Articles tagged with: Anchorage equal rights ordinance AO-64 (2009)
Hate Crimes Passed, Inclusive Episcopals, Eagle River, Top 4 & Better Communication
Gay AK – Notes from LGBT Alaska
BREAKING: Hate Crimes Amendment Passes
The US Senate voted 63-28 Thursday night to include the Hate Crimes Act as an amendment to the must-pass defense spending bill. The added measure will “provide Federal assistance to States, local jurisdictions, and Indian tribes to prosecute hate crimes, and for other purposes.” Both Begich and Murkowski voted in favor, and Begich is a co-sponsor of the original bill. The House passed a stand-alone hate crimes act in April, and President Obama supports it.
Episcopal Church passes LGBT measure co-authored by Alaskan
The Episcopal Church Convention approved two gay-positive resolutions: to open the ordination process to all individuals (D025), and to start the process of developing rites for blessing same-sex marriages (C056). Resolution D025 is a response to the restraint passed in 2006 on the election of gay and lesbian bishops in committed same-sex relationships. In the vote by orders, D025 passed the lay and clergy orders in the Diocese of AK, but not without dissent. Rebecca Snow, senior lay deputy from Alaska, co-authored the original version of D025 and was interviewed before the vote. Mary Ellen Harris, an alternate delegate member, describes the day the Convention passed D025 on the Alaska delegation’s blog. The national Integrity (LGBT Episcopal) blog has a news roundup on both measures.
Eagle River/Chugiak Ordinance meeting
We believe that the LGBT community has more support for the equal rights ordinance in Eagle River/Chugiak than most people assume, but we need your help to make sure that the voices of those who support equality are heard. Please join us for an organizing and strategizing meeting in the community room of Jitters Coffee House in Eagle River, 11401 Old Glenn Hwy, on Thursday, July 23, at 6:00 pm and help us create and execute an action plan to let Debbie Ossiander know that she has constituents who support LGBT equality. Invite supportive friends, neighbors, and family members to attend this meeting and learn how they can get involved. Thank you. Equality Works.
Top 4 on Bent Alaska
A big “thank you” to everyone who contributed writing, quotes, links and/or photos for these popular recent articles on Bent Alaska: Sarah Palin’s Top 10 Anti-LGBT Moments, Alaskan Celebrates Gay Pride in India (picked up by the ADN newsreader), Palin and Gays Make the Queerest July 4th Ever, and the top post of the month Kelly’s Story: A Transgender Christian Woman.
Self-Healing & Compassionate Communication Workshop
Are you in need of healing after the marathon of public hearings that have taken place this summer? Are you looking for effective ways to speak and hear compassionately in difficult circumstances? An evening introduction to Nonviolent Communication (NVC) offers practical tools that help you to generate empathy for self and others, identify what’s at the heart of people’s behaviors, and create simple, profound shifts in awareness and speaking habits. NVC can be used in any kind of interpersonal interaction. Interactive learning invites participants to use their own real-life situations to experience the NVC process. Facilitated by NVC practitioner and teacher Louise Baquero Deerfield. The LGBT Workshop is Monday, July 27, 6:00-8:30 pm, 1057 W. Fireweed, Suite 102, United Way Conference Room. Please pre-register if possible. E-mail: Tiffany McClain.
Ordinance Hearing #5: Equality Rally and Town Hall, Today at the Library
The Anchorage ordinance is alive and kicking, and today, Tuesday July 7, is Round 5 of the public hearings. Outside, the rockin’ Equality Rally on the Library lawn will have music, food, sign-making supplies and a special town hall meeting. Inside, the testimony on the non-discrimination ordinance continues in the Assembly Chamber on the first floor.
“We encouraged more of our supporters to sign up to testify,” writes Tiffany McClain of Equality Works, “so that opponents of equality do not get the last word in front of the Municipal Assembly. Many of those who signed up still haven’t had an opportunity to speak. It would be great if, once they finally get to the microphone, the Assembly Chamber is filled with friends and allies who are there to support them.”
To make sure you have a seat, arrive early – the doors open at 3 p.m. When you have a seat, you can take breaks and come back inside by giving your ID to the security guards at the entrance.
Don’t get off work until 5 p.m., when the seats will all be taken? Can’t stand to ruin another beautiful summer evening listening to hours of anti-gay bigotry? Not sure why we’re doing this?
Then rock with the rally on the lawn and come to the town hall. “Join the steering committee of Equality Works for a town hall meeting on the front lawn of Loussac Library before the testimony begins” writes Tiffany. “This is your opportunity to learn more about our strategy and future options, and to share your own ideas and concerns.” The Town Hall will be held on the lawn near 36th and Denali Street, at 5:30 p.m.
A Christian Transwoman’s Letter to Mayor Sullivan
Dan Sullivan was sworn in as the new Mayor of Anchorage on July 1, two days before Gov. Palin resigned. Mayor Sullivan has not yet stated where he stands on the issue of LGBT equality, or how he will respond to the equal rights ordinance. Please email Mayor Sullivan and respectfully explain why he should support an ordinance that will help to protect all Anchorage residents from discrimination.
Kelly, a transgender Christian woman who wrote her story for Bent Alaska last month, sent this letter to Mayor Sullivan.
———–
Dear Mayor Sullivan,
I wanted to write and thank you for keeping an open mind concerning the debate that is taking place before the Assembly concerning the rights of LGBT people. My name is Kelly and I split my time between Alaska and Kentucky and overseas. I own rental property in both Eagle River and Wasilla, and work for one of your largest employers in the city/state. Finally, I am a Christian, and I am transgendered.
Although it is my desire to have the Assembly grant us equal protection as afforded to us under the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution, it is not the purpose of my letter. Rather, my hope is to assist you in understanding Gender Dysphoria. I write to you because I am deeply saddened by the misinformation that has come from some of the local churches. As a Christian, it hurts to see these false accusations come from an institution that is to represent the One who came to save us.
Transgender individuals do not just wake up one day and wish to change genders. It is a condition that was caused in utero, when the Androgen receptors were blocked from receiving the proper amount of hormones to mirror that of the one’s anatomy. Contrary to the information that was published on SOSAnchorage.org, there is scientific and medical data that backs this argument. Studies done from the Netherlands Institute for Brain Research have found the Bed of Nucleus Stri Terminalis (BSTc – part of the brain that identifies who one is) of a transgendered woman mirrors that of a genetic woman and vice versa for that of a transgender male. Another study, done by the Prince Henry Institute in Melbourne, Australia, found a genetic variation of the human genome that is believe to cause the disruption of the Androgen Receptors in utero. Studies done on drugs such as PCP, DDT, and Diethylstilbestrol (DES) have also found a link to the cause of Gender Dysphoria.
I refer you to a blog post that I wrote, along with the letter I sent to my Municipal Representative, Ms. Debbie Ossiander. It answers many of the questions concerning the cause of Gender Identity, in hopes that someday people will recognize this was not something we created, but something we were born with. Should you have any questions, or wish to learn more about people such as me, you may reach me via this letter.
I recognize the enormous responsibility you have to represent all the citizens of this great city and want you to know, you are in my prayers.
May God bless you in all you do.
Kelly
Equality Works: Looking Ahead
We hope that you’ve enjoyed the vacation from the marathon of public hearings we’ve had over the last month. The break in the action has given the Equality Works steering committee some time to reflect and consider our options as we prepare for the next round of hearings and the transitioning mayoral administration.
WHAT WE WANT YOU TO KNOW
Who we are: Equality Works is a coalition of organizations to working to ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people are protected from discrimination in the Municipality of Anchorage. You can find a list of our member organizations here. At the head of the coalition is a steering committee/decision-making body currently made up of 11 community leaders and activists, mainly long-time Alaskans. We meet and communicate regularly to discuss and debate the most successful course for achieving our goal of protecting the LGBT citizens of Anchorage from discrimination. If you have any questions, concerns, or recommendations you’d like to share with the steering committee, feel free to respond to this post and I will make sure they get the message.
We have not given up: Many media outlets are sounding the death knell for any attempts to pass an ordinance to amend Anchorage’s nondiscrimination law, but we are committed to making sure that the Municipality of Anchorage takes steps to protect LGBT people from discrimination by whatever political means is most effective. Until we have used every tool available to us, we will keep organizing for equality. If our opponents think that we have given up simply because we have a new mayor, their short-sightedness will work in our favor in the long run. They were mobilized for a sprint, but we are preparing for a marathon. Time is on our side.
We want the democratic process to continue. While opponents of equality succeeded in pushing the consideration of the ordinance into July and onto the plate of a new mayoral administration, they have not yet succeeded in killing the legislation. As I write this, the ordinance is still alive and we believe that we have the votes to pass a strong ordinance that protects all of us—transgender, lesbian, gay, and bisexual—without sacrificing employment rights. In short, we want our Assembly members to debate on ordinance 64 and take a vote. If we end up losing the votes, facing a veto, or facing the challenge of repeal by voter referendum, we will mobilize to win by other means. But as for now, we believe that this phase of the democratic process needs to play itself out. We hope that you are willing to stick with us for the long haul.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP
Contact Mayor-Elect Dan Sullivan
Mayor Sullivan has not yet stated publicly where he stands on the issue of equality for LGBT citizens. Tell him why he should support an ordinance that will help protect all Anchorage citizens from discrimination. Send him an e-mail at <mayor@muni.org>. Remember to be respectful!
Attend the Public Hearing on Tuesday, July 7th
Last week we encouraged more of our supporters to sign up to testify so that opponents of equality do not get the last word in front of the Municipal Assembly. Many of those who signed up still haven’t had an opportunity to speak and it would be great if once they finally get to the microphone, the Assembly Chamber is filled with friends and allies who are there to support them. Where: Loussac Library, 36th & Denali. When: 5-11 pm (doors open at 3:00 pm if you want to make sure you have a seat)
Make a Donation to Equality Works
Whatever the end of the result of the Assembly hearings happens to be, Equality Works will need to work hard to advance or defend the rights of the LGBT citizens of Anchorage. The fight is just beginning. You can now support the efforts of Equality Works with an online donation.
Evaluate Us
What can we do to improve the way we operate? Take the Equality Works evaluation survey.
Attend Ordinance Hearing #4, Tues. 6/23
from Equality Works
Since Assembly Chair Debbie Ossiander has decided to keep the public hearing open indefinitely, we are asking that all supporters of equality attend the Assembly meeting this Tuesday, June 23rd, and sign up to register your support for equality if you haven’t already. Recruit your friends, your family, your neighbors, and your co-workers and have them sign up, too.
We know that our opponents do not represent the majority of Anchorage citizens and we need to show our Assembly members, Acting Mayor Claman, and Mayor-Elect Dan Sullivan that the vocal minority that is opposed to this ordinance is not a true reflection of our community. The meeting starts at 5:00 pm, but as usual, we need to pack the Assembly chambers with our supporters so please arrive early if possible. The Chamber doors are usually unlocked at 3 pm.
Opponents of equality want to push a vote to July in hopes that Dan Sullivan will veto any ordinance that gets passed. We say, let them do it! Matt Claman’s return to the Assembly will just give us one more vote for equality and increase our chances of gaining enough votes to override any veto.
Change is never easy, but this fight is not over. We are willing to bring our case to Acting Mayor Claman, we are willing to bring the case to Mayor-Elect Dan Sullivan, and we are willing to bring our case to the people of Anchorage.
Remember, Equality Works.
Equality Works Optimistic on Gaining Equal Protection
Ending Discrimination and Creating Change are Historically Challenging, and Ultimately Always Successful
Equality Works, a coalition of Alaska Organizations, issued the following statement regarding the Assembly consideration of Ordinance 64.
“Equality Works remains confident that Anchorage supports an end to discrimination,” said spokesperson Jackie Buckley. “Americans – by a vast majority – want equal protection for all in employment, housing, and public accommodations.
“Our coalition of organizations and fair-minded individuals know that the battle for change is difficult and that there would be times when challenges arose. We will not back down.
“Many options remain open to achieving the equality that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender families need and deserve. We continue our work with the Assembly and Mayor Claman, and will work with Mayor Elect Sullivan to find a solution. We trust that the people of Anchorage support our work.”
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), Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest.
More information regarding the Ordinance may be found at Equality Works.
Photos from Ordinance Hearing #3
The parade of bigotry continued inside the Assembly chambers on Wednesday as opponents to the Anchorage ordinance demanded the right to keep discriminating against gays.
Outside the library, DJ Dan spun tunes for the demonstrators. Ordinance supporters celebrated diversity and civil rights, while opponents pushed lies and fear.
How many hours of prejudice does the Assembly need to hear to recognize us as a stigmatized minority group? How many days and weeks of personal attacks do we need to sit through to gain legal protection?
The next scheduled hearing is on Tuesday, June 23. Please wear blue.
Ordinance Hearing #2: Religious Rule has it’s Day in Court
The crowd lining 36th Avenue danced to the DJ’s tunes, holding their homemade ‘equal rights’ signs and cheering to the drivers who honked. But on the other side of the library, and inside the building, grim people in devil-red shirts preached a different message, a mix of prejudice and theocracy.
At this second Anchorage Assembly hearing on adding “sexual orientation” to the city’s non-discrimination policy, two men held a banner across the building entrance with the words “Jesus is the Lord of Alaska” written in all capital letters across the Alaska flag.
Nearby, in a crowd of mass-produced “Truth is not Hate” signs, a teenage girl in tight jeans held a sign saying “Homosexuals are going straight to HELL!!” and two young men held signs with religious quotes about sin. When I tried to take their picture (second photo), an older man blocked my view and told them to put away the signs. He agreed with their beliefs, but they couldn’t risk being seen as anti-gay.I listened to hours of testimony in the overflow room. Gay, lesbian and transgendered people of Anchorage shared personal experiences of discrimination, and allies hoped that our city would adopt this overdue measure of fairness. Opponents, in a fascinating twist of illogic, doubted that anti-gay discrimination existed, then asserted their religious right to continue discriminating against us.
All of their arguments came down to the same point – the Bible says that homosexuality is an abomination, and the city law must support that. No civil rights for sinners. Equality is immoral. Separation of church and state is un-American.
The overweight man sitting next to me nodded and clapped at the unpatriotic speeches, quoting Bible verses in support of each point. I asked him to be quiet so I could hear the testimony. He replied that he came to the Assembly meeting to bring the word of Jesus to gays, so we could repent and find salvation. I moved to another row.
Opposition leaders are trying to control the media message with their pre-printed signs about speech and truth, but bigotry leaks out of the rank and file members. They’re protesting at the library because ‘God Hates Fags’, in the words of the infamous Fred Phelps, and thus the law should hate gays too.
Prejudice against gays is their focus this month because of the equal rights ordinance. But the bigger target is the state, and the goal is theocracy. How will the Assembly respond?
Ordinance Hearing Open Thread – June 16
If I can get online at the hearing and picnic today, I’ll do a bit of live-blogging in the comments below this post. Feel free to join in.
2nd Hearing Today: Who Should Determine the Laws of Anchorage?
Gov. Palin, in today’s acceptance of David Letterman’s apology, talked about America’s Right to Free Speech: “may that right be used to promote equality and respect.” I couldn’t agree more!
The second Assembly hearing on the equal rights ordinance for Anchorage is tonight, Tuesday June 16, in Loussac Library. Doors open at 3 p.m., meeting starts at 5, arrive early if you want a seat inside.
At least two groups are holding picnics with food and music outside on the Library lawn. Potluck of the People will celebrate both the diversity and the unity of our city, and everyone is invited. Bring food and musical instruments. Wear whatever you like and make your own sign.
An anti-ordinance demonstration is also planned, with food and a “praise band.” Mass-produced signs with a pre-approved message in large block letters (shows up great on TV!) will be available for you to carry. Everyone wears red. The demo is Prevo’s media display, to show that he calls the shots in this town, to flash his big red band.
So who should determine the laws of Anchorage?
1. The Assembly and Mayor, with input from a diversity of Anchorage people.
2. Residents of Wasilla (who are being allowed to testify against the ordinance.)
3. Jerry Prevo.
The ordinance has already been watered down once to appease Prevo, who responded that “the term “sexual orientation” is not acceptable in any discrimination ordinance.” Members of the clergy, including Prevo and those who support equality, met with the Assembly and Mayor last night. Today, the ordinance is being revised again.
Who should decide what becomes the law in Anchorage and what doesn’t? The Assembly, Mayor and residents, including you and me and the Moderate Majority? Or extremists like Prevo and his followers?
Send your answer to the Assembly members today:
FlynnPP@muni.org; Ossiander@gci.net; StarrWE@muni.org; MattClaman@gmail.com; HarrietDrummond@alaska.com; DanCoffey@gci.net; Gray-JacksonE@muni.org; SheilaSelkregg@alaska.com; GutierrezM@Muni.org; JJohnston@gci.net; ChrisBirch@gci.net
Attend the second hearing on the equal rights ordinance this evening. Come early if you want a seat inside the library. Bring food, drink and music for the unity picnic on the lawn. See you there!
