East Anchorage Book Club with Andrew Gray
The East Anchorage Book Club is an interview podcast where Alaskan leaders discuss politics and community issues.
East Anchorage Book Club with Andrew Gray
Michael Burke, Episcopal priest on Anchorage's 2009 "Summer of Hate"
Michael Burke grew up in upstate New York and first moved to Anchorage in the 1980s. He has been the senior pastor of St. Mary's Episcopal Church in midtown for over 20 years. 2009 in Anchorage is colloquially known as “the summer of hate.” That year an equal rights ordinance was proposed by the Anchorage Assembly and conservatives came from near and far to testify against equal rights for the LGBTQ community. The measure passed the assembly, but was vetoed by Mayor Dan Sullivan, and there were not enough votes to override. Michael Burke confronted a hateful angry crowd to speak in support of non-discrimination protections during a series of contentious assembly meetings. We discuss that "summer of hate," today’s divisive political climate, and how he came to be a priest in the first place.