Lisa snubs Pride Conference, honors Prevo instead

While U.S. Senate candidate Scott McAdams was impressing us and our allies at the Alaska Pride Conference last weekend, write-in incumbent Sen. Lisa Murkowski ignored the invitation to speak to LGBT Alaskans and instead was at Anchorage Baptist Temple kissing up to Rev. Jerry Prevo, a man who brags that his personal legacy has been to prevent gay Alaskans from getting equal rights.

Watch Lisa thank Jerry for the love and guidance he has shown "our community," by which she means the homo-haters of Anchorage, apparently:

The video of Lisa and Jerry is courtesy of Alaska Commons, and the transcript was posted on Mudflats (the highlighting is mine):

Pastor Prevo, Mrs. Prevo, it is such an honor and a real delight to be with so many here today to celebrate this pastoral anniversary. Think about where you were in 1971. What was going on in your life. Well, here in Alaska… Everyone's now starting to talk… think about what was going on in 1971… We just passed the Alaska Land Claims Settlement Act that led to the development of our Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Think about how our state has transformed with the advent of that line and what oil has brought to our country, our state.

That was the same time that Pastor Prevo and Mrs. Prevo came to Anchorage and began to build this community – 135,000 people in Anchorage at that time, and think about the changes that we have seen within our community, within our state. And so much of what we've seen that has been good and strong has been built right here at the Anchorage Baptist Temple by Reverend Prevo. Think about the ministries. We saw the children's ministry here today and the delight in the children's faces. The ministries for the men, the women's connection, the recovery ministries – so many of the good things – the Anchorage Christian Schools, so much that has been developed under the leadership of this man, with the love and support of Carol Prevo. This leadership is demonstrated on a daily basis and we benefit from it.

And Pastor, I want to thank you from a very personal note for what you did to celebrate the life of a great Alaskan. It was here in this church that Alaskans and people around the country paid tribute to a great Alaskan, Ted Stevens. And what you did, and your guidance and how we showed our final respects was a tribute to all of Alaska. That leadership doesn't come without the greatness of a man. We thank you for what you have given our community – the guidance you have shown, and the love for so many. Continue it for another 39. Thank you.

WTF? Here is one example of Prevo's love for us. It's part 2 of his sermon against last summer's equal rights ordinance (in case you missed it) and includes a long list of insults for LGBT Alaskans:

Can't you feel the love? Prevo's only legacy is peddling fear and hate of LGBT people and preventing Anchorage from becoming a city of equality and fairness.

What is Lisa thinking?

Announcing the Alaska LGBT Community Survey

Crossposted from alaskacommunity.org.

Identity Reports (1989) and One in 10 (1986)

In the 1980s, the nonprofit organization Identity, Inc. conducted two major research efforts to profile Alaska's lesbian/gay/bisexual community and to document sexual orientation bias in Alaska.

One in Ten: A Profile of Alaska's Lesbian & Gay Community (1986) provided the first statewide portrait of Alaska's lesbian and gay (and to some extent bisexual) population, describing our experiences of coming out, of discrimination, our physical and emotional health, religious and political affiliations, demographic characteristics, and a general needs assessment. Identity Reports: Sexual Orientation Bias in Alaska(1989) focused on discrimination and bias, documenting 84 actual instances of antigay bias, discrimination, harassment, or violence (including three murders) around the state, as well as the positive willingness of 20% of landlords and 31% of employers in the Anchorage area to discriminate against persons who were — or were perceived to be — gay or lesbian.

A lot has changed in the two-and-a-half decades since. There's a lot more live-and-let-live, a lot more acceptance of lesbians and gays. Yet the continuing legacy of antigay prejudice and discrimination persists. Arguably, prejudice against transfolk is even more virulent — often even within our own community.

One of the chief arguments used by opponents of last year's Anchorage Ordinance 64 — which would have added sexual orientation and gender identityto the Municipality of Anchorage's equal rights code — was that there was no evidence of discrimination against LGBT people. This claim was made in spite of the weight of evidence provided in One in Ten and Identity Reports. But of course, that evidence was two decades old, so ordinance opponents found it easy to ignore; and they found it just as easy to close their ears to the public testimony of Anchorage LGBT residents who stepped forward to testify to very recent experiences of discrimination and bias — even as one opponent openly told the Assembly that he'd once beaten a gay man so badly that he put him in the hospital.

And so — we've decided to bring One in Ten up-to-date by conducting a new statewide survey — the Alaska LGBT Community Survey. Like its predecessor, the Alaska LGBT Community Survey aims to create a profile of our community in all its diversity and with all its diverse concerns; and as we did in 1985-86, we'll use the survey as vehicle to solicit case histories to document our community's continuing experiences with discrimination, harassment, and violence. Unlike One in Ten, the Alaska LGBT Community Survey will include transfolk as well as gay, lesbian, and bisexual folk, in the design of the survey questionnaire as well as in filling it out.

We're in a very early stage right now. We just made the firm commitment to do this last week! But we wanted to tell you about it right away.

We aim to have at least initial results of our survey by April 2011. For more and continuing information as we go along:

• subscribe to our blog at alaskacommunity.org;
• "like" our Facebook page;
• follow @alaskacommunity on Twitter; or
• do all three!

We'll also doing our best to keep you updated through our regular LGBT news channels such as Bent Alaska, TransAlaska Pipeline, Grrlzlist, the Alaska GLBT News maillist, and — well, yeah, my own blog, Henkimaa.

Stay tuned!

— Melissa S. (Mel) Green

Learn more about Identity Reports and One in Ten.

One year after the Assembly passed Ordinance 64

Shelby Carpenter, the ACLU of Alaska's LGBT director, wrote a guest editorial "Discrimination puts all Alaskans at risk" in this week's Anchorage Press. She looks at the effects of Mayor Sullivan's veto of the equal rights ordinance passed by the Assembly on August 11 one year ago, and looks ahead to the ACLU's tax discrimination case. She concludes:

"In an age when gay couples are constantly in the media, when we watch "Will and Grace" on TV and see "Brokeback Mountain" in the movie theatre, it can be easy to forget that lesbian, gay, and transgender equality is about livelihoods rather than lifestyles. Because of discrimination, gay and transgender Alaskans suffer economically. Supporting equal rights is as simple as supporting the right of all Alaskans to earn a living and provide for their families.

"In this economy, no one should lose a job for reasons that have nothing to do with their job performance. We know that Anchorage is better than this.

"Alaska's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community and allies encourage the Anchorage Assembly to act once more to make the fair treatment of all Alaskans the law. As a community we can and must move forward."

Read the full editorial HERE.

The ordinance one year later (video)

KTVA looks back at the 2009 battle for an equal rights ordinance, and asks where the LGBT community of Anchorage is today, as we celebrate PrideFest 2010.

Four voices speak for fairness and equal rights: Matthew, Rachel, Johnathan and MeMe. Only one person speaks for hate: Prevo. Which side are YOU on?

Ossiander defends position for man who threatened her *UPDATE: Bronson shelved*

UPDATE: The Assembly heard our concerns and voted to postpone Bronson's appointment indefinitely! Only Birch and Starr voted against the postponement. Kudos to Ossiander for standing up to Prevo this time.

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Tonight, the Anchorage Assembly will vote to oppose or approve Mayor Sullivan's appointment of Alaska Family Council chairman and ABT member Dave Bronson to a school commission. Please remind the Assembly to oppose this inappropriate choice: wwmas@muni.org.

A Bent Alaska reader wrote to the Assembly about Bronson, and forwarded a strange response from Debbie Ossiander:

Dear Assembly Members,

Please reject the nomination of Dave Bronson to any position on any board, commission, or committee in the municipality. His open letter to Debbie Ossiander (during the 2009 AO64 hearings) alone should disqualify him from consideration. He has clearly declared himself to have highly politicized and rigid views which would preclude him from working productively with the wide variety of officials and citizens of our city.

On the other hand, his resume shows that he is clearly qualified to pilot an airplane if any such municipal need should arise.

Thank you

On Friday, the reader sent an update saying, "Can you believe her? I got responses from others agreeing, one from Ernie Hall saying thank you for your letter, and this," an odd response from Ossiander:

thanks for the note...I do want you to know that there are no qualifications listed anywhere for this advisory volunteer committee. Historically it has been filled by anyone who is interested and willing to serve. Their sole responsiblity is to write and advisory letter on the ASD budget. I believe it is a 9 member committee and still has several vacant seats.

No comment on Bronson's inability to work productively with the Assembly, his anti-gay activism and political extremism, or his dislike of diversity - diversity that exists in the Anchorage school system and is reflected in the ASD budget.

Would Ossiander really give a city position to someone who threatened and blamed her personally for the downfall of Anchorage? Here is a quote from Bronson's open letter to Ossiander during last summer's battle for an equal rights ordinance:

Madam Chair, when Catholic Social Services (CSS) and Latter Day Saints Social Services cease operations because their faith compels them to adopt children to heterosexual couples only... you, personally, will be to blame. When religious schools close their doors because in obedience to their faith they simply cannot allow practicing homosexuals or transsexuals to teach their children... you, personally, will be to blame. I wonder why you think Anchorage is now such an evil city that it must undergo such a radical transformation just to assuage your guilt that someone you may know and care about is being treated terribly by someone who is simply exercising their right to be ignorant. Mind you, your ignorance, demonstrated by a vote for AO 64 will be far more harmful to many more individuals that you can imagine... and you, personally, will be to blame. Whether you intend these catastrophic consequences to happen or not is simply meaningless. The language in AO 64 is clear and it will cause exactly what I have articulated.

And she would approve him for a city position? Wow.

Clary: Gays = Drunks and Cheaters

Andy Clary is the son of Anchorage Baptist Temple's Glenn Clary. But he doesn't want us to judge him as an assembly candidate based on his ties to Jerry Prevo or his enthusiasm for Mayor Sullivan. He wants to be judged by his own words, and by his current church. So what is ChangePoint's stand on gays? Pastor Dan Jarrell wrote on Feb 22:

"God doesn't hate people who are homosexual; he hates what homosexuality does to people."

WTF? That's twisted. Jarrell also calls us "pernicious," which means destructive in a sneaky way:

"Perhaps the most pernicious behavior of gay and lesbian activists is their effort to indoctrinate children and encourage the promulgation of their alternative lifestyle..."

And what about Clary? During last summer's battle for the jobs and housing ordinance, he was a staff writer for the anti-ordinance Alaska Standard and he wrote:

"Now, before I go any further, let me say that I am opposed to the ordinance myself, but for very different reasons. You see, I am a committed follower of Christ, and although I believe homosexuality is not a lifestyle that Christ approves of, I see it no differently than other sins such as alcoholism or adultery. Why do we Christians lash out against one sin so differently than we do any other? We need to be reaching these people not tearing them down."

"These people"? He might have more success in reaching out to "these people" if he didn't compare our loving families to chronic drunks and cheaters.

"What if some simply have not found answers to the tough questions they have? For instance, why is it that some people struggle with homosexual tendencies their whole life and others do not? It is the same as alcoholism. Some people are predisposed to certain types of behavior..."

Many gays and lesbians are comfortable with our natural and God-given sexuality. What we struggle against is the stigma of being different and the anti-gay prejudice of people like Clary.

"Finally, to answer the question, "Should you legislate morality?", clearly the answer is again, no. It cannot be done, nor should it be done."

The religious right often tries to legislate morality, as long as it's their own moral interpretations that get promoted. Does he really mean that we shouldn't have laws against murder and rape?

Clary told the Anchorage Press that he grew up in Prevo's church where his father is assistant pastor:

"I have my own beliefs and I don't agree with my father on everything. Yes, I grew up at that church; I do not attend there now. People will just have to judge me on myself."

So he agrees with his father on most things, including his opposition to gay rights, but not on everything. What are the disagreements? He doesn't say. But he belongs to ChangePoint now. Here are more quotes from the anti-gay ChangePoint article by Clary's pastor:

"There are no reasonable grounds for considering same-sex unions to be in any way similar or even remotely analogous to God's plan for marriage..."

"Support ministries that offer help, hope, and healing to those affected by homosexuality. Exodus International is one example of an effective effort to provide a way out for homosexuals who want help."

Being gay is not a sickness that needs healing. Prejudice is the sickness. The pray-away-the-gay methods used by Exodus have been discredited over and over, but churches like ChangePoint and ABT continue to push the "ex-gay" lies.

Jarrell also tells his church members to become politically active against gays:

Get involved in the political process supporting any effort to preserve a biblical definition of marriage as a life-long, intimate partnership between one man and one woman.

And they have their own anti-gay "pernicious indoctrination" class for children:

There are many excellent tools available for any parent wanting to instruct their adolescent child about marriage, sex, and family issues... ChangePoint's Due North program for 6th grade girls and boys is exceptional as well, get your kids involved.

How sad for those kids, especially the LGBT ones and their parents.

So, in his own words, Andy Clary thinks that gays ("these people") are struggling with a lifestyle like alcoholism and adultery. His current pastor calls us "pernicious," pushes harmful pray-away-the-gay methods, and encourages church members to get involved in politics against gay rights. Sounds close enough to Prevo.

This is NOT who we want to represent us on the assembly.

ABT pastor's son runs for Anchorage assembly

This is no April Fool's joke: assembly candidate Andy Clary is the son of Anchorage Baptist Temple pastor Glenn Clary, who called Mayor Sullivan's veto of the equal rights ordinance one of Jerry Prevo's greatest victories. The junior Clary also has close ties to Sullivan and served on his transition team. He's running for the Midtown assembly seat against former assembly member Dick Traini.

"Clary's father... is an assistant pastor at Anchorage Baptist Temple and has been a Republican Party activist. Andy Clary belongs to the same political party but a different church, ChangePoint. When asked at a candidate luncheon how he has served the community, he cited church work. He taught Sunday school, led men's studies and cooked food for different events," according to yesterday's ADN article.

Did he switch from controversial ABT to the less politically tainted ChangePoint last summer, when Prevo threatened to take down the pro-ordinance assembly members? Is Prevo positioning Clary to be the city's future evangelical mayor?

The article also describes Clary's ties to the current mayor, giving us another reason to oppose him:

On an Assembly that's been fractious over Sullivan's leadership, Clary makes it clear he is allied with Sullivan, who became mayor last July. He served on Sullivan's transition team, held a fundraiser at McGinley's, the pub Sullivan co-owns, and says of Sullivan, "Generally, I like what I've seen."

We don't need another assembly member who rubber-stamps Sullivan's personal agenda against the best interests of the city.

Dick Traini is a conservative with an independent streak. He has also said that he could support a non-discrimination ordinance similar to the one passed in Salt Lake City with the approval of the Mormon Church. The two SLC ordinances added sexual orientation and gender identity, but involved only housing and job protections.

But Clary will oppose everything that benefits the LGBT community of Anchorage. And as Prevo's man on the assembly, he will actively work against us.

Midtown residents, please vote for Dick Traini on April 6th.

- photo of Rev. Clary asking ABT's television audience to give money to Rev. Prevo in celebration of his no-compromise victory over the homosexuals, after Mayor Sullivan's veto of the equal rights ordinance.

Anchorage Assembly's Drummond brings LGBT Call for Action to Fairbanks

Harriet Drummond, a member of the Anchorage Assembly and a supporter of the recent attempt to pass an LGBT non-discrimination ordinance, will be a guest speaker at the Fairbanks Unitarian Church on Sunday, Jan. 10 for the program "The Anchorage Gay Rights Ordinance: Lessons Learned and a Call for Action."

After the service, there will be a Community Conversation on Fairbanks GLBT Issues and Developing an Action Agenda, at 12:30 p.m. A light lunch will be provided, and potluck items are appreciated.

The Unitarian Universalist fellowship of Fairbanks is welcoming, open and affirming to all. UUFF is located at 4448 Pikes Landing Road, across from the Princess Hotel.

Other Fairbanks LGBT events this weekend:

The Imperial Court's Greek Gods and Goddess Toga Party, 7 p.m. at the Carlson Center. Food, fun, fashion show, dancing and live entertainment at an all-ages event. $12 in costume, $15 in street clothes.

Fairbanks PFLAG is holding their first meeting of 2010 on Sunday, Jan. 10 at 4 p.m. Please RSVP.

LDS Church supports Gay Anti-Discrimination ordinance passed by Salt Lake City

Tuesday was a big day for anti-discrimination measures, as Salt Lake City, Utah approved protections for gays in housing and employment - with the support of the Mormon church - and Fort Worth, Texas added transgender protections to their anti-discrimination law.

The Salt Lake City Council unanimously passed the gay anti-discrimination ordinance after a representative of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints offered a strong statement in support of the new law.

The ordinance represents "common sense laws that should apply to everyone," said LDS church spokesman Michael Otterson. "The Church supports this ordinance because it is fair and reasonable and does not do violence to the institution of marriage."

Their support for human rights does not extend to same-sex marriage. Yes, they miss the point that marriage is a basic human right, but their position is far ahead of the mobs that protested Anchorage's anti-discrimination ordinance this summer.

Also on Tuesday evening, the Fort Worth City Council voted 6-3 to add transgender protections to its anti-discrimination ordinance, which already includes gays. The mayor supports the measure.

More than 200 people packed the council chambers and overflow rooms. Three transgender people spoke in favor of the ordinance. One man protested against the ordinance by standing on top of his Bible in front of City Hall to symbolize that he was "standing on the word of God."

Despite a crowd of opponents, the council passed the ordinance one week after introducing it.

So Anchorage fell behind two more cities, in Utah and Texas, in our efforts to become a world class city. Even the Mormon church is more progressive than Anchorage on gay rights.

Ossiander Bristles at Imperial Court Award

The scene was too familiar: people entered the Assembly Chambers a few at a time on Tuesday evening, looked around and chose seats. One man wore a bright red shirt. But the ordinance hearings were over, the equal rights ordinance passed 7-4 then was vetoed by the new mayor who sat at the end of the curved Assembly table. There was one more loose end to tie, one more thank you to the Assembly members who stood for equality and fairness. One more award to present. The Imperial Court honored them with the Raymond Jorgenson Memorial Award at Coronation and were here to present it in person.

But first, the mayor wanted to speak. He thanked everyone at the Assembly meeting for attending his "Unity" Dinner. He mentioned the keynote speaker (GOP-fundraiser Lynn Swann), the number of people attending (400), and that the money raised from the dinner will support "diversity events" all year. He did not mention the amount of money raised or what diversity events would be sponsored by the city.

The moment was awkward only partly because a quarter of the people in the room represented a gay organization and recently endured a summer of hearings on an equal rights ordinance that the mayor vetoed right before the start of his Diversity Month. He may not have known they were there, but he certainly knew that several of the Assembly members attended the sold-out True Diversity Dinner instead of his union-picket-line-crossing "unity" night.

There was more business, then Assembly member Elvi Gray-Jackson donated her personal comment time so The Imperial Court could present the award to the seven Assembly members who voted "yes" on the ordinance. The Court announced the award winners at Coronation during Labor Day weekend, along with their other annual awards and scholarships. Gray-Jackson said that the last Assembly meeting of Diversity Month was an appropriate time for them to present this award...

...but Assembly Chair Debbie Ossiander interrupted, saying that it should have been presented at the Diversity Dinner (although the Court did not organize the dinner) and she had already rejected their request for time. Gray-Jackson persisted that it was her time, and Grady Frank Jenkins presented the award on behalf of the Imperial Court of All Alaska.

Now, aside from Ossiander's negative tone toward a community group that was trying to give Assembly members an award, she didn't even bother to know which group was presenting the award before she objected. It's as if she thinks there could only be one gay group in Anchorage and they must be responsible for all gay-related awards and events - including the Diversity Dinner, which was organized by a heterosexual couple who have never been involved with the Imperial Court. It's not like the names "True Diversity Dinner" and "Imperial Court of All Alaska" could be easily confused. It was a "they all look the same to me" moment.

Or maybe she's upset because Anchorage Baptist Temple hasn't given her an award for being the deciding vote against the override.

Grady kept cool under pressure and made his statement to the Assembly:

"This award is from The Imperial Court of All Alaska, the largest and oldest gay and lesbian organization in Alaska and one of the oldest in the nation. We wanted to thank you all for your courage in dealing with Ordinance 64 this past summer. It was very difficult and we appreciate the time that you all took. By unanimous vote, our organization, at our Coronation Ball which occurred three weeks ago, voted to present a plaque to the seven members of the Assembly that chose to vote "yes" on Ordinance 64. This is named our Raymond Jorgenson Memorial Award and we present it to Patrick Flynn, Elvi Gray-Jackson, Matt Claman, Jennifer Johnston, Sheila Selkregg, Mike Gutierrez, and Harriet Drummond. We appreciate the time that all of you took on this ordinance this year. Thank you."

And immediately, Ossiander jumped in, "Thank you. Moving on," and had to pause for the clapping before saying, "the next order of business..."

Grady gave the awards to Claman and Gray-Jackson, who read them, smiled, and passed them down the table to their colleagues. The Assembly members moved on to other business and the Imperial Court members left the room.

But that wasn't the end of Diversity Month for the Assembly. Anthony Wilkerson planned to address the Assembly on Workplace Discrimination issues during the public comment period. Tony is the Alaska State Coordinator for the national Workplace Bullying Institute, and he was also disappointed in the mayor's veto of the ordinance:

"It's unfortunate that the Anchorage Mayor vetoed this measure to guarantee equal rights for all, but this should not stop those that have fought thus far... I will be addressing the Anchorage Assembly in regards to discrimination and harassment that is currently not protected by Federal Laws. I would ask that you come in support, and help make Anchorage safe for all to work; free from discrimination and harassment, thus making Anchorage safe for all to pursue the American dream of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

I left before Wilkerson's address, but I wonder if Ossiander objected to him as well. Just another one of those darn diversity people.

Prevo Celebrates 38 Years of Hate

Jerry Prevo is celebrating Gay History Month with a party honoring himself and his many years of spreading lies and prejudice against the gay community.

The invitation shown above describes Jerry's main achievement in all those years at ABT: making sure Anchorage continues to treat gay people as second class citizens.

"This year Pastor Prevo ... fought and won against making homosexuality an acceptable alternative lifestyle in our city..."

Remember how the ordinance opponents kept saying that it wasn't about letting pastor Jerry decide the secular laws of our city... it was about bathrooms and businesses and other nonsense?

Well, Jerry thinks it's all about HIMSELF - "he fought" - not a coalition of leaders, or the conservative churches of Anchorage, or any recognition of a group effort. Jerry claims a personal victory over the city.

This invite is proof that his real goal was - and has always been - to build his church upon a foundation of homophobia.

Jerry, it doesn't take courage to demonize your neighbors for media attention and big donations.

38 years of Hate, a career to be proud of.

- hat tip to The Alaska Commons for the invitation.

Anchorage Mayor's No-Gays-Need-Apply Diversity Month

September is Mayor Sullivan's Hypocrisy... er, Diversity Month, celebrating the diverse cultures of Anchorage just two weeks after he vetoed the equal rights ordinance.

"Mayor's Diversity Month is an opportunity for the city to partner with the community to showcase diversity efforts," said the mayor.

On August 17, Sullivan showcased his diversity efforts by vetoing Ordinance 64, a measure passed by the Assembly to add sexual orientation to the city's anti-discrimination policies. The mayor's veto statement - listed on the same City of Anchorage web page as the Diversity Month announcement - cites "the absence of compelling data" and "the will of the community" as the reasons for his veto, despite the weeks of sometimes emotional testimony on the need for protections.

The Mayor's Diversity Month is made up of events and programs that "encourage dialogue, partnerships and respect for Anchorage's diverse population." The community is invited to participate in the events, which this year recognize seniors, youth, Latinos, Blacks, military women, Hawaiians, and the disabled. There are no LGBT events.

Official Definition of Diversity: "Diversity in this Administration's book means, in addition to differences based on ethnicity, gender, age, religion, disability, national origin and sexual orientation, an infinite range of individuals' unique characteristics and experiences, such as communication styles, career, work, life experience, educational backgrounds and other variables... The goal of diversity awareness is to create an inclusive, respectful and equitable work environment and community."

Ordinance 64 (S-2) was a compromise measure that protected lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people from discrimination in employment, housing, education, public accommodations, financing, and Municipal practices, but included exemptions for religious organizations, public restrooms, business costs, dress codes and gender presentation in the workplace. The anti-gay lobby, lead by the Baptist churches, continued to call gays "perverted, diseased and depraved" and opposed the ordinance despite the compromises.

The Mayor's Unity Dinner will be held on Friday, September 25, at the Hilton Anchorage Hotel. The event was called the Diversity Dinner in previous years, but Sullivan changed the name to Unity and invited Lynn Swann, ex-NFL player now an anti-gay Republican candidate for governor of Pennsylvania, as the keynote speaker. Community awards will be presented during the dinner.

"Our community is made up of many unique groups, but we all share some common values: the importance of family, quality education for our children, and safe, vibrant neighborhoods. This year's event is meant to celebrate these values while respecting the diversity that makes Anchorage such a great place to live," said Mayor Dan Sullivan.

The gay community of Anchorage has been trying to pass an equal rights ordinance for over 35 years. This summer was the third attempt. The Assembly passed it 7-4, one vote short of a veto-proof majority, and the mayor vetoed it a week later. The Assembly has 21 days to override the veto, but would need 8 votes in favor.

The Mayor's CommUNITY Award Program recognizes those businesses, organizations and individuals in Anchorage that have advanced the causes of diversity and unity.

There are three awards in the Mayor's CommUNITY Award Program:

• The Business CommUNITY Award recognizes an Anchorage business which best represents a corporate spirit of diversity and community through hiring practices, programs, and outreach.
• The Community and Nonprofit Organization Award is presented to the Anchorage group which best demonstrates its sustained committment to inclusive programs that enhance diversity and the community at large.
• The Individual Award recognizes a person who actively promotes inter-group relations among diverse populations in the City.

Examples of criteria to be used while selecting award winners include:

1. The nominee's long-term commitment to the value of building unity and diversity, including specific examples with documentation.
2. The creation, development, promotion, organization or significant participation in events and programs that focus on diversity and community enhancement.
3. Educational efforts in matters of diversity and community development including innovative programs/opportunities.
4. Efforts in Collaboration with other community groups to recruit people from diverse backgrounds to increase participation by members of groups from all backgrounds.

Mail Forms (no later than September 12th) to: Municipality of Anchorage, Mayor's CommUNITY Award Program, 632 W. 6th Avenue, Suite 620, Anchorage, AK 99501.

A diverse collection of small, mid-sized and large Anchorage businesses, including CIRI, an Alaska Native Corporation, signed a public statement in support of Ordinance 64. Many Fortune 500 companies do business in Anchorage and have nondiscrimination policies that include sexual orientation and gender identity.

We should nominate CIRI for the Business CommUNITY Award, and Identity for the non-profit award.

Municipality of Anchorage Diversity Council Mission and Purpose, as stated in the Diversity Council Brochure linked on the Mayor's Diversity Month page:

"The mission of the Diversity Council is to attract and embrace diversity within the workforce and greater community. Purpose: To promote our strength, which is grounded in our diversity."

"Scope of Activities:

Identify and recommend changes to procedures/programs to promote diversity;

Promote and publicize diversity;

Monitor the Council's effectiveness;

Accept employee or non-member suggestions/complaints and respond as appropriate; and,

Encourage recognition of employee involvement or support of diversity."

"The Municipality of Anchorage Celebrates Diversity!

Diversity is Not an Option — It's Our Obligation!

Diversity: Embrace the Heart of It!"

"I hereby veto AO2009-64(S-2) as amended."

September 1 is the first day of Mayor Sullivan's so-called Diversity Month, just two weeks after he vetoed the Assembly's anti-discrimination ordinance. For a national comparison, September 1 is also the first day that same-sex couples can get legally married in the state of Vermont. Six states, including Iowa, allow gay couples to get married.

To nominate an individual, business or company for a diversity award or host an event, visit the municipal website at www.muni.org/diversity. Individuals or organizations/companies interested in hosting a diversity event should complete the events form and fax it to 343-4875. Events can be scheduled for September and October.

Can we register the Pride Conference as an official city Diversity event?

To get information, ask questions or make suggestions about the Mayor's Diversity Month, call (907) 343-4890.

A Sunday Cartoon for Homophobes

- - Cartoon by Glenn Harvey

Jerry, In His Own Words: A Creative Response to Prejudice

In addition to the thoughtful supportive testimony at the Assembly hearings and the well-argued letters to the editor, there have been some very creative responses to the struggle for Ordinance 64, and to the hateful statements of the anti-gay lobby.

Bent Alaska posted one of Glenn Harvey's "Jerry: In His Own Words" posters on Monday's No Dead Queers post. Below are several more ordinance-related posters by Glenn.

Like the "perverted, diseased and depraved" poster linked above, this poster quotes Prevo's anti-ordinance sermon from June 28 (sermon video HERE).

Remember the mass-produced "Truth Is Not Hate" signs carried by the red-shirted children and anti-gay church members bussed in from Wasilla? We've heard that the signs were provided by Bailey's Furniture.

Like Sarah Palin and her gay friend (who doesn't deserve to be equal), opponents of the ordinance have a twisted understanding of friendship. Glenn mirrors their prejudice back at them.

Thanks to Glenn for creating the posters and allowing Bent to post them.

Protest Sullivan's Veto Tonight at McGinley's

Update: Bent was unable to attend this event, but Mel was there and wrote about it on Henkimaa.

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Stand up for Equality and be Counted: Protest Mayor Sullivan's veto of the equal rights ordinance, tonight in front of McGinley's Pub. Sullivan is part-owner of McGinley's, and the customers should know that he supports discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

McGinley's Pub is in downtown Anchorage at the corner of G Street and 7th Avenue, and the protest begins at 6:30 p.m. After the protest, go get a drink at one of the supportive businesses in Anchorage!

Sullivan vetoed Ordinance 64 on Monday, saying that he saw no evidence of anti-gay discrimination and was following the will of the people. The Anchorage Assembly passed the ordinance 7-4 on Aug 11, after weeks of public hearings showed the need for equal protections.

A spontaneous rally against the Mayor's veto attracted about 100 people to City Hall on Monday. Ordinance supporters held big letters spelling EQUALITY NOW and signs saying, "Anchorage Mayor Supports Discrimination" and "Celebrating 50 Years of Discrimination." The protestors marched down the street to McGinley's Pub, chanting "Equal Rights Now" and "United We Stand, Divided We Fall."

Two short videos of Monday's protest, taken by Chris N., are posted below:

Sullivan's "Special Right" to Discriminate

Anchorage cartoonist Peter Dunlap-Shohl on Mayor Sullivan's shameful veto of the equal rights ordinance:

This isn't the first time Dunlap-Shohl has drawn about our struggle for protection. In 1992, Dunlap-Shohl's cartoon on the attempt to add sexual orientation to the Equal Rights Charter appeared on the cover of a special issue of The Northview, Identity's magazine.

Steve Gingrich remembers that cartoon. On the left was a person with the caption: "This person wants - A chance to work, a place to live, and a little privacy." On the right was a person with a sign with 'GAY RIGHTS' within a circle with a diagonal, and the caption: "This person wants - To perpetuate bigotry, to impose his religious views on others, and to undermine the right to privacy." Below was the question: "Which is demanding special privileges?"

"I keep returning to the "Special Rights" theme because it is so galling and cynical," writes Peter. "My blood pressure is going up right now just thinking of it."

Thanks to Peter for creating this cartoon. More of his work can be found on his site Frozen Grin.

Mayor to Gays: You Don't Count

On Monday afternoon, Mayor Sullivan vetoed the LGBT anti-discrimination ordinance passed 7-4 by the Assembly last week, citing a lack of evidence and the will of the majority as his reasons.

"I have received nearly 2,500 additional communications from Anchorage residents," said Sullivan's veto statement, and "the vast majority of those who communicated their position on the ordinance are in opposition."

"Civil rights are not a popularity contest," countered Jackie Buckley, spokesperson for Equality Works.

The news of the veto spread quickly through Alaska's LGBTA community and protestors gathered at City Hall. A line of ordinance supporters along the street held big letters spelling EQUALITY NOW. Around them stood protestors with signs like, "Headline news: Anchorage Mayor Supports Discrimination" and "Celebrating 50 Years of Discrimination" based on the recent 50 Years of Statehood events.

The Assembly has 21 days to override the veto, and they are 1 vote short of the 8 needed to override. Their next meeting is Tuesday, August 25. Please email the Anchorage Assembly at WWMAS@ci.anchorage.ak.us and tell them that we DO matter, and we are counting on them to protect all minority groups from discrimination, not just the popular ones.

More detailed reports of the protest are posted on Henkimaa, Alaska Commons, and SOSAnchorage.NET.