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Magic City Equality celebrates Supreme Court decision ending employment discrimination

James Falcon, an executive board member of Magic City Equality, said Thursday a gay teacher was fired several years ago when the school district that employed him learned that he had a boyfriend.

A Supreme Court decision means that North Dakota employers will no longer be able to fire people solely because they are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. North Dakota, like a number of other states, did not have protections in place to protect against employment discrimination.

Falcon called the Supreme Court decision “monumental” and “a step in the right direction” but he and fellow Magic City Equality executive board member Jorden Laducer said they believe much still needs to be done to advance their cause for equal rights in the state.

Laducer said the group will continue to advocate for a bill in the state Legislature that would end housing discrimination against LGBT people in the state. A bill that would have introduced such protections against discrimination was introduced and failed to pass during the past two sessions.

North Dakota also allows private adoption agencies to turn away LGBT couples on the basis of religious belief, they said.

They said people are often surprised that protections against employment and housing discrimination have not already been in place in North Dakota.

At the same time, they also have heard and seen anti-LGBT attitudes expressed.

Laducer and Falcon said the 501c3 group will continue to work with and present to groups that have a complementary message. For instance, they will be presenting to a group sometime this week to offer advice on how domestic violence shelters can be more inclusive to the needs of LGBT people. Laducer, who is Native American, said he also offers advice on how people can be “culturally competent” and meet the needs of people from Native American and other minority groups. Members of Magic City Equality are available to present to businesses, schools, colleges and other organizations on these topics, said Laducer,

Some members of the group are also supportive of the goals of the Black Lives Matter movement, said Laducer and Falcon. Most group members plan to attend a Juneteenth rally in Minot outside City Hall and in Oak Park on Friday. The event will begin at noon outside City Hall. The second annual event celebrates the end of slavery on June 19, 1865, and achievements by African Americans.

Laducer and Falcon said the group is also planning its Pride events for Labor Day weekend, which falls on Sept. 3-6. The event had to be called off in June due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

More information about Magic City Equality and about upcoming events can be found at the group’s

Facebook page and on its website at www.magiccity

equality.com

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