Gay activists target legislator’s home

BISMARCK – A group of about 45 people stood outside a Bismarck lawmaker’s house Thursday night in protest of a Senate vote that killed a bill to outlaw discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals.

Protest organizer Kevin Tengesdal, of Bismarck, a constituent of Republican Sen. Margaret Sitte, who voted against the bill, called the protest a vigil, to “be awake to the plight of discrimination and to hold a silent memorial at the death of the Senate bill.”

Senate Bill 2252 failed Thursday by a 21-26 vote. It would have added “sexual orientation” to state anti-discrimination law to allow LGBT individuals to seek recourse against a landlord or employer who evicts or fires someone based on their sexual orientation.