Good morning, Mr. Chairman and other members of the committee.  My name is Robert Uebel, and I live in Fargo.  I am here today as co-chair of Equality North Dakota, the statewide advocacy organization for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) North Dakotans, to speak in support of Senate Bill 2306.  

Equality North Dakota is a member of the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition and has been an active supporter of the efforts to create an independent human rights commission in our state from the very beginning.  Our organization believes that the creation of an independent human rights commission will send the clear message that the state of North Dakota is serious about fighting discrimination and creating a more welcoming climate for those who are seen as “different.”   We are convinced of the necessity for such a commission, even though it would presently not be able to address the very real discrimination experienced by GLBT North Dakotans, such as loss of employment and even eviction from their homes once their sexual orientation becomes known.

We must face the unpleasant reality that North Dakota is not known as a state where people who are believed to be “out of the mainstream” are fully welcomed and valued as equal members of the North Dakota family.   I know of many talented GLBT North Dakotans who have chosen to leave the state because they do not enjoy equal rights and consequently feel they can create a better future for themselves elsewhere.   Can we continue to afford to educate GLBT North Dakotans in our schools and in our universities only to have them move to neighboring states where their rights are better protected? 

Dr. Richard Florida, in his book The Rise of the Creative Class, has spoken of technology, talent and tolerance as the three “T’s” of economic development.   He states, “… the creative capital theory says that regional growth comes from the 3 T’s of economic development, and to spur innovation and economic growth a region must offer all three of them.”   He has shown a strong correlation between the presence of a thriving GLBT community and a successful high-tech industry.   In other words, a region that welcomes and values the GLBT community is very likely to possess the qualities that will attract the kind of individuals who will spur creativity and generate high-tech growth.

“Business as usual” is not going to create the climate that will allow North Dakota to grow and prosper in the new century.   Other speakers have shown that the Division of Human Rights within the Department of Labor has not adequately addressed issues of discrimination in our state in the two years of its existence.   I ask you to support SB 2306 and help make North Dakota a state that values all of its citizens equally.