LGBTQ

A Pride flag hangs in a Kenai Peninsula Borough School District room. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)

Judge blocks Biden’s Title IX LGBTQ+ protections in Alaska, other states

Third ruling in less than three weeks puts policy on hold in 14 states; more challenges pending.

 

Eighty-four girls from Southeast Alaska high schools set out from the starting line of the Capital City Invite’s 5K race on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. The Juneau Board of Education on Friday unanimously voted to seek advice from outside council on a new state policy banning transgender girls from high school sports teams. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

School board unanimously votes to seek outside legal advice on new statewide transgender sports ban

Juneau reportedly first district to take step that may lead to lawsuit challenging policy.

 

A row of rainbow flags are displayed above the bookshelves in the teen room at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Schools, libraries get warning letters from state attorney general about youth content

Local officials say letters lack specifics, aren’t considering changes in policies.

 

Lamia Monroe of Anchorage (center) is crowned the first First Miss Gay Alaska America by pageant sponsor Gigi Monroe (left) and reigning Miss Gay America Tatiyanna Voche during the finale of the two-night event Saturday at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

First-ever Miss Gay Alaska America is crowned in Juneau

Lamia Monroe wins two-day female impersonator pageant, will go to national event with runner-up.

Lamia Monroe of Anchorage (center) is crowned the first First Miss Gay Alaska America by pageant sponsor Gigi Monroe (left) and reigning Miss Gay America Tatiyanna Voche during the finale of the two-night event Saturday at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Basketball players face off at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at for a basketball game in December 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Transgender sports ban now in effect, but Juneau and other school districts in no rush to comply

“I’ve never seen such unity against a policy,” local school member says after statewide conference.

Basketball players face off at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at for a basketball game in December 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Troy Michael Smith, a part-time Juneau resident, at the Mr. Gay World competition in Cape Town, South Africa, where he prevailed among the 11 candidates. (Photo courtesy of Rudi Du Toit Photography)

Juneau resident crowned Mr. Gay World

Troy Michael Smith bests 11 international candidates in Cape Town.

Troy Michael Smith, a part-time Juneau resident, at the Mr. Gay World competition in Cape Town, South Africa, where he prevailed among the 11 candidates. (Photo courtesy of Rudi Du Toit Photography)
Emily Wright, an assistant attorney for the City and Borough of Juneau, explains legal ramifications of the state’s new ban on transgender girls participating in girls high school sports to the Juneau Board of Education on Tuesday night at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Legal, moral concerns raised by local school and city officials about state’s transgender sports ban

School board seeks more input after hearing ban violates city bylaws and maybe state’s Constitution.

Emily Wright, an assistant attorney for the City and Borough of Juneau, explains legal ramifications of the state’s new ban on transgender girls participating in girls high school sports to the Juneau Board of Education on Tuesday night at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A sign opposing the participation of trans girls in girls sports is propped against a fire hydrant outside of the George A. Navarre Admin Building on Thursday, June 8, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. The Alaska Board of Education met in the building to discuss a resolution that would ban trans girls from girls high school sports. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

State Board of Education bars trans girls from girls’ high school sports teams

Alaska becomes 24th state to impose such restrictions.

A sign opposing the participation of trans girls in girls sports is propped against a fire hydrant outside of the George A. Navarre Admin Building on Thursday, June 8, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. The Alaska Board of Education met in the building to discuss a resolution that would ban trans girls from girls high school sports. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters during a news conference at the Alaska State Capitol on April 28, 2022. Transgender girls would be barred from participating on high school girls' athletic teams in Alaska under a proposal being considered Wednesday by the state board of education. Opponents of the proposal call it discriminatory and unconstitutional and say it likely will lead to litigation. Supporters, including Dunleavy, say it is needed to ensure fairness in girls' sports. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)

Alaska board delays action on proposal to bar transgender girls from girls’ high school sports teams

Alaska board delays action on proposal to bar transgender girls from girls’ high school sports teams The state board of education Wednesday delayed action on… Continue reading

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters during a news conference at the Alaska State Capitol on April 28, 2022. Transgender girls would be barred from participating on high school girls' athletic teams in Alaska under a proposal being considered Wednesday by the state board of education. Opponents of the proposal call it discriminatory and unconstitutional and say it likely will lead to litigation. Supporters, including Dunleavy, say it is needed to ensure fairness in girls' sports. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)
Rae Mills, a mentor with the “Weaving Our Pride” project, hangs strands of wool yarn on a loom that will be used to create two Pride Robes at the Zach Gordon Youth Center on Friday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Spinning the first threads of two Alaska Native Pride Robes

Mentors to spend year with students at Zach Gordon Youth Center creating the permanent wearable art

Rae Mills, a mentor with the “Weaving Our Pride” project, hangs strands of wool yarn on a loom that will be used to create two Pride Robes at the Zach Gordon Youth Center on Friday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Emily Mesch, president of Southeast Alaska LGBTQ+ Alliance, smiles for a photo near the Mendenhall Glacier Thursday evening. SEAGLA is a Juneau-based nonprofit that works to “provide a supporting social network for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer people in Southeast Alaska.” (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Faces of Pride: Emily Mesch

“There are people out there and we want to help support them.”

Emily Mesch, president of Southeast Alaska LGBTQ+ Alliance, smiles for a photo near the Mendenhall Glacier Thursday evening. SEAGLA is a Juneau-based nonprofit that works to “provide a supporting social network for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer people in Southeast Alaska.” (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Chloey Cavanaugh, owner of Black and White Raven Co., folds a shirt at her downtown studio Monday morning. Cavanaugh’s company is an LGBTQ+ and Indigenous small business based in Juneau. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Faces of Pride: Chloey Cavanaugh

“I feel really lucky to be so supported by the community.”

Chloey Cavanaugh, owner of Black and White Raven Co., folds a shirt at her downtown studio Monday morning. Cavanaugh’s company is an LGBTQ+ and Indigenous small business based in Juneau. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File Girls teams face off on the twin courts of the main gym at Juneau-Douglas Yadaa.at Kalé High School during the Juneau Invitational Volleyball Extravaganza on Oct. 15, 2022. A proposal being considered by the Alaska State Board of Education and Early Development to ban transgender females from participating in girls high school sports could take effect before this year’s fall sports season.

Public comment open for statewide transgender sports ban

Proposal barring transgender girls from girls’ high school sports teams to be reconsidered July 26

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File Girls teams face off on the twin courts of the main gym at Juneau-Douglas Yadaa.at Kalé High School during the Juneau Invitational Volleyball Extravaganza on Oct. 15, 2022. A proposal being considered by the Alaska State Board of Education and Early Development to ban transgender females from participating in girls high school sports could take effect before this year’s fall sports season.
City and Borough of Juneau Assembly member Greg Smith smiles Thursday afternoon while walking across the rainbow crosswalk recently repainted in downtown Juneau. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Faces of Pride: Assembly member Greg Smith

“For me it’s about acceptance, respect and understanding where people are in their lives.”

City and Borough of Juneau Assembly member Greg Smith smiles Thursday afternoon while walking across the rainbow crosswalk recently repainted in downtown Juneau. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Writer Jane Hale smiles for a photo as the wind blows a newly raised LGBTQ+ flag at the Hurff A. Saunders Federal Building downtown. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Faces of Pride: Jane Hale

This is the first story in a four-part series spotlighting Pride Month in Juneau.

Writer Jane Hale smiles for a photo as the wind blows a newly raised LGBTQ+ flag at the Hurff A. Saunders Federal Building downtown. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Dozens of Juneau teachers, students and residents gather at the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Jan. 23 in advocacy for an increase in the state’s flat funding via the base student allocation, which hasn’t increased sizeably since 2017 and has failed to keep pace with inflation during the past decade. A one-time funding increase was approved during this year’s legislative session. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

What’s next for the most debated bills pending in the Legislature?

Education funding increase, “parental rights” and other proposals will resurface next year.

Dozens of Juneau teachers, students and residents gather at the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Jan. 23 in advocacy for an increase in the state’s flat funding via the base student allocation, which hasn’t increased sizeably since 2017 and has failed to keep pace with inflation during the past decade. A one-time funding increase was approved during this year’s legislative session. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
Teaser

State association considers transgender ban on student sports

Change would limit girls teams to birth-assigned sex; public meeting scheduled Monday

Teaser
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)

Bill seeks to allow workplace discrimination by religious, nonprofit organizations

State human rights commission seeking change after eliminating LGBTQ+ protections

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)
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.

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

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

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.
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)

LGBTQ+ nondiscrimination bill advances after heated debate

Next stop is the House Judiciary 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)