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LGBT Survey Concludes Discrimination Widespread in AnchorageThe survey has renewed -- and not resolved -- the debate.Related Content
Nearly one in six say they have been fired from a job -- and one in 12 say they've lost an apartment -- in both cases ... Just because of who they are. Those figures are from a survey of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and trans-gendered residents in Anchorage. Supporters of an anti-discrimination ordinance in 2009 came up with the idea of the survey after it was vetoed by Mayor Dan Sullivan, who said there was no evidence of discrimination in Anchorage. Now the survey is likely to be part of the next public debate, if a citizens initiative for a new version of the ordinance is certified for the municipal ballot in April. The summer of 2009 was a hot one in the Assembly chambers in the Loussac Library, with vigorous debate about whether LGBT residents should be included in the city's anti-discrimination law. The Assembly voted 7-4 to add them, but Sullivan cast a veto. Now the LGBT community is trying to document that the discrimination discussed in public testimony back then is real now. "Some things are better,” said Phyllis Rhodes of Identity. “But generally there is discrimination. And it needs to be addressed by people who are in charge of running our city." The survey of 268 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender respondents was conducted on-line and through paper questionnaires during the first three months of this year. As a safeguard for the integrity of the survey, respondents were assigned personal identification numbers. More than three in four said they had suffered taunts, more than four in 10 said they had been threatened with violence, and three in 10 said their property had been vandalized just because of their identity. Almost three in four said they hid their true identity at work to avoid discrimination, while more than four in 10 said they had experienced harassment, and almost 15 percent said they lost a job, again just because of their identity. And in regard to housing, almost one in five reported harassment by landlords or other tenants, one in 10 said they were denied a lease, and one in 12 said they had been evicted or forced out of their rental units, once again, just because of their identity. "It's that lesbians, gays, bisexuals and trans-genders are not given the same protections in anchorage that are provided all other individuals and classes of people,” Rhodes said. Some leading religious conservatives, such as Jim Minnery of the Alaska Family Council, say while there are undoubtedly many Anchorage residents who disapprove of those alternative lifestyles, there has been no evidence of actual incidents of discrimination. So the survey has renewed -- and not resolved -- the debate. Mayor Sullivan underwent surgery today and was not available to comment. Assembly Chairwoman Debbie Ossiander, who voted against the ordinance in 2009, declined to comment. A call to Rev. Jerry Prevo of the Anchorage Baptist Temple -- a leader against the ordinance -- was not returned. Minnery of the Family Council claims the LGBT strategy now is to isolate people who do not affirm that community. The signature-gathering effort is now under way for the citizens initiative to put an anti-discrimination measure on the municipal ballot. Supporters need to turn in 5,871 valid signatures from voters by Dec. 12.
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Timothy Unrine said on Monday, Feb 13 at 10:29 AM
It is sad is the age that we actually have to legislative to protect classes of citizens against discrimination; like the Civil Rights Movement hasn't taught us anything. Rallying against those that push the ban on same-sex marriages is important to preserve, or to even establish gay rights. Romney and his Mormon camp are homophobes. And if the LBGT communities don't unite is lighting up opposition, including simple internet assaults on news outlet comments sections to get a frank discussion going, Romney is poised to enter the Oval Office. His first priority has been stated: An Constitution Amendment banned same-sex marriages across the United States. That make Romney dangerous, and Mormons in office dangerous. NoMormonInWhiteHouse blogspot com
81315569Mike J. said on Monday, Nov 14 at 2:52 PM
Current laws already cover everything mentioned, and anything further is just special treatment. Anything further will simply evolve into major fiasco as GLBT starts to be used as an excuse for everything. The vandalsim doesn't magically go away, and the laws and such will remain the same as they are now, etc.
76915773ak native man said on Sunday, Nov 13 at 4:54 AM
in the year 2006 i was the victim of discrimination rather than fight the issue i went and got another source of work it took me about 4 days. a homosexual man was incompetent in the position he was trained for and cost the company a lot of resources but upon retraining he stood up and claimed discrimination because of his homosexuality. i didnt fight the bogus claims and in the hospital we were working in he almost cost a patient their life. no i wont fight for a low wage job but i wont listen to discrimination bs either there was plenty of other staff in the hospital who are openly gay/lesbian and they didnt suffer discrimination it was just the guy about to get fired over being incompetent.
76847687saturday said on Saturday, Nov 12 at 4:05 PM
am i weird for hoping to never be in the care of a gay doctor? (obviously, in an emergency, smarts and personality are #1. i specificly mean physical exams and *most-personal* exams/health concerns)
76835192saturday said on Saturday, Nov 12 at 3:59 PM
if i was looking for a roommate, i would specificly look for a same sex but STRAIGHT person. however, i would never mistreat or even be nervous around a gay person. if the gp was to stalk and/or touch in a discomforting, and/or dangerous way, i would self-defense the same as if the offensive person was a straight person. if the gp has a good personality, then they are just another neighbor, co-worker, family member or friend.
76835056Lluna said on Saturday, Nov 12 at 12:49 PM
cooljulie said today at 10:05 AM First, science/medicine long ago established that people DO NOT CHOOSE to be gay.. lmao, your so full of it, there is NO PROOF they are born that way and only gay scientist will be saying otherwise, all one needs to do is Google gay gene and read many Articles showing that they still have no proof of such bs, but hey you keep dreaming and keep the lies going that is what gay people are good at "lying"..
76830206Anonymous said on Saturday, Nov 12 at 11:49 AM
This may be a little off topic, but can someone explain 'Gay Pride' to me? I have nothing against (or for) homosexuality. But I don't get the pride bit. I don't get the need to parade and wave flags. Straight people don't need to march in a 'straight pride' parade to validate their heterosexuality. I sometimes wonder if part of the discrimination issue is annoyance at the 'in your face' attitude of some gay people. Sexual orientation is a personal, private thing. If you are in a same sex relationship, trust me, we will KNOW you are gay. No need to wave rainbow flags. I support equal rights, and gay marriage, and anti-discrimination laws, but enough with the 'Pride' stuff!
76828498nick said on Saturday, Nov 12 at 11:22 AM
I have friends who are gay, some openly, some closeted. I have seen firsthand how they are discriminated against. It's not always blatant or obvious, but subtle discrimination is just as offensive and wrong. Problem is, it's hard, if not impossible, to prove. If an employer doesn't hire the lesbian, how does she PROVE she wasn't hired due to her sexual orientation? This is what can lead to reverse discrimination, and quotas, (ie- blacks and hispanics get hired BECAUSE they are a minority). And what if there IS a law? Landlords can't legally refuse to rent to people with kids, but they can simply choose to rent to the applicants with no kids, and thus skirt the law. Change 'kids' to 'homosexuals', and you see the problem.
76827854cooljulie said on Saturday, Nov 12 at 11:05 AM
First, science/medicine long ago established that people DO NOT CHOOSE to be gay. They are born that way. So to discriminate on that basis is no different than racial or gender discrimination. Second, I find it funny how discriminatory christians are. They preach love, forgiveness and tolerance, but practice bigotry and hatred. A former friend of mine became a 'believer' and is now very homophobic. I will happily sign the petition. Discrimination tears down society, and brings absolutely NOTHING POSITIVE to a community.
76827298Vine said on Saturday, Nov 12 at 10:44 AM
It's clear you don't know scripture. you people seem to take things out of context to push you agendas, so that others that don't know scripture can follow. Learn the biblical meanings of "love" before you comment on the subject, and Gods word does say a thing or two about Homosexuallity, Says it is detestable and an abomination.
76826678vine said on Saturday, Nov 12 at 10:11 AM
if the christians acted more like christ then there would not be an issue. Jesus said love your enemy and turn the other cheek. If that sentiment was applied, then the argument that people who CHOOSE to be gay could do so without feeling discriminated against / victimized.
76825803Hey said on Friday, Nov 11 at 6:05 PM
Karen, there's a bear cave up on the hillside, go look for it, that's where there signing.
76804997Karen said on Friday, Nov 11 at 12:09 PM
Where can I sign the petition?
76791536Rossum76 said on Friday, Nov 11 at 12:06 PM
@ Well. I'll tell you how to get your dream channel. This is going to blow your mind. Turn the Channel to BET... Now loath what you are watching. Now get ready for WET (sick), ready.... turn the channel and wala WET. But here's were it gets even better... turn the channel again and wala WET 2. I'm sure there's a west, east, wester, etc. lineup of WET.
76791404Mike M in Kenai said on Friday, Nov 11 at 12:01 PM
If I were to have a parade waving Christian flags instead of the rainbow one, I'd be called bigoted and narrow minded. If I were to start a TV network similar to BET, but called it the White Entertainment Network, I'd be called racist. When I apply for work, most applications say something like 'Women and minorities are encouraged to apply' implying that men and Caucasians are not. Yet only the white Christian male can be a bigot. By flaunting the differences you only raise anger and frustration. I really don’t care who you sleep with, the color of your skin or whatever. I just don’t want it paraded. Let’s celebrate the similarities and stop bashing the white male.
76791207Well said on Friday, Nov 11 at 11:43 AM
Im white and a Male.. Im discriminated against everytime I apply for a Job on the North Slope. Infact Im discrimated against everytime I apply for a job Period. All these companies have requirements about hiring minorities and meeting federal and state minority goals that by the time it gets down to me the company has already decided to hire somone else. Not only that but they are also hiring people from out of state..I say do away with all of these equal rights issues and hire based on the individual. Not Sex color or Religion.. I hate BET (Black Entertainment Television) I want to watch a Channel called WET (White Entertainment Television) Think that would go over well?
76790319rll-wasilla said on Friday, Nov 11 at 11:35 AM
They chose their form of lifestyle, they were not forced into it- they knew the consequences when they decided to be LGBT. They don't deserve any special treatment any more then the rest of us do. Why do these groups of people think they are "Special" what a waste of taxpayer time & money. May they should all move to California, I'm sure queen Nancy will treat them special in exchange for their Vote.
76789964Brianne said on Friday, Nov 11 at 11:30 AM
Having been a victim of hateful vandalism of my home, I have to say that I know the full force of the law is not used to protect LBGT people. We get treated as LESS than you heterosexuals, and we are politely asking for laws that ensure we get what you have - equal fair treatment under the law. Equal is not Special. Period.
76789763c'mon man said on Friday, Nov 11 at 9:44 AM
These perverts are just looking to get more rights. Just going to cause more indecent behavior for our children who are being taught this "lifestyle" is normal. Way to go KTVA!!!
76784122Eff-ewe said on Friday, Nov 11 at 9:28 AM
LGBT is not a class of people, it's a subclass and they usually lie through their teeth and exaggerate everything in order to forward their agenda. Just say no to special rights for whiners
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