HB 17-DISCRIMINATION: GENDER ID.;SEXUAL ORIENT.  [Contains discussion of 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, representing self, testified in support of HB 17. He stated that, as an emergency contact for queer, trans, and gender nonconforming friends, he has witnessed the harm of gender- and sex-based hatred. He stated that these matters could not be legislated out of existence; moreover, making this discrimination illegal would have positive financial influences. He expressed the opinion that the passage of HB 17 would indicate the support and declaration that this hatred is unacceptable, and these views are not the majority opinion. Furthermore, he indicated that the passage of SB 140 would "crush" the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, and queer (LGBTQ) community. He expressed support for adding the recognition of gender identity as its own provision. He stated that much case law relies on a reversal precedent which would couple sex and gender, and he argued that gender is a social construct. 1:38:35 PM QUEEN PARKER, representing self, testified in opposition to HB 17. She expressed the opinion that the passage of HB 17 would punish businesses and individuals. She expressed her opinion concerning what God has intended. 1:39:48 PM JESSICA ROZATO, representing self, testified in support of HB 17. She spoke of her experience as part of the LGBTQ community, stating that she receives support from her friends and family. She thanked the sponsor for creating an opportunity for protections for the LGBTQ community, as the human rights protections for the community are under constant challenges. She expressed the opinion that Alaska, as a state, values privacy more than any other state, and she urged the passage of HB 17. 1:41:16 PM KASEY CASSORT, representing self, testified in support of HB 17. She stated that she had become aware of similar proposed legislation while in high school, and she had studied that bill's language to learn about protections. She described how she became aware of the need for protection against discrimination, related to housing, employment, banking, and public services. It has been nearly a decade since the previous bill, and she suggested that it is time for HB 17 to pass. She expressed frustration that members of the LGBTQ community have testified to the legislature regarding terrifying experiences of discrimination, with no legislation being passed to prevent this. She conveyed her experiences of being a joyful member of the LGBTQ community and of participating in many events. 1:43:23 PM KAREN BAKER, representing self, 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 related to gender identity or sexual orientation, and currently it could be permissible for an individual to be evicted from housing or fired from a job based on the person's sexual orientation. She shared her experience of working to pass the anti-discrimination ordinance in Fairbanks, where a vocal minority had given abusive testimony, accusing the LGBTQ community of horrendous acts. By speaking in favor of this ordinance prior to its passage, she stated that members of the LGBTQ community put themselves at risk of loss of employment or housing. She noted that the former mayor of Fairbanks had vetoed the ordinance a few days following its passage. She maintained that these protections should exist for all Alaskans and not be subject to the changes in administrations. She stated that [SB 140] has been introduced in the other body as an anti-transgender bill, and over 100 people have contacted the legislature in opposition. She expressed her frustration that previously proposed, similar legislation had not passed. 1:45:40 PM ELLEN WEISER, representing self, testified in support of HB 17. She shared that she had been a teacher for many years, and she is not a member of the LGBTQ community; however, she stated that she has observed the negative impacts of discrimination of members of the community, as well as those who discriminate. She expressed the fear that young people are growing up in communities where these debates must occur. She suggested that the children affected may become public officials in the future and expressed the opinion that discrimination in any form is dangerous for all involved. She urged the passage of HB 17. 1:47:28 PM AMY BENDER, representing self, testified in support of HB 17. She stated that HB 17 would address equality and personal liberty. She suggested that all people should be able to live without fear, regardless of sexual orientation or identity. She cited that nearly two thirds of LGBTQ Americans have been the victim of discrimination. She noted that during her experience as a nurse practitioner, she worked daily with clients who identify as LGBTQ, and she expressed anger at the reports of discrimination. She argued 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, representing self, 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 to the sponsors and other supporters of the bill. 1:49:50 PM BRENDA HASTIE, representing self, testified in opposition to HB 17. She asked the committee to consider the Bible and expressed the 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 and 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, representing self, testified in support of HB 17. She noted that attacks have occurred 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 shared experiences of discrimination as an openly trans person and of joy as a member of the LGBTQ community. She urged support for the passage of HB 17. 1:54:15 PM MICHAEL GARVEY, Advocacy Director, 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 those outside of those communities deserve the same protections. He stated that explicit statutory protections from tangible harms are 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 this type of discrimination would be antithetical to the fair and free place Alaska strives to be. 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, representing self, testified in support of HB 17. She stated that her Inupiaq language and culture has no pronouns and three genders. She noted that many types of relationships have existed throughout Inupiaq history, and this is not unique to the Inupiaq culture. She expressed the support of the separation of church and state and offered that there exists no reason to not pass the bill, other than religious [arguments]. She shared her experience in the workplace of observing managers who concealed the identity of trans workers in order to protect them from termination, and she has observed individuals who lost jobs because of involvement in the LGBTQ community. She stated that HB 17 would support Indigenous communities throughout Alaska. 1:58:22 PM MICHELLE GAVEL, representing self, testified in support of HB 17. She expressed support for friends and family members who are members of the LGBTQ community. She shared her observation of harm which resulted 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, representing self, 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" and that singling out individuals for their existence in the LGBTQ community is akin to the "red scare." He requested that the committee consider that, when the Nazi Party came into power, its first action was to ban books on gender- affirming health care to trans people. 2:02:28 PM MARY ELIZABETH KEHRHAHN-STARK, representing self, testified in support of HB 17. She urged the committee's support of the bill, as it would provide statewide protection for nondiscrimination against members of the LGBTQ community. She suggested that views of those who are anti-LGBTQ are antiquated and unaccepting simply because of differences in lifestyle. She stated that the U. S. Supreme Court decision in the case of Bostock v. Clayton County, 590 U.S. 644 (2020), had prompted the Alaska Human Rights Commission to include sexual orientation and gender identity in the definition of sex. She pointed out that broad demographics exist, which include race, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, religion, and other groups throughout the world. 2:04:31 PM LIN DAVIS, representing self, testified in support of HB 17. She shared her experience in advocating for LGBTQ human rights for over 30 years and noted she has testified to the legislature in support of previous, similar legislation for more than 10 years. She expressed the opinion that those in opposition to this and similar bills have done so with hostility, adding that the passage of SB 140 would cause harm to Alaskans. She shared an anecdote in which same-sex military families in Alaska have been denied permanent fund dividends. She urged the passage of HB 17. 2:06:58 PM ALYSSA QUINTYNE, representing self, testified in support of HB 17. She suggested that the legislature has 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 which are necessary to survive. She conveyed that members of the LGBTQ community have been fired, attacked, evicted, denied medical services, and denied education. She expressed the opinion that this is all because of the discomfort of others, and the failure to pass HB 17 would be tantamount to protecting these individuals' perspectives. She expressed anger at the legislature's failure to act to protect members of the LGBTQ community. 2:09:31 PM MIKE COONS, representing self, testified in opposition to HB 17 and expressed support for SB 140. He referred to the state constitution, which provides that all persons have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and people should not be denied the enjoyment of any civil or political right because of race, color, creed, or status of national origin. He pointed out that sexual orientation and gender identity or expression has been added to the constitution and expressed the opinion that this be amended. 2:12:03 PM JAMIE YOU, representing self, testified in support of HB 17. He shared his status as a transgender man and expressed joy for his experience of social acceptance and support. He noted that there exists federal legislation pending which would expand constitutional protections to include gender identity and sexual orientation. He urged the passage of HB 17. 2:14:08 PM MAUREEN LONGWORTH, MD, representing self, testified in support of HB 17. She stated that she has been a physician in Alaska for more than 30 years, with her opinions informed by medical training and education. She pointed out that she studied the ambiguity of gender while in medical school. She described advising parents of children with ambiguous gender and how to proceed. She continued that advancement in the arena of studies pertaining to gender have been made, and the American Medical Association (AMA) has 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. She stated that AMA has expressed support for the equal rights, privileges, and freedoms of all individuals, and it has expressed opposition to discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, ethnic origin, national origin, or age. 2:16:49 PM KATIE BOTZ, representing self, testified in opposition to HB 17. She expressed 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 expressed the opinion that passage of HB 17 would allow individuals to enter bathrooms, or other areas, and sexually assault other people. 2:18:33 PM DICK FARRIS, representing self, testified in support of HB 17. He characterized the bill as positive, while those who discriminate or have discriminatory thoughts are negative. 2:19:09 PM AMY RUSSELL, representing self, testified in support of HB 17 and against discrimination, which affects the civil rights and protections for those with different sexual orientations. She urged the committee to support the bill. 2:20:31 PM SUSAN MCGLOIN, representing self, testified in support of HB 17. She stated that she is a registered nurse and has worked in many locations in Alaska for over 40 years. She stated that she has cared for individuals who have been brutally attacked because of their sexual choices. She emphasized that real harm exists. 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.