North Dakota Delegation’s History with LBGTQ+ Liberties (Hint: It’s not Good)

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North Dakota Delegation’s History with LBGTQ+ Liberties
(Hint: It’s not Good)

(BISMARCK, ND) – During Pride month, corporations have been reaching out to their LBGTQ+ consumers and showing their support. Many presidential candidates and other Democratic politicians have marched in Pride parades to stand in solidarity with the community. However, you won’t see any member of the North Dakota delegation in these parades or even voting to support members of the LBGTQ+ community.

Senator Cramer actively sought the support of an extremist anti-LBGTQ group known as the “Public Advocate of the United States”, that wrongly links homosexuality to pedophilia and defends harmful conversion therapy. He checked yes on all questions including, “Will you oppose all efforts to make public restrooms and changing-rooms unsafe through so-called ‘Transgender bathrooms’ legislation and regulations – which have the effect of encouraging and protecting pedophiles?”; as well as, “Will you oppose the Gay Bill of Special Rights, misnamed the “Equality Act?”

Senator John Hoeven is no stranger to condoning discrimination, himself, voting no on the employment non-discrimination act of 2013 and yes to a rejected amendment that would exempt religious-affiliated employers from the prohibitions on employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

This year alone, Congressman Kelly Armstrong voted no the Equality Act and a resolution expressing opposition to banning service in the Armed Forces by openly transgender individuals. In 2013 and 2015, he voted no on bills that would prohibit the government, a business, or an institution from discriminating against an individual based on sexual orientation. In 2017, Armstrong voted against an amendment to change marriage terminology from “husband and wife” to the gender-neutral language “two individuals.”

“The goal of any elected official should be to support legislation that makes all members of their communities feel safe and welcome,” said Alison Jones, Communications Director for the North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party. “The entire North Dakota delegation has made it clear to our LBGTQ+ brothers and sisters that they are not free to be themselves or love who they love. In 2019, that is simply unacceptable.”

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