Bismarck - About two dozen activists rallied in the state Capitol Monday to announce the formation of a new group to promote gay rights, and push for establishment of a state human rights commission.

"We are not freaks and outcasts of this state," said David Whitcomb, an assistant professor in the University of North Dakota's counseling department.  "We are upstanding citizens who are calling for respect, dignity and equality."

Members of the group, called Equality North Dakota, wore colored starts on their shirts and covered the 39th star on the U.S. flag to protest the state's lack of a human rights commission.

Legislation to establish the commission has been defeated twice in the state House, most recently last Friday.

Rep. Merle Boucher, D-Rolette, the House minority leader, spoke briefly at the rally, saying the Legislature would work to ensure that "rights are extended to all people."

Sue Anderson, the former chairman of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force said homosexual rights should not be turned into discussions about morality.  "It's about receiving basic rights," she said.

"It's time to reshape the political landscape and to focus on our homes and our communities, and to hold elected officials accountable for a climate that is far too often not safe and doesn't allow us to be full and equal citizens under the law," Anderson said.

Members of Equality North Dakota said they would push for homosexuals' right to marry and adopt children.  They want "hate crime" laws that include tough penalties for crimes committed against someone because of their sexual orientation.

Sen. Randy Christmann, R-Hazen, said a new "hate crime" law is not needed.  "I think we've got plenty of laws that protect them," Christmann said.  "We've already got penalties for murder ... They have the same protections as you or I have."

Two years ago, Christmann sponsored a bill, which the Legislature approved, that barred same-sex marriages from being recognized in North Dakota.