US: LGBTQ equal rights bill advances in Alaska House, marking a first for the state

Last week, the House State Affairs Committee voted to advance House Bill 184, sponsored by Rep. Andy Josephson, D-Anchorage. The measure next goes to the House Judiciary Committee, whose chairman, Rep. Matt Claman, D-Anchorage, has said he will hear it.

If approved by the House, Senate and Gov. Bill Walker, HB 184 would forbid a landlord from refusing to rent an apartment to someone simply because they are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer. Similar protections would be extended to Alaskans seeking jobs.

“In the history of the Alaska Legislature, there’s never been any LGBT-friendly legislation that’s moved,” Josephson said.

Asked why he proposed the measure, he said it is an issue of civil rights. Read more via Juneau Empire