North Dakota: Bill to prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation

North Dakota. Who'd have guessed?

Bill to prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation

By NICK SMITH | Bismarck Tribune

BISMARCK, N.D. - Legislators heard three hours of testimony Wednesday on whether state law should add sexual orientation to provisions banning discrimination in the workplace, housing, government and public services.

Nearly two dozen people took turns speaking in favor of Senate Bill 2252. They included legislators, people who have gay or lesbian family members, and members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community.
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“People in our state have become more comfortable with who they are,” said the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Joshua Boschee, D-Fargo. “(But) you can still be fired or evicted for a small piece of who you are.”

Boschee, the state’s first openly gay lawmaker, said he, for example, is also a white, male, able-bodied, spiritual individual as well as a son and brother. He went on to point out that there also are exemptions for religious organizations in SB2252, something that wasn’t in a failed 2009 version of the bill.
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Reach Nick Smith at 250-8255 or 223-8482 or at nick.smith@bismarcktribune.com.