06/12/2009
Hundreds Attend Hearing on Gay Rights Ordinance in Anchorage
Hundreds turned out for hearings on a proposed anti-discrimination ordinance in Anchorage, Alaska on Tuesday. So many turned up to speak that only 88 of 317 people were able to testify, the Anchorage Daily News reports:
"Efforts to extend the meeting to hear from a few more of them failed to get the needed eight-vote supermajority. Ossiander said the testimony will pick up again next Tuesday. The 250-seat Assembly meeting room filled long before the public hearing began. The overflow crowd spilled over to the 230-seat Marston Theatre across the lobby in Loussac Library, and outside scores of other people loudly demonstrated for and against the ordinance. The first hours of the extended proceeding brought emotional testimony from both sides. Some seemed angry, others afraid, many were nervous. Voices quavered. Some people cried."
The ordinance would protect gays and lesbians against discrimination in "housing, employment, and finance" according to the paper.
Gallery here.
Posted 11:06 AM EST by Andy Towle in Alaska, Anchorage, Discrimination, Gay Rights | Permalink
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You couldn't pay me to go to Alaska....those redneck backwards hillbillies...all juiced up on God and hating anything thats not like them....I read thier papers "comment section" and IF it was God mixed into the conversation, it was pur e hatred of "the other"...while USING Jesus/God to justify it....Pathetic. Don't come crying to the rest of the states when you have another 8.7 on the richter scale.
Posted by: Disgusted American | Jun 12, 2009 1:16:51 PM
I love how "truth" necessarily includes discriminating against gays in housing, employment, and finance. I know the Bible says being gay is a sin, but where does it say that Christians must discriminate in housing, employment, and finance? These sings just further show the Christian right's inability to think for themselves, to separate out issues, and to have any common decency whatsoever. Quite neanderthal, but then again, what should we expect.
Posted by: John K. | Jun 12, 2009 3:50:55 PM
Palin is the best leader they have to offer. I think that says all anyone needs to know about Alaska and politics.
Posted by: Wheezy | Jun 12, 2009 8:47:25 PM
the bible doesn't say being gay is a sin
Posted by: TylerAnthony | Jun 13, 2009 8:37:57 AM
"You couldn't pay me to go to Alaska....those redneck backwards hillbillies...all juiced up on God and hating anything thats not like them...."
As a resident of Anchorage I want to note Sarah Palin and the people (largely funded by our local crazy megachurch - big surprise) opposing this ordinance do not represent all that is Alaska. We certainly have our wingnuts and I might have (though not necessarily mind you) an easier time being gay if I had stayed on the East Coast, but I wouldn't change it for the world. We also have amazing artists, community (pride week starts today), culture, and tradition of creating family for those who are far from home. Alaska is a magical place. Anchorage has its problems, and a long way to go, I won't excuse that. I certainly won't defend the people who oppose this ordinance or who write horrible things on the ADN comments section (I've learned to ignore the ADN, especially the comments) but it saddens me when I see people write the entire place off without a thought. Anchorage has been far more like "home" for me than the Northeast ever was. Maybe we can wish well for areas that need a little support instead of completely writing them off? I would do the neighbors and community around me a disservice if I didn't note that there are many people up here who are educated, open, caring, and wonderful. And the hiking, skiing, kayaking...the list goes on can't be beat :o)
Posted by: Alaskan | Jun 15, 2009 3:19:41 AM
I agree with Alaskan. As an Alaskan resident myself that happens to be a lesbian. Who also is a born and raised Alaskan. That who are are opposing this ordinance in Anchorage, do not represent all of Alaska either, from what i heard sitting at the assembly meetings, almost all of them that spoke to the assembly are not originally from Alaska, they just happened to be from another state in America. A lot of youth groups are being flown up to Alaska from some churches in the states to protest against equality and fairness. Seeing this i don't think people should judge and assume everyone is the same in any state. Or i could just assume that everyone in the states that these people are from that are protesting against the ordinance are all alike well. It takes one jerk to ruined everyone else reputation in race, religion, sex, and for this case state. Not everyone voted for Sarah Palin either. Not everyone up hers is discriminating or prejudice either. As Alaskan said, Alaska is beautiful and has a lot of wonderful and talented people here. I noticed everyone seems to enjoy trying to find a reason to put someone or something down to feel better. Everyone just focuses on the negative side of it all, and never bothers to seek out the positive. Before you assume something, research it a lot better. After all I know hundreds and even thousands of Alaskans that have protested for causes in the states as well as sent donations to help our fellow Americans. To bad we don't get the same support. Makes me question America.
Posted by: Eco Warrior | Jun 22, 2009 7:02:10 PM
I would reinforce eco warrior and Alaskan in their arguments for Alaska. You might recall that Alaska was held in a fairly high esteem, with popular documentaries, reality shows, and prime time dramadies up until Palin got the nod from McCain. Likewise, Obama and McCain were neck and neck in the polls before her VP announcement as well. She represents an Alaskan mentality that was largely being rejected, before being vindicated, by crazy ideologues, with a spot on a national ticket. I've been to every state in the US, and chose to live here. And I choose to fight for the prosperity of the LGBT community, as do the friends I associate with. And we are not a small group. You can check out some of the work I've done on AlaskaCommons.com; but I really hope, over all, people can get passed this dismissal of an entire state set in beauty, strengthened by good people and conversation, and fueled by the hope that we will some day soon no longer be held hostage by the zealots who spend twenty years up here to pad their pockets, and then retire and move to Arizona, all while voting against the continued interest in a state which they could give a rat's ass about.
Posted by: John A, Anchorage AK | Jun 22, 2009 7:32:15 PM