My name is Matt Moore and I am a democratic candidate running for Alaska's sole congressional seat against 40+ year incumbent, Don Young (R). Don Young is currently under investigation by the House Ethics Committee and has made the CREW list of "Most Corrupt Politicians" multiple times.
Many states have added DOMA language to their state constitutions and Alaska is no exception. Alaska, our congressman, and the rest of the country needs to change with the times. Members of the LGBT community are not asking the state to create a special class of citizenship with special rights. They are asking to be accepted and treated exactly the same as all other Alaskans.
I will represent ALL Alaskans and unlike Don Young, I mean it. I will represent all Alaskans including those who do not vote for me, seniors, natives, veterans, and those with different political views.
Alaska needs a Representative that has new ideas, who can embrace change and work hard for the people of Alaska. Alaska’s culture has always been one of inclusion with people moving to Alaska, becoming part of a community, and making Alaska their home.
This week I was reading about a bill the Arizona legislature passed that would allow discrimination against gays and lesbians. Not surprisingly, there is a backlash among against this bill, including from businesses that said discrimination is bad for Arizona’s economy. Alaska Airlines pointed that out in a letter sent to Arizona Governor Jan Brewer. Fortunately, Governor Brewer vetoed this discriminatory legislation.
Congratulations to Governor Jan Brewer for her courage to veto this Jim Crow style legislation.
It appears that some of the Republican Arizona law-makers were surprised to discover money is just as green and spends just as well in Arizona’s economy regardless of sexual orientation. Just like everybody else, LGBT folks have jobs, pay taxes, buy real estate, buy cars, spend money throughout their local communities, and they vote.
The state of Alaska should treat all citizens equally. Alaska State Senator Hollis French and democratic allies introduced a bill this week that takes a big step in the right direction for equality for all by challenging the constitutional definition of marriage as per the Defense of Marriage Act.
Before we point a finger at the Arizona legislature, let’s remember the 2013 Alaska legislature. State representatives of the republican majority were caught on tape laughing and snickering when asked if they would support domestic partnerships or civil unions for same sex couples. They tried to minimize their bad behavior and said they were just laughing at the representative who was on the hot seat and had to answer the question.
Alaska’s current congressman, Don Young was quoted by KTUU as saying, “I personally believe that a marriage is between a man and woman for the purposes of having a child.” Personal beliefs are fine, but this is absolutely the weakest argument for marriage. What about people who want to marry that are beyond their childbearing years? What about senior citizens who fall in love? What about people who cannot have children because one or both partners are sterile? What about couples who want to marry and have no children?
The bottom line for me and many Alaskans is this: lawmakers have no business being in people’s bedrooms, they have no business telling anyone that it’s “Okay” to discriminate against another. It is time for all Alaskans to enjoy the same rights regardless of their race, religion or sexual orientation.
Matt Moore