About Us

The Anchorage Equal Rights Commission (AERC) was established in the Anchorage Charter in 1975 and is the municipal law enforcement agency charged with preventing and eliminating unlawful discrimination under Title 5 of the Anchorage Municipal Code. (See Anchorage Municipal Charter and Anchorage Municipal Code, Title 5).  The AERC also enforces the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA - Title I) and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 through a work-share agreement with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

The AERC is governed by nine commissioners appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Anchorage Assembly, and the Commission meets on a regular basis. Meeting dates and times are published in the Municipal Public Notices.  The AERC also has six professionals on staff, including an Executive Director and Staff Attorney, four Investigators and an Executive Assistant. You may contact the AERC staff and obtain information about the next Commission meeting at 907-343-4342 or aerc@muni.org. ​

If you or your organization are interested in a presentation to learn more about the AERC or anti-discrimination laws, please fill out our online Outreach Questionnaire, and we will respond to your inquiry within two business days. 

Mission Statement

The AERC's mission is to enforce federal and municipal anti-discrimination laws and provide equal opportunity to all persons in Anchorage.