This past Friday, January 20, lawmakers rejected a North Dakota bill that would have fined any state funded entity or residing individual $1,500 each time they referred to themselves or others by pronouns that differed from those they were assigned at birth.
Republican Senator David Clemens proposed bill 2199 early last week. This bill is the first of many anti-LGBTQ bills that will be considered by North Dakota this session.
“The main purpose of the bill was to eliminate state funding for entities including education that would promote, allow, or support the idea of transgenderism,” says Clements.
The Senate struck down the bill in a 39-8 final tally. Several members of the Senate Judiciary Committee agreed with the bill’s purpose. However, many committee members chose not to vote in favor of the bill on account of it being poorly written and likely difficult to enforce.
Ninty-six pieces of testimony were submitted in opposition to the bill and one in favor. Among those testifying at the hearing was Christina Sambor of the North Dakota Human Right Coalition.
“It’s vague, fails to advance any legitimate state interests,” says Sambor.” And not only would cause impermissible, gender-based discrimination, its very purpose is gender-based discrimination”
In addition, many opponents of the North Dakota bill point to the issues this would create for human service centers. Those facilities whos’ ability to remain accredited and qualify for funding expressly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
This law comes closely after the recent investigation into a rise in anti-LGBTQ legislation and hate crimes. It is also the first of several anti-trans bills that North Dakota lawmakers will consider this session. These bills will consider topics such as criminalizing doctors for providing gender-affirming care, penalizing drag-show performers, and further preventing transgender and non-binary people from using their preferred pronouns.
