Articles in Alaska communities
Help us end legal discrimination in Anchorage
by Tiffany McClain of Equality Works
At Tuesday’s meeting of the Anchorage Municipal Assembly, Acting Mayor Matt Claman introduced an ordinance that will protect Anchorage’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender citizens from discrimination in employment, housing, education, public accommodations, financial services, and Municipal business.
The Anchorage Municipal Assembly voted to hold a public hearing on June 9 and we need YOU to be there to show Assembly members that people in our town care about this issue.
There are plenty of things you can do TODAY to support this ordinance:
1) E-mail or Write to your Assembly Members
Our Assembly Members need to know where we stand. They will likely be bombarded with letters from those who believe that LGBT people should not be protected from discrimination, and it is important that we make our voices heard. By letting them know why you believe Equality Works, you are moving them one step closer to a vote to support equality. If you don’t know who your Assembly member is, this map should help you. Once you’ve found your Assembly person, find their contact information here. If you live in a district with two Assembly members, please send a copy to them both.
Suggestions for increasing your effectiveness:
- Be respectful. We believe that it is possible to passionately express your opinion without disrespecting elected officials or other people in our community who may disagree with you.
- Personalize it. When it comes to LGBT equality, it is true that the “personal is political.” There are countless examples of elected officials being moved to support our cause after having an opportunity to read the letters or even to speak one-on-one with people who are personally affected by discrimination.
- Be Clear. Tell them exactly how you want them to vote on this ordinance — Vote “Yes!”
- Use the Talking Points. If you’re at loss for what to say or just need a jumping off point, we encourage you to focus on our talking points. 1) Anchorage workers deserve to be judged solely on their qualifications and the merits of their work. 2) All Alaskans deserve protection from discrimination and harassment. 3) No Alaskan should have to deny who they are in order to keep a job or an apartment. Go here for more details.
- Be Brief. The most effective letters are no longer than one page.
2) Share Your Story
“Discrimination? There is no discrimination in this town!” At least, that is what some objectors are saying to defeat this ordinance. It is very possible that the decision to support or oppose this ordinance will come down to whether or not Assembly members believe that they are improving peoples’ lives by supporting it.
Are you an LGBT person who believes that you have been discriminated against by an employer, landlord, or business? Have you ever been told to stay closeted on the job? Are you a straight ally or family member who has felt the sting of public harassment or discrimination because of your friends or relatives, or because you were perceived as being “too masculine” or “too feminine”?
These are all examples of discrimination that could be addressed by the Equal Rights Commission if this ordinance is passed. There is no better time than at the public hearing on June 9 to share these stories with the people in a position to make a difference. If you would like to participate, please e-mail me today or call 907-258-0044 ext. 101.
3) Tell People
You will be surprised by the number of people who believe that LGBT people are already protected from discrimination by state or federal law. In many cases, they are supporters of equality who simply aren’t aware that it is completely legal to discriminate in Alaska. Make sure your friends and family members know the facts, and bring them with you to the public hearing on June 9. Also, link this post on your social networking pages and forward this post to two friends — NOW is the time to expand our support.
Remember, Equality Works!
The noise begins
It’s no big surprise that Jerry Prevo of the Anchorage Baptist Temple plans to battle AO-64, the Anchorage equal rights ordinance. Prevo was also a vocal opponent in the earlier attempts to establish equal rights in Anchorage in the mid-1970s and in 1992-1993.
Against discrimination in Anchorage
Anchorage Assemblymember Patrick Flynn posted on his blog [Sunday] morning that an ordinance to bar discrimination based upon sexual orientation or veteran’s status in the Municipality of Anchorage would be introduced at tonight’s Anchorage Assembly meeting.
Celebration Tickets, Team Alaska for Gay Games, and June Pride 09
This Week in LGBT Alaska 5/8/09
Juneau
SEAGLA Social Fridays (6-8 p.m.) for GLBT people and our friends over 21, at The Imperial Bar, downtown.
Emma’s Revolution in concert, Pride Chorus opens, Wed. 5/13, 7:30 p.m. at the Juneau Arts & Culture Center.
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. Harmony Choir meets at the Center on Thursdays, 6:30 p.m.
Anchorage
Family Activity Gathering 5/8, 6 p.m.
Side Street Saturdays, an informal meetup for LGBT writers, beginning 5/9, at noon in Side Street Cafe.
Sunday worship and monthly potluck with MCC Anchorage, 5/10, 2 p.m.
Transgender Support Group, Sundays 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the GLCCA.
Anchorage Frontrunners, Tuesdays, 6 p.m.
Anchorage gets a homophobic mayor, New England gets gay marriage
Where to Find GLBT Alaska – Travel Businesses
Visitors, residents and travel professionals want to know where to find LGBT-owned and LGBT-friendly Travel and Tourism Businesses in Alaska. The current list is below.
Do you want to include your Travel and Tourism Business on Bent Alaska’s free Travel Business list? Do you know a gay-owned or gay-supportive travel business that should be here? Please leave a comment below the list or contact Bent through the address in the right hand column.
Disclaimer: This list is not an endorsement or recommendation for the businesses, only a recognition that they are owned by GLBT Alaskans and our Allies.
The main list of Businesses in Alaska is here: Where to Find GLBT Alaska – Business List.
Bent Alaska’s resource list for Alaska’s GLBT organizations, groups and publications remains one of the most often visited pages on the blog. There is also a list for GLBT Alaska’s Annual Events, and Seasonal and Recurring Events.
Alaska’s LGBT Travel Resources
Fairbanks
Tim Stallard
Out in Alaska
Alaska Adventure Travel
P.O. Box 82096
Fairbanks, AK 99708
Anchorage
Earth Bed & Breakfast
Hosts: Lori & Angel
1001 W. 12th Avenue
Anchorage, AK 99501
Phone: 907-279-9907
Fax: 907-279-9862
Arctic Fox Inn
327 E 2nd Court
Anchorage, AK 99501
907-272-4818
(toll free) 877-693-1239
A Wildflower Inn
1239 I Street
Anchorage, AK 99501
907-274-1239
(toll free) 877-693-1239
City Garden B&B
1352 W. 10th Ave.
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
Phone: (907) 276-8686
Fax: (907) 276-2358
Copper Whale Inn
440 L Street
Anchorage, AK 99501
(866) 258-7999
(907) 258-7999
Alaskan Leopard B&B
16136 Sandpiper Drive
Anchorage, Alaska 99516
Toll Free: 1-877-454-3046
Local: 907-868-1594
Mat-Su Valley
Karen Harris
Alaska Garden Gate B & B
950 S. Trunk Road
Palmer, AK 99645
(907) 746-2333
Juneau
The Silverbow Inn
Inn, Bakery, Catering, Cinema, Gallery
120 Second Street
Juneau, AK 99801
(907) 586-4146
(800) 586-4146
Fax (907) 586-4242
Haines
The Guardhouse Boarding House
PO Box 853
Haines, Alaska 99827
Phone: 907-766-2566
Toll free: 1-866-290-7445
Lima Beans for Croft, the Equality Candidate
- “I believe and have always believed that people should be free to choose their life partner and have that recognized by the state,” Croft wrote in a recent email to Alaska GLBT News. “I will continue to fight for and vote for equality.”
- Croft fought against and voted against the gay marriage constitutional ban in the Legislature in 1998.
- “In the House debate, I compared the gay marriage ban to constitutional bans in southern states against interracial marriage, and told my colleagues that we as a state would be embarrassed by this amendment. We lost. In the decade since, I have always been proud of that vote. I am today.”
- On partner benefits, he told the ADN the Supreme Court was right to allow benefits for same-sex couples.
- “I don’t understand why two people expressing their love for each other affects my marriage,” said Croft in 2006. Eric and Joanna have been married for 15 years.
- When asked if he thinks people choose to be gay: “I don’t care. It’s none of my business, really,” Croft said. “I grew up in an Alaska where you didn’t really inquire too much into people’s personal lives.”
- “At one mayoral forum, they asked us to hold up a green or red card on gay marriage and I held up the red signifying that I knew of the constitutional amendment. I did not mean that my position had changed.”
“Please let Anchorage know that here in Juneau Eric Croft was an outright supporter of us finally getting our state partner benefits. He offered wisdom and support on all his committees when he was a legislator. His opinions were always sound and balanced, thoughtful and well spoken. I think you can’t go wrong with Eric Croft,” wrote Maureen Longworth and Lin Davis, plaintiffs in the state domestic partner benefit case.
- Dan tried to block implementation of domestic partnership benefits in Anchorage, against the Supreme Court ruling. (we got the benefits despite him.)
- He lead the opposition against selling a municipal building to Out North as their new home. (they bought it anyway.)
- He opposed the School Board over a PFLAG-sponsored display in the high schools.
- He promoted a religious right-wing agenda on the Assembly.
- He doesn’t have lips. (I admit that my partner sent that reply. It’s a pet peeve. How can you trust a lip-less man?)
Vat Chea: 1982 – 2009
This Week in LGBT Alaska 5/1/09
Juneau
SEAGLA Social Fridays (6-8 p.m.) for GLBT people and our friends over 21, at The Imperial Bar, downtown.
Femme Fatale, 5/1 at 8 p.m. and 5/2 at 9 p.m. annual Juneau show and fundraiser for Four A’s.
Rainbow Highway Cleanup with PFLAG & SEAGLA 5/2, 10 a.m.-noon
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.
Harmony Choir meets at the Center, Thursdays 6:30 p.m.
Anchorage
Graze to Raise 5/1, meet the Identity Team at 5:45 p.m. in the Dena’ina Center.
Sunday worship with MCC Anchorage, 4/26, 2 p.m.
Transgender Support Group, Sundays 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the GLCCA.
BBQ Potluck 5/2, 4-8 p.m. in Sisterhood Park.
Industrial Gothique Fashion Show 5/2, 9 p.m.-11 p.m. at Mad Myrna’s.
Alaska Rainbows monthly dinner 5/2, 5 p.m. Colleen.
Anchorage Frontrunners, Tuesdays starting 5/5, 6 p.m.
GLSEN Alaska chapter meeting 5/7, 7-8 p.m. at the GLCCA.
