“Bathroom Bill” Initiative
Talking Points and Petition Gathering Instructions
What does it do?
The Protect Our Privacy Initiative amends Anchorage Ordinance (AO-96) passed by the Anchorage Assembly. We have until July 20th, 2017 to obtain roughly 7,500 signatures from registered voters in the Municipality of Anchorage. When we reach that goal, the issue will come before the people on the April 2018 Municipal Election.
Our initiative has one basic assumption – government should protect Alaskan’s privacy, safety and dignity in intimate settings like showers, restrooms and locker rooms, not threaten it. The initiative will do two simple things –
- REQUIRE MUNICIPAL OWNED FACILITIES LIKE THE SULLIVAN ARENA AND LIBRARIES TO SEGREGATE THEIR INTIMATE SPACES BASED ON BIOLOGICAL SEX AS DETERMINED AT BIRTH. WE BELIEVE THAT CITIZENS USING SUCH FACILITIES HAVE A RIGHT TO PHYSICAL PRIVACY THAT INCLUDES THE RIGHT NOT TO BE SEEN IN VARIOUS STATES OF UNDRESS BY MEMBERS OF THE OPPOSITE SEX.
- GIVE PRIVATE BUSINESSES AND FAITH BASED GROUPS SUCH AS CHURCHES AND MINISTRIES THE FREEDOM TO OPERATE ACCORDING TO THEIR CONVICTIONS AND SEGREGATE INTIMATE SPACES BASED ON BIOLOGICAL SEX AS DETERMINED AT BIRTH. THIS INITIATIVE WOULD NOT, OF COURSE, PREVENT BUSINESSES LIKE TARGET FROM MAKING POOR DECISIONS TO OPEN UP THEIR BATHROOMS TO ALL GENDERS. IT SIMPLY GIVES BUSINESSES THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE HOW THEY WANT TO OPERATE.
If you are downloading and printing your own petition, it must be printed on 8 1/2” x 14” paper on both sides as shown on the PDF file.
Instructions on collecting signatures
- THE SHEETS CANNOT BE ALTERED IN ANYWAY.
- ONLY REGISTERED VOTERS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF ANCHORAGE WILL BE COUNTED.
- SIGNERS SHOULD USE THE ADDRESS THAT IS ASSOCIATED WITH THEIR VOTER REGISTRATION. IF THEY ARE UNSURE, PLEASE HAVE THEM FILL OUT THEIR PO BOX AND PHYSICAL ADDRESS.
- PLEASE ASK SIGNERS TO FILL OUT THE FORM LEGIBLY AND COMPLETELY.
- EMAIL IS NOT REQUIRED BUT IS VERY HELPFUL TO EDUCATE CITIZENS WITH UPDATES.
If you have any questions, please contact Jim Minnery at 907.317.7268 or at jim@akfamily.org
Talking Points
- IT’S COMMON SENSE PROTECTIONS FOR ALL ALASKANS:
- NO ONE, INCLUDING THE CITY OF ANCHORAGE, SHOULD EXPECT YOUNG GIRLS TO UNDRESS AND BE EXPOSED TO A MEMBER OF THE OPPOSITE SEX IN INTIMATE SETTINGS LIKE RESTROOMS, SHOWERS AND LOCKER ROOMS.
- MEN AND BOYS SHOULDN’T BE GIVEN ACCESS TO GIRLS’ LOCKER ROOMS, SHOWERS AND RESTROOMS IN THE CITY OF ANCHORAGE.
- THE CITY OF ANCHORAGE SHOULDN’T FORCE PRIVATE EMPLOYERS TO OPEN THEIR RESTROOMS, CHANGING ROOMS, AND SHOWERS TO MEMBERS OF THE OPPOSITE SEX.
- ANCHORAGE NEEDS TO PROTECT THE PRIVACY, SAFETY AND DIGNITY OF ALL ALASKANS, NOT THREATEN IT. IT’S COMMON SENSE.
- CHURCHES AND OTHER NONPROFITS SHOULD BE FREE TO OPERATE THEIR MINISTRIES AND HAVE BATHROOM POLICIES CONSISENT WITH THE STANDARDS OF THEIR FAITH.
