The Bismarck Human Relations Committee has announced its opposition to a proposed North Dakota constitutional amendment to ban same-gender marriages.

The decision was made in a unanimous vote after Sherri Paxon, a Mandan resident and founder of Dakota OutRight, requested the group take a stand against the amendment.

Lola Huwe, a HRC member and board member of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, asked Paxon to speak to the HRC. The committee was formed by Bismarck Mayor John Warford in 2002. Huwe said the committee's purpose is to end discrimination, and this move meets that goal.

"I would think if it deals with discrimination, regardless of the controversy, (an issue) would have to be addressed," she said.

HRC Chair Kameran Ali said the committee would consider making similar resolutions if members of the public asked.

"If it's warranted within the community, we will do whatever we can to help people out," he said.

The Fargo Human Relations Commission, Equality North Dakota, Dakota OutRight and the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition also oppose the amendment. Paxon said the public support from the HRC shows there are people "who don't believe it's right to have this marriage amendment."

The North Dakota Family Alliance is leading the signature drive to get the amendment proposal on November's ballot. Christina Kindel, director of the NDFA, said the amendment is not an effort to discriminate against homosexuals, but to protect marriage. She doesn't expect an impact to her efforts from the HRC's statement.

More than 25,000 signatures are needed to place the issue on the November ballot. Kindel said she had 19,000 Thursday, and would be at the North Dakota State Fair in Minot over the weekend and next week to collect more.

Warford didn't return phone calls for comment.

(Reach reporter Angie Buckley at 250-8255 or angiebuckley@ndonline.com.)