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Loading ...Anchorage passes gay rights ordinance – veto possible
08.12.2009 2:06pm EDT
(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 not yet made a decision.
The bill passed after two months of discussion and a compromise that included exemptions for religious institutions, the Anchorage Daily News reported.
Opponents of the bill, who wore red, had argued that gay people are not discriminated against; they also said that they worried that MTF transgendered people would then be able to use women’s restrooms.
The Assembly members who voted yes brought up gays and lesbians who they are close to. One mentioned that the Assembly voted to protect gays and lesbians from discrimination in Anchorage in 1976 – that bill was vetoed by then-mayor George Sullivan, the current mayor’s father.
Allegheny county just passed a non-discrimination bill similar to this.same fears of OMG men in the bathroom!
based on said fear, many of the trans men here offered to use the woman’s room to see just how the reds would like that. the idea of big stocky bearded men it the ladies would def be Not to their liking I’m sure.
The issue of trans use of bathroom facailities is a difficult issue and one I hope that these GLBT groups have a game plan to deal with. These are not invalid concerns. Anyone who can put on a dress can claim to be whatever they want (whose to say what is true?) – and create potentially problematic and conforntational situations. It would be helpful if more and more places would assign a single stall bathroom as “gender neutral” and allow that for “T” use.
It never ceases to amaze me how social conservatives put on such hissy fits over unisex washrooms. In 2006, while in Scandinavia, I noted most public washrooms are unisex– and offer users more security and privacy than our single sex washrooms here.
BIG YEE-HAH to Anchorage Council for this! As it should be!
I like my cock. I like being attracted to men (and women too). A public washroom is NOT my entitled domain. Truth is that many bars/restaurants could do better with 1 or 2 uni wc’s than segregation. Configure one room for multiple w/c’s and it’s good.
I bet my money that it will be vetoed, I hope that there will be an override if there is a veto next week!!!!
Also it is an ordinance – not a bill
Bills are from the state or federal governments – not city or county areas please get the facts right.
the use of the women s toilets as an issue shows that the council have an intelligence vacuum area going. What stops a non gay or trans sexual woman from entering any toilet that he or she chooses if they are wearing the appropriate attire. These vaguely similar members of society who seek and attain office afre only there because of the appathy of us the voters. I notices that the mayor who vetoed the bill was still tied to his fathers belt. a pity he cant think for himself.