Add the Words rally at the Idaho Statehouse a push for civil protections for LGBT people

About 600 people gathered at the Idaho Statehouse Saturday afternoon to listen to music, share stories and push for legislation that provide civil protections to LGBT people across the state.

“2015 was a year of success and continued challenges,” said Lisa Perry, Add the Words chair at the event. “Add the Words was finally given a hearing. This is a success. We of course were disappointed the committee didn’t vote our way. But, our stories were finally heard.”

Perry also challenged the idea that Add the Words was is on a compromise with lawmakers.

“The media has reported that the two sides of the issue are meeting on this compromise. I’m here to tell you that we have not been brought in on these conversations,” she said.

Add the Words wants legislators to include “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” into the state’s Human Rights Act.

“I can tell you we will not give up on what we started,” she said.

This story was originally published January 16, 2016 at 9:11 PM with the headline "Add the Words rally at the Idaho Statehouse a push for civil protections for LGBT people."