Grand Forks, ND council wades into debate over gay rights

Grand Forks City Council members Tuesday heard emotional arguments over the idea of a local ordinance banning antigay discrimination, and provided some raised voices of their own. “For God’s sake, I can’t believe we’re having this debate. It’s 2013.” said Council member Dana Sande after a citizen comments led into a discussion over whether the council should pursue an ordinance making it illegal to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation in housing and employment. Sande’s comment came after a discussion started when a group of residents thanked the council for a recent resolution supporting a state anti-discrimination bill, and asked the council to adopt a city ordinance after the bill failed in the North Dakota Senate last week.