By John Strand
Editor

HPR's cover story this week is timely. The North Dakota Family Alliance recently announced a petition drive to support a vote to change the state's constitution to ban marriage equality for same-sex couples. If the necessary number of signatures is secured, the issue will be on the November General Election Ballot.

We could not be more opposed to this narrow-minded bigotry in our home state. Neither are we surprised.

Regardless, the time has come for decent folks to speak up and to take a stand that may not be popular.

Right ought to be right. This will be one of those litmus tests of such tenets in our state. It will also be a test of the muster of our civic, political, religious and community leaders, not to mention our own fortitude.

We only hope the vast majority of North Dakotans have the constitution to decline to sign on to such efforts which are destructive, mean-spirited, and downright backward in a supposedly modern, civil society.

The reality for gays and lesbians is they already face enough discrimination and prejudice. Why it is that supposedly religious people insist on bashing so condescendingly is incongruous with their purported tenets of unconditional love? So, what else is new?

All of us will have ample opportunities to thwart this petition drive effort in its tracks, if we rise to the occasion.

Simply put, decline to sign. And better yet, tell everyone you know to decline to sign. Write letters. Communicate. Speak forth. Advocate. And pray.

Pray not just for the hope that we as a state will not go down this awful path making us look, act and feel like a bunch of backcountry hicks. Pray for the folks who have hearts overflowing with such blatant poison and ignorance, because, in their own language and faith, the gates to heaven will not open to people with tainted hearts.
Pray for all of us.

For those not in the know, North Dakota already has ample law on the books that would limit the rights of gays and lesbians to marry. The law was enacted by the 1997 Legislature.

To build discrimination into the state's constitution is abhorrent,  reprehensible and unconscionable. But that is what the petitioners want. They desire the limitation of basic rights of a specifically targeted group of people, and they want those limitations put into the most sacred document in government - our state constitution.

Historically, amendments to the constitution are for expansion of rights, not for targeted limitations.

We simply cannot afford to let this happen without a fight, without reason, without a sense of fairness, equality and decency. But it will happen if ordinary folks do not take a stand, leaders included.

Back in 1997, there was a significant letter written to Rosemarie Myrdal, then President of the North Dakota Senate, by then Gov. Edward T. Schafer. Dated March 25, 1997, this message is more pertinent today than ever before. Please read it, study it, and pass it on. We quote Gov. Schafer's letter to Myrdal; the same letter that was read out loud to the assembly at that time:

"Dear President Myrdal,

"Enclosed is SB 2230, which I have signed. This bill is designed to protect North Dakota law, and allow the North Dakota Legislature to define contracts of marriage, rather than a court or legislature from a different state. However, I want to stress that this bill does not endorse a policy of discrimination against any citizen of our state. North Dakota has a proud tradition of hope, and opportunity. I would urge our people and the leaders of this state to preserve that tradition and seek opportunity, dignity and respect for all of our citizens, so that the mothers and fathers of our citizens know that they and their children are welcome within the borders of this great state. We should not view SB 2230 as an endorsement of discrimination, but rather a challenge to our people that we treat our neighbors, friends and family with understanding and respect. Let North Dakota policy be set, not by fear, but by hope for a better future for all our people."

- (s) Edward T. Schafer
Governor