READER’S VIEW IDAHO HUMAN RIGHTS ACT
Our lawmakers can do one simple thing: add the words
At the Statehouse on the second day of Idaho’s 2012 legislative session, an Add the Words team of volunteers showed up to do something good — something we believe will make Idaho an even better state to live in. We walked into the marble halls with hope in our hearts and purpose in our step.
Our intended destination was the third floor chamber doors to the House and the Senate. We at Add the Words, Idaho are part of an all-volunteer organization working to demonstrate the level of public support for including gay and transgender Idahoans in our fair employment, housing and education laws. We have gathered over 500 sticky Post-it notes from more than 50 Idaho towns, representing every legislative district.
The sticky notes contain messages requesting passage of this year’s bill to add the words “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to Idaho’s human rights act, the testimony of hundreds of Idahoans. For more than half a decade, tireless human rights leaders in Idaho have tried to get the Human Rights Act amended. As far back as 2006, a poll showed a majority of Idahoans believe it shouldn’t be legal to fire someone just for being gay. To date, the Legislature hasn’t so much as given us a public hearing.
This year feels different. As our Add the Words team prepared to post the second day of sticky notes in the Capitol, the air seemed full of anticipation.
We were immediately approached by Idaho State Police and informed “this sticky-note thing” we were doing was not allowed under any circumstances. Without being told what rule was being broken and what the consequence would be, we were told again that, “This is in violation of rules and regulations. Bottom line. Done deal.” The outer doors of the chambers were then shut and blocked.
Our Add the Words team decided the voices we carried on the sticky notes were too important, the stakes too high, to not follow through. Lisa Perry posted the stickies, while Cody Hafer read our statement: “This is the most peaceful way we could think of to both protest the fact that year after year we are denied a public hearing, and to make sure that those across the state can have their voices heard inside the Capitol. Our sticky notes are simply words, not a permanent fixture, just our calm way of respectfully and quietly bringing the voices and stories of thousands of Idahoans here. It’s time for our Legislature to add the words ‘sexual orientation’ and ‘gender identity’ to Idaho’s Human Rights Act so that our gay and transgender friends are included in our fair employment, housing and education laws.”
We did post our sticky notes and we’ll be back. There are many things Idahoans are struggling with currently, from jobs and the economy to education. There are many challenges the Legislature faces to find ways to help Idahoans. But there is one simple thing our elected officials can do for Idahoans with very little effort: They can add the words. We intend to share the stories of those who have no voice until our state’s governing body decides it is time to do the right thing and include all Idahoans in the Human Rights Act.
It is time to change the experience of those who live in fear.
We ask Idahoans everywhere to join a growing group of their neighbors, co-workers, family and friends who are working to convince our Legislature that all Idahoans deserve fairness, humanity, love and safety. Please visit addthewords.org to find out how you can help us make this the year this legislation passes.
Mistie Tolman of Boise is a mother, student, volunteer and community leader.
