Alaskans Together for Equality, Inc. applauds President Obama for signing the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act into law

Anchorage -The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, makes it a federal crime to assault an individual because of his or her actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. Alaskans Together for Equality, Inc., celebrates the final passage of this legislation signed into law by the President Obama today. We congratulate the joint efforts of everyone who worked to make this bill become law.

“This is a great day for all fair-minded Americans that our government has finally taken a strong stand in opposition to violence targeting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans simply for their identity or perceived identity” said Tim Stallard, Spokesperson for Alaskans Together For Equality Inc.

The bill is named for Matthew Shepard, a gay Wyoming teenager who died after being kidnapped, severely beaten, and left to die tied to a fence in October 1998, and James Byrd, Jr., an African-American who in June of 1998 was beaten, chained to the back of a pick-up truck, and dragged for miles over rural roads in Jasper, Texas. While all violent crime is reprehensible, ‘hate crimes’ are meant to terrorize and invoke fear in an entire community of people.

“We are very proud that both Alaska’s Senators Mark Begich and Lisa Murkowski have supported this strong statement against hatred and violent discrimination”, said Elias Rojas, newly elected Board President of Alaskans Together for Equality, Inc.

This important legislation will make it easier for federal prosecutors to step in when state or local authorities are unable or unwilling to pursue hate crimes. This is welcome news for LGBT Alaskans in the wake of Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan’s recent veto of a municipal non-discrimination ordinance that would have extended protection to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people from workplace and housing discrimination despite evidence and extensive public testimony that such discrimination exists.

Alaskans Together for Equality is a membership based group that advances the civil equality for all Alaskans through grass roots organizing and advocacy. Alaskans Together for Equality is the only statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender civil rights organization in Alaska.

Tyranny of the majority in CA

Official Statement from Alaskans Together for Equality regarding the California Supreme Court ruling upholding Prop 8:


We believe that the option to get married is a basic human right. Gay and Lesbian Americans should have the same access to marriage and associated rights as other citizens. We are disappointed that the California Supreme Court has let a narrow majority of citizens vote to take away rights from a minority group. The State Constitution and Court System are supposed to prevent such a tyranny of the majority injustice.

Anchorage Assembly to consider gay rights ordinance

Alaskans Together for Equality, Inc. is supportive of this effort and has recently signed on as a coalition partner of Equality Works in Anchorage.

Here is the Anchorage Daily News story regarding the recently introduced non-discrimination ordinance in Anchorage.

Assembly to consider gay rights ordinance
DISCRIMINATION BAN: Assembly proposla would also cover vets; Rev. Prevo plans fight.

A proposed ordinance to ban discrimination against homosexuals in hiring, housing and education will be considered by the Anchorage Assembly next month.

It would also ban discrimination against military veterans.

The ordinance brings to the forefront a gay rights issue that has bitterly divided Anchorage in the past, and at least one local religious leader said Tuesday he plans to battle it again.

Assemblyman Patrick Flynn, a supporter of the ordinance, said it's time Anchorage stands up for all its residents. "People are simply people," he said. "It is wrong to discriminate against them just because the person they happen to love and make a family with is the same gender."

A public hearing on the measure is set for June 9.

Acting Mayor Matt Claman, who could veto the decision if it passes the Assembly, said he supports the measure.

"In an ideal world, the code would just say, 'Thou shall not discriminate for any reason,' " Claman said.

The issue of banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation first surfaced in the mid-1970s. It was initially passed by the Assembly, but was vetoed by former Mayor George Sullivan and set off years of sometimes harsh political argument.

A similar code provision was enacted again in the early 1990s, but was struck from the code by another Assembly vote in 1993.

State law does not explicitly prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual preference. But the Alaska Supreme Court ruled in 2005 that state employment benefits must be extended to the partners of gay state employees.

The Anchorage ordinance introduced Tuesday adds to the city's existing anti-discrimination code which already protects people based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, marital status, age, or physical or mental disability.

"I'd like to think that we've matured enough as a community that this won't be a big deal," Flynn said Tuesday before the assembly meeting. "But I could be wrong."

But the Rev. Jerry Prevo, pastor of the Anchorage Baptist Temple, said the proposal is an example of one part of the community trying to force its values on everyone.

"It's an issue that the homosexual community is using to force homosexuality on the people," said Prevo, who also fought the first sexual orientation protections in the 1970s. He said the sponsors of the current ordinance are trying to pry open the door to broader gay rights, which he said most Alaskans don't want.

Prevo said he plans a public campaign to fight the proposed change, including taking it to the pulpit this Sunday to tell his congregation about it.

Prevo said he thinks veterans were included in the ordinance just to distract from the "sexual orientation" issue. He warned that making the proposed law could open employers and landlords to a cascade of lawsuits.

"If I were a veteran, I'd be upset that they are linking the two together," Prevo said.

Jeffrey Mittman, executive director of the ACLU of Alaska, helped write the proposal. He said it contains a provision that allows organizations such as the Baptist Temple to legally refuse to hire people because their sexual preference conflicts with religious beliefs.

"It's unfortunate when organizations want to muddy the water and misrepresent what an actual ordinance does or says," Mittman said. "People should go to the ordinance themselves and read it."

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Alaskans Together for Equality, Inc. applauds the legislature’s vote to reject Wayne Anthony Ross as Attorney General.

IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Anchorage, Alaska -- Alaskans Together for Equality, Inc. applauds the legislature’s vote to reject Wayne Anthony Ross as Attorney General.

Statement by Tim Stallard
Alaskans Together for Equality, Inc.

“Wayne Anthony Ross’s derogatory statements about gay Alaskans, his stance on native rights, and his views on women and domestic violence made him an incredibly polarizing and divisive figure. Many Alaskans joined us in our doubt that Ross could uphold the constitutional rights of ALL Alaskans without discrimination. We hope that Governor Palin will nominate someone who will earn the public’s trust and respect the constitutional rights of all Alaskans.”

Alaskans Together for Equality, Inc. is a political nonprofit incorporated in the State of Alaska. Our mission is to advance civil equality for all Alaskans through grass roots organizing and advocacy. Alaskans Together for Equality is the only statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender civil rights organization in Alaska.

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W.A.R. - Palin's AG pick - Too Radical for Alaska

Alaskans Together for Equality asks all reasonable, fair minded Alaskans to oppose Governor Palin's Attorney General nominee Wayne Anthony Ross (WAR) because he is too extreme and ideology driven to represent all Alaskans fairly.

In a letter he wrote to the Alaska Bar Association, WAR has referred to gay people as 'degenerates' and 'immoral' and described being gay as a 'perversion' that until recently, 'was a crime.' Such extreme comments are almost funny they are so wacko, but of course such hate speech is dangerous and even promotes discrimination and violence. Can such an extremist uphold the constitutional rights of gay, lesbian, and transgendered Alaskans fairly and without discrimination?

WAR has also worked against the rights of Alaska Natives and women. He has a long published record of his extreme views on many subjects.

Alaska needs and deserves an Attorney General who will represent all Alaskans and our interests, not his own radical agenda.

The entire Legislature is scheduled to vote on the confirmation of WAR on Thursday, April 16th. Please contact all the legislators you know, including your own senator and representatives and state your opinion about the confirmation of Mr. Ross as our Attorney General.

The Public Opinion Message (POM) system is an excellent way to communicate with legislators briefly and easily. Simply go to http://www.legis.state.ak.us/poms/

Or visit the home page for the Alaska Legislature and find contact info for your Sentor and Representative: http://w3.legis.state.ak.us/index.php

Fairbanks School Board bravely acts to protect all its students

Kudos to the Fairbanks North Star Borough School Board who voted on Feb. 17, 2009 to add gender identity to the school district's anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies.

Students questioning their gender identity (for example, the gender they feel in their heart they should express differs from the gender assigned at birth) are the most vulnerable group of students to discrimination, harassment, violence, dropping out and even suicide. Still many folks do not believe these students require specific protection.

We are glad that the Fairbanks school board took this proactive step to protect all of our students! This brave action sets a good example for schools, governments, and organizations across Alaska on how to protect and show basic respect for the most misunderstood group of students and members of our community.