The North
Dakota state senate passed a bill Thursday that would ban
discrimination against LGBT people in housing, employment, and
local government services.
"The people
affected by this legislation are our sons and daughters,
brothers and sisters," Sen. Tom Fiebiger, a bill
cosponsor, said in a Human Rights Campaign press
release. "They are the folks we work with and sit next to
in the pews on Sundays. They are our friends and family. They
are the people we love."
The bill, which passed
in the senate by a 27-19 vote, will now go on to the state
house of representatives. It was introduced January 19 by
senators Fielbiger, JoNell Bakke, and John Warner. The state
currently protects citizens against discrimination based on
race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability,
marital status, and status of public assistance. This bill
would add protections against discrimination based on sexual
orientation and gender identity.
"Particularly in
these tough economic times, no person should have to face the
added worry of experiencing discrimination simply because of
who they are," said HRC president Joe Solmonese.
"This vote in the North Dakota state senate gives meaning
to the principle that workers, housing and credit applicants,
and people seeking public services should be evaluated based on
their own abilities and merits -- not based on their gender
identity or sexual orientation." (Michelle Garcia,
Advocate.com)