By Associated Press - Thursday, October 27, 2016

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - City leaders in Bismarck have quietly approved a resolution condemning discrimination in housing, employment and services based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

It has no force of law, but members of the LGBT community are still pleased with the move in the wake of the Legislature’s defeat last year of a resolution seeking the same rights statewide, The Bismarck Tribune (https://bit.ly/2e1a1vb ) reported.

“The city commission doesn’t condone discrimination in any shape or form,” said Mayor Mike Seminary.

Kevin Tengesdal, who served in a discussion on the issue in Bismarck, said he sees the resolution as a promising step for the city and that he hopes North Dakota pursues a nondiscriminatory effort statewide.

“This moves the issue and conversation forward where sometime it will go statewide,” said Caitlin McDonald, program assistant at the North Dakota Women’s Network, an advocacy group. “Bismarck stands with protecting LGBT, and discrimination is not part of its values.”

Mathew Leidholm, a board member of LGBT advocacy group Dakota Outright, said the resolution is one of the most important steps Bismarck could have taken in protecting its citizens and creating a culture of acceptance.

“It’s an important step, but it does not replace enforceable legislation at the state level,” he said.

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Information from: Bismarck Tribune, https://www.bismarcktribune.com

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