Teaser

Opinion: We do not have another decade to waste without protecting every Alaskan

Let’s end the cruel, and inhumane legal discrimination against our fellow Alaskans

  • By Beth Kerttula
  • Wednesday, April 14, 2021 2:53pm
  • Opinion

By Beth Kerttula

Ten years ago, I had the honor of introducing Alaska’s first bill to end discrimination against LGBTQ+ people. I had introduced and worked on some very consequential legislation before that time – but I was thanked more for this piece of legislation than for any other legislation I ever worked on in my 15 years as an Alaskan legislator.

Alaskans approached me about it in the grocery store, in the bank, in the airports — really everywhere. I was amazed. When my then University of Alaska Southeast intern, Elizabeth Seliotes Bolling, had initially brought the idea to me, it struck me as just common sense — that of course everyone had the right to be free from discrimination. But after the bill’s introduction and as the year went on, every time someone thanked me, I choked up, because I also heard the awful stories of how Alaskans had been treated for their sexuality and gender expression. People were shamed, denied housing, called names, abused, raped, their friends were killed — they died by suicide, all in Alaska.

I’m sure many readers will be shocked to hear that this type of discrimination is still, horribly enough, common in Alaska and across the country. A recent survey found that more than one in three LGBTQ+ Americans faced discrimination in the past year, including more than three in five transgender Americans. More than half of LGBTQ+ people have experienced harassment or discrimination in a public place such as a store, transportation or a restroom.

Ten years have passed since my bill criminalizing discrimination in public places was introduced. I thought that by now we would have state and federal laws protecting us all from discriminatory practices. The statistics of how people feel about this are on our side: More than 80% of Americans favor a law that would protect LGBTQ+ people from discrimination in jobs, public accommodations, and housing — including 68% of Republicans. Sadly, Alaska is not living up to its historic leadership on equality.

In the 1940s, Alaska’s great civil rights leader Elizabeth Ḵaax̲gal.aat Wanamaker Peratrovich championed anti-discrimination legislation. Her heroic efforts led then-Gov. Ernest Gruening to push Alaska to become the first state to criminalize discrimination against individuals based on race by passing the Alaska Equal Rights Act of 1945. Alaska passed this momentous legislation two decades before the U.S. Civil Rights Act was passed.

Though I have retired from public office, I remain committed to championing ways to improve life for Alaskans. Regardless of who we love, or our gender, we are all Alaskans. We all need each other. Let’s end the cruel, and inhumane legal discrimination against our fellow Alaskans. Let’s live up to the fierce independence of our Alaskan reputation, and remember the precedence set by Elizabeth Ḵaax̲gal.aat Wanamaker Peratrovich and Governor Ernest Gruening.

Cities like Anchorage, Sitka, Fairbanks and Juneau have passed their own laws protecting LGBTQ+ Alaskans. An Alaska State House bill, HB 82, sponsored by Rep. Andy Josephson, has been introduced to ensure that gay and transgender Alaskans are afforded the same rights as everyone else, anywhere in Alaska. Let’s support Rep. Josephson and all Alaskans and pass HB 82 this session. We do not have another decade to waste without protecting every Alaskan.

As I grew up in Alaska, I was taught that no matter what race, religious belief or gender identification, we were all unique, all to be valued, and that we were all Alaskans. I am an Alaskan first, which carries the personality trait of fierce independence and resilience. As my grandfather Oscar Kerttula used to say, “you can be an Alaskan in five minutes, or you can live here 50 years and still not get it.” Let’s get it. Let’s support ALL Alaskans against discrimination.

• Beth Kerttula is former Alaska State House Minority Leader. She resides in Juneau. Columns, My Turns and Letters to the Editor represent the view of the author, not the view of the Juneau Empire. Have something to say? Here’s how to submit a My Turn or letter.

More in Opinion

Web
Have something to say?

Here’s how to add your voice to the conversation.

The Aiviq, a private icebreaker the U.S. Coast Guard is considering purchasing for Arctic operations with Juneau as its home port, is seen on March 24, 2012. (Courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard)
Opinion: Giving credit where credit is due

It’s been a long time since the Juneau economy has been bolstered… Continue reading

Gus Schumacher, an Anchorage cross-country skier, testifies at a Senate Budget Committee hearing last Wednesday. (Budget committee screenshot)
An Alaska Olympian went to D.C. to testify on climate change. Then a senator dredged up old tweets.

Gus Schumacher hit with climate science quiz in exchange that went viral in conservative circles.

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, second from right, attends a bill signing by President Donald Trump on Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018, in the Oval Office of the White House. (Official White House photo)
Opinion: Sen. Dan Sullivan, a conservative in name only

It’s easy to imagine Sen. Lisa Murkowski broke out in a smile… Continue reading

(Anne Onamuss / For the Juneau Empire)
My Turn: Alaska’s deepest trouble is nonsupport of education

People are exiting The Great Land and are reluctant to come here… Continue reading

The studio model of Starship “Enterprise” from Star Trek is on display at The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum on its reopening on Oct. 14, 2022, in Washington, DC. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Opinion: No Alaska governor has ever so boldly held schools and students as political hostages

“Star Trek” reference looks past real argument for school funding.

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Letter: Black-and-white view of Gaza goes too far

Alexander Dolitsky’s letter rebuffing Dixie Belcher’s attempt to humanize the tragedy unfolding… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Letter: Murkowski and Sullivan should oppose Trump

The New York Times reported Saturday that Mr. Trump said, “some migrants… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Letter: If you see roadside rubbish, please pick it up

I met a young Tlingit lady and her friend this weekend, picking… Continue reading

Looking up at the 1882 Edward Webster House on Telephone Hill from Second Street and Main Street in January 2024. (Photo by Laurie Craig)
Opinion: Juneau Assembly holds firm on Telephone Hill development

In a rare moment of near unanimity during a special Assembly meeting… Continue reading