Businesses turning their backs on Boise Pride was sad and embarrassing for Idaho

Last week was a week of cruelty and kindness, a week of rhetoric and honest conversation, a week of hatred and love. The bigotry spewed by Dorothy Moon and the leadership of the Republican Party comes as no surprise. Attacks on people different from themselves have nothing to to with policy and the public good, and everything to do with fundraising through exploitation. It’s bad enough when it targets adults, but going after kids is a new low, even for this bunch. Their behavior is sadly no surprise, but the response has been heartbreaking.

Over the years, this community has worked together to achieve a broader understanding of diverse communities. Many businesses have recognized the value in acknowledging all of their employees and have supported efforts and celebrations over the years. To watch some of them flee like frightened rabbits from their commitment to sponsoring the Boise Pride celebration last week has been sad and embarrassing. They let false and ugly rhetoric drive their decisions without even trying to get the facts.

Drag is an artistic expression, like acting, music, painting or dance. Organized performances, like any other artistic endeavor for kids, is done under supervision and with parental consent. Did any of these former sponsors even think to talk to the parents of the participants? I wish they had, because they would have learned some truly valuable lessons.

Kudos to Alex LaBeau, president of the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry, for these appropriate and necessary words: “I would like to see everybody take a deep breath, perhaps, for Dorothy (Moon) to go over and have a conversation with the Pride people and talk about what the event is to reduce the hate. That is the very thing that all Idaho companies and all of our members want to do is be a welcoming state. But to sit there and fan the flames in the way that she is is not acceptable, and I challenge her to go have that conversation.”

I have two very special kids in my life, one transgender and one gay who enjoys the art of drag. I’ve watched these two grow into amazing young adults, able to navigate the vileness that is permeating our community, while showing compassion, even to those who vilify them without cause. You know, like Christ taught us all to behave. They are lucky to be part of a family that loves and supports them, and we all break a little inside when we think of kids who don’t enjoy that kind of support.

It wasn’t that long ago that Idahoans could not lead an authentic life while contributing to their communities. So many members of the LGBTQA+ community came together with allies and supporters to forge a better path. The actions of these conflict entrepreneurs and worse yet, the companies who blindly followed their bigotry, are threatening to return us to those days and doing irreparable harm to Idaho.

At the end of the day, though, the people doing the most harm are those who know that this is wrong yet say nothing. Idaho is at an inflection point. Silence is not an option.

This story was originally published September 13, 2022 at 1:59 PM.