Fairbanks, AK — By passing Ordinance 6093 yesterday, the City Council took a major step towards stopping discrimination against LGBTQ community members in Fairbanks. We were disappointed the ordinance did not include stronger housing protections; as long as there are loopholes, our LGBTQ friends and neighbors will continue to face unequal treatment in housing.
Still, by passing this nondiscrimination measure, Fairbanks joins Anchorage, Juneau, and Sitka in protecting Alaskans from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Now half of all Alaskans live in places with LGBTQ non-discrimination protections; it is the latest victory in creating a state that promotes dignity for all.
“No principle is more fundamental to our state and federal constitutions than everybody in our society deserves equal protection under the law,” said ACLU of Alaska Executive Director Joshua A. Decker. “If we as Alaskans want to live up to the promise enshrined in those great documents, we can no longer deny the LGBTQ community the same legal protections as everyone else. The ACLU of Alaska is proud of Fairbanks for reaffirming a commitment to this basic constitutional ideal. All Alaskans are better for it.”
"Each of us in Fairbanks wants the same thing - to be treated with dignity, respect, and fairness under the law," said Rose O’Hara Jolley, Alaska Field Manager with Planned Parenthood Votes in Fairbanks. "Yesterday the City Council took a big step towards making sure no one else in Fairbanks will have to silently endure discrimination for who they are or who they love. Our LGBTQ community members finally have many of the same basic protections as everyone else, making Fairbanks, and Alaska, a better community for all."