Anchorage Alaska passes LGBT non-discrimination ordinance, veto possible

The Anchorage Assembly passed Ordinance 64(S-2) Tuesday night, voting 7-4 to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the city's non-discrimination policies.

"We are thrilled that the Assembly gave us a majority vote and passed version S-2," said Jackie Buckley, spokesperson for Equality Works. "We are looking forward to Mayor Dan Sullivan doing the right thing and making Anchorage economically safer for our families."

Eight votes were needed for a veto-proof majority. Mayor Sullivan has not stated a position on the equal rights ordinance that was introduced three months ago, but he ran on a conservative platform and took anti-gay positions as an Assembly member.

Ordinance 64(S-2) would protect LGBT people against discrimination in housing, employment, finance, education and public accommodations. The ENDA bill being considered by Congress would only protect against employment discrimination.

The Assembly held six long public hearings on the equal rights ordinance, because anti-gay leaders encouraged opponents from as far away as Wasilla to testify on the Anchorage measure.

Many LGBT residents and allies gave testimony to the Assembly on the need for protection, including several who risked their jobs to testify. A series of testimony is posted on Bent Alaska.

This is the third time Anchorage has tried to pass protections for gays and lesbians. Each time, right-wing churches preached against it and unseated Assembly members who voted in favor. Mayor Sullivan's father, then-Mayor George Sullivan, vetoed the first ordinance.

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