Equal Rights on the Ballot – Community Leaders Stand Up for One Anchorage
Remember when Ordinance 64 came before the Assembly? It stated that the LGBT community should have basic equal rights when it comes to housing, education, employment and use of public facilities. Pretty basic stuff, right? Well, after almost 24 hours of public testimony (including testimony from people who didn’t even live in Anchorage, yet were bussed in from evangelical Wasilla churches), the Anchorage Assembly voted yes on the ordinance. And after weeks of debate, during what has been dubbed “The Summer of Hate”, Mayor Dan Sullivan had the hubris to circumvent the public process, and the vote of the Assembly….
Open Thread – Saturday Drive-Thru for Equality!
You might remember that in September, a coalition of organizations launched the One Anchorage Campaign: The One Anchorage campaign filed an application this morning with the Anchorage Municipal Clerk’s Office to place an initiative on the April 2012 ballot asking voters to include lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Alaskans in the same legal protections already provided to women and minorities in employment, housing, and public businesses. Arliss Sturgulewski, a former state senator and Republican gubernatorial candidate is the Initiative Sponsor and Co-Chair of the One Anchorage Campaign. Former Alaska Gov. Tony Knowles is the Alternate Sponsor and campaign Co-Chair….
Mudflix – Two Lesbians Raised a Baby and This is What They Got
Zach Wahls, a 19-year-old University of Iowa student spoke about the strength of his family during a public forum on House Joint Resolution 6 in the Iowa House of Representatives. Wahls has two mothers, and came to oppose House Joint Resolution 6 which would end civil unions in Iowa. The fight to to keep marriage equality in Iowa continues, help us support Iowans like Zach. http://www.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/12424
Occupy Anchorage!
This afternoon in Anchorage, several hundred people gathered in solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street protesters. A crowd this size was a fantastic turnout for an event that was promoted largely on Facebook and by word of mouth. The weather cooperated beautifully. It was a gorgeous sunny autumn day in the 50s, and spirits were high. The crowd was full of families with kids, and dogs, young adults, and seniors. There was a great contingent from the Native community as well. Anyone who wanted to could sign up to speak, but the main event was former Mayor of Sitka and…
Alaska Court Rules in Favor of Lesbian and Gay Families
You don’t hear THAT every day. But today, we did. It seems that the exclusion of same-sex couples from the property tax exemption that benefits seniors and disabled veterans violates that amazing document known as the Alaska Constitution. Glory be. The ACLU was on the case and challenged the exclusion of same sex families on behalf of three Alaska couples who had been denied $150,000 in property tax exemptions. These couples are in committed relationships with a same-sex domestic partner, but until now have been treated as “roommates” rather than families. Anchorage Superior Court Judge Frank Pfiffner ruled in favor…
“One Anchorage” Takes the Case for LGBT Rights to the People
Last week, an organization called Equality Works launched the One Anchorage Campaign for a ballot initiative to be voted on by Anchorage residents in the Spring 2012 Municipal Election. The initiative would add sexual orientation and transgender identity to the Municipality’s Equal Rights Code. Per the Press Release from Equality Works: One Anchorage Files Initiative Application for Legal Protections The One Anchorage campaign filed an application this morning with the Anchorage Municipal Clerk’s Office to place an initiative on the April 2012 ballot asking voters to include lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Alaskans in the same legal protections already…
Open Thread – Standing on the Side of Love
Yesterday was the first day that same-sex marriage was legal in New York. Phillis Siegel (76) and Connie Kopelov (84) were the first to marry at Manhattan’s City Clerk’s office. They have been partners for 24 years. Congratulations to all the couples who tied the knot today in New York, the sixth and largest state to recognize marriage equality.
Open Thread – New York Pride Photo Album
We were lucky to have not one, but two Mudflatters in the Big Apple this past weekend, enjoying the various Pride events happening around the city. New Yorkers had something extra to celebrate – the passage of a bill in the state legislature legalizing same-sex marriage. First, we had Mudflatter “Wormtongue” who went to the Gay Pride Parade and got some shots of the politicos who came to celebrate. There were several. This first one was a surprise! OK, it’s an impersonator, but still… That’s pretty good. ~Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Christine Quinn (City Council Speaker) and Gov. Andrew Cuomo….
Open Thread – God Hates Shrimp
To commemorate the historic vote on marriage equality in New York state, and Pride celebrations across the land, I’d like to point you to one of my very favorite satirical websites – God Hates Shrimp. What’s that all about, you ask? Well you know when people start quoting Leviticus to defend their stance against gay marriage, calling it “an abomination?” God Hates Shrimp deconstructs this argument with quotes from the scripture and humor. Shrimp, crab, lobster, clams, mussels, all these are an abomination before the Lord, just as gays are an abomination. Why stop at protesting gay marriage? Bring all…