Anchorage – Today, Alaskans Together for Equality responded to Senate Minority leader, Hollis French (D-Anchorage) resolution that would remove the provision in the state constitution banning gay marriage. 

“It’s a step in the right direction. Marriage is a fundamental freedom that should not be denied to anyone. Gay couples in Alaska pay taxes, vote, serve in the military and run small businesses. They work hard and pay into the same system as everyone else, and they should have the same freedom to marry that other couples have,” said Elias Rojas, board president of Alaskans Together For Equality.

Currently, 17 states allow same-sex marriages, with two additional states ordered to stop issuing licenses while court decisions were appealed. So far this year, we have seen two Attorney Generals stop defending their state's ban on same-sex marriage, and two U.S. District Judges rule that such bans are unconstitutional. 

“We believe the people of Alaska if given the opportunity would remove the existing ban on gay marriage and would side with the majority of Americans who believe that no one should be told that it’s illegal to marry the person they love, regardless if they are a gay or straight couple,” said Rojas.

French's legislation, titled "A resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Alaska relating to marriage," would need a two-thirds majority vote in both the Senate and House. If passed, the resolution would be sent to the people for a vote during the August primary. The resolution would need a simple majority vote to repeal the constitutional amendment.