Support Equality in Housing and Employment for all North Dakotans!

North Dakota’s non-discrimination bill (SB 2278) has passed the state Senate, and want to thank those of you who contacted your senators about this bill. Now, it's on to the state House of Representatives, where the bill has been assigned to the Human Services Committee.

If passed, SB 2278 will prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Right now, people in North Dakota can be denied housing or refused access to public facilities simply because they are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. Nothing in state law prevents an employer from firing an employee because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

It's time to speak out in favor of equality. Personalize a letter today to your state representative telling him or her to support SB 2278! No one should have to worry about losing their job or being denied a place to live simply because of who they are.

Use HRC's E-action form to contact your ND representatives

No Queers Allowed to Rent at Rybolt Reserve

"The tidy palm lined streets and affordable homes of the Rybolt Reserve subdivision in suburban Orlando have become popular with middle class homebuyers and speculators but if you are a gay or unmarried opposite-sex couple the Homeowners Association has a message - don't bother to try to rent here according to some property owners.

Several owners say they have been told by the Association they cannot rent their properties in the East Orange County subdivision to couples who are not legally married or to same-sex pairs.
"The Homeowner's Association is totally out of control," Suzane Musashe, who leases homes in the subdivision for investors, told WFTV.

"I feel like I am back in the 60's because there is such discrimination going on," Musashe told the station. The prohibitions are listed in a set of rules passed by the HOA, which describes Rybolt Reserve as a family oriented community. Musahse said the strict rules are so limiting they will send some homeowners into foreclosure. "You can only rent to a married couple, that's it. That eliminates more than half your market," she told WFTV.

The HOA restrictions are legal. Orlando has an ordinance protecting same-sex couples who purchase homes, but not renters. County Commissioner Bill Segal told the station that he may introduce an ordinance to protect gay and lesbian couples who rent." (365gay)

Contact the Rybolt Reserves and Tell Them to Engage in Fair Housing Practice!

OH Congressman Jeff Wagner Spews Out Hate

According to Pam's Houseblend:

"Jeff Wagner, a Republican who represents the 81st district in Ohio. Said he believes that "same-sex committed relationships lead to mental and physical illness". When a constituent asked about H.B. 502, the "Equal Housing and Employment Act", that would cover LGBTs, this is what Wagner said via email (spelling and grammar intact):

"This is a dangerous and misguided bill. The bill is not really about people being denied rights to basic needs, but it is about promoting acceptance of an immoral lifestyle. As much as some people would have us to believe otherwise, this country was founded on Christian principles. One of those long honored principles is the tradition of holy matrimony. One man and one woman joined together in a union that goes as far back as Adam and Eve. As our society has gotten further from that standard (not just homosexuality, but easy divorce, cheating on a spouse, etc.) we see a continued collapse of the basic building block of society the family unit. As that traditional family erodes, we see more sexually transmitted diseases, kids without parents, heartbroken people and I believe a host of mental and physical illnesses. . . . rest assured I can not support a bill in any way promotes or encourages the homosexual lifestyle."

Address:
77 S. High St
12th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215-6111
Telephone: (614) 466-1374
Fax : (614) 719-6981

Email Address: district81@ohr.state.oh.us