Anchorage Gay Rights Measure Is Set Back by Mayor’s Veto

[Ohio Joe]

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/18/us/18alaska.html

Well... It seems the Mayor of Anchorage decided to veto a law that would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation. Douchbag. He needs to know that people outside Anchorage are watching and that we are not happy about his desire to allow the civil rights of "some" people to be allowed. The Mayor, Dan Sullivan, can be reached here:

http://www.muni.org/Departments/Mayor/Pages/Contactus.aspx

Mayor Sullivan
[e-mail]
[phone]

Here is the email I sent him:

Subject: Why do you hate the Constitution?

Mayor Sullivan,

This morning I read about your recent veto of a ban against discrimination based on sexual orientation. I find it very sad that in 2009 we still have fundy cowards that express their fear and hatred by making it legal to discriminate against those that do not follow their hateful god. You bring shame to the city of Anchorage in your attempt to subvert our founding principal that all men are created equal. You should be ashamed at your participation in the shredding of our Constitution and if you had an honorable bone in your body you would resign immediately as you are unfit for office.

The tide is turning though and those that wish to enforce their religion on others are on the way out. Our money and our votes are going to those that do not wish to discriminate, to those that are not hateful and to those that oppose religious zealots longing for a theocratic America. To that end, I will be doing my best to make certain that it is known that you oppose basic civil rights for everyone and are intent on forcing your religion on all.

Joe X

I'll post should I get a reply but... heh, I'm not really expecting one :D

[Ohio Joe]

1. Update - This can still be overturned

The Mayor's veto can still be overturned. This needs just one more assembly vote, so lets send words of encouragement to the Anchorage Assembly. Contact info is here:

http://www.muni.org/Departments/Assembly/Pages/MemberProfiles.aspx

Patrick Flynn
Phone: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

Bill Starr
Phone: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

Debbie Ossiander
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

Matt Claman
Phone: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

Harriet Drummond
Phone: [phone]
E-mail:
[e-mail]

Dan Coffey
Phone: [phone]
E-Mail: [e-mail]

Elvi Gray-Jackson
Voice Mail: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

Sheila Selkregg
Phone: [phone]
E-mail:
[e-mail]

Mike Gutierrez
Phone: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

Chris Birch
Phone: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

Jennifer Johnston
Phone: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

or to reach the whole council with one email:
[e-mail]


Send them words of encouragement to do the right thing... I gotta go out, so will update later with what I send them... Be nice though, we are trying to get them on our side :D

Edit - fixed inadvertent smilies, heh

[Ohio Joe]

2. OK, a little more info and my note

Blue_In_AK gives us the scoop that Debbie Ossiander is the swing vote needed to overturn the mayors veto:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6353821

so I am focusing on her here. The others I have sent small notes of encouragement but lets concentrate on the swing vote :D

Ms. Ossiander,

I recently heard the Mayor of Anchorage, Mr. Sullivan, vetoed a measure that would prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation. I also understand that when the measure was before the assembly that you were one of the people that voted against it.

The great state of Alaska deserves to be at the front of our latest battle for civil rights and this could be an opportunity for you to step up and be seen as a leader that does not accept the notion that we are not all deserving of equal treatment. I implore you, please uphold our nations founding principal that all men are created equal and vote to overturn this veto.

I have every confidence that you will do the right thing. Thank you for your time and attention to this very important matter.

Joe X

I will update should I get a reply.

[Ohio Joe]

3. The vote to overturn the veto is on 8/25

http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=&sc2=news&sc3=&id=95262

From the end of the article:

"Proponents of the measure may bring the measure up again at the Aug. 25 Assembly meeting, though it not expected that any votes will have changed by then."

Please get your notes out to Assembly member Ossiander today, we need to encourage her to change her vote!