Anchorage, Alaska - Yesterday, Christopher Constant (District 1) and Felix Rivera (District 4) became the first openly lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) individuals to be elected to office in Alaska. The men will serve 3-year terms on the Anchorage Assembly. Former Senator Johnny Ellis served in the Alaska State Legislature for 29 years but did not reveal he was gay until he retired in November 2016. 

What: Senate Bill 72 - State Senate Health And Social Services Committee Hearing
Where:  BUTROVICH 205 @State Capitol
When: Monday, April 10 at 1:30 pm
How To Participate: Email, In-Person in Juneau, In-Person at your local LIO, by phone(907) 586-9085 or (844) 586-9085 
Watch: http://akleg.gov/index.php#tab3-15

Juneau became the second Alaskan city to pass an inclusive non‐discrimination ordinance that extends protections in employment, housing, and public accommodations based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or national origin, race, color, age, religion, sex, familial status, and disability.

It’s been a chilly January, and it looks like we will be busy fighting for LGBTQ equality in the coming weeks and months ahead. We encourage you to stay focused and engaged, and to speak up when you see something is not right – write letters to the editor, submit opinion editorials, rally, march, and most importantly contact your elected officials. The LGBTQ community along with our allies can be a powerful force locally, at the state level, and at the federal level to create change and protect fundamental human rights in our communities.