Press Statement from NDHRC and Tri-State Transgender

April 15, 2021

Media Contact: Brandi Hardy, North Dakota Human Rights Coalition
Phone: 701-425-6923
Email: info@ndhrc.org

BISMARCK, ND: The North Dakota Human Rights Coalition (NDHRC), a grassroots network of North Dakotans working toward the advancement of human rights in North Dakota through education and public policy, is deeply saddened by the passage of House Bill 1298 in the State Senate. The bill targets transgender children in North Dakota and bans them from playing on sports teams that align with their gender identity. The bill must be signed by Gov. Burgum to become law.

“We are incredibly disappointed in today’s vote and we will do everything in our power to push for a veto by Governor Burgum. There has been overwhelming opposition to HB 1298 from multiple sectors, including business, education, healthcare, and advocacy. HB 1298 was opposed by the ND Dept of Commerce, the Fargo-Moorhead Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce, ND United, ND Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and local sports leagues and all the local LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations. Over 1,000 North Dakotans contacted their legislators to oppose this discriminatory bill. It is astoundingly offensive that out-of-touch politicians with personal agendas overrode the will of the people who did not want this bill to pass.”

– Brandi Hardy, Legislative Coordinator of North Dakota Human Rights Coalition

“Discrimination is not a North Dakota value, and signing this bill into law won’t make sports safer or fairer for any student — it pointedly targets and excludes youth who already face high levels of discrimination. Governor Burgum must veto this extremely harmful bill that would codify discrimination into state law. Our state’s youth and their families deserve better and we urge North Dakotans from across the state to contact the governor to veto HB 1298.”

– Katrina Koesterman, President of Tri-State Transgender

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North Dakota Human Rights Coalition (NDHRC) is a grassroots network of North Dakotans working toward the advancement of human rights in North Dakota through education and public policy.

Tri-State Transgender works to advance the needs of the transgender community through education, support, and advocacy in North Dakota, Minnesota, and South Dakota. Tri-State Transgender affirms the right to one’s self-determination of gender identity.