BOISE, Idaho — Republican senators on the Senate State Affairs Committee killed a bill on Friday that would have prohibited discrimination against LGBT persons in Idaho.
The bill would have added the words “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to Idaho’s Human Rights Act.
The committee’s decision left a room of about 300 advocates stunned, reported the Idaho Statesman.
“One called out, “Shame on you.” Another, “What a joke.” Most were quiet, leaving sticky notes that symbolize the campaign, including this from Tim Walsh: “Bigotry hurts everyone. Add the words.”
Walsh was among about 30 wearing T-shirts that said “Add the Words Idaho.” They stood, hands over mouths, as the hangdog committee filed from the room. Then they sang “We Shall Overcome.”
More: Idaho Statesman
The measure was sponsored by state Sen. Edgar Malepeai (D-Pocatello), who was the only person who testified on behalf of the bill.
“This legislation does not create a new protected class, since all people have a sexual orientation and gender identity. It ensures all Idahoans are free to hold jobs and rent apartments regardless of whether they are straight or gay,” Malepeai said.
“We owe it to those who know and love their gay family members and friends to take this issue seriously and allow them to speak about the harm they see being done each day in Idaho without the voice of the state finally saying that discrimination is wrong,” he added.
The vote was 7-2 — all seven Republicans on the committee voted against it.
Filed under: Idaho
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Idiots…
Bastards.
That would violate their freedom of religion! *sarcasm*
Perhaps the individual senators should be sued when discrimination happens.
Horrible.
STUPID JUDGEMENTAL ASS PEOPLE!!!!!!! OUR COUNTRY KEEPS COMPLAINING ON HOW WE’RE ABOUT EQUALITY, BUT HOW WILL THERE EVER BE EQUALITY IF THEY QUIT HATING ON GAYS!!!!!!! THIS COUNTRY IS GOING TO SHIT!!!!!!! Smh.
What is WRONG with these people..?
What aren’t they in the
Uniteds States of America?
Wow
You God damn dumb ass Republicans…get the fuck over your bigotry and down from your high horse and actually do something for your state -.- Just proves that Republicans especially have no heart nor soul if it doesn’t benefit themself…I hope they get theirs some day.
Washington state was making the Pacific Northwest look good with our approval of gay marriage and here Idaho politicians go and do this! FUCK YOOOOOUUUUU!!!!!
keep voting for republicans and you will keep carrying their shit on
I loved growing up in Idaho, so much so I tell people Mountain Home is my hometown because I was a military brat and never really had a “home”. That being said, stuff like this breaks my heart. I was smart enough not to talk about my sexuality as a teen in Idaho but now as an adult I desperately want to move back and raise my daughter in Boise but stuff like this keeps me in Virginia (which is almost as bad politically). Get it together Idaho so I can come home!
SSDD………..Same sh*t, different day!
This is why I move out Boise. I tired sick of those people.
I can’t WAIT til the ground opens up and swallows the area between the Mississippi and the Rockies… the world would be better place. Dorothy had the right idea.
Tch, of course they won’t.
ASSHOLES
In my beautiful state of Idaho, we were last to: End discrimination based on Gender, Color, and Ethnicity, end enforcement of the Sodomy laws (Which would of earned you life imprisonment if convicted), allow interracial marriage, allow interracial adoption, and initiate proper sexual education. Based on how we were the last to do everything in the union, i highly doubt we will pass LGBT-based anti-discrimination laws anytime soon.
The stubborness of a few could well lead to the loss of jobs in Idaho. Not really a compelling budgetary strategy – notr a great moral compass.
ALEC, sorry to hear any of this. Hopefully, ALL the progress we have made last year and so far this year; will spread rapidly across the Nation. Hang in there, bud. ; D