Sullivan (Anchorage Mayor) vetoes gay rights ordinance - does not think Discrimination exists there

Sullivan vetoes gay rights ordinance

A long, grinding, contentious political and social struggle hit a major bump Monday when Mayor Dan Sullivan vetoed the Assembly's latest attempt to ban discrimination against gay people in Anchorage.


In a written statement, Sullivan said weeks of loud public hearings in which hundreds of people on both sides argued, sang hymns and told painfully emotional personal stories did not convince him discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation exists here.

Supporters of the effort said they aren't giving up, but it was not immediately clear what direction the movement will take now. A demonstration at City Hall late Monday afternoon drew dozens of people waving rainbow flags and chanting, "Override now." Several later took the protest next door to the sidewalk outside the mayor's pub, McGinley's.

"The first step is to take it back to the Assembly," said Jackie Buckley, a spokeswoman for the pro-ordinance coalition Equality Works.

http://www.adn.com/anti-discrimination/story/901286.html

Mayor Sullivan caved in to Rev. Jerry Prevo, a bigot who has a mega church (Baptist). IF the Assembly had one more vote, it would have been veto-proof. Vote was 7 - 4.
Needs 8 votes, so best action now would be to try to change the mind of one assembly member (for overide of veto).
I watched the hearings via podcast. Prevo bused in hundreds of xtains, all wearing red shirts and waving the bible.
A BIG mistake was made when the assembly chair allowed testimony from citizens outside Anchorage.
That enabled the church to bus in bigots from all over the State, mostly from MatSu Valley (Palin Country).
Testimony went on for many hours over several evenings.
It was disgusting.
Way to start your term, Sullivan - NOT.
If this is not a case for taking away the tax-exempt status of that church, I don't know what is. Prevo's church is a lobby - period.