These are:

Bobby Bright (AL), Parker Griffith (AL), Vic Snyder (AR), Dennis Cardoza (CA), Allen Boyd, (FL), Alan Grayson (FL), Suzanne Kosmas (FL), Sanford Bishop (GA), David Scott (GA), Walt Minnick (ID), Bobby Rush (IL), Daniel Lipinksi (IL), Deborah Halvorsen (IL), Jerry Costello (IL), Peter Visclosky (IN), Joe Donnelly (IN), Brad Ellsworth (IN), Ben Chandler (KY), Frank Kratovil (MD), Dutch Ruppersberger (MD), Bart Stupak (MI), Mark Schauer (MI), Travis Childers (MS), Bennie Thompson (MS), Dina Titus (NV), Michael McMahon (NY), Scott Murphy (NY), Paul Tonko (NY), Daniel Maffei (NY), Earl Pomeroy (ND), Dan Boren (OK), Kathleen Dahlkemper (PA), Jason Altmire (PA), Christopher Carney (PA), Paul Kanjorski (PA), John Murtha (PA), John Spratt (SC), Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (SD), Al Green (TX), Solomon Ortiz (TX), Henry Cuellar (TX), Gene Green (TX), Glenn Nye (VA), Bobby Scott (VA), Thomas Perriello (VA), Rick Boucher (VA), Gerald Connolly (VA), Alan Mollohan (WV), Ron Kind (WI), David Obey (WI).

In 1945, Alaska passed civil rights legislation – first of its kind – 20 years before the rest of the nation. Many of the same arguments that you have heard were made in 1945 over racism. Some business owners and hotel operators felt their business rights were being denied by the bill – that they would somehow lose their liberty to choose who could be in their establishments. Had the bill not passed, it is likely that I would not be allowed in these chambers or in other establishments today. Back then, signs made clear their bias. “No Natives or Dogs Allowed,” or “Whites Only.” Alaska has a legacy as a result of that bill – one that should make all Alaskans proud. We have that opportunity again with this Ordinance.

Alaska’s Anti-discrimination bill did not create the mayhem that those opposed claimed would ensue. Neighborhoods were not over-run by lawless Natives. Lawyers claimed it would clog the courts with frivolous cases. It did not. Fear feeds hate, and in my life, in Alaska – I have been at the blunt end of racial discrimination. Denied service in restaurants; and sexually abused and brutalized at the hands of men who targeted young Native women. I wish the passion displayed here was also displayed to end sexual abuse.

I know the face of hate. Hate is a thing that is learned, and when those in opposition claim that their “Truth is not Hate,” well, they fail to remember that the same justifications were used and are used to first dehumanize a population by labeling them with such things as “dirty” or somehow inferior, and then to segregate or marginalize that population. In this case, as we speak, gays and lesbians are being brutalized and even killed – in Africa, in the Middle East, and yes, the U.S., and often with religious justifications. It starts with thinking that one group is somehow superior to another.

The Anti-discrimination bill in 1945 did not end discrimination – no law can, for as noted Tlingit civil rights leader, Elizabeth Peratrovich, and President of the Christian-based Alaska Native Sisterhood when asked if the bill would eliminate crime responded, “No law will eliminate crime, but you as legislators can assert to the world that you recognize the evil of this present situation, and speak your intent to overcome discrimination.” You as the Anchorage Assembly have the opportunity to speak your intent through this ordinance. If we truly want a better more civilized society, then we must make clear that discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated. In the name of humanity, I firmly urge passage.

Diane Benson

They certainly are. Over forty per cent of democrats believe that homosexuality is immoral. Gill foundation tactics are some of the best–looking beyond party to actual allies.

And that plan would be what

How about giving money only to individual candidates who support FULL EQUALITY, regardless of political party. That will wake up the Dems. And a lot of pure conservatives are in favor of full equality. The Dem party is full of ignorant religious homophobes.

And that plan would be what?

Most folks still believe in Obama and the Dems, so it feels that this hissy fit was in vain”
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Be as insulting as you want, but it was this “Hissy Fit” that got talk of ENDA being introduced, and got Federal Workers additional rights. What you don’t seem to realize is that the ONLY time gay rights have advanced is when we threw “Hissy Fits”.

Stonewall, that Mattachine society told gays to be quiet and not do anything to upset people, well no movement, then Stonewall happened and some beneficial changes occured.

Act-Up/Queer Nation – Gays had been asking for faster FDA approval on AIDS drugs, etc… and nothing happened, then ACT up comes along and not only got that going but their Silence = Death slogan also pushed new AIDS education to appear in schools.

Marriage – HRC and other groups tried to discourage couples in Hawaii and MA. from persuing marriage. Well Hawaii after some promise did not end well, but we got marriage in MA. and that is one of the reasons that we now have it throughout most of New england and Iowa.

So again, sitting in the back of the bus and telling ourselves that these seats are just as comfortable, while we wait for HRC to do our work for us, instead of realizing that they are much more interested in going to lobbying functions and playing dress up, is not going to get us anything. We threaten to boycott JUST ONE dem fundraiser and the Obama Administration mentions gays for the first time and moves on Federal employee rights, AND Barney Frank gets off his lazy sell out ass to introduce ENDA legislation.

Most folks still believe in Obama and the Dems, so it feels that this hissy fit was in vain

A bad day for infantilism as a strategy for social change.

“their”

dammit.

I’d study Martin Luther King Jr

Just think its so similar…