SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2013
SENATE BILL 2252: Relating to discrimination on the basis of sexual
orientation
Committee
members and fellow citizens of North Dakota, Greetings. My name is Kevin R.
Tengesdal, a native of North Dakota now living in Bismarck.
I have been working
in good standing with a company for the past nine years as a graphic designer.
I am a veteran of the United States Navy. I am also a graduate from an
evangelical Bible College with Bachelor degrees in Biblical Studies and in
Biblical Languages. My thriving faith is based upon following the precepts of
Jesus. And, yes, I am gay.
I stand here to
entreat your complete support of SB2252 so as to ensure that discrimination
against LGBT persons and their families will not occur within our communities.
Personally I have experienced having one’s life dreams cut short because of my
sexual orientation. In 1988, after 15 months of service, the Navy delivered me
a DD214 discharge – an honorable discharge via administrative separation due to
personality disorder for the convenience of the government with no chance of
re-enlistment – because I am gay. I was crushed as I had anticipated a life of
serving our great country. A DD214 follows you, and if a potential employer
wants full disclosure of your background, this can alert them of ones sexual
orientation. In the summer of 1996 before my senior year at Bible College,
Wycliffe Bible Translators terminated my application for service with them due
to the DD214 background check. Devastated, I started my final year of college
with no clue for a future career path.
With these two
jarring life lessons, I learned the necessity for purposing to keep my identity
best hidden with new employments. Thankfully, my work experiences have not been
traumatic, as none have proven discriminatory. Unfortunately, I am unable to
claim this acceptance as the definitive norm for all LGBT citizens within our
communities, whether it be in the labor force or in housing situations.
In 2009 similar
legislation was proposed and some arguments against SB2278 were amazing. “Do we
want this in North Dakota?” “A chosen lifestyle has nothing to do with civil
rights and everything to do with conduct.” “We are not telling them how to live
their lives, just not in the places we hold most sacred.” As a Christian, I
ask, how can we decide that a person should be a second-class citizen
undeserving of the same respect and dignity that which Christ Himself gives
freely? Citizens of North Dakota, should religious sovereignty or dogma rule
human fairness and dignity?
We are a state
that prides itself on a strong work ethic and supporting our families, youth
and community. We must pass this legislation unconditionally now.
Representatives and fellow citizens of North Dakota let me close by simply
stating that we, your LGBT family and friends, are seeking fair treatment and
not fear treatment. Thank you for your time.
Kevin R.
Tengesdal, District 35
2025
North 16th Street, Apt 4; Bismarck, ND 58501
krten1966@bis.midco.net;
701/527-0737
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