In House Bill 99, men will be able to demand admittance into women’s shelters, simply by stating that they are women. If shelter operators refuse them, they can sue for discrimination.
HB 99 will be heard in House Community and Regional Affairs Committee at 8 am on Tuesday.
The bill adds gender identity to the list of conditions that may not be discriminated against in Alaska. The author, Rep. Jennie Armstrong, is a recent leftist transplant from Louisiana, who moved to Alaska, declares herself to be a pansexual, and successfully ran for House in 2022.
The language of the bill is simple: It adds new paragraphs under AS 18.80.300 to define sex to include “gender identity or expression” and “sexual orientation.”
That means, if the bill passes, that males can once again sue to gain admittance to the Downtown Hope Women’s Shelter in Anchorage, or any women’s shelter in the state. Males would be able to use women’s and girls’ bathrooms and locker rooms legally. The shelters will be unable to enforce gender-separate quarters for their guests.
Critics see this as a continuation of the war on women, who have had their athletic competitions taken over by men who take on the appearance of women. Faith-based shelters that house male-only and female-only dormitories will have to comply with the state law or will close and leave the homeless and victims of violence to their own struggles. It also means a single elderly woman who rents out a room in her house cannot say that she prefers a woman roommate.
Read the details of HB 99 at this link.
Armstrong said in her sponsor statement that the legislation will stop outmigration from Alaska.
Alaska State Commission on Human Rights recently clarified that its jurisdiction only applies to employment in regards to discrimination based on gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation. If the commission is to also litigate against landlords and public accommodations, the law would have to specify that.
“The State of Alaska should be a place where businesses can invest without fear of their employees being discriminated against and where active duty military members don’t have to worry about being stationed in a place where they may face discrimination. The first step to reversing outmigration and creating a business-friendly environment is making sure that everyone feels safe and welcome in Alaska,” Armstrong said.
The committee hearing, which features invited testimony only, can be watched at this link.
