Former Anchorage Mayors Support LGBT Equality

Five former mayors of Anchorage, Alaska, announced their support of legislation that would provide legal protections for LGBT individuals.

The bipartisan group of former mayors, Rick Mystrom, Jack Roderick, Matt Claman, Tony Knowles, and Mark Begich have put their support toward the ballot measure, according to The News Tribune of Anchorage. This measure would give city residents legal protection to against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

"In order to have a great community, everyone should be treated the same," Roderick, mayor of Anchorage from 1972 to 1975, told the Tribune. "That's the essence of democracy and I think, still, the essence of Anchorage."

The measure will be on the ballot for a citizen vote April 3.