News – North Dakota
LGBT protections added to ND human rights law in state senate, 365gay.com.
It’s interesting to read the language the bill’s Democrat sponsor uses when referring to the bill. “This bill will not provide North Dakota citizens special rights because of their sexual orientation.” However you have to package it to sell it, I guess, but still, the language at least subtly endorses the view that equal rights are somehow special rights when applied to sexual minorities. Great news overall, though.
In a bipartisan move the North Dakota Senate has voted to amend the state Human Rights Act to include gays, lesbians and transgenderds.
The measure now moves to the House.
The Senate voted 27 to 19 with 16 Democrats and 11 Republicans supporting the bill. Supporters say the strong bipartisan support will help the legislation in the House.
The law would protect the LGBT community from discrimination in employment, housing and credit. It does, however, have a specific exemption for religious organizations.
