Catherine Benton

Grand Forks

I watched and listened closely to the Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing for SCR 3013. As the hearing wrapped up, Senator Luick claimed not to know a single legislator with the intent to harm others. Yet, how can they ignore the pain caused by singling out an entire community? How can they justify sending a resolution to the highest court in the United States, declaring that same-sex marriages are such an abomination that the Supreme Court “got it wrong”? This resolution sends a clear message: the LGBTQIA+ community does not deserve the right to marriage.

Why are people upset? Why are emotions running high? Because this resolution, simply by existing, tells every North Dakotan that their place in our community is conditional — not on their contributions as employees, their talents, or their character, but on who they love. It undermines the very fabric of what it means to be a respected member of our society.

What I would have loved to see is every legislator standing up and speaking out against this bill back in January, publicly condemning it for the shameful and hurtful message it sends to so many across North Dakota. Instead, the silence from our elected officials is deafening. That silence became even louder when this resolution was moved forward without recommendation. It signals either tacit support or a lack of empathy so profound that they cannot grasp the implications of this resolution.

As Myrdal said, we’re “sick of it.” LGBTQIA+ individuals and their allies are sick of the hate directed at our friends, family, neighbors, colleagues, and children. We are sick of being told that our love, our lives, and our rights are up for debate. This resolution is not just a piece of paper — it is a direct attack on the dignity and humanity of countless North Dakotans. And we will not stand for it.