LGBT advocacy group ranks Anchorage above national average

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Anchorage ranks above the national average in a report assessing equality for those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.

The Human Rights Campaign, a major LGBT rights group, released an annual report Thursday that examines and rates laws, policies and services of municipalities based on their inclusivity of LGBT people.

Anchorage, which in September passed an ordinance making it illegal in the city to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, scored the highest among five cities looked at in Alaska. It received 81 points out of 100.

The national average was 56, and the average for the five Alaska cities surveyed was 26.

Fairbanks had a score of 33; Juneau, 14,; Ketchikan, 3, and zero for Sitka.

Proposals in recent years to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression at the state level have stalled.

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The Gayly - 12/17/2015 @ 2:28 p.m. CST