A potentially controversial resolution very quietly passed the Anchorage Assembly Tuesday night: “A resolution welcoming Alaska PrideFest and encouraging the residents of Anchorage to celebrate our diverse community.”

The resolution was addressing the annual lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender PrideFest celebration that takes place June 18 to 27, with its attendant parade and a picnic at the Park Strip on Saturday, June 26.

The resolution’s final “whereas,”—as these types of documents read—states, “although residents of our community may disagree on issues, Anchorage benefits from the ongoing dialogue, awareness, and celebration that builds bridges and strengthens our interdependence as an Alaskan community…” The interesting thing about the resolution is, number one, it was voted for unanimously by the assembly, including all the members—Chris Birch, Bill Starr and Debbie Ossiander—who voted against Proposition 64, last summer’s anti-discrimination ordinance. But the second oddity—and perhaps the reason why the conservative threesome approved the item, which was on the consent agenda—is it wasn’t read at the meeting, unlike other resolutions welcoming members of the National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women to Anchorage for a conference, or declaring “American Federation of Government Employees Week,” or praising a few Muni employees for their longtime service. No, this resolution honoring PrideFest went quietly, so there was no discussion by assembly members, nor any presentation to any members of the LGBT community.

Another peculiarity was the permanent postponement of the appointment of David William Bronson to the School Budget Advisory Board. This was an appointment by Mayor Dan Sullivan that drew a public outcry because of Bronson’s resume, on which he proudly lists opposition to gay rights as part of his community/volunteer service and touts his activism with Jerry Prevo’s Anchorage Baptist Temple—Bronson is also chairman of the social conservative group Alaska Family Council. The pressure must have got to the administration; it’s quite a gift basket from city government to the LGBT community during its annual PrideFest celebration.

bjk@anchoragepress.com