Diane Benson on Equal Rights and Ordinance 64
I’d like to express my thanks to former (and perhaps future?) Alaskan congressional candidate Diane Benson. In a seemingly never ending stream of fear-ridden testimony about men wearing dresses, and using the wrong bathrooms, and getting sued for firing gay people, and Bible verses, and scientific misinformation, there was Diane Benson. I was in the chamber when she spoke, and she left me speechless. It took all I had not to rise up and give her a standing ovation, but I know I would have been “gaveled” by the Chair. I found Diane afterwards, and asked her if I had her permission to repost her testimony on the blog. She said she’d be very pleased. So, thank you to Diane Benson for three minutes of clear thinking, for speaking out, and for doing it so very well.
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In 1945, Alaska passed civil rights legislation – first of its kind – 20 years before the rest of the nation. Many of the same arguments that you have heard were made in 1945 over racism. Some business owners and hotel operators felt their business rights were being denied by the bill – that they would somehow lose their liberty to choose who could be in their establishments. Had the bill not passed, it is likely that I would not be allowed in these chambers or in other establishments today. Back then, signs made clear their bias. “No Natives or Dogs Allowed,” or “Whites Only.” Alaska has a legacy as a result of that bill – one that should make all Alaskans proud. We have that opportunity again with this Ordinance.
Alaska’s Anti-discrimination bill did not create the mayhem that those opposed claimed would ensue. Neighborhoods were not over-run by lawless Natives. Lawyers claimed it would clog the courts with frivolous cases. It did not. Fear feeds hate, and in my life, in Alaska – I have been at the blunt end of racial discrimination. Denied service in restaurants; and sexually abused and brutalized at the hands of men who targeted young Native women. I wish the passion displayed here was also displayed to end sexual abuse.
I know the face of hate. Hate is a thing that is learned, and when those in opposition claim that their “Truth is not Hate,” well, they fail to remember that the same justifications were used and are used to first dehumanize a population by labeling them with such things as “dirty” or somehow inferior, and then to segregate or marginalize that population. In this case, as we speak, gays and lesbians are being brutalized and even killed – in Africa, in the Middle East, and yes, the U.S., and often with religious justifications. It starts with thinking that one group is somehow superior to another.
The Anti-discrimination bill in 1945 did not end discrimination – no law can, for as noted Tlingit civil rights leader, Elizabeth Peratrovich, and President of the Christian-based Alaska Native Sisterhood when asked if the bill would eliminate crime responded, “No law will eliminate crime, but you as legislators can assert to the world that you recognize the evil of this present situation, and speak your intent to overcome discrimination.” You as the Anchorage Assembly have the opportunity to speak your intent through this ordinance. If we truly want a better more civilized society, then we must make clear that discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated. In the name of humanity, I firmly urge passage.
Eloquent, on point, no name calling, no fear mongering, historical perspective … well said, Diane Benson!
Thank you for posting this, AKM. The “sensibleness” of testimony like hers overwhelms the bombastic, bigoted rants by the pro-hate crowd.
Well said. Hopefully Diane’s message will pierce the void..
Perfectly stated.
It’s really hard to imagine this bill not passing…but the possibility is there. Growing up with strong beliefs can make it hard to change, or listen to reason or another view point. It’s like living with a filter, where only what they agree with or believe in can get through.
I strongly believe that we, as a whole, are changing and making an effort to bring up our children without filters….to be open and tolerant and loving.
Change is happening!
I send lots of Love and Light to the whole process up there.
Straight from the heart, well delivered.
How simple yet eloquently stated. Now if only those who appose the ordinance would hang their heads in shame and learn something from this.
Maybe one day in our lifetime we will see no one discriminated against or hated because they are in some way different from the “normal” folk – though who decides who or what is normal? We all belong on this earth with the same rights as our fellow citizens.
Hope this comes to a vote and they vote the correct way on this issue. That other stuff was a sideshow.
Judy and I regard Diane as the most courageous person we’ve had the opportunity to volunteer for.
I know I speak for many when I say how happy I am that someone like Diane Benson speaks for me and continually serves the public interest – regardless of an election’s outcome.
Thank you Diane, your campaigns have brought a great deal of decency and common sense to Alaska’s schizophrenic political landscape – I hope you continue to seek elected office, I will vote for you.
From ADN Letters (by Marie Bair 6/25):
” … if some people have a right to discriminate in this way, I too must have that same right to deny housing, employment, even restaurant service to any Baptist whom I believe to be a bigot and morally wrong.”
Indeed! Oh, but wait, those bigots are PROTECTED.
The Prevo crowd doesn’t seem to understand that one’s personal BELIEFS are superceded by the implicit RIGHTS of each person.
I think we’ll find out if Dan Sullivan sought office to get done all the things he couldn’t persuade others to do… or if he will use his first term to get elected for a second term.
If it’s the latter, then he’ll probably sign the ordinance.
If he just wanted to be Mayor in order to pass all the ordinances or policies he wanted passed before he ran for public office, then he’ll likely side with Prevo.
*Don’t forget that Ralph Seekins only wanted to “serve” in order to pass all kinds of laws protecting his dealership business, i.e. look up the lemon law revisions he got passed and you’ll see what I’m talking about.*
Nicely said. Diane Benson is a person to watch. Very well said.
I heard Diane’s testimony Tuesday night and was very moved. After reading that Acting Mayor Claman was drafting amendments to the city charter to be voted on by the public, it sounds like this ordinance will be withdrawn in order to stop the filibustering by Prevo’s minions. Vote would take place in April 2010. A sad delay, but it allows us to gather forces and prepare to defend the LGBT community and decent people in Anchorage from the rightwing bigots. Good news is that only municipal residents will be able to vote; Prevo can spend money to fight it, but his Valley army cannot vote. Onward Progressive soldiers!
How wonderful to *hear* one of the voices of reason amongst the din of hate. Thank you for posting this. I have not heard enough of this sort of thing. None of us has.
Wise words, firmly spoken. Bravo, Diane!
That is why I vote for Diane when given the chance.
Prevo wants legal protection to practice his religious bigotry. Someone needs to have a conversation with him: “Come on man, it’s a two-way street. You put up with my existence, (and ideas) and I put up with yours. That’s how it works.”
The incredible narcissism that motivates a single person to reshape the world/community around him to his will is awesome to behold.
The rest of us are dumbstruck with the efficiency the world can bend us to its will.
The cahones it must take to ask for tax exemption AND representation.
Anchorage Baptist Temple, using a dumb ass hatemonger’s interpretation of the Holy Bible to rewrite the History of U.S. Civil Rights – one city ordinance at a time.
Stupidity is contagious, you can identify it by the Misspelled Logo Red T-shirt wearing symptom. Don’t let your children talk to people that wear these items, or that maintain a Palin Fever bumper sticker on their cars.
Bravo, Diane Benson, well said.
Thank you, Diane Benson for your well-reasoned testimony. And thank you for allowing AKM to share it with us.
Thanks for sharing that excellent testimony.
Beautifully said! I hope the Assembly was actually listening.
I wonder if the fear mongers know that in Europe, many of the restrooms are co-ed. The person in the next stall could be of the opposite sex. And yet, I was never molested in any of the co-ed restrooms I used, nor recruited to become gay. And hey, I was young and cute then!
Diane Benson is my new hero!
Diane Benson – from the bottom of my own heart, and in the name of my Aleut grandmother – thank you! I was so offended and upset by the red shirts’ appalling lack of information and tolerance during the testimonies that I almost broke my monitor so that I would lose the window into their hatred and fear.
But alas, we can not turn our backs on them because that is what they want – they want to say things so vile and mean that the “good guys” can’t take it. They force themselves on everyone, and yet change the minds of no one. They have nothing else – no dignity, kindness, openness, joy, love. They have a pack mentality since if left alone for any length of time with their own thoughts – they would begin to hate themselves for lack of their humanity. Therefore, they go forth in droves, meet in numbers – in order to comfort themselves that they are not alone in their putrid thoughts. Misery loves company, and esp. loves little churchy groups in which to pat each other on the back for being pure. Pure ignorance, pure selfishness.
She sure has impressed me..Sharp Lady ..
I’ve been voting for Diane Benson ever since she started on the political path. She’s one heck of a woman. Her campaign is actually the one and only campaign that I have ever donated money to.
Run again Diane, you’ll get ‘em next time! And we’ll be there supporting you the whole way!
Ever since school let out the Mormons and the Jehovah’s Witnesses have stepped up campaigning in my neighborhood to see who can ring my doorbell most often.
I thought about putting up a sign that says ” Fundies Not Welcome Here” but then I thought better of it. They wouldn’t understand and then they’d ring anyway.
Instead, I have printed up copies of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech and — I am handing this out to THEM.
Diane Benson – she was my candidate for governor a few years back, but didn’t make it past the Dem. primary.
If only she were in office right now……….
BigSlick–you rock! That’s a great idea.
yes Diane Benson – in the name of humanity! Perfectly stated.
Brava, Diane!
It amazes me how many women, blacks, Native Americans, and the descendants of Europeans and Asians, whose ancestors were fife’s and slaves, were sold to pay debts, sold into apprentices, sold into prostitution or forced marriages – now treat others in ways that they decry when it applies or was applied to themselves or their ancestors.
I continue to say that if there were an 11th Commandment – “Thou shalt not be self-righteous” – wouldn’t be a bad choice. So many bad things can flow from that one self-delusion.
25 BigSlick Says:
June 26th, 2009 at 2:01 PM
“Ever since school let out the Mormons and the Jehovah’s Witnesses have stepped up campaigning in my neighborhood to see who can ring my doorbell most often.
I thought about putting up a sign that says ” Fundies Not Welcome Here” but then I thought better of it. They wouldn’t understand and then they’d ring anyway.
Instead, I have printed up copies of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech and — I am handing this out to THEM.”
You should collect their reactions and publish.
I was not fortunate enough to Diane Benson’s testimony on the intertubes. I wish I had. Thank you, AKM, for sharing the comments from this wise and straight-forward woman. It gives me a shred of hope and a glimpse past all the red.
What a strong and moving speech! I don’t understand the hate shown by those people in red shirts in Alaska. I was shocked to see young children being taught such vile things at a young age! I have experienced this type of hate before and Diane is right, it is learned. The last peron I would expect this from is a minister!
What kind of a religion is that
it’s terrible to think in 2009 there are Christian ministers teaching young people (or anyone) to hate people just because they are different. And focusing on them being perverts is just wrong. Most abuse-rape, etc., crimes are committed by heterosexual men
I was lucky enough to hear Diane Benson’s words, and it was such a gentle voice, with such gentle and powerful words, it was probably worth enduring the redshirts testimony, just to hear her still, small voice.
She was impressive.
sorry, meant to say “still, small voice of humanity”
A beautiful soul. As for the red-shirts, I’m shocked every time they open their mouths and the vacuum in their heads doesn’t turn them inside out.
Marnie Says:
June 26th, 2009 at 2:26 PM
25 BigSlick Says:
June 26th, 2009 at 2:01 PM
“Ever since school let out the Mormons and the Jehovah’s Witnesses have stepped up campaigning in my neighborhood to see who can ring my doorbell most often.
I thought about putting up a sign that says ” Fundies Not Welcome Here” but then I thought better of it. They wouldn’t understand and then they’d ring anyway.
Instead, I have printed up copies of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech and — I am handing this out to THEM.”
You should collect their reactions and publish.
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Marnie, that’s a good idea, I should set up a camera and get them on video.
I missed filming a real good one the other day. The Jehovahs came to the door, a white lady and a black lady, both with accents from the South (I’m in Oregon here).
From the instant I opened the door they launched into a speech that seemed either rehearsed, or they just had gotten so used to speaking together, they each filled in a few phrases and then the other would add a few and they bounced back and forth about ten times. The gist of the conversation was that they wanted to give me their “illustrated & condensed” Book of Revelations and talk about the impending Apocalypse and how to save my sinning soul. They kept repeating the phrases “End Times” or ‘End of Days”, saying that the LORD was coming to finish the WORLD.
Then one lady asked me “doesn’t all the news of what’s happening around us make you scared you’re not WITH THE LORD?”
At last they both had to take a breath at the same time.
I said “Ya know, I got a great family, wonderful friends, Obama’s our President, we have economic and environmental challenges but at least now we are dealing with the problems instead of just feeding into the causes of them so I think things have really started getting better!” and I handed her friend the printout. “I believe our dreams are just starting to come true”, I added.
She stopped, looked at the paper, and couldn’t speak for about 5 full beats. The look on her face was a bit like this:
http://www.dphotojournal.com/images/tutorials/evil-eye/evil-eye-8.jpg
Then she went back to the honey-dripping drawl and the smile and said, “oh my, isn’t that nice but….”
But my door had swung shut before she got anything else out.
big slick~~~.listen to me, this what you do. order stickers of the south park gang. cartman, kenny, chef and all. put those babies on your front door and i promise you will never have to worry about early sunday morning wake up calls again….it works for me…b
I went to the Assembly meeting this week. And when I got back to my car, I found stickers suck to the back of my car that said “No on 64″. Has anyone else had this experience? I was pretty annoyed..gah!
I have ordered a pentagram doormat….
How about a door-wreath made of black candle stubs to go with that doormat?
from above:
it’s terrible to think in 2009 there are Christian ministers teaching young people (or anyone) to hate people just because they are different.
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Sorry, those aren’t Christian ministers. They are psychopaths, masquerading as Christian ministers.
# 38 BigSlick Says:
June 26th, 2009 at 3:37 PM
I have ordered a pentagram doormat….
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# 39 the problem child Says:
June 26th, 2009 at 3:44 PM
How about a door-wreath made of black candle stubs to go with that doormat?
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and get a dog to poop on it? (I’m clueless on the black candle stubs, though.)
Yeah Diane – one of our Alaska heroines – who took 40% of the vote when she ran against Don Young – a number that did not improve for Ethan Burkowitz, though Young was considered more vulnerable during the last election than he was thought to be when Diane ran against him. Go, Diane, Go.
Diane has always been a favorite of mine, now you know why.
She is the 1st candidate that I ever donated to.
Diane……You brought tears with such words of wisdom and I cannot imagine that in 2009 they would go un-heeded by a Fair and Just Assembly.
It boggles the mind that with all the religious rightousness the ‘red shirts’ are spouting, there exists no humanistic values whatsoever.
Alaska…
We need to strive to be the best we can be and treasure the best of what we are.
We are always proud you are our neighbor Ms Benson.
You are the best of what Alaska can be…thank you.
Thank you AKM. Thank you Diane Benson.
Wow…an Alaskan politician with intelligence, grace, compassion and heart. We’ve too often seen the worst of Alaskan politics in recent history, but Diane Benson gives me great hope for the future.
Thank you for your inspiring and moving words, Ms. Benson, and I hope to see a lot more of you and others like you! Thanks, AKM, for sharing her words with us.
Thank you for posting these remarks of my friend Diane, one of the bravest and most honorable women I know. To me, she represents the true spirit of Alaska, so unlike the Palins and Prevos. I’m looking forward to the next campaign with great anticipation.
Check out this lady’s bio. Even more impressive.
wow. that was awesome.
Thank you AKM for publishing Diane Benson’s testimony. It made me know that all is not lost.
I managed to watch some of the hearing(s) live and I was appalled at the perverse nature of the Prevo church people. It was heartbreaking to hear the sincerely ignorant and conscientiously stupid of so many misled Bible believing sheeple. Pious language does not make your position correct. I guess fear encourages ‘the stupid’ that all of us are occasionally capable of committing thouh not usually at a public hearing. It was like seeing old picture postcards of smiling white American citizens, men, women (and children) alike, at public lynchings of black men (and some women) during the Jim Crow Era that was sanctioned by law at the time.
Christians, who claim to follow Jesus Christ might want to read ‘Jesus and the Disinherited’ by Howard Thurman. This was the small book (112 pp) published in 1949 that Dr. Martin Luther King carried around with him. Would that we’d learn as human beings that fear, deception, and hate are deadly forces masquerading as christian love.
Lord have mercy on us all.
I’m reminded of those poor children dressed in red holding up signs supporting their parents’ discriminatory behavior. Very sad…
Good luck to you in Alaska. I really hope discrimination fails this time. You’ve been in the grip of hate-filled thinking disguised as religion for too long. Those shirts with “H8R” on the back go too far. No adult should be proud of that.
“Hate is a thing that is learned, and when those in opposition claim that their “Truth is not Hate,” well, they fail to remember that the same justifications were used and are used to first dehumanize a population by labeling them with such things as “dirty” or somehow inferior, and then to segregate or marginalize that population.”
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The slogan “Truth is not Hate” is very flawed in this whole context of equal rights.
Essentially, the opponents of Ord. 64 have claimed eminent domain over the concept of “Truth” regarding LGBT people. Once a group feels as if they are in ownership of the real “truth,” a sense of superiority is inevitable. With superiority comes the moral justification for imposing their will on another group. As Ms. Benson stated, Alaska’s (and our country’s and the world’s) historical records are filled with shameful instances of one group’s justifications in dehumanizing and marginalizing other groups.
Where do these groups acquire such an absolute certainty of their possession of the real “truth?” Usually it’s transmitted by proxy from a “higher power.” That higher power can range anywhere from religious belief systems ( common), to political/commercial imperialism, to military domination, or to simply a dominating and charismatic individual leader of a group.
The most potent way to fight a social system or group that has claimed ownership of the “truth” is….to challenge their version of the truth. In this situation: 1) presenting data of the numbers and effects of discriminatory acts in the community; 2) scientific data that refute the “choice” argument of sexual orientation; and 3) social data from communities that have instituted similar ordinances successfully without evidence of worst case scenario fears. Will it be successful? I don’t know. I find it so bizarre that the Assembly is allowing everyone and their dogs to speak….even if they’re not from Anchorage. I get the impression that there are some surreptitious political axes on that grindstone besides the matter at hand.
My comment on the “Hate” element in the slogan: By claiming ownership to “truth” and stating that their truth is not “hate,” the opponents of Ord. 64 have cleverly anticipated the criticism of their bigoted views. In reality, they are haters. They are teaching their children to hate. All you have to do is listen to them. That’s not abstract conceptual “Truth” issuing from their mouths; it’s emotional fear and hate…….and the root of fear and hate is ignorance. Now, that’s the real truth….
Thanks, Ms. Benson.
Diane, Thank you.
Jay and Gene Dugan-Brause, free in London
Just couldn’t wait to read all the comments — need to get this said before the thought escapes into a black hole …
When I read Diane’s words, I couldn’t help but think, historically, of what most of our Native people experienced, when first encountered by white folks. Learn our language, learn our religion … relinquish your shamanistic beliefs and rituals, give up your silly antiquated life for ours. We are God’s people, and we know what path you need to follow to reach heaven. *We know better than you.* *We are the enlightened ones.*
Sound familiar?
Think of what that has meant for so many people over the past 150-or-so years … a disconnection with your past and your ancestors, conflicts in how to bring up your children, having to question the religious beliefs you and your grandfathers were taught … maybe even having forgotten what those beliefs were.
There are very good reasons for separation of church and state. Alaska, above all, should know that. We have very tangible human proof right here, based upon historical experience.
Thank you, Diane. I do see the comparison you make between the Alaska Native experience and what could happen with Ord. 64. I would hope that the people of Anchorage have the humanity and wisdom to do the right thing this time.
And your comments about sexual abuse did not go unnoticed, either!
Brava!!! If I ever have an opportunity to vote for you, you’ve got it!
Ah, a breath of fresh air! All those post with pic of children holding hateful signs and the paranoid testimonies of their obnoxious parents where bringing me down! I know that bigotry and racism are everywhere, but I must say, born and bred in the “librul” Northeast I’m not used to it being so blatant! It’s so wonderful to read a heartfelt, honest testimony that speaks the truth about this ordinance and it’s place in history. Thank you! And if Diane Benson ever runs on a national level, she’s got my vote!
Brava Diane Benson. A calm, quiet, yet amazingly powerful voice of reason. I wish I could vote for her.
Amen Diane. Was anyone listening?
I was wondering the same thing. Diane Benson’s words are filled with wisdom and a vision of a world where people are human beings, not “those” to be feared. We all get it. But are the people in red shirts even listening? Are they able to hear anything that isn’t what they’re told they must believe by someone who is definitely not a “Christian” pastor. He has control of a lot of people, but the hatred and fear he spews out doesn’t belong inside a church or anywhere else.
The problem will be getting the people who vote to have enough guts to stand up to the haters, who sadly, probably won’t understand that Diane was speaking about them and their intolerance and hateful actions.
Thanks, AKM, for sharing this wonderful woman’s words with us. I hope it makes enough of a difference.
Alaskans had two opportunities to replace Congressman Don Young with Diane Benson. I hope we have a third opportunity and that prominent Democrats resist the temptation to run against her in a primary.
Diane Benson is a moral compass. She has the intellect, the passion, and the ability to inspire that Alaska so desperately needs in a member of Congress. Diane would be the first Native American/Alaska Native woman in Congress, but more than that, she would be a strong voice for the disenfranchised, our veterans, women and children, and the LGBT community.
Barbara B, Juneau
Diane Bensen has both grit and class. I’d be so proud to have her represent me and the rest of the critters from Alaska in D.C.
Fantastic!
I too would have found it hard not to stand and applaud.