Advancing LGBT Rights in Red State America

by Michael Jones · 2009-01-16 13:43:00 UTC
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Red State AmericaAha!  To paraphrase #44 again, "We coach little league in the blue states, and yes, we've got some gay friends in the red states."  And this week there's news out in one red state (and one purple part of a blue state) with some good news for LGBT rights advocates.

Monday, a bill will be introduced in North Dakota that would expand the state's "Human Rights and Fair Housing Law" to include sexual orientation among its protections.  If it passes, North Dakota will add itself to the twenty states that currently prohibit discrimination in the workplace and in public housing on the basis of sexual orientation.

"These are our sons and daughters, or brothers and sisters," said State Senator Tom Fiebiger, one of the lead sponsors of the bill. "The thought is, in North Dakota we treat people the same, and we shouldn't treat people differently because of who they love."

Zip back east, to southwestern Pennsylvania (which, incidentally, is where this blogger was born), where citizens in Allegheny County are urging county lawmakers to create a Human Relations Commission and to add sexual orientation and gender identity to a county-wide anti-discrimination policy.  A town hall meeting was held last night in McKeesport (I've eaten at your Eat'n'Park!), and for three-and-a-half hours, legislators heard from the public on both sides of the issue - with the majority of citizens calling for equal rights.

"It is our chance to show the world that we accept and respect one another," said resident Kevin Acklin, a former candidate for Allegheny County Council and (gasp!) a Republican.  "It is the right thing to do - ensure and protect the rights of every individual."

I love it when there's bipartisan support for equal rights.

Michael Jones is a Change.org Editor. He has worked in the field of human rights communications for a decade, most recently for Harvard Law School.
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