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2Rep. Andrew Gray, D-Anchorage, and Sarah Vance, R-Homer, of the House Judiciary Committee listen to Alaska State Commission for Human Rights Executive Director Robert Corbisier explain why his agency is seeking changes to its name and duties, including exempting religious and other nonprofit organizations from anti-discrimination workplace rules. A bill making those changes got its first hearing by the committee Wednesday about an hour after it was introduced on the House floor. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

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Bill seeks to allow workplace discrimination by religious, nonprofit organizations

State human rights commission seeking change after eliminating LGBTQ+ protections

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Rep. Jamie Allard, R-Eagle River, exchanges words with Rep. CJ McCormick, D-Bethel, before Wednesday’s House floor session. The two legislators were on opposite sides of a 4-3 House Education Committee vote earlier during the morning to advance a bill restricting references to sex and gender in public schools, with Allard supporting the bill and McCormick opposing.

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‘Parental rights’ bill expanded to require parents’ OK for entire curriculum

Legislation restricting sex and gender references in schools advances out of first committee.

Rep. Jennie Armstrong, D-Anchorage, and Tristin Walsh, a staff member for Armstrong, prepare to present her bill seeking to prevent LGBTQ+ discrimination to the House Community and Regional Affairs Committee on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

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LGBTQ+ nondiscrimination bill advances after heated debate

Next stop is the House Judiciary Committee.

Jane Hale (Courtesy Photo)

Neighbors

Coming Out: A creative personal aesthetic

I think aesthetics are more than just politics.

Ron Soherville, a Juneau resident, testifies in favor of a bill restricting sex and gender content in public schools during a House Education Committee meeting Thursday night. He was surrounded by a crowd of mostly students who testified against the bill. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

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‘Parental rights’ sequel: Six hours of separation

About 180 more people testify mostly in opposition to bill, but legislators’ minds appear unchanged

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Apayauq Reitan, the first transgender woman to participate in the Iditarod, tells the House Education Committee on March 30 why she opposes a bill restricting sex and gender content in schools. A second meeting for public testimony is scheduled Thursday.

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Public gets another chance to opine on ‘parental rights’ bill

Supporters hoping for bigger presence than first meeting when 90% of testimony opposed proposal

Graphic: Business Wire Characters explore the landscape in the Roblox game Beyond the Stars. A presentation to Alaska lawmakers this week by a Homer police official asserts that such games are used by child sex predators to lure victims.

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Capitol’s culture wars get graphic

Presentation about proper parenting features mature imagary, talk of arresting librarians

Flags fly outside the State Office Building on Friday, where a note police described as a possible threat against children was discovered at midday on Friday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

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Police investigate notes indicating possible threat against children

In a statement, JPD said two such messages were found on Friday.

Heidi Teshner, acting commissioner of the Department of Education and Early Development, explains details of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s so-called “parental rights” bill during a House Education Committee hearing Wednesday. Public testimony on the bill is scheduled to be heard by the committee Thursday evening. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

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Public gets first say on proposal to restrict sex, gender content in schools

House Education Committee to host Thursday hearing on Dunleavy’s bill.

This photo shows the Alaska State Capitol, where lawmakers are mulling several bills related to discussion of sex and gender in public schools. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

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Bills focused on sex and gender in education bring ‘the beginning of the culture wars’ to Alaska

Competing legislation brings national fracas to the Capitol.

On Thursday, the Alaska State Board of Education approved a resolution that supports barring transgender female students from participating in girls’ sports. (Getty Images illustration via Alaska Beacon)

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State school board supports barring transgender female students from participating in girls’ sports

On Thursday, the Alaska State Board of Education approved a resolution that supports barring transgender female students from…

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Rep. Sara Hannan, a Juneau Democrat, speaks to the state House Health and Social Services Committee Thursday afternoon in support of a bill she sponsors that would ban licensed practitioners from providing conversion treatment to minors or vulnerable adults in the state of Alaska.

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Conversion therapy survivors advocate for banning practice in Alaska

Invited testimony given for Rep. Sara Hannan’s bill.

Susan McKenzie, director of Innovation and Education Excellence, foreground, and Deb Riddle, division operations manager for the state Department of Education and Early Development, explain details of bills to restrict mentioning sex/gender in schools and give teachers year-end retention bonuses during a House Education Committee meeting Monday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

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Bill limiting sex, gender talk in schools gets first public hearing

Testimony limited to supporters who refer to indoctrination, religion in arguing parents know best.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire State Sen. Löki Tobin, D-Anchorage, reads an announcement during the Senate floor session Wednesday. Tobin, who chairs the Senate Education Committee, emerged as a potential road block to Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s “parental rights” bill by declaring it would not get a hearing if referred to her committee. The bill was subsequently referred to two other committees, with Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, stating it will get a public hearing.

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Bill limiting sex, gender discussion in education will get public hearing, senate president says

However, lawmakers say it will not be a main focus.

Gavel (Courtesy photo)

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Alaska rights commission limits LGBTQ+ discrimination cases

ANCHORAGE — Alaska’s human rights commission has reversed an earlier policy and now is only investigating LGBTQ+ discrimination…

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Rep. Sara Hannan, D-Juneau addresses a crowd during a recent rally outside the Alaska State Capitol. Hannan is the sponsor of a bill that would ban licensed practitioners from performing “conversion therapy” in the state.

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Lawmaker says ban on conversion therapy can help address LGBTQ+ youth suicide

The bill, sponsored by Juneau Rep. Sara Hannan, awaits a House committee hearing.

Luke the Duke of Bell and Santa bust a move during their performance Saturday evening at the Alaskan Bar, a part of Juneau Drag’s Holi-gay Spectacular Ho Ho HOMO. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

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Juneau Drag invites residents to celebrates the ‘holi-gays’ in style

Now they don their gay apparel.

President Joe Biden signs the Respect for Marriage Act, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo / Andrew Harnik)

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Gay marriage bill signed at White House ceremony

“This law and the love it defends strike a blow against hate in all its forms,” president says.

People gather in Washington’s Lafayette Park to see the White House illuminated with rainbow colors to mark the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling to legalize same-sex marriage, June 26, 2015. President Joe Biden plans to sign legislation this coming week that will protect gay unions even if the Supreme Court revisits its ruling supporting a nationwide right of same-sex couples to marry. It’s the latest part of Biden’s legacy on gay rights, which includes his unexpected endorsement of marriage equality on national television a decade ago when he was vice president. (AP Photo / Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

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Biden called gay marriage ‘inevitable’ and soon it’ll be law

He plans to sign legislation, passed by bipartisan majorities in Congress, to protect gay unions.

Has Du Eetíxʼ Xʼaakeidíx̱ Haa Sitee performs at Pride Outside at Skater’s Cabin, an LGBTQ community event organized by NAMI Juneau on June 5, 2022. (Courtesy photo / Meryl Connelly-Chew)

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Local LGBTQ+ advocate receives award for work building community

Community-based work is their focus and their calling.