Voices

Amendment to equal rights law adds needed protections

The words "all men are created equal" call us to treat people with dignity and respect. Throughout our history, America's leaders -- from Thomas Jefferson to Abraham Lincoln to Susan B. Anthony to Martin Luther King Jr. -- have asked each of us to stand tall in the face of intolerance and discrimination. If you believe, as I do, that each of us carries in our heart a passion for justice, then we also share a commitment to equity and compassion in human relations.

As Anchorage develops from a frontier boomtown to one of the world's great northern cities, we are becoming an increasingly diverse community. Children come to our schools speaking more than 90 different languages. Anchorage is Alaska's largest Native village. And we have many thriving ethnic communities from all over the world. As Dr. Martin Brokenleg explained at a recent diversity breakfast, our community will grow "on the basis of our differences." Tapping into our diversity will be critical to the future economic strength of our community.

Our city law on equal rights is eloquent: "The public policy of the municipality is declared to be equal opportunity for all persons." In the past, however, Anchorage has struggled over the issue of sexual orientation. The Anchorage Equal Rights Commission recently reviewed our equal rights law. The Commission identified discrimination based on a person's sexual orientation and veteran status as gaps in our equal rights protection. As acting mayor, I introduced an ordinance to amend the equal rights law to provide needed protection from discrimination based on sexual orientation and veteran status.

We later removed veteran status from the ordinance at the request of the Anchorage Military and Veteran Affairs Commission because of concerns with how the ordinance would affect special discounts and other benefits that veterans now enjoy. I remain committed to ensuring equal rights for veterans.

Since I introduced the ordinance, exaggeration and scare tactics have already surfaced. This ordinance will not affect the use of public restrooms. It will not force owner-occupants of four-plexes, triplexes, duplexes, and mother-in-law apartments to rent to gays. Regardless of sexual orientation, all employees must comply with their employer's dress codes and rules of conduct. Religious organizations remain exempt from the ordinance. And the change will not affect the Anchorage School District because it already has a non-discrimination policy. In fact, more than 100 communities around the country have adopted similar laws, and those laws have helped strengthen those communities.

Intolerance and discrimination anywhere are a threat to democracy and freedom everywhere. If you believe, as I do, that most Alaskans have a "live and let live" attitude toward gays and lesbians, then we also agree that this law is a positive step for Anchorage.

Matt Claman is acting mayor of Anchorage.

MATT CLAMAN, ACTING MAYOR

Matt Claman

Rep. Matt Claman, D-Anchorage, was elected to the state House of Representatives in 2014. He has served on the Anchorage Assembly and also as acting mayor of Anchorage.

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