Add the Words, Idaho

Yesterday, I attended a rally at our state capitol building for Add the Words, Idaho. This is a movement to get our state legislature to add the words “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to Idaho’s Human Rights Act. Nearly 1,000 were in attendance, plus there were other rallies across the state. In Idaho, gay and transgender people live in fear of losing their jobs, losing their housing, or being denied services or education simply because of who they are. These Idaho citizens are being denied basic human rights. For six years now activists have tried to get protection for these people, only to be denied a public hearing by those who control the legislature in this very conservative state. This year, the strategy has been to leave sticky notes on doors inside the capitol building, asking our representatives to “add the words.” Messages have come from all over the state and have been stuck to the doors. Yesterday, all of us attending were asked to write a message on a sticky note. At the end of the rally we all silently filed into the capitol, walked upstairs to the house and senate chambers, and stuck our messages to the glass doors. One big hurdle has been met—a print hearing will be held this coming week. Hopefully they will listen to us.