OPINION: Alaska’s government is telling LGBTQ Alaskans they aren’t worthy of protection

Like many Alaskans, we were devastated to discover that the Alaska State Commission for Human Rights (ASCHR) will no longer protect LGBTQ Alaskans from most forms of discrimination. In 2021, faith leaders across Alaska breathed a sigh of relief when this important civil rights agency published its LGBTQ Discrimination Guide as a result of the Supreme Court case of Bostock v. Clayton County. The executive director of ASCHR, Robert Corbisier, followed these new guidelines with a news release that stated ASCHR would protect LGBTQ Alaskans from discrimination in the workplace, places of public accommodations, credit and financing, the sale and rental of property, and government practices. It was an incredible advancement in the protection of the well-being of some of Alaska’s most vulnerable residents.

Unfortunately, now we have come to learn that Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s administration inexplicably and surreptitiously narrowed ASCHR’s definition of protecting LGBTQ Alaskans against just workplace discrimination. This means that Dunleavy’s administration is tacitly allowing for discrimination against LGBTQ Alaskans in places of public accommodations, credit and financing, the sale and rental of property, and government practices. Our state is no longer committed to protecting our residents, even from its own government practices. In effect, the administration is saying to LGBTQ Alaskans, a group historically targeted for discrimination, “you are not worthy of protection.”

As people of faith, this is antithetical to our beliefs. In the book of Genesis, God created humanity in God’s image. We believe that every single person, no matter how they identify, is created in God’s image. Every person who embraces their own identity is in fact embracing the holy in themselves. This is what makes each person holy. This is what we revere. This is what needs to be protected.

We oppose opposite religious groups that pushed for this codification of discrimination because every single Alaskan deserves to feel safe. They deserve to feel safe in the workplace, the bank, their home, and from the government. All Alaskans deserve to have the means to protect themselves when their safety is threatened by discrimination.

But in a baffling decision, our state government decided to stop this protection. LGTBQ Alaskans no longer have any place to turn if they experience discrimination, and this is wrong. It is imperative that the governor revert the ASCHR stance on protecting LGTBQ Alaskans back to the 2021 Guidelines. It is sacred work to make all peoples feel welcomed and safe in this state, and our state government should feel pride in protecting all individuals from discrimination instead of harming them.

Pastor Matt Shultz of First Presbyterian Church and Pastor Michael Burke of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church are members of Christians for Equality’s Steering Committee. Rabbi Abram Goodstein is the rabbi of Congregation Beth Sholom.

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