The bill, which the Senate passed last month, represents the first in a wave of legislation opposed by LGBTQ advocates to reach Gov. Doug Burgum’s desk.
“Historically the church hasn’t been kind to transgender people. A lot of churches still aren’t kind to transgender people," pastor Micah Louwagie said. "But St. Mark's has given me a lot of hope.”
Kenmare Public School determined a student sexually harassed a classmate, a federal lawsuit said. The student wasn’t being anti-gay but was pointing out a school policy violation, his attorney said.
"I think this juxtaposition illustrates something important — namely, the utter futility of legislative attempts to force the LGBTQ community back into the closet."
"We would hope that Representative Dyk would reconsider the damage that his false statements have done," the Williston Basin School District No. 7 said in a released statement.
Supporters say the bills ensure fairness in female sports; opponents say the legislation is harmful toward transgender people and would repel major sports tournaments from the state.
"Republicans, increasingly, are aiming their legislative efforts at people who just want to live in a manner consistent with their conscience and who they are as individuals."
The legislation from Sen. David Clemens would have required those affiliated with schools and other public entities to refer to people using pronouns that align with their “determined sex at birth."
Supporters of the proposals say they protect children from left-wing ideology. LGBTQ advocates say the wave of anti-transgender legislation is bigoted and harmful.
"Policy debates should be focused on which laws serve North Dakotans best and not on what one side of our cultural divide can do to irritate the other side."
