New Girl Observation No. 4: How far apart can we be?

The traffic was slow and got slower yesterday afternoon as I approached the Loussac Library on 36th Street in Anchorage. Cars were diving out of the parking lot, which serves the city’s main library and largest post office, and onto the busy street.

Just as I was wondering if it was always this busy on a Tuesday , the protestors came into view. Close to the street, dozens of people stood by as the traffic marched past, waving signs in support of gay and lesbian rights. Further down, teens in red t-shirts from the large Baptist Temple waved yet more signs, these ones quoting bible verses and Christian beliefs.

As someone said to me today, Alaska is ten years behind when it comes to social issues. On a day when President Obama decided to offer some benefits to same sex partners, Anchorage is in the midst of a battle over basic protections for gay and lesbians. (Battle Lines Drawn was the large font headline on the front page of the Anchorage Daily News today.)

The battle that’s currently waging is an equal rights measure before the Anchorage City Council. Acting Mayor Matt Claman is sponsoring a measure on behalf of an equal rights group that would add sexual orientation to the list of characteristics including race and religion for protection from discrimination for public activities—buying and selling property, getting a hotel room, going to college, applying for a city job.

This feels pretty ordinary for most American cities. We're not talking major reforms--we're talking about not being able to be turned down for an apartment because you're gay.

However, the debate has stirred an uproar in Anchorage with hundreds of people providing public comment on the issue.

The television advertisements and information that is simply not true, according to the city’s attorney. There have been claims that the equal rights amendment would allow men to access women's restrooms and male teachers to come to school dressed as women.

Of course, I think the news coverage makes the issue seem more stringent than it is- the protests that I saw seemed relatively congenial with people laughing, hulahooping and dancing. I also liked a bit of news coverage that described the groups taking turns marching past the library's front doors, where the city council convenes. How far apart can we be when we're still willing to take turns?

What's interesting is the number of young people that are out there on the street, carrying the signs and chanting the slogans. I'm curious what the youth leaders are telling kids to inspire their participation in this debate. At that age, much of my decision making was guided by emotion and what my friends were doing. I hope they don't make decisions now that they're regret down the road.