Fargo Forum Accused of Discrimination

Fargo Forum Refuses to Print Same Sex Marriage Announcement

MARRIAGE ANNOUNCEMENT FOR ALLISON JOHNSON & KELSEY SMITH

It is with happy hearts that we are able to officially announce our marriage to one another.

Allison Johnson & Kelsey Smith will be getting married in New York City on August 1, 2012.  A reception for our loving family and friends will be held on August 4, 2012 in Fargo, ND.

Allison Johnson, daughter of Vicki Maurer, Jeff Maurer and Russell Johnson, is from Austin, TX and currently represents Staples Advantage as the Business Sales Consultant for North Dakota.  Kelsey Smith, daughter of Bryon & Joni Smith, is a Fargo, ND native and contracts for AllOver Media, located in Maple Grove, MN.

Together, we are so thrilled to be able to have a formal announcement published and look forward to a lifetime of happiness, hopefully reading similar wedding announcements for same-sex couples in our hometown and across the nation.


From Facebook–7-23-2012

PPP Staff Opinion

The screenshot of the email from the Forum’s Celebration Editor, Dianna Baumann has been going viral in the local Facebook community. There have been posts from community members who are alarmed, angry, shocked and many people have stated that they are ready to cancel subscriptions and possibly organize a boycott of the Fargo Forum.

 

Most Facebook posters have been commenting in a passive way, just showing their disappointment and disgust. Some just say it is the way it is, that the Forum owns the news and can do what ever they want. However, some are taking action. Change.org has began circulating a petition that is being sent directly to the Fargo Forum (Sign the petition here). Any many people are calling the Fargo Forum and lodging complaints and publicly accusing the Fargo Forum of Discrimination.

 

The public embarrassment of being charged with Discrimination would do a lot to resolve this issue, however It is a difficult legal argument to accuse the Fargo Forum of Discrimination because in North Dakota, same sex marriage is not a protected right.
North Dakota Amended their Constitution to define marriage several years ago. The section reads:

Art. XI – Section Section 28. Marriage consists only of the legal union between a man and a woman. No other domestic union, however denominated, may be recognized as a marriage or given the same or substantially equivalent legal effect.

 

In the North Dakota Century Code there is another section defining marriage:

Section 14-03-01. What constitutes marriage – Spouse defined. Marriage is a personal relation arising out of a civil contract between one man and one woman to which the consent of the parties is essential. The marriage relation may be entered into, maintained, annulled, or dissolved only as provided by law. A spouse refers only to a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or a wife.
Section 14-03-08. Foreign marriages recognized – Exception. Except when residents of this state contract a marriage in another state which is prohibited under the laws of this state, all marriages contracted outside this state, which are valid according to the laws of the state or country where contracted, are valid in this state. This section applies only to a marriage contracted in another state or country which is between one man and one woman as husband and wife.

No marriage license or recognition, no other relationship or its recognition from other jurisdictions for same-sex couples.

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It is important for the community to stand up for what they believe in and hold the Fargo Forum to a community standard that if fair, equitable, and to uphold the rights of same sex couples to announce their union and marriage. After-all, there are 8 States that allow same sex partners to be married and there will be more states ratifying this equal right in the years to come.

 

It is time to let the Fargo Forum know you disagree with their policy to Discriminate against same sex couples. Write a letter, give them a call, post a blog and make them take note that you do not agree with their policy.
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Contact info: NFORUM, 101 5th Street North Fargo ND, 58102-4826
Phone:
(701) 235-7311 –Fax: (701) 241-5406 (FAX) –Email: inforum@fccinteractive.com
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When Push comes to Shove: The Forum reviews it’s anti-gay policies.

After denying a same-sex couple a wedding announcement just one week before their wedding, the PPP published the story online and hosted a place for the announcement and the story. In less than an hour, the Forum has made a public statement they are reviewing their policies and will announce their decision to the public. Congratulations to Allison Johnson & Kelsey Smith for sharing their announcement and disregarding barriers!

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July 23, 2012 Newscast at 10:00 PM—KVLY Story here

Other Newscasts and Media Coverage on July 24, 2012

 

Other Media

 

 

 

 ~CNN.com–North Dakota paper reviews ban on same-sex wedding announcements

 

-HRC.org

 

–Duluth News Tribune

 

–High Plains Reader Announcement
–High Plains Reader Editorial

 –Huffington Post Gay Voices

–Protesters outside of the Forum—WDAY 7-25-12

–WDAY News Storty 7-25-12

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 Published July 28, 2012–Forum

 

 

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Here is a letter to the Forum which may never get printed in that paper. The post on Facebook asked that the letter get distributed so people know more about this story. As the poster asked: Feel Free to Share!
–PPP Staff

 

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Posted on Facebook 7-23-12
Please take time to read this beautiful letter from Allison Johnson regarding the discriminatory response from the IN FORUM to her and her partner, Kelsey Smith’s marriage announcement request ? Feel free to share.

For those interested, I did write a letter to the Fargo/Moorhead Bureau as well as the Opinions Editor at the Fargo Forum and the Mayor of Fargo. Here it is!

It is a sad day when two people so in love, about to commit their lives to one another, cannot even engage in the smallest of privileges to honor this union. My name is Allison Johnson and in one week I will be marrying the love of my life, Kelsey Smith. It is with great thought, honor and privilege that I am the one who gets to be the forever partner of such a wonderful person.

We choose to make our home in Fargo, ND because it is a place that we consider welcoming, kind-hearted, genuine and peaceful. It is also a place where we would love to raise our family for the values that we know are sure to be instilled in our children and future generations to come.

As with many marriages, it is an exciting time just one week before vows are to be shared with one another. It is a time when the final details are examined, scrutinized and finalized. It is a time when we are able to confirm all arrivals of loving family and friends that are able to share this memorable day with us. It is also a time when the couple is able to announce officially to the city that they call ‘home’ of their upcoming nuptials with a Marriage Announcement in the local newspaper.

We set aside time to complete the form for a Marriage Announcement to be run in the Fargo Forum, where we excitedly saw a full page of loving couples announcing their special days. We were touched by what we saw and knew that it was something that we wanted to do, if not just for us, for the loving community that we reside in that supports our love and commitment to one another. We sat down together and happily filled out the submission form and submitted payment for $25 so that our ad would be just one of the several to fill this page on Sunday.

And then, this afternoon, I received an email from the Celebrations Editor of the Fargo Forum, Dianna Baumann, letting me know that the Fargo Forum does not print announcements for Same Sex Couples and they will be refunding our $25 payment.

I ask each of you reading this to explain to me WHY, in a city that we call home, where we are days away from becoming homeowners in Fargo, where we support every person that does good for their community, are we excluded from being able to announce our wedding celebration? What makes two women or two men any different from other tax paying married citizens of Fargo, ND?

Why should we accept this? It is an honor to have a Wedding Announcement in the newspaper and we are no different from any other couple that has been published in this section in the past. While we may not make our announcement known in The Forum, I assure you that we will make our voices known in our community, and in every community. The denial of our Announcement being rejected by the editor of the Celebrations section is outright discrimination as she wrote that it is simply because we are a same-sex couple. (Please reference forwarded email below.)

Awareness to the masses will not come from this email that I write to you, I know this. But it can come from what you do with this information. Help me to ensure that EVERY person who calls Fargo ‘home’ feels nothing but acceptance and encouragement from their community. I feel so many emotions about this, none of which should be felt by a bride one week before her wedding day.

Rest assured, I am still marrying Kelsey Smith on August 1st. It is already a great ordeal that we must travel out of state to make our vows to one another official but we are doing it happily. We fight harder every day for the right to love one another openly, without fear of discrimination, and we will continue that battle until our goal has been reached. We are in love. We are committed to one another for the rest of our lives. Together, we want to do good for our community and for the world we live in. Is that really any different from any other couple that you know? I will marry my bride with or without an announcement in the Fargo Forum. While it was only an exciting detail to our marriage, it has now become an issue for the City of Fargo and the state of North Dakota.

Thank you for reading this email. I have a wedding to plan so I shall finish writing to you by asking for your help. Please do not allow discrimination in any form to continue in the city that we all call home.

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  1. http://www.inforum.com/event/group/group/Opinion/

    ~Today’s Forum letters to the Editor~ (7-26-12)

    In an attempt to show a balance for and against publishing same sex wedding announcements. Note that most of the support of the Forum’s current policy are from Bible belt states.

    Meanwhile, the Forum continues to mull over the policy which many in the community are calling discrimination. Some People are thrilled that the forum is “reviewing its Policy” But is is questionable that they are actually willing to change it. Nationial exposure should accelerate the process; however they are stalling and hope people forget quickly.

    • Lisa Dill Hanson on July 24, 2012 at 7:01 am
    • Reply

    I know the editor AND owner personally…phone calls will be made today!

    • Michelle Dahlberg on July 23, 2012 at 11:21 pm
    • Reply

    I’m pretty sure The Forum advertises in their personals section ‘men seeking men’ and ‘women seeking women’ ??? I believe announcing a wedding is a desirable outcome to most after dating.

    • Renae Nelson on July 23, 2012 at 10:03 pm
    • Reply

    Please sign our petition! Together, WE CAN!

    http://www.change.org/petitions/the-forum-publish-same-sex-engagement-and-wedding-announcements

    1. Signatures as of 11:25 PM July 23, 2012 and going strong!
      865 out of 1,000
      Petitioning
      The Forum
      Created By
      Renae Nelson

      Marriage is about celebrating the love and commitment between two people. Part of celebrating that love is announcing it to friends, family, neighbors, and the world. Why try to squash a relationship when half the heterosexual marriages end in divorce? Why are we so intent on being able to allow free speech to those who hate and promote war, yet not allow that same free speech for people who want to celebrate and be happy? Gay couples don’t insist on straight couples celebrating their relationships “behind the scenes,” where they can’t see us. Why are we not allowing them the same courtesy?
      Why People Are Signing

      Matt Charpentier
      about 4 hours ago
      7 people like this reason

      I live and work in North Dakota. I’m a fairly successful twenty-something that owns my own business and real estate in downtown Fargo, and things like this make me wonder why I stay.

      People who continually use their fear of God to take away rights to other’s happiness are bigots, hypocrites and among some of the lowest forms of human life. They do not make the world a better place, but in fact retard the advancement of humankind in everything from science to art.

      Yes, The Forum has the right to publish whatever they wish, but at the expense of their customers and advertisers. I will no longer advertise with The Forum, nor will I accept any client work in regard to advertising in The Forum.

      North Dakota, ask yourself again why your younger generations are leaving.
      Anne Pettingill
      about 3 hours ago
      4 people like this reason

      I am signing this to support my sister and basic human rights.
      Elizabeth Barnum
      about 2 hours ago
      3 people like this reason

      It’s time to drop this untenable prejudice. You publish the newspaper of record in Fargo. You have an obligation to the community to publish wedding announcements for all couples who are getting married. Your personal religious views are just that–your personal views. They should not enter into decisions on what to print.
      Carly Kaspari
      about 4 hours ago
      3 people like this reason

      While North Dakota does not yet recognize the right to marry for same-sex couples, one of the largest print publication in the state should celebrate love between all members of our community
      Angie folch
      about 3 hours ago
      2 people like this reason

      This is blatant discrimination and the LGBT community of Fargo are not second class citizens. Even if the marriage equality has not passed yet in our country, or in their state, that is no excuse to have a company policy that promotes prejudice.
      Krisann Herseth
      about 1 hour ago
      2 people like this reason

      It’s not about “gay rights.” It’s about human rights.
      Dana Williams
      about 3 hours ago
      2 people like this reason

      People already think North Dakota is 10-20 years behind the times, and this just confirmed it.
      Terry Gaskill-Barsness
      about 4 hours ago
      1 person likes this reason

      Let us evolve beyond hate, beyond fear, and celebrate love where ever we can find it.
      Taeler Owens
      about 4 hours ago
      1 person likes this reason

      I was raised in ND and I joined the military to fight for the rights of my State, Country, Family, and Friends. I am also a lesbian. So, I do not agree with The Forum not publishing an engagement announcement for same sex couples. It shouldn’t matter if it’s two men, two women, or a man and a woman. EVERYONE deserves to love and marry whoever they want. Who are we to say they can’t?! Who can’t help who you love. At the end of the day, we are all human beings. That should be the only thing that matters. After, everything this country has gone through (i.e. the attack on 9/11), you would think that we would stop worrying about things like this and instead value human life and love.

      I can’t believe how ignorant some people can be. Why should it be okay that a man and woman engagement be announced, but not give the same courtesy to same sex couples? I did not join the military to fight for everyone’s rights and freedom, just to see this happen! Come on people! It’s bad enought that you won’t let us get married legally in this state, the least you can do is allow our engagements and wedding announcments to be printed!
      Larry Peterson
      about 3 hours ago
      1 person likes this reason

      Marriage is a fundamental human right. The Forum should celebrate love and committed relationships.
      Erinn Prischmann
      about 3 hours ago
      1 person likes this reason

      The announcements are not the opinion pages.
      Haley Shoemaker
      about 4 hours ago
      1 person likes this reason

      I am in a same-sex relationship in Fargo, and when we are ready to be married, they WILL be printing it. All holy hell will be raised.
      Andrew Lenzmeier
      about 3 hours ago
      1 person likes this reason

      I am signing this petition because North Dakota has a beautiful, live and let live culture that built who I am as an ethical person, and the Fargo Forum is trying to undermine that by sanctioning the discrimination that our society has been working so hard in the past several decades to understand and overcome. A paper of the twenty-first century does not survive by being inhumane and cruel to Fargo families. No paper should survive that endorses a second-class status for any North Dakotan. The Forum has so alienated itself from being part of the FM Community that in its stubborn and continued betrayal of community trust it believes itself to be in the right. I’m sad. I’m angry. But I know my generation does not put up with this bull***t, and that we will herald either the end of this discrimination, or the end of the Forum.
      Erika Bingham
      about 5 hours ago
      1 person likes this reason

      I’m signing because this is 2012. Everyone deserves equal rights. I’m also appalled by the Forum’s (though not surprised) complete disregard for diversity.
      Molly English
      about 2 hours ago
      1 person likes this reason

      I was extremely surprised and even more disappointing to know that the award-winning Fargo Forum would discriminate in such an archaic and tastless form. Clearly, the Fargo Forum is in a lower league than the rest of the newspaper professionals in this country.
      Cory Qualey
      about 3 hours ago
      1 person likes this reason

      I am signing this petition because I am done living in a community where equality is not the rule. I’m disgusted that the forum, a member of the free press, would take a clear political stance on this issue. Your credibility is gone.
      Blaine Edwards
      about 3 hours ago
      1 person likes this reason

      I would like to know the reasoning behind the Forum’s policy. Is it “just because.”?
      Samantha Lind
      29 minutes ago

      For equal human rights for all! Gay rights are human rights!!!! I am a heterosexual woman, but that does not mean that those who are not like me should not be given the same opportunity to celebrate their love for their partners in a public way just as I am!
      Modern Man
      29 minutes ago

      I want gays & lesbians to suffer the matrimonial dynamics of human pair-bonding.
      Teresa Hatfield
      3 minutes ago

      Love is Love. It’s also 2012 so please move on.
      Katie Brown
      about 3 hours ago

      I am in 100% support of same sex marriage and equality for all couples
      Malyn Kuntz
      about 2 hours ago

      Love is love. As a Minnesota resident in Moorhead, we are already facing the possibility of a discriminatory amendment to our constitution, and the Forum does not need to add to the inequality. This hate and prejudice must stop.
      Logan Retzer
      about 1 hour ago

      Love is love, and should be celebrated in all it’s forms.
      Jeffrey DeLoss
      about 2 hours ago

      It would be great to see The Forum represent a wider range of readers by allowing these announcements. Thank you.
      Tess Kirkland
      about 2 hours ago

      If one person gets to publish their announcements in the paper, everyone should. That’s that.
      George schermerhorn
      about 1 hour ago

      This is what scares me about moving to Fargo, ND in ten months. My boyfriend lives there and loves it…and seeing everyone support HUMAN RIGHTS makes me feel better about moving there!
      victor guerrero
      about 1 hour ago

      i have dealt with enough discrimination in this community to not stand up for it’s citizens that are treated unfairly no matter what their race, religion, nationality, age, gender, or sexual orientation.
      Alison Kelly
      about 3 hours ago

      Support Love – Not Discrimination
      Karyn Peterson
      about 3 hours ago

      I believe in equality!
      Travis Ehrich
      about 1 hour ago

      You love who you love. Let people live their lives.
      Brandye Krabbenhoft
      about 2 hours ago

      Because everyone deserves to love and to be loved!!!
      Martha Branstiter
      26 minutes ago

      I’m signing this in support of several friends and everyone else in the area so that we may live in a more accepting community! Love is love.
      Katie Nystuen
      about 3 hours ago

      Love is love! Let this couple and the many before them know that this bigotry does not represent our community!
      Christopher Larson
      about 4 hours ago

      We should celebrate love in our community, same and opposite sex love!
      Erica Johnsrud
      about 1 hour ago

      Love is love!
      Kara Dupre
      about 2 hours ago

      I am signing to right a wrong.
      Janna Hansen
      about 3 hours ago

      I believe in equal rights.
      Barbara Coston-Hirsch
      about 1 hour ago

      Love is love, plain and simple
      Kate Ibur
      25 minutes ago

      Same-sex engagements and wedding announcements are a call for celebration just like any other couple! Don’t discriminate based on outdated hatred!
      Caitlin Hagarty
      about 2 hours ago

      Get with the program, Forum.
      Erika Johnson
      about 1 hour ago

      Equality belongs to all humans. Basic human rights belong to all humans.
      Cathy Herbold
      about 3 hours ago

      I’m signing this because love is beautiful no matter who it is between and it should be celebrated.
      Daren Dobson
      about 2 hours ago

      LOVE IS LOVE
      Erik Matson
      about 2 hours ago

      I lived and worked in Fargo for years, and am saddened to see the continued discrimination towards the LBGT community, let alone discrimination sanctioned by the only major paper in the area. If the Forum sees fit to publish insane, bigoted rants in their comments section on a regular basis, why can’t they publish a simple announcement of joy?
      Meadow Larson
      about 1 hour ago

      I support EQUALITY.

  2. Here are some of the Comments being posted on the Forum’s FB page

    http://www.facebook.com/inforumFM

    Katie Bruggeman Nystuen
    I’m disgusted to hear that it is the practice of your paper to deny the engagement notices of same sex couples. I am very privileged to know one of the wonderful couples you denied and am outraged at the Forum’s discrimination. I will no longer support this paper and encourage others to do the same. I also encourage the people of this community to let this couple and the many others who have likely been discriminated against know that this bigotry does not represent our community
    Like · · about a minute ago near Fargo
    Sara Jean Parkman
    Stop the discrimination! Same sex couples deserve the same respect as other couples!
    Like · · 8 minutes ago near New Rockford, ND

    2 people like this.
    Write a comment…

    Lindsay Johnson
    shame on you.
    Like · · Share · 32 minutes ago

    3 people like this.
    Crispy Chik sorry doesn’t fix the insult
    15 minutes ago · Like · 2
    Write a comment…

    Kyleigh Kruse
    Very proud of the onscreen iPhone photo that was recently taken & shared with friends & now the general public via Facebook of denying the same sex celebration post. She was brave & deserves respect. With that said, there’s a lot of locals & beyond upset about this & we all know …this is going to spread like wild fire! We can all hope that this exposure breeds change. And with the massive disgust you can see that so very many in this community find your response just that, disgusting. I can’t even fathom writing that email as a response in 2012??
    Mind blowing truly. Cowards really if you feel you must stick with such a rule in order to keep the hacklers at bay. In my opinion, I am quite proud at the large amounts of people in our community that will find this upsetting & respond with disapproval. This type of stuck in the mud jargon is the crap that was drawn out after the African-American Civil Rights Movement. Discrimination is discrimination. What right does any human have to tell another human who she or he can love or for this matter, celebrate? We here all know; no one. ? 🙂 For those & others who experienced this email as a response, keep your heads up & send them all love, light & hope for clarity ? If your rules are this out dated, apologize & make changes in a timely matter. Life is too short for our fellow humans to feel this type of discrimination. Thank you in advance.
    Like · · 42 minutes ago

    6 people like this.
    Josh Lense Very well put!
    33 minutes ago · Like
    Write a comment…

    Kaylee Siber
    hate begets hate. what better way to do it…right through your own newspaper. I will be sure NOT to pick up your newspaper. And I will tell all my gay and lesbian friends too!
    Like · · about an hour ago

    4 people like this.
    Write a comment…

    Kristin Wentz-Krumwiede
    Shame on you Fargo In Forum!! Who are you to judge who people love… And who chooses to marry!!! Way to earn yourself a major boycott across ND!!!!
    Like · · about an hour ago

    3 people like this.
    Write a comment…

    Kaylee Siber
    Discrimination is hate….get it together…
    Like · · about an hour ago

    2 people like this.
    Write a comment…

    David A. Hubbard
    Wow! How incredibly narrow-minded of your company. Do not bother responding, I am certain you all know I will burn in hell for posting this. Welcome to the 20th century. (No, that was not a typo.)
    Fargo Forum Accused of Discrimination » The People’s Press Project
    thepeoplespressproject.org
    Art. XI – Section Section 28. Marriage consists only of the legal union between a man and a woman. No other domestic union, however denominated, may be recognized as a marriage or given the same or substantially equivalent legal effect.
    Like · · Share · about an hour ago

    4 people like this.
    Write a comment…

    Jennifer Gilbert
    I live in Australia and have heard about this. Well done on advertising the marriage across the world – and well done on letting the world know you’re bigot
    Like · · about an hour ago near Langwarrin, Victoria

    3 people like this.
    Write a comment…

    Hannah Hatchet
    way to discriminate fargo forum, yet again another reason why i won’t support your paper.
    Like · · about an hour ago near Fargo

    2 people like this.
    Write a comment…

    Josh Lense
    For those of you who are as disgusted as I am with the Forum, and have felt that this paper does not best represent our community; for those of you who have been asking for a boycott, or an alternative:

    Let’s try supporting something different. I just found out about the People’s Press Project, let’s give them some support!
    Fargo Forum Accused of Discrimination » The People’s Press Project
    thepeoplespressproject.org
    Art. XI – Section Section 28. Marriage consists only of the legal union between a man and a woman. No other domestic union, however denominated, may be recognized as a marriage or given the same or substantially equivalent legal effect.
    Like · · Share · about an hour ago near Fargo

    4 people like this.
    Write a comment…

    Emily Christine Conrad
    Not posting same-sex marriage announcements is discrimination! Free love for ALL.
    Like · · about an hour ago near Akron, OH

    4 people like this.
    Write a comment…

    Mary L George
    Get with the times. Love is LOVE!!! Announce marriages for all of your customers… or LOSE many more customers.
    Like · · about an hour ago

    6 people like this.
    Write a comment…

    Cassandra Belle
    What is wrong with a little more love in the world? In a way, your denial of a same-sex wedding announcement has caused such an uproar, you basically just gave them an announcement for free. If your goal was to shelter same-sex marriage from the Fargo public, you have failed miserably. I know the only feedback to be received from you is “Thank you for commenting, I will pass on these fb sentiments to our editors”, but you don’t care. And the editors obviously don’t have any say over such changes, or you wouldn’t be so evasive. I sincerely hope the people of my hometown find an alternative news source and put you out of business. Way to alienate your own readers. Disgusting.
    Like · · about an hour ago

    4 people like this.
    Geneva Nemzek I love every bit of this. “You basically just gave them an announcement for free.” Four for you, Cassandra Belle, and none for Fargo Forum.
    about an hour ago · Like
    Write a comment…

    Emily Jorgenson
    Since you’ve clearly stated you are going to share and discuss the obvious outrage in response to your policies surrounding the Celebrations section in your paper with the editors, I’d assume we all can expect something published in the Forum discussing and explaining this discriminatory behavior.
    Like · · about an hour ago near Fargo

    4 people like this.
    Josh Lense Even better, how about a well-thought out, heart-warming apology to Allison Johnson and Kelsey Smith, as well as the entire F/M community.
    about an hour ago · Like · 6
    Write a comment…

    Geneva Nemzek
    Disappointed in your blatant discrimination of same-sex couples.
    Like · · 2 hours ago

    2 people like this.
    Write a comment…

    Savana Peterson
    I cannot believe that the Forum would be so discriminate as to refuse celebration notices. You are a NEWSpaper. NEWSflash: Homosexual marriage exists. You keep your eyes open for news every day but you choose to close your eyes to the simple happiness of others? You have disappointed your city and the surrounding area (my home) by representing us with this backwoods and out-of-date thought process. On that note: How do you think Fargo is going to stand as a city in modern society with these standards you have set? You should be ashamed of yourselves. Disgusted.
    Like · · 2 hours ago near Oak Park, IL

    6 people like this.
    Write a comment…

    Nichole ‘Mather’ Price
    Please stop the discrimination.
    Like · · 2 hours ago via mobile

    6 people like this.
    Write a comment…

    Caoimheán posted a photo to IN FORUM’s Wall.
    Really, forum? Absolutely shameful.
    Disappointed and disgusted to learn the Fargo IN FORUM refuses to print same-sex marriage announcements. It’s 2012, people. This is embarrassing. LegalizeLove2…
    Like · · Share · 2 hours ago

    2 people like this.
    Write a comment…

    Gaines Hargrove
    Hey you can’t use google anymore because they only support equality in marriage. Good luck!
    Like · · 2 hours ago

    3 people like this.
    Gaines Hargrove And everyone know bing sucks.
    2 hours ago · Like · 3
    Write a comment…

    Jason Hunt
    Any particular reason you won’t publish someone’s wedding announcement just because they’re a same-sex couple? They love each other just as much as any hetero couple. I may not personally agree with homosexuality, but I’m happy that two people found love and I’m disgusted that a news source is refusing to publish a celebratory announcement.
    Like · · 2 hours ago

    6 people like this.
    Justin Boetel the world, and our community, need more people like you.
    2 hours ago · Like · 3
    Geneva Nemzek Agreed.
    2 hours ago · Like
    Write a comment…

    Lindsey M Grillas
    Shameful that you would discriminate against people because of who they choose to marry! Makes me sick.
    Like · · 2 hours ago

    5 people like this.
    Write a comment…

    Zach VanNatta
    I am quite appalled by this newspaper’s discriminatory polices and I will be sharing this information with all of my friends.
    Like · · 2 hours ago

    9 people like this.
    IN FORUM Hi Zach. Thank you for commenting. I’m passing the sentiments here on the FB site on to our editors.
    2 hours ago · Like
    Josh Lense Are the editors in charge of changing policy?
    2 hours ago · Like · 1
    Cassandra Belle ?”Thank you for commenting. I’m passing the sentiments here on the FB site on to our editors.” the same every time. Like a broken record…
    about an hour ago · Like · 1
    Write a comment…

    Alice Hoeun Ruppert
    Refusing to publish something won’t change its existence, so please grow up and allow same-sex couples to share their happy news with their communities. And after all, don’t we need all the celebratory news we can get in this dark and crazy world?
    Like · · 3 hours ago

    10 people like this.
    IN FORUM Thank you for commenting. I’m passing the sentiments here on the FB site on to our editors.
    2 hours ago · Like · 1
    Josh Lense Do the editors have the authority to change policy?
    2 hours ago · Like · 1
    Emily Christine Conrad Hey! Look, yet another post from IN FORUM saying the same thing! Instead of “passing it along to the editors” why not take action now and do something about it?
    about an hour ago · Like · 1
    Write a comment…

    Eric Ashton
    Change your policies on celebration notices. This is the most progressive city in the state. Act like it.
    Like · · 3 hours ago

    11 people like this.
    IN FORUM Thank you for commenting. I’m passing the sentiments here on the FB site on to our editors.
    2 hours ago · Like
    Josh Lense Do the editors have the authority to make policy changing decisions?
    2 hours ago · Like · 1
    Gaines Hargrove Needs to be passed on to the CEO/executive.
    2 hours ago · Like · 2
    Write a comment…

    Josh posted a photo to IN FORUM’s Wall.
    Please stop representing our city as a bunch of bigots. You should be ashamed.
    Disappointed and disgusted to learn the Fargo IN FORUM refuses to print same-sex marriage announcements. It’s 2012, people. This is embarrassing. LegalizeLove2…
    Like · · Share · 3 hours ago near Fargo

    8 people like this.
    1 share
    Josh Lense That’s why I copied and pasted my response to everyone of their responses 😉
    2 hours ago · Like · 3
    Geneva Nemzek Boom roasted.
    about an hour ago · Like · 1
    Write a comment…

    Maura C. Ferguson
    Change your Celebrations policy, Fargo Forum! Pretty disgusting that you will only allow certain people to share their great news with the community at large.
    Like · · 3 hours ago

    11 people like this.
    Maura C. Ferguson Yes, thank you Shane. I hope to see an official change in policy in the coming days. Or at the very least an official statement.
    about an hour ago via mobile · Like
    Maura C. Ferguson Also, Shane – I would not want your job right now.
    about an hour ago · Like
    Write a comment…

    Emily Jorgenson
    I’m writing to express my disappointment in response to the Fargo Forum’s choice to continue a 30-year old, outdated policy of discrimination against same sex couples by refusing to print engagment annoucements. Simply defaulting to “that’s the way it’s always been,” is not an acceptable reson to deny a happy, loving couple the change to share their excitement with the community in the same way as a heterosexual couple does. The exposure of this information is disappointing, but it also allows the Fargo Forum the opportunity to revise an outdated, discriminatory policy and move forward into an open, equal policy for all citizens of the Fargo-Moorhead area. I strongly encourge to use this as an opportunity to take a very strong, needed step forward in ensuring that all Americans are granted the same rights. This blatant discriminatory behavior is embarassing as a Fargo native.
    Like · · 3 hours ago near Fargo

    24 people like this.
    Emily Jorgenson ?*chance.
    3 hours ago · Like
    Write a comment…

    Renee Nelson Walkup
    Change your policies on celebration notices. Who are you to decide that it isn’t a celebration worth announcing!
    Like · · 3 hours ago

    11 people like this.
    IN FORUM Thank you for commenting. I’m passing the sentiments here on the FB site on to our editors.
    2 hours ago · Like · 1
    Write a comment…

    Gia Rassier
    Please take time to read this beautiful letter from Allison Johnson regarding the discriminatory response from the IN FORUM to her and her partner, Kelsey Smith’s marriage announcement request ? Feel free to share.
    Allison Johnson
    For those interested, I did write a letter to the Fargo/Moorhead Bureau as well as the Opinions Editor at the Fargo Forum and the Mayor of Fargo. Here it is!

    It is a sad day when two people so in love, about to commit their lives to one another, cannot even engage in the smallest of privileges to honor this union. M…See More
    View Post · 4 hours ago

    Allison Johnson and 36 others like this.
    11 shares
    Write a comment…

    Scott Strandberg
    Just found out through a friend that The Forum refuses to print engagement/wedding announcements for same-sex couples. Would you care to comment on this? Seems an awful lot like blatant bigotry on the surface…
    Like · · 4 hours ago near Fargo

    12 people like this.
    IN FORUM Thank you for commenting. I’m passing the sentiments here on the FB site on to our editors.
    2 hours ago · Like
    Scott Strandberg Much appreciated.
    2 hours ago via mobile · Like · 3
    Write a comment…

    Natalie Wolff
    Congratulations on discriminating against members of your own community. I’ve never particularly liked your paper, but now I shall never support your paper. I’m glad I didn’t waste my money to print my (heterosexual) engagement/marriage announcement in your homophobic paper.
    Like · · 4 hours ago

    37 people like this.
    Josh Lense Do the editors have the authority to make policy changing decisions?
    2 hours ago · Like · 3
    Natalie Wolff
    I think this needs to go higher than the editors. This is a matter of policy that needs to be changed. I think you guys need to take this as an opportunity to change your archaic ways and turn this into a positive. As someone else commented…See More
    about an hour ago · Like · 8
    Write a comment…

    Johnathan V. Regnier
    Unacceptable. Anyone supporting this company should know their dollars are supporting discrimination.
    Like · · Share · 4 hours ago

    4 people like this.
    2 shares
    Carrie Stucky leave it to ND
    4 hours ago · Like
    IN FORUM Thank you for commenting. I’m passing the sentiments here on the FB site on to our editors.
    2 hours ago · Like

    • Allison Johnson on July 23, 2012 at 8:03 pm
    • Reply

    I wrote this letter after our denial of a marriage announcement in the Fargo Forum and want to say thank you for sharing. Kelsey and I both know that the actions of the Fargo Forum do not reflect that of our loving and supportive community here… or across the nation. Discrimination in any form is sad and disturbing and because of everyone sharing their own thoughts on this, I truly believe that we are going to make a difference. Sincerest thanks to all of you for doing what you do and spreading the word!

      • Anon on July 23, 2012 at 9:36 pm
      • Reply

      I hope you also understand that this policy does not reflect the opinions and beliefs of many staff members of The Forum. Outdated policy is outdated policy.

        • Allison Johnson on July 23, 2012 at 10:49 pm
        • Reply

        Absolutely Anon. I understand that policy is something the employees must follow. I hope that the decision of the Fargo Forum is to review and replace the current policy with one that matches the times.

      • Renae Nelson on July 23, 2012 at 10:10 pm
      • Reply

      Allison- This is the least we can do to support you and Kelsey. No one should be put down because of who they love, or how they choose to love. All you were doing was celebrating your love for one another with our community, and I’ve got over 600 people since 4pm today that agree! Many happy years to you both 🙂

  1. […] story has since been picked up by Y94 a local radio station, The People’s Press Project based in Fargo-Moorhead, Minn Post, MSNBC, and […]

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