Anchorage passes gay rights ordinance - veto possible
(Anchorage) The Anchorage Assembly approved an ordinance Tuesday banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity by a 7-4 vote.
The vote falls one short of the eight-vote supermajority needed to override a mayoral veto. Mayor Dan Sullivan has seven days to decide. He has said he has …
Tags: Anchorage Assembly, Discrimination, Gay Rights Ordinance, Gender Identity, Mayoral Veto, Seven Days, Sexual Orientation, VotePublic Outcry Kills Anchorage Gay Protections
An Anchorage, Alaska gay protections bill is likely doomed as public sentiment turns sour, the Anchorage Daily News reported. Hundreds of opponents appeared to testify against the bill at a Wednesday Anchorage Assembly hearing on the issue. The bill would protect gay men and lesbians from discrimination in the areas of employment, housing and credit. An original draft included transgendered persons, but lawmakers cut out the provision amid loud protest. Opponents’ demands have resulted in three drafts of the ordinance, including one that turns the protections on their head. That version would allow discrimination based on sexual orientation, while protecting other classes. “The added language in the third version guts the intent and the integrity of the ordinance,” said Jackie Buckley, spokeswoman for EqualityWorks, the group that lobbied for the gay protections. But time is ticking as a new, unsympathetic mayor is about to be installed on July 1, Republican Mayor-elect Dan Sullivan. Sullivan, however, gains veto power over all ordinances seven days prior, on Wednesday. As people continued to pile in to testify against the bill – nearly 600 people have signed up and only 300 have been heard – Anchorage Assembly Chairwoman Debbie Ossiander said Friday she will continue to allow testimony. The extension is likely to make it impossible to approve the bill before Sullivan gains veto control. Acting Mayor Matt Claman, a Democrat, supports the measure.
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/06/public-outcry…
Hundreds still scheduled to speak on gay rights amendment
A controversial amendment to an anti-discrimination ordinance is still up for discussion after the Anchorage Assembly didn’t get through all the public testimony Tuesday night.
The proposed law would make it illegal to discriminate against someone based on sexual orientation.
The assembly has already scheduled a special meeting for next Tuesday, June 16 to hear everyone who has signed up to speak about the ordinance.
More than 250 people remain on the waiting list to speak, which means another meeting might have to be scheduled to discuss this one ordinance.
Assembly Chair Debbie Ossiander, who represents Eagle River and Chugiak tried to begin the Tuesday meeting on a positive note. See Hundreds still scheduled to speak on gay rights amendment
KTUU
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/06/hundreds-stil…
