Anchorage Non-Discrimination Ordinance. (Photos)
The mood was different outside last night’s Assembly meeting. Once again, public testimony was being taken on ordinance 64, which would add the words “sexual orientation” to the city’s non-discrimination policy that addresses housing, employment, education and public accommodations. As I pulled up to the library which houses the Assembly chambers, the “red shirts”, members of the Anchorage Baptist Temple were out on the corner. But this time, there were also lots of “blue shirts,” those who support the ordinance. They carried hand made signs, had music playing, and seemed to be having a great time. There were rainbow flags,…
Anchorage Assembly Meeting – Non-Discrimination Ordinance Testimony
You can stream the Assembly meeting live HERE. More public testimony will be taken on the non-discrimination ordinance. Chair Debbie Ossiander has stated that there are 250 people left to testify who signed up last week. 88 people were heard then. Each person has approximately 3 minutes to speak, but people were reminded that all must be heard before discussion among Assembly members can begin. My understanding is that testimony on the non-discrimination ordinance will begin at 7pm Alaska time (8pm Pacific/11pm Eastern) Feel free to live blog the event in the comments. I know many who enjoyed rereading your…
Equal Rights in Anchorage. A Small Step on a Long Road.
Last night was the Anchorage Assembly meeting in which the public was invited to give testimony about ordinance #64, which ensures non-discrimination in housing, education and employment for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered persons. Pastor Jerry Prevo of the Anchorage mega-church the Anchorage Baptist Temple was the one organizing those in opposition to the passage of the ordinance. We all knew it was going to be a dramatic evening. As I was heading out the door, I remembered that I’d gotten something from Equality Works in an email saying to wear blue. So, I quickly ran upstairs and changed into…
Isn’t There an Ice Floe Somewhere That Needs a Homophobic Preacher?
If there is such an ice floe, I know plenty of people who would gladly escort Jerry Prevo on to it, and ceremoniously shove him off the shore with their foot to a destination far far away…or perhaps to no destination at all. Prevo, of the Anchorage Baptist Temple has been a notorious opponent of civil rights for the LGBT community in the past, and he shows no signs whatsoever of intellectual or moral evolution. He does, however, continue to throw stones, embrace divisiveness, and can now take credit for this: Is this a joke? It looks like one, but alas, no. There’s…