House Bill (HB) 184 is a bill sponsored by Rep. Andy Josephson (D) from Anchorage. The bill would add sexual orientation and gender identity protections to the state's existing anti-discrimination law. In 2011, the original version of this bill was introduced by Rep. Beth Kerttula and made very little progress. Despite some GOP support, State House Republican leadership gave the bill very little consideration.

Fast forward to 2017, the new Democratic-led House Majority Coalition has the opportunity to finally make progress on this long awaited bill. 

CURRENT STATUS: 

HB 184 is currently in the State Affairs committee (chaired by Jonathan Kreiss-Tompkins) and is awaiting its second hearing and a vote. 

CO-SPONSORS:

Legislators who have co-sponsored the bill (as of 08/02/17) are listed below (in no particular order). If you don't see a legislator that should be on this list, please feel free to contact them directly and ask them to co-sponsor and vote on the bill. If you hear back from the legislator, either way, please let us know at alaskanstogether(at)gmail.com. 

REPRESENTATIVES JOSEPHSON, Gara, Tarr, Kawasaki, Spohnholz, Drummond, Claman, Kito, Fansler, Parish

READ THE BILL: 

HB 184 - "An Act adding to the powers and duties of the State Commission for Human Rights; and relating to and prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity or expression."

ADD YOUR NAME:

Add your name below and sign the petition to become a CITIZEN CO-SPONSOR of HB 184, Alaska's inclusive anti-discrimination bill.  

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.