Earlier this year during the legislative session we had a debate in North Dakota over legislation – Senate Bill 2279 – which would have added homosexuals to the state’s list of protected classes. Supporters of the legislation told us that it was necessary because discrimination against gays is common in the state. They told us…
The Real Missed Opportunity: ND Lawmakers Should Have Repealed Gay Marriage Ban
Earlier this year when lawmakers declined to pass SB2279, an anti-discrimination bill, Governor Jack Dalrymple said they’d “missed an opportunity.” He was wrong. That legislation was bad policy. But lawmakers did miss an opportunity on gay rights this session. It seems that this summer America will more than likely see a blanket legalization of gay…
John Andrist: Culling The Bogeyman From Gay Rights
“Watch out or the bogeyman will get you!” It’s a term parents in past generations commonly used to scare their children into good behavior. More recently it’s an expression a number of us in the legislative arena have used as a synonym for “unintended consequences”. Almost every legislative bill has a worthy intent. One of…
Fargo Coffee Shop Bans Lawmakers Who Voted No On SB2279
The silliness over this issue continues with the Red Raven Espresso Parlor in Fargo banning state lawmakers who voted no on SB2279. Personally, I think their decision is just fine. I wouldn’t want the folks who own this coffee shop, as intolerant as they are, to be forced to violate their conscience in any way.…
Matt Evans: SB2279 Will Pass Eventually
SB2279 failed this time, but it’s going to pass eventually. Here’s why. SB2279 is really about a fight that most people conceded decades ago. It’s about a fight few will name and fewer want to have. So, most opponents of SB2279 are trying to fight this specific bill, while fundamentally agreeing with the underlying ideology…
Fargo Forum Uses Front Page To Shame Lawmakers Voting No On Discrimination Bill
The image below will be the front page of tomorrow’s Fargo Forum. At this point, I think it’s fair to say that anyone claiming that newspaper is an objective chronicler of current events should be laughed at and mocked. There’s nothing wrong with the Forum having a left wing cant to their reporting, but they…
Video: North Dakota House Votes Down Anti-Sexual Orientation Discrimination Bill
The North Dakota House took up SB2279 this afternoon and defeated it soundly after about an hour and a half of debate. This has been a thoroughly discussed issue, and there wasn’t much of interest revealed during the floor debate. Democrats attempted a procedural maneuver to divide the bill and at least get parts of…
On Television: Removing Our Right To Say No
I was on television with Chris Berg last night on Valley News Live’s 6:30 Point of View program and, not surprisingly given the debate going on both here in North Dakota over SB2279 and nationally over the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in Indiana, we talked about discrimination and gay rights. At this point I’m sure…
Rep. Rick Becker: Why I Will Be Voting Yes On SB2279 (It Has Nothing To Do With Homosexuality)
I don’t like current law, nor do I agree with it philosophically. Currently I do not have the right to choose to whom I will offer my services (my labor) or my property. The law states that I may not refuse on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, the presence of…
From The Left: An Easter Message About Tolerance
Sometimes, being a Christian is hard. This week, Christians all around the world will gather together to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. This event is perhaps the holiest of all holidays for my fellow Christians. During this time of year, I have a personal tradition of re-dedicating myself to my favorite…