5:19 PM
| Comments Off on A long-overdue Bent Alaska update — October 2013
Bent Alaska’s blog will continue in hiatus indefinitely; but the Bent Alaska Facebook Group on Facebook is thriving — join us! A long-overdue update from Bent Alaska’s editor.
Friday, 21 August 2009 – 2:43 PM
| Comments Off on Protest Sullivan’s Veto Tonight at McGinley’s
Update: Bent was unable to attend this event, but Mel was there and wrote about it on Henkimaa.
——–
Stand up for Equality and be Counted: Protest Mayor Sullivan’s veto of the equal rights ordinance, tonight in front of McGinley’s Pub. Sullivan is part-owner of McGinley’s, and the customers should know that he supports discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
McGinley’s Pub is in downtown Anchorage at the corner of G Street and 7th Avenue, and the protest begins at 6:30 p.m. After the protest, go get a drink at one of the supportive businesses in Anchorage!
Sullivan vetoed Ordinance 64 on Monday, saying that he saw no evidence of anti-gay discrimination and was following the will of the people. The Anchorage Assembly passed the ordinance 7-4 on Aug 11, after weeks of public hearings showed the need for equal protections.
A spontaneous rally against the Mayor’s veto attracted about 100 people to City Hall on Monday. Ordinance supporters held big letters spelling EQUALITY NOW and signs saying, “Anchorage Mayor Supports Discrimination” and “Celebrating 50 Years of Discrimination.” The protestors marched down the street to McGinley’s Pub, chanting “Equal Rights Now” and “United We Stand, Divided We Fall.”
Two short videos of Monday’s protest, taken by Chris N., are posted below:
Thursday, 20 August 2009 – 9:59 PM
| Comments Off on Sullivan’s "Special Right" to Discriminate
Anchorage cartoonist Peter Dunlap-Shohl on Mayor Sullivan’s shameful veto of the equal rights ordinance:
This isn’t the first time Dunlap-Shohl has drawn about our struggle for protection. In 1992, Dunlap-Shohl’s cartoon on the attempt to add sexual orientation to the Equal Rights Charter appeared on the cover of a special issue of The Northview, Identity’s magazine.
Steve Gingrich remembers that cartoon. On the left was a person with the caption: “This person wants – A chance to work, a place to live, and a little privacy.” On the right was a person with a sign with ‘GAY RIGHTS’ within a circle with a diagonal, and the caption: “This person wants – To perpetuate bigotry, to impose his religious views on others, and to undermine the right to privacy.” Below was the question: “Which is demanding special privileges?”
“I keep returning to the “Special Rights” theme because it is so galling and cynical,” writes Peter. “My blood pressure is going up right now just thinking of it.”
Thanks to Peter for creating this cartoon. More of his work can be found on his site Frozen Grin.
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.
Monday, 17 August 2009 – 10:39 PM
| Comments Off on Equality Works Disappointed in Mayor’s Lack of Leadership
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.”
Monday, 17 August 2009 – 2:01 PM
| Comments Off on Sullivan VETOES Ordinance 64: no evidence, will of people
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.
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.”
* 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.
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.
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.
The very real consequences of DADT repeal; seeking survivor benefits for same-sex partner of Alaska shooting victim; waiting on SCOTUS decision about whether it will hear Prop 8 case; and other recent LGBTQ news selected by Sara Boesser in Juneau, Alaska.
In this month’s “Ask Lambda Legal” column, Lambda Legal answers a question about the federal government’s longstanding ban against donations of blood from men who have sex with men (MSM).
Alaska Pride Conference 2012 kicks off on October 5 with a First Friday showing at Tref.Punkt Studio of Love is Love, a photographic exhibit of LGBT couples from across the state.
United for marriage: Light the way to justice. The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments this Tuesday and Wednesday, March 26–27, in two cases about freedom to marry. Please join us on Tuesday, March 26, at the federal courthouse in Anchorage (7th & C) in a circle united for equality.
Pariah, a critically acclaimed film about a 17-year-old African-American woman embracing her lesbian identity, will screen at UAA on Friday, November 2, and will be followed by a discussion on acceptance in honor of Mya Dale. The event is free and open to the public.
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.
