Deepening our impact: North Dakota in focus

As we expand our work in North Dakota, we’re excited to spotlight Christina Sambor, our North Dakota State Director, whose leadership is crucial to our efforts in the Great Plains. In this interview, Christina updates us on the legal battles that your support is making possible against the state’s restrictive abortion and trans health care bans, and how your donations to support Gender Justice’s work in North Dakota can help to build progressive power in the state.

Interview with Christina Sambor

North Dakota State Director, she/her/hers

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what drew you to join Gender Justice as the North Dakota state director?

Sure! I’m a mom to a spirited toddler, spouse, attorney, and creative. I’m also a late-diagnosed neurodivergent and a vocal advocate for awareness and compassion in that space. I was born and raised in Bismarck, attended University of North Dakota for college, and Pepperdine University for law school. After a brief stint in D.C., I returned to North Dakota in 2009 to practice law.

In 2014, I received a Bush Fellowship, which allowed me to focus on creative legal work, lobbying, and coalition building in the non-profit sector. During this time, I became acquainted with Gender Justice, an organization that helped a friend of mine who faced pregnancy discrimination. I was so impressed with their work that I knew I wanted to be a part of it and took every opportunity to support and collaborate with Gender Justice. It only took 10 years, but I finally joined the staff team!

We’ve joined a lawsuit challenging North Dakota’s extreme abortion ban. How is this case progressing?

We just won the case! The District Court issued an amazing order ruling that the ban is unconstitutional because it was so vague that it imperiled lifesaving health care, and because it infringed on North Dakotans’ fundamental rights. The Court ruled that because the North Dakota Constitution protects the “pursuit of happiness” so to speak, that no restrictions should be placed on a person’s right to reproductive autonomy prior to the point of viability. This decision means that abortion care is once again legal in North Dakota, bringing crucial, lifesaving care back to our communities. This win was made possible through our joint efforts with the Center for Reproductive Rights and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP.

While we’re celebrating this recent win, the fight is far from over. North Dakota’s Attorney General has already announced an intent to appeal the ruling. We also expect further attempts to restrict care, but we’re ready to defend this victory and continue to protect the rights of pregnant North Dakotans. Additionally, the systemic damage caused by this extreme abortion ban won’t disappear overnight. Rebuilding and increasing access to reproductive health will take time, resources and unwavering advocacy.

We’re fast approaching a trial in the TD v. Wrigley case. If we win, the state’s ban on gender affirming care for trans youth will be overturned. Tell us more.

The law banning gender affirming care for minors in North Dakota interferes in private family decision-making and strips parents of their rights to get evidence-based care for their transgender children. When debated at the legislature, there was no evidence of harm presented. Rather, many families testified about the benefits of gender affirming care.

Importantly, this law was passed alongside numerous other anti-trans bills. The health care ban wasn’t born out of an isolated concern for kids, but is part of a concerted effort to strip trans people in North Dakota of their rights and ability to exist.

If you care about this fight, right now is a great time to pitch in with a gift to Gender Justice as we prepare for a fast-approaching trial where we will present the facts to the Court. A recent bright spot was the judge’s recent ruling that patients who started care before the ban’s enactment could resume the care in state. The downside is the Court did not suspend the law in its entirety while the case progresses, so the law’s chilling effect remains as providers are not resuming care due to concerns over the serious legal threats posed by the law.

How do you envision creating a more favorable environment for LGBTQ people in the state?

We simply have to do better in North Dakota. We need to center and celebrate the LGBTQ and Two-Spirit communities and organize allies. Trans people are here and always have been, and they are vibrant assets to our state. We see a real opportunity to shift the narrative by bringing people together. For example, our research reveals a striking gap between people’s political views on transgender issues and their personal empathy, especially towards loved ones who are trans or have a trans family member.

This fall, your donations will also help us launch a targeted communications and organizing campaign to challenge harmful narratives, equip people to engage their communities and talk about these issues, and empower them to advocate with lawmakers. Together, we can build the power needed to confront discriminatory laws and foster a safer, more inclusive environment.

What are Gender Justice’s goals for the upcoming North Dakota legislative session, given it only happens every two years?

We want to use your support to up our organizing game. Narrow and prejudiced viewpoints are horribly over-represented in our legislature, and we need diverse North Dakotans to remind elected officials they work for everyone in the state. We aim to represent a hopeful and aspirational vision of North Dakota. Progressive issues have been on the defense for too long; it’s time for North Dakotans to take their power back.

How can supporters from North Dakota and beyond help protect reproductive rights and ensure transgender and nonbinary people can live authentically?

I would really like all of our supporters to consider signing up as a monthly recurring donor. Give what’s comfortable and meaningful to you, but commit to the fight for gender equity in North Dakota for the long haul. Let Gender Justice know you’re glad we’re tackling red state work. We’re stronger by working together regionally and nationally for gender equity, especially in the current legal landscape of “returning the power to the states.”