North Dakota Senate Votes Against Anti-LGBTQ Discrimination Bill

The North Dakota senate vetoed a bill created to decrease discrimination against LGBTQ individuals occurs in employment and housing settings.

At the end of January, 2019, the North Dakota senate defeated legislation prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The senator, who was the primary sponsor of the bill, also known as Senate Bill 2303, has said that the measure was created to decrease the rate at which discrimination against LGBTQ individuals occurs in employment and housing settings. The politician who sponsored the bill had previously offered an amendment on the Senate floor, and for the current version had stripped down this previous legislation to remove unnecessary language.

While this decision was not the first time the North Dakota senate had voted against these measures, this decision is still significant.

What the Bill Says

One section of the bill states that it is discriminatory behavior when an employer fails or refuses to hire, discharges, or subjects to adverse treatment a worker due to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical disability, or mental disability. The law also states that it is discriminatory practice for an employer to fail or refuse to make reasonable accommodations for an otherwise qualified worker due to mental or physical disability, pregnancy, or religion.

Arguments in Support of the Bill

Supporters of the bill commented that it was created to promote civil rights and claimed that by adding sexual orientation to the list of protections that already cover national origin, race, and sex would send a message of inclusivity to the LGBT community. Other supporters of the bill argued that by addressing employment discrimination, the state would be able to successfully resolve ongoing workplace shortages. Supporters of the bill even took to hanging a banner that read ‘shame’ from the balcony located above the Senate floor.

Arguments by Parties against the Bill

Individuals who voted on the bill and did not support measurements commented that they were not convinced that the bill had the potential to avoid discrimination against LGBTQ individuals. Other individuals against the bill argued that it had more widespread consequences and would eventually be used to initiate legal action against individuals rather than to promote an atmosphere of inclusivity.

The Future of the Bill

This decision vote marks the fifth time in the last 10 years that a measure like this has been attempted in North Dakota. The House, however, is poised to consider another anti-discrimination bill that does not address gender identity. While some politicians have argued in support of revising parts of the bill because inclusivity is important, the bill’s sponsor has stated that she is not open to amendments of the bill.

The Goal of the Universal Life Church

After the legalization of same sex marriage, there have been numerous legal setbacks for LGBT individuals. There are also many areas concerning LGBTQ rights that have yet to be addressed. The Universal Life Church focuses on exploring the most significant developments in the struggle for LGBTQ rights.

(image courtesy of Clem Onojeghuo)