Following is a letter written by Mitch Marr, Executive Director, North Dakota Human Rights Coalition just after the ND House voted down SB2278. Mitch, along with many others, did an excellent job in leading the fight to get this Human Rights Bill passed. His words are fine words of encouragement; wise ones to be contemplated on this eve of tomorrow’s Protest for Equal Rights at the ND Capitol For GLBT Rights. At the end of this article you will find a link to view the House debate on SB2278.
Submitted by Dan Scott, Dakota OutRight Board Member, aka. Gimme’ Pillsen-Licher
Mitch Marr’s Letter:
To members of I Support Equal Rights in North Dakota (ed. a Facebook.com Group)
Just minutes ago, the North Dakota House voted down SB 2278, a bill that would have added sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of protected classes in North Dakota.
Though this single bill has failed, our efforts have not. No state has passed such legislation the first time around — and we, together, exceeded everyone’s expectations.
When equal rights legislation does pass in North Dakota — and it will — we will look back on this as a turning point in the struggle for equality. This was a time when thousands and thousands of North Dakotans stood up and spoke out against discrimination. This was a time when people young and old across the state realized that they are not alone.
Those Representatives that voted against this bill let fear, ignorance and intolerance rule the day. We need to express our disappointment in that.
We also need to thank and lift up those Representatives who voted in favor of the bill, and especially those who spoke so eloquently and bravely in support of its passage.
Everyone in this group made a difference, in votes and in the lives of those that this bill would have affected. We will continue to make a difference. And a greater difference each time we stand in solidarity in support of that which we know to be just and right.
I still support equal rights in North Dakota. I hope you will too. Soon, very soon, we will come together to continue this shared struggle for equality.
In service,
MITCH MARR
Executive Director
North Dakota Human Rights Coalition
www.ndhrc.org
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