Alaska state senator pushes measure to strip state's same-sex marriage ban

[Blue_In_AK]

http://www.adn.com/2014/02/24/3344534/senator-pushes-measure-to-strip.html

JUNEAU -- State Sen. Hollis French, an Anchorage Democrat and candidate for lieutenant governor, on Monday proposed a measure to strip away Alaska's voter-backed constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, calling it a "blot on our state constitution."

It was one of two gay-rights developments in the Legislature Monday. A measure proposed by another Democrat to bar discrimination of those who are gay, lesbian or bisexual had its first hearing, drawing more than two dozen sometimes emotional speakers.

"It's a civil rights bill and people all over the states are watching with great interest and concern," state Sen. Berta Gardner, D-Anchorage, told the Senate Health and Social Services Committee.

Even with a shift in public opinion on gay rights issues nationally, both the proposed amendment and Gardner's proposal to bar discrimination likely face trouble in the GOP-led Alaska Legislature.

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It probably won't pick up the necessary 2/3 in the legislature to get it on the ballot, but at least they're trying. The public's attitudes here on this subject have come a long way since 1998.

[shenmue]

1. Go Sen. French!

Yes. Every step forward is worth something.

[Blue_In_AK]

2. Senator French (who happens to be my senator) is a rock star.

We can always count on him to be on the enlightened side of any issue that comes up. And I can say the same for Berta Gardiner. The Democrats in our legislature are sadly outnumbered, but they really fight hard for what's right.

[RKP5637]

3. It's certainly a start!