Articles tagged with: Identity, Inc.
PrideFest Asks Palin to Declare Gay Pride Month in Alaska
June 4, 2009Governor Sarah Palin
State of AlaskaP.O. Box 110001
Juneau, AK 99811-0001RE: Gay Pride Month ProclamationDear Governor Palin:Identity, Inc. is an Alaska 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that, in addition to providing a number of services to the LGBT community in Anchorage, has also hosted Anchorage PrideFest each June for more than 20 years. Each year the Celebrating Diversity Parade and Festival on the Park Strip are big hits, drawing visitors, residents and eager participants. Throughout the city people feel a sense of pride and joy at being able to express the great diversity found here in Anchorage and the entire state of Alaska.This year our theme is “The Last Queer Frontier” in honor of the state of Alaska that has and continues to be home to so many people who have done amazing things for the LGBT community, and also to bring attention to how the community has grown in its level of confidence despite various trials. It also pays respect to our Governor and the administration which has chosen to be progressive and accepting despite the many difficulties of taking the right stand.The Pride Festival and Parade are scheduled for June 20, 2009. As you know, President Barack Obama has recently signed and announced a proclamation declaring June LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender) Pride Month. In honor of both his proclamation as the leader of the nation and the 40th Anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, it would be inspiring to have you show your support. I have enclosed a proclamation declaring June as Gay Pride Month in the State of Alaska that I invite you to personally announce. I would also like to extend the invitation, as always, to join the LGBT community in celebration.If you have any questions about Anchorage PrideFest 2009, please contact me [phone number removed] or via email through the Anchorage PrideFest web site.Sincerely,Identity, Inc.Jasmine StokesPublicity Chair, Anchorage PrideFest 2009
Equality Works Sets the Record Straight
- Anchorage already has a nondiscrimination law. However, because “sexual orientation” is not currently a protected class, the Anchorage Equal Rights Commission has no jurisdiction to track or investigate these cases of suspected discrimination. The Anchorage Equal Rights Commission has unanimously endorsed 2009-64, the proposed Ordinance updates. Supporters of equality are only asking that sexual orientation be included in the list of protected classes for a law that is already on the books.
- Anchorage’s nondiscrimination law has never prohibited businesses from establishing standards of conduct and behavior suitable for the marketplace and other professional settings. The majority of Fortune 500 companies, including some with a local presence — such as BP, Alaska Airlines, and Wells Fargo — have voluntarily adopted internal policies to protect people from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation/gender identity. These corporations understand that LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination policies help to recruit and retain a more diverse, talented, and productive workforce. No clause in the proposed Ordinance requires an employer, business owner, or realtor to tolerate anyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, who behaves in an inappropriate, disruptive or unprofessional manner, including in a restroom or other facilities.
- The US Constitution’s Bill of Rights promises every American the freedom to practice their religion and express their opinion without persecution. The Municipality of Anchorage recognizes those rights by including “religion” as a protected class in its current nondiscrimination laws, and the Ordinance includes language that allows churches and other religious organizations to limit access or admission to those who share their beliefs.
- People need protection from discrimination on the basis of their gender identity/expression. No one — straight or gay — should be treated unfairly in work or the public sphere. Equality Works believes the small minority of transgender people in our community — people who have served in our military, who drive our taxis, and who have children and families to provide for — are no less deserving of employment and housing than anyone else. While some in our community try to paint transgender people as a dangerous threat, transgender men and women are far more likely to be the targets of violent harassment and discrimination than those who would refuse them equal opportunity under the law.
Equality Works is a coalition of organizations and individuals working to protect Anchorage citizens from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in matters of employment, housing, and public accommodations, and includes the Alaska Women’s Lobby, Alaska Women’s Political Caucus, Alaskans Together for Equality, Alliance for Reproductive Justice-Alaska, American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska, Anchorage Education Association, Anchorage Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Anchorage Urban League, Association of Fundraising Professionals-Alaska Chapter, Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network-Anchorage (GLSEN), Identity, Inc., Immanuel Presbyterian Church, League of Women Voters of Anchorage, National Association of Social Workers-Alaska Chapter, Parents, Friends and Families of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), and Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest.
Identity grant, RAW award, Meetup & Alaskans Together
Gay AK – News and Notes from Alaska’s LGBT communities:
Good Work, Lima Beans!
The Legislature rejected Wayne Anthony Ross for the position of Attorney General today, after hundreds (thousands?) of Alaskans voiced opposition to his appointment. Ross is the Anchorage lawyer who called gays “degenerates,” and that is one of the many reasons he was denied the AG post. The vote was 35-23. THANK YOU for spreading the word and giving your testimony. We can make a difference!
Alaskans Together
As Alaska’s statewide LGBT advocacy group, Alaskans Together for Equality can take public stands on political issues, like opposing the appointment of Wayne Ross. Alaskans Together is organizing our statewide effort to achieve civil equality. Become a member of Alaskans Together for Equality.
Anchorage LGBT Meetup group
Meet with other members and supporters of your local Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community. Join the new Anchorage LGBT Meetup Group.
Identity receives Pride Foundation Grant
Identity, Inc. is one of the 32 organizations (out of 91 that applied) to receive a Pride Foundation grant for Spring 09. The grant was given in support of Education, Advocacy and Outreach, and for general operating support of the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Anchorage. The Pride Foundation report states: “The move in 2006 to a visible downtown location has made the Center the hub of LGBTQ life, providing a safe place for the community to meet, hang out, hold and attend group meetings, and use the resource library and computers.”
“Pride Foundation was very impressed with the work we are doing and the size of our volunteer staff,” writes Phyllis of Identity. “Over 60 volunteer shifts each month allow us to keep the Center open and available six hours a day, seven days a week, and the volunteers have been doing this for over seven years.”
“The funds from Pride Foundation will help pay the rent and utilities for about one third of the year. We still need our community support for the other two-thirds. We would like to encourage members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and allied community to also be impressed with what we are able to do with volunteer staff. Please pledge $10 a month for the next nine months of 2009 to adopt a day to honor yourself, a friend, or, heck, honor the volunteers who keep the doors open and the Center available!”
Radical Woman Award nominees
The Radical Woman Award honors women who have made significant contributions to the GLBT community in Alaska. Please nominate a wonderful woman in your life. Write a short paragraph highlighting her contributions and send it by May 30 to Radical Arts for Women (RAW). The winner will be announced on June 13 at Celebration of Change.
