Grand Forks City Council President Dana Sande blasted the North Dakota Legislature’s Friday decision to reject a bill that would have prevented discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in the state, lambasting what he called a “1950s” mentality in Bismarck.

“I’m more than disappointed.” Sande said. “I grew up in a family where you’re nice to people. You treat people the way you want to be treated. It didn’t matter if you were black or blue or a guy or a gal or a fish. Of course people should be allowed to rent a house, whether they’re gay or not. I can’t believe that it’s even still a topic.”

House Bill 1386 would have extended protection to LGBT individuals that would have shielded them from job and housing discrimination and from being refused service, but was defeated in a 22-69 in the state House of Representatives. The law also included hiring exceptions for religious employers.

It is the fourth time this kind of bill has been defeated by the Legislature within the past 10 years.

Recent changes in discrimination protections in Grand Forks include two 2013 measures that prohibit discrimination against LGBT persons in housing and under employment with the city.

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Grand Forks legislators voting for the bill included Democrat representatives Corey Mock and Lois Delmore; and Republican representatives Mark Sanford, Emily O’Brien and Jake Blum. Grand Forks legislators voting against the bill included Republican representatives Mark Owens, Steve Vetter and Rich Becker.

Becker defended his vote against the bill as a vote both in line with his own beliefs and those of his constituents, citing a reluctance to pass legislation when he said he believes resources are available for LGBT persons at the state and federal level who have been discriminated against.

“Probably any lawyer in Grand Forks would know the proper procedure to follow up in pursuing a redress when somebody feels something has happened to them,” he said “All I can say is, they should feel safe, they should feel welcome, they have a right to any lifestyle that they choose. From what I know, the laws that we have are adequate to protect them -- all of us as citizens.”

Mock, the House minority leader, said he was disappointed there wasn’t more political will among Republicans to workshop the bill into something more legislators would feel comfortable voting for. He said that Republicans who wish to work to make the bill into law will “have a warm reception in our caucus.”

Kyle Thorson, an organizer of the LGBT event Grand Forks Pride, expressed his disappointment at the bill’s failure, as well, though he said a version of the bill will likely return to Bismarck.

“I think we continue on like we have been for the last four years. We make sure there’s faces in the community….that people know there’s somewhere people can go for support, be that a city resource or a local community resource,” he said

City Council Vice President Ken Vein said he was uncomfortable commenting on a bill that he wasn’t familiar with, pointing out his high involvement with city infrastructure planning.

“I don’t know what it is beyond what we have already done (in Grand Forks), so it’s hard to respond,” Vein said.

Grand Forks Mayor Mike Brown said he agreed with Sande that it’s “unfortunate we’re still having this discussion.” He said he has not read the bill, and thus couldn’t offer unqualified support for it, but he said he was proud of Grand Forks’ passage of LGBT housing protections in 2013.

"I do support the concept that discrimination based on any item is wrong,” Brown said. “We're equal under the law.”

This story has been updated