P R I D E
LGBT Rights in Alaska: Past, Present, Future
Layout and Design: Lakeidra Chavis
Content: Lakeidra Chavis
Editing: Jennifer Canfield and Jeremy Hsieh
A lifetime of fighting: A history of Alaska LGBT rights
Alaskans voted in 1998 to define marriage in the state constitution as only between a man and a woman. Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has invalidated that definition, Alaska and the entire country has marriage equality.
To some it may seem like things are changing fast, but Alaska’s fight for gay rights began half a lifetime ago.
Q&A: Gov. Walker discusses LGBT rights
Walker has not given a direct answer when questioned about his position on LGBT rights. He’s only stated that he believes marriage is between a man and a woman. When questioned further in this interview about his stance on LGBT rights, he still did not provide a direct answer.
Despite marriage equality ruling, LGBTQ Alaskans can still be discriminated against
“They didn’t fire me,” says Rachel Pettijohn, “they just cut down my hours to where I wasn’t getting any hours.”
LGBT discrimination claims still not valid in Alaska
“Just imagine if you couldn’t call the fire department because you were LGBT. If you are LGBT you should be able to call any state agency and get the same service,” says attorney Caitlin Shortell. She represented the same-sex couples that sued the state for the right to marry. “This is an injustice that needs to be corrected.”
Politicians and activists weigh in
Anchorage activist MoHagani Magnetek
Juneau Assemblyman Jesse Kiehl on LGBT protections in Juneau.
Gov. Walker on handling LGBT rights during his tenure.
Activist and Researcher Melissa Green.
Documents
This list includes the official files from bills that have included sexual orientation or gender identity in drafts of legislation dating back to 1975. The grid also includes links to significant court cases and video focusing on LGBT rights.
“One in Ten,” report published by Identity, Inc.
Jay Brause & Gene Dugan v. Alaska Dept. of Health and Social Services
U.S. EEOC, July 2015 ruling on sexual orientation discrimination