It's time for another LGBTQ Central Peninsula Update:
PENDING LEGISLATION
URGENT: ALASKA HOUSE BILL 198, AN ACT RELATING TO AGGRAVATING FACTORS CONSIDERED AT SENTENCING - This bill adds "sexual orientation and gender identity: to existing legislation. See the full bill here: http://www.akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Detail/31?Root=HB%20198. This bill is stuck in the House Judiciary Committee. We need help and additional testimony to get it out of this committee and onto the floor of the House. Once/If it passes, we will repeat the process in the senate. There is not currently a timeline for the House Judiciary Committee.
CITY OF KENAI RESOLUTION 2020-05 (Supporting HB 198): PASSED.Â
CITY OF SOLDOTNA RESOLUTION 2020-006 (Supporting HB 198): PASSED.
URGENT & NEW:The Kenai Peninsula Burrough Assembly Resolution 2020-016, a resolution supporting the passage of HB 198 will be discussed at the Burough Assembly Meeting on 02/25/2020 (next Tuesday). The Meeting starts at 6 pm at 144 N. Binkley (the Assembly Chambers inside the burough building). If you cannot make it, please email your testimony/public comment to Johni Blankenship, Burough Clerk (JBlankenship@kpb.us).The text of the bill is here: https://kpb.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=4336133&GUID=AB3CE433-7C68-4167-B0E9-C168E1777D30&Options=&Search=
Anchorage is working on a similar resolution. If you know anyone in surrounding areas, encourage them to pass the resolution on to their governing bodies. Consider writing a letter to the editor for local newspapers, posting the information on your facebook page, attending representative town halls and other public meetings, and otherwise spreading the word. The more cities, tribes, burroughs, school districts, etc supporting the legislation, the harder it will be to defeat in the AK legislature.Â
ALASKA SENATE BILL 82 "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." - See the full bill here: http://www.akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Detail/31?Root=SB%2082. SB 82, which was introduced last session, and still sits in Senate State Affairs. Email Senate State Affairs Chair Josh Revak at Senator.Joshua.Revak@akleg.gov to show support for this bill. HB 82 (companion bill to SB 82) See the full bill here: http://www.akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Detail/31?Root=HB%2082 HB 82 still sits in House Judiciary. Email House Judiciary Chair Matt Claman at Representative.Matt.Claman@akleg.gov to show support for this bill.
ALASKA SENATE BILL SB 147 - Designating June as Pride month - See the full bill here: http://www.akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Detail/31?Root=SB%20147 . SB 147 was introduced and sent to Senate State Affairs and no action has been taken. Email Senate State Affairs Chair Josh Revak at Senator.Joshua.Revak@akleg.gov to show support for this bill.
Safe Zone
There are not Safe Zone Trainings scheduled at this time. To schedule a FREE Safe Zone Training, please contact lmbyrd2@alaska.edu.
Queens Guard
There are not Queens Guard updates at this time. Please contact Jamieldooleygilliam@gmail.com if you are interested in participating.
Soldotna Pride 2020 The next Pride in the Park Planning meeting will take place at 6:30 PM on March 5th at KPC ResLife:Â https://www.facebook.com/events/2712569585492181/Â Â If you are wanting to be on the planning committee, please come to one of our meetings or email me so I can put you on the private planning facebook page.
Homer Pride
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1562227424079582/Â . Homer Pride has not yet advertised a date for their pride activities in 2020.
Seward Pride
https://www.facebook.com/SewardPride/Â . Seward Pride is June 12-14, 2020.
Anchorage Pride
https://www.facebook.com/AnchoragePride/. Anchorage Pride is a week long celebration, culminating in the Parade and festival on June 27, 2020.
LGBT Alliance Meeting
The next LGBT Alliance meeting will take place at 7 P.M. on February 28th at KPC Reslife:Â https://www.facebook.com/events/1058547787814674/
Update on Tammie's case There are no updates at this time.
Thank you for your continued vigilance.
"It takes no compromise to give people their rights...it takes no money to respect the individual. It takes no political deal to give people freedom. It takes no survey to remove repression."--Harvey Milk
