Municipality of Anchorage Comments

Andy Holleman

School Board Candidate Comments

Q1 – Protection of privacy in intimate facilities
Agree / Disagree: The Anchorage School District – should protect the privacy and dignity of students by requiring that certain intimate facilities—such as locker rooms, showers, changing rooms, and restrooms—be designated for and used exclusively by persons of the same biological sex.

Disagree

Comments: Some of these facilities are used by people of different sexes, but not at the same time. I would not support a broad rule that keeps us from doing that. Sometimes we simply lack facilities. Our current policy is that any student that is uncomfortable with a situation involving a bathroom or locker room, etc. should approach an administrator and a safe, comfortable solution will be found. This seems to be working well, and I support it. Please note that this policy applies to ALL students.

Q2 – No abortion providers in schools
Agree / Disagree: Groups that perform or promote abortion, such as Planned Parenthood, should not be permitted to teach sex education in the public schools.

Disagree

Comments: Content will always be monitored, and anyone engaged in illegal activities will not be allowed in schools to speak. No organization will be allowed to push an agenda. But if an organization is delivering the content we think is beneficial, they will be banned.

Q3 – Safeguard family authority over medical care
Agree / Disagree: No school district resources—including personnel such as school nurses—should be utilized in the provision of abortion or contraception to students, including by way of referral.

Disagree

Comments: We follow the law. We not encourage students to engage in sexual activities, but if students want access to contraception for health or pregnancy prevention, we do advise them where that can be obtained.

Q5 – Written parental permission before sex education
Agree / Disagree: The written permission of a parent or guardian should be required before a student participates in any activity, class, or program that includes content involving human sexuality and reproduction – that is, parents should be required to “opt in” their child for such instruction, as opposed to a mere “opt out” provision.

Disagree

Comments: In terms of sensitive content in a health class, I do agree. But there is a lot that is covered in general health class, biology classes, and human development classes that touches on human sexuality and reproduction, but not in ways that are directly tied to sexual activity. When we’re covering humans and sexual activity, specifically as it relates to teenagers, in a health class, yes. When we’re moving more towards population genetics, how species change over time, how certain physical traits influence sexual activity… I don’t want a biology teacher to have to be concerned about whether a lesson on primates might require an opt in permission slip from home.

Q6 – Sexual risk avoidance
Agree / Disagree: When sex education is taught in public schools, it should be based on a “sexual risk avoidance” (SRA) methodology that teaches students the benefits of refraining from non-marital sexual activity, and which teaches that “risk avoidance” is superior to mere “risk reduction.” (For more information, see https://www.frc.org/SexualRiskAvoidance )

Agree

Comments: I’m not sure if you mean “includes” or “exclusively based on” when you say “based on.” Yes, lessons that talk about avoiding pregnancy, disease, or emotional impacts should always include the benefits of abstinence. But I do not think that should be the only option that is discussed, at appropriate ages.

Rick Castillo

Anchorage Assembly Candidate Comments

Q1 – No taxpayer subsidies for abortion
Agree / Disagree: The Municipality of Anchorage should adopt a policy that disallows any municipal funds from being used to pay for abortions, promote abortion, or subsidize groups (such as Planned Parenthood) that perform or promote abortions.

Agree

Comments: I believe that every life is precious and filled with purpose. I reject a policy that would appropriate revenues from city taxpayers to promote or subsidize abortion services. Unfortunately, there are women in our lives who are victims of traumatic sexual assaults that result in pregnancy. As believers, we must be sympathetic and supportive when providing resources they need to overcome utter devastation in a manner that is respectful to their wishes and needs.

Q2 – Protect privacy in intimate facilities
Agree / Disagree: Anchorage Municipal Code should be amended to protect the privacy of citizens by requiring that intimate facilities within municipal buildings—such as locker rooms, showers, changing rooms, and multi-occupancy restrooms—be designated for and used exclusively by persons of the same biological sex; and further provide that all non-governmental facilities may lawfully choose to designate intimate facilities for use exclusively by persons of the same biological sex.

Agree

Comments: The government should examine policy completely in order to protect our women, children, and men from opportunists who look to exploit unintended consequences.

Q4 – Family-friendly libraries
Agree / Disagree: The municipality should adopt a policy barring the Anchorage Public Library system from sponsoring “Drag Queen Storytime” or other programs that seek to indoctrinate young children in transgender ideology and promote gender confusion.

Agree

Comments: I do not believe children should be exposed to an agenda that encourages or questions the idea of challenging his/her gender, sexuality, or that of others. Teaching tolerance is essential in promoting a healthy society, however, the vehicle in which the message is delivered should highlight the subject matter and not the individual teaching it.

Roger Branson

Anchorage Assembly Candidate Comments

Q1 – No taxpayer subsidies for abortion
Agree / Disagree: The Municipality of Anchorage should adopt a policy that disallows any municipal funds from being used to pay for abortions, promote abortion, or subsidize groups (such as Planned Parenthood) that perform or promote abortions.

Disagree

Comments: To think we can cure one ill by inflicting another is wrong-minded. Each conception requires a seed and we need to (in every way possible) start holding our men accountable as an alternative to misogyny. I think the conversation on what is/isn’t possible in this age of technology is way overdue.

Q2 – Protect privacy in intimate facilities
Agree / Disagree: Anchorage Municipal Code should be amended to protect the privacy of citizens by requiring that intimate facilities within municipal buildings—such as locker rooms, showers, changing rooms, and multi-occupancy restrooms—be designated for and used exclusively by persons of the same biological sex; and further provide that all non-governmental facilities may lawfully choose to designate intimate facilities for use exclusively by persons of the same biological sex.

Disagree

Comments: If Anchorage is ‘normal’ the experts tell us we have in our midst around 300 persons born with ambiguous genitalia. I suspect those folks know who they are and I further suspect they value their privacy which I fully respect. Why would you (or anyone) feel the need to violate our vulnerable brothers and sisters most intimate of spaces?

Q3 – Defend religious liberty / freedom of conscience
Agree / Disagree: Title 5 of the Anchorage Municipal Code (“Equal Rights”) should be amended to clarify that no person may be compelled to engage in any expression or take any action that would violate his or her sincerely held religious beliefs, including the belief that marriage is or should be recognized as the union of one man and one woman.

Disagree

Comments: On behalf of the 300 or so Alaskans living in Anchorage who are the ‘normal’ population of the uniquely gifted (not the same) amongst the rest of us, and for other reason; you-all’s freedom of conscience stops at my zipper. Here in Alaska we place heavy emphasis on the privacy rights of the individual and we practice respect for one another.

Q4: Family-friendly libraries
Agree / Disagree: The municipality should adopt a policy barring the Anchorage Public Library system from sponsoring “Drag Queen Storytime” or other programs that seek to indoctrinate young children in transgender ideology and promote gender confusion.

Disagree

Comments – Freedom of speech and parental rights supersede the governments right to fiddle in the affairs of its citizenry. With that said I do think a case could be made against circus clowns and humbly request AFA consider bringing that gravely underreported issue forth as a public service to the less fortunate among us.