Equality North Dakota, an opponent of a proposed state constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage, has started an aggressive fund-raising campaign, chairman Robert Uebel said at a news conference Friday.

Under the theme “Vote No to Discrimination: the Anti-Gay Marriage Amendment,” the group will sell bumper stickers with that slogan for $1 each, and solicit donations through mailings and e-mail.

A fund-raising event will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Sept. 23 at the home of Rep. Mary Ekstrom, D-Fargo. It includes food and entertainment.

“It is a matter of morality to me that everyone have equal protection under the law,” Ekstrom said. “It may not be as mainstream in North Dakota, but we cannot isolate ourselves.”

The constitutional amendment, initiated by the North Dakota Family Alliance, would define marriage as a union only between a man and a woman.

Uebel said Equality North Dakota is targeting the youth vote because he believes the amendment would create an intolerable climate that would especially affect them.

Uebel spent much of the news conference blasting the Family Alliance for declining to participate in a public forum that the Fargo Human Relations Commission hoped to sponsor.

He said the group will not debate because members are afraid too many North Dakotans would change their mind on the issue upon hearing the opposing side.

“Make no mistake about it,” he said, “the Family Alliance wants you to hear only what they want you to hear.”

John Trombley, chairman of the Family Alliance, said Friday the Fargo Human Relations Commission is biased, and that particular forum would only create more division and discord.

“We’re open to honest, wholesome, healthy debate, but not a setup,” he said.

The Family Alliance will participate in a debate about the amendment to air on Prairie Public Television in October.

Trombley had said earlier this week the board was still considering having a representative in the debate.

He since has told Matt Olien, Prairie Public producer, that the group will take part. The debate will be taped Sept. 29.

Trombley said this would be a healthier place to discuss the issue. He also said the alliance is confident in its position.

“There’s no question in our mind that the vast majority of North Dakotans that go to the polls in November are going to say that, of course, marriage is an institution between one man and one woman,” he said. “We know they’re going to vote that way.”

Readers can reach Forum reporter Sherri Richards at (701) 241-5525