The reason I do the things I do

So, as the previous post stated, I've been heavily involved with the legislative process this session in North Dakota. Specifically, I've been working with Senate Bill 2278, which seeks to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of protected classes ensuring that individuals can not be fired from their job or evicted from their home based on their identification as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT). This weekend, a huge battle was won when I went to the North Dakota Student Association (NDSA) meeting in Bismarck. I've been working with them for about three weeks in efforts to get support for this legislation, but this weekend the NDSA unanimously voted to formally support the bill... this means that as we move forward in the legislative session we carry the voices of over 42,000 ND University students!

So, many of you haven't asked, but I know you're wondering.... why in the world am I so invested in this process when I'm not a member of the LGBT community.... for me it's something that is intrinsic in my nature and that I simply can't ignore. Injustice is written into North Dakota law and the fact that a significant portion of my friends and chosen family can't be certain that they will have a home tomorrow or even a job is enough to motivate me to give every last second to this cause. There are enough other challenges in life; it's time that we all treat one another with dignity, humanity, and respect....So, with that I leave you the images of the people that I do this work for... my friends, my students, my peers, my motivation!