Legislature(2021 - 2022)GRUENBERG 120
03/14/2022 01:00 PM House JUDICIARY
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB17 | |
| State Commission for Human Rights | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 17 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 331 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 17-DISCRIMINATION: GENDER ID.;SEXUAL ORIENT.
[Contains discussion on SB 140.]
1:35:38 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN announced that the first order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 17, "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."
1:36:06 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN opened public testimony on HB 17.
1:36:35 PM
NOAH WILLIAMS testified in support of HB 17. He stated that he
had witnessed the harm of gender- and sex-based hatred as he had
been called as the emergency contact for queer, trans, and
gender non-conforming friends who had experienced crises of
self-harm. He stated that one could not legislate such matters
out of existence, but there could be reduction of financial harm
by making discrimination against such groups illegal. He stated
that the legislature could indicate support to the groups by
passing HB 17. He stated that the passage of HB 17 would be a
declaration that such hatred is unacceptable and that such views
are not the majority opinion. He mentioned that SB 140 would
crush the queer community and as such, should SB 140 pass, it
would politically backfire. He stated his support for adding
the recognition of gender identity as its own pillar. He stated
that much case law relies on a relies on a reversal precedent
that would couple sex and gender, and he offered that gender is
a social construct. He also offered that sex and gender are on
a spectrum.
1:38:35 PM
QUEEN PARKER testified in opposition to HB 17. She stated her
opinion that the passage of HB 17 would punish businesses and
individuals that would not allow a biological man to sleep in an
abused women's shelter. She spoke to which God had intended.
1:39:48 PM
JESSICA ROZATO testified in support of HB 17. She spoke of her
experience as a queer person. She stated that she had
experienced support from her friends and family. She thanked
the sponsor for creating an opportunity for protections for
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, and Queer (LGBTQ)
community. She characterized the human rights protections for
the LGBTQ community as being new and under constant challenge.
She offered that Alaska, as a state, values privacy more than
potentially any other state, and that she urged the passage of
HB 17.
1:41:16 PM
KASEY CASSORT testified in support of HB 17. She stated that
she had become aware of similar proposed legislation while she
was a high school student and that she had studied the language
in the bill to learn of its proposed protections. She noted
that, during her examination of the bill, she had become aware
of the extent of the need for protections against discrimination
related to housing, employment, banking, and public services.
She stated that it had been nearly a decade sine the previous
bill had been introduced and suggested that it would be timely
should HB 17 pass. She expressed frustration that members of
the LGBTQ community had testified to the legislature regarding
terrifying moments of experiencing discrimination and no
legislation had been passed to prevent such discrimination. She
offered experiences that she characterized as joyful as a member
of the LGBTQ community and of having participated in many
events.
1:43:23 PM
KAREN BAKER testified in support of HB 17. She stated that
Alaska is in dire need of statewide protections for the LGBTQ
community. She stated that only a few communities have anti-
discrimination laws protecting against discrimination related to
gender identity or sexual orientation. She stated that it was
permissible for an individual to be evicted from housing and
fired from a job based on who that person is or based on who
he/she loves. She shared her experience of working to pass an
anti-discrimination ordinance in Fairbanks and that a vocal
minority had offered abusive testimony and accused the LGBTQ
community of horrendous acts. She stated that members of the
LGBTQ community had put themselves at risk of loss of employment
or housing by speaking in favor of the ordinance prior to its
passage. She noted that the former mayor had vetoed the
ordinance a few days following its passage. She stated that
such protections should exist for all Alaskans and not be
subject to the whims of whomever happens to be mayor or based on
where in Alaska he/she lives. She stated that an anti-
transgender bill had been introduced in the other body and that
over 100 people contacted the legislature in opposition. She
expressed her frustration that previously proposed similar
legislation had not passed.
1:45:40 PM
ELLEN WEISER testified in support of HB 17. She stated that she
was a teacher for many years and herself was not a member of the
LGBTQ community. She stated that she had observed the negative
impacts that discrimination of such members of the community as
well as those who discriminate. She expressed her fear of the
fact that young people are growing up in communities in which
such debates must occur. She stated that the children affected
may become public officials in the future and stated that
discrimination in any form is dangerous for all involved. She
urged the passage of HB 17.
1:47:28 PM
AMY BENDER testified in support of HB 17. She stated that HB 17
would address equality and personal liberty. She offered that
all should be able to live without fear regardless of sexual
orientation or identity. She cited that nearly two-thirds of
LGBTQ Americans had reported having been the victim of
discrimination. She noted that during her experience as a nurse
practitioner she worked with clients who identify as LGBTQ on a
daily basis, and she expressed her anger at the reports of
discrimination that she had learned to exist. She stated that
all citizens should be permitted to have a home and employment
without the fear of discrimination. She urged the passage of HB
17.
1:48:40 PM
CRYSTAL BARWICK testified in support of HB 17. She echoed
previous testimony and expressed her belief that identity
politics could be used to discriminate against others. She
expressed her gratitude for the sponsors and other supporters of
the bill.
1:49:50 PM
BRENDA HASTIE testified in opposition to HB 17. She asked the
committee to consider the Holy Bible and expressed her belief
that passing the bill would result in destruction. She
expressed her belief that biological women would be protected,
should the bill not pass.
1:51:34 PM
DAVID CLARK, Gender Justice & Policy Communications Manager,
Native Movement, testified in support of HB 17. He urged strong
action on the bill to provide justice to LGBTQ Alaskans in
employment and housing. He noted that only four communities in
Alaska had codified nondiscrimination policies to protect LGBTQ
and two-spirit individuals. He stated that individuals deserve
protections in law, and that the law should not protect
perpetrators of discrimination based on personal and religious
claims. He urged the passage of HB 17.
1:52:50 PM
ARLEIGH HITCHCOCK testified in support of HB 17. She noted that
there had occurred attacks against LGBTQ individuals across the
country and within Alaska. She stated that the passage of HB 17
was necessary considering the proposed [SB] 140. She expressed
that she had experienced discrimination as an openly trans
person and she shared experiences of joy as a member of the
LGBTQ community. She urged support for the passage of HB 17.
1:54:15 PM
MICHAEL GARVEY, American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska,
testified in support of HB 17. He characterized the bill as
critical legislation to protect members of the LGBTQ community
from discrimination. He noted that some communities in Alaska
had enacted local nondiscrimination ordinances and that those
outside of those communities deserve the same protections. He
stated that explicit statutory protections from tangible harms
were necessary pertaining to sexual orientation and gender
identity or expression. He noted that HB 17 would establish
these protections in the areas of housing, employment, banking,
and public accommodations. He offered that a 2015 survey of
trans people in Alaska revealed high percentages of respondents
reporting instances of denials of employment or job loss,
housing denials or evictions, denials of services from
businesses open to the public, harassment, and assault. He
offered that that this type of discrimination would be
antithetical to the fair and free place that Alaska strives to
become. He stated that the LGBTQ community wants access to
housing, economic stability, and the ability to care for their
families.
1:56:44 PM
JULIE SMYTH testified in support of HB 17. She stated that her
Inupiaq culture has no pronouns, and three genders. She noted
that many types of relationships have existed throughout Inupiaq
history, and the Inupiaq culture is not unique to this. She
stated her belief in the value of the separation of church and
state and offered that there exists no reason to not pass the
bill other than that of religion. She shared her experience in
the workplace of observing managers concealing the identity of
trans workers to protect them from termination. She had
observed individuals having lost their jobs due to being vocal
about their involvement in the LGBTQ community. She stated that
HB 17 would support indigenous communities throughout Alaska.
1:58:22 PM
MICHELLE GAVEL testified in support of HB 17. She stated her
support of friends and family member who are members of the
LGBTQ community. She shared her observation of joy and harm
resulting from legislation pertaining to discrimination. She
asked fellow testifiers who offer comments regarding religion to
be mindful of the edict to "love thy neighbor." She urged the
passage of HB 17.
2:00:04 PM
PHIL MOSER testified in support of HB 17. He stated that the
need for the passage of HB 17 exists to protect neighbors and
community members. He described the "lavender scare" as being
akin to the "red scare" to single individuals out for their
existence in the LGBTQ community. He requested that the
committee consider the first action of the Nazi Party when it
came into power was to ban books on gender-affirming health care
to trans people.
2:02:28 PM
MARY ELIZABETH KEHRHAHN-STARK testified in support of HB 17.
She urged the committee's support of the bill that would provide
statewide protection for non-discrimination against members of
the LGBTQ community. She characterized views of the LGBTQ
community as antiquated simply due to differences in lifestyle.
She stated that the U. S. Supreme Court decision in the case of
Bostock v. Clayton County in 2020 had prompted the Alaska Human
Rights Commission included sexual orientation and gender
identity in the definition of sex. She stated that there exist
broad demographics that include race, ethnic origin, sexual
orientation, religion, and other groups throughout the world.
2:04:31 PM
LIN DAVIS testified in support of HB 17. She shared her
experience in advocating for LGBTQ human rights for over 30
years and noted that she had testified to the legislature in
support of previous, similar legislation for more than 10 years.
She stated that those in opposition to this and similar bills
have done so with hostility. She added that the passage of SB
140 would cause harm to Alaska. She shared an anecdote in which
same-sex military families in Alaska had been denied permanent
fund dividends. She urged the passage of HB 17.
2:06:58 PM
ALYSSA QUINTYNE testified in support of HB 17. She suggested
that the legislature had failed over the course of more than 63
years to protect its LGBTQ constituents. She stated that the
core purpose of the proposed bill would be to ensure that
constituents have access to resources, services, and
opportunities that are necessary to survive. She shared her
experience of members of the LGBTQ community having been fired,
attacked, evicted, denied medical services, and denied education
due to other individuals' discomfort with the identity of those
being served. She stated that failure to pass HB 17 would be
tantamount to protecting some individuals' perspectives. She
expressed her ire at the legislature's failure to act to protect
members of the LGBTQ community.
2:09:31 PM
MIKE COONS testified in opposition to HB 17. He stated his
support of SB 140. He referred to the Alaska State Constitution
which provides that all persons have natural rights to life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness and that no person should
be denied the enjoyment of any civil or political right because
of race, color, creed, or status of national origin. He noted
that sexual orientation and gender identity or expression had
been added. He suggested that there exists the option to amend
the constitution.
2:12:03 PM
JAMIE YOU testified in support of HB 17. He shared his status
as a transgender man. He shared his joy at his experience of
social acceptance and support. He noted that there existed
federal legislation pending that would expand constitutional
protections to include those for gender identity and sexual
orientation. He urged the passage of HB 17.
2:14:08 PM
DR. MAUREEN LONGWORTH testified in support of HB 17. She stated
that she had been a physician in Alaska for more than 30 years,
and that her opinions were informed by medical training and
education. She stated that she had studied the ambiguity of
gender while in medical school. She stated that she had
provided advice to parents of children with ambiguous gender on
how to proceed. She had stated that there had been advancement
in the arena of studies pertaining to gender, and that the
American Medical Association (AMA) had extensive information
available on its website pertaining to discrimination and
feelings of inequality which contribute to the increased abuse,
[poor] mental health, drug abuse, and suicide among LGBTQ
community members and other members of the community when such
discrimination is present. She stated that the AMA had stated
its support for the equal rights and privileges and freedom of
all individuals and that it opposed discrimination based on sex,
sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, ethnic origin,
national origin, or age.
2:16:49 PM
KATIE BOTZ testified in opposition to HB 17. She stated her
strong opposition to the bill. She stated that previous
testifiers had raised religion in their testimony and offered
that one is either a man or a woman. She stated that passage of
HB 17 would permit individuals to enter bathrooms or other areas
and sexually assault other people.
2:18:33 PM
DICK FARRIS testified in support of HB 17. He characterized the
bill as a positive one and those who discriminate or have
discriminatory thoughts to be negative.
2:19:09 PM
AMY RUSSELL testified in support of HB 17. She stated that she
was testifying in support of civil rights and protections for
those with different sexuality against discrimination. She
urged the committee to support the bill.
2:20:31 PM
SUSAN MCGLOIN testified in support of HB 17. She stated that
she was a registered nurse and had worked in many locations in
Alaska for over 40 years. She stated that she had cared for
individuals who had been brutally attacked due to sexual choices
and that real harm exists. She stated that there exist many
military bases and diverse communities and that extreme
discrimination exits. She urged the passage of HB 17.
2:22:49 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN, after ascertaining there was no one else who
wished to testify, closed public testimony on HB 17.
CHAIR CLAMAN announced that HB 17 was held over.