"Drew Phoenix"

Drew Phoenix has served on the Alaska State Commission for Human Rights since February. He’s a transgender man and the only appointee of Gov. Bill Walker to be voted down.

French, who served on the commission since July, was confirmed by a 35 to 24 vote.

Conservative lawmakers are raising questions about the appointment of Fairbanks resident Drew Phoenix to the Human Rights Commission.

Alaska is one of 28 states that offer no legal protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

“I want to reach people who feel alone in their differentness,” says one of the groups organizers Zeif Parish.