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ANCHORAGE - The Anchorage Assembly chamber was packed for another round of public testimony on a gay rights proposal.

Assemblyman Matt Claman got three votes Tuesday to set a public hearing on a proposed ordinance that would ask voters to add sexual orientation to the list of characteristics protected under the charter's bill of rights. It will need support from eight of the 11 Assembly members to reach the ballot.

The Anchorage Daily News reports this is a separate effort from the proposed ordinances that have been getting public comment for weeks.

The original measure would prohibit discrimination against lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered people in housing, employment, public accommodations, financing and education.