City antidiscrimination laws are vital for equal protection in Idaho | Opinion

Idaho prides itself on strong communities — places where neighbors look out for one another and everyone has the opportunity to contribute meaningfully and live with dignity. For generations, Idahoans across the political spectrum have embraced the hard work needed to build these communities. Fairness, personal responsibility, and respect for one another are not partisan ideals; these values are the foundation of Idaho’s civic character.

Today, that foundation is under pressure, and our character is being tested.

A newly introduced piece of legislation would prevent Idaho cities and counties from adopting local anti-discrimination protections that go beyond state law. Because Idaho’s Human Rights Act does not include sexual orientation or gender identity, the measure would eliminate some of the only legal safeguards currently available to LGBTQ+ residents in parts of the state. At its core, this bill raises a fundamental question: Are all Idahoans entitled to equal protection under the law?

Idaho’s history shows that equality has often been contested. In the 1990s, voters came close to passing Proposition 1. This ballot initiative would have barred state and local governments from recognizing LGBTQ+ people as a protected class or extending legal safeguards based on sexual orientation, effectively locking discrimination into statute and preventing future efforts to protect civil rights. While that measure failed, Idaho did not act to close existing gaps. The Legislature has refused to “Add the Words” to the Idaho Human Rights Act to include sexual orientation and gender identity. As a result, LGBTQ+ Idahoans are left without consistent statewide protections.

This policy decision has resulted in harm to the people in our state. Without clear statewide safeguards, individuals have reported being denied housing, passed over for jobs, and turned away from businesses. Families have faced uncertainty about whether they can remain safely in their hometowns. Young people have grown up amid public debates questioning their worth as people. These conditions strain mental health, contribute to youth isolation and suicide risk, and undermine trust in public institutions meant to protect everyone equally.

In response, communities across Idaho have stepped in to uphold equality locally. Two counties and a dozen Idaho cities, including Idaho Falls, Meridian, Sandpoint, Boise and Driggs, have adopted ordinances affirming that discrimination has no place in their communities. In the absence of comprehensive statewide protections, these measures have helped establish clearer standards for fairness, safety, and accountability. They reflect a widely held belief that strong communities depend on respecting every person’s rights. They also demonstrate that inclusion and economic vitality go hand in hand; many of these localities rank among Idaho’s most dynamic centers for innovation and growth.

The proposed legislation threatens to undo much of this progress. Removing these protections would carry serious human consequences and weaken Idaho’s social and economic fabric. At a time when the state is grappling with budget shortfalls, potential Medicaid reductions and job losses, policies that allow discrimination risk destabilizing communities and discouraging businesses from locating or expanding here. Idaho has long valued pulling together and taking care of each other in difficult times. Inviting exclusion and discrimination runs counter to this tradition.

The stakes extend beyond economics or local governance. For decades, Idaho has wrestled with how best to ensure that LGBTQ+ residents and others excluded from protective policies can live safely and without fear. Local ordinances have helped narrow that gap. This legislation threatens to undo that progress. Protecting people from discrimination — regardless of who they are or whom they love — is not merely a legal question. It is a declaration of our shared values and a measure of Idaho’s commitment to equality.

At this pivotal moment, Idaho faces a choice. Communities thrive when every person’s rights and humanity are respected. By learning from our history and reaffirming our shared commitment to fairness, Idaho can continue building a state where every neighbor is seen, valued and safe.

Jess Westhoff is the education director for the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights. She also serves on the Human Rights Educators USA steering committee, is an Auschwitz Legacy Fellow and contributes to the Idaho Museum of International Diaspora’s Academics and Research Program team. Christina Bruce-Bennion is the executive director for the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights. She worked in various leadership capacities in refugee resettlement in the Valley for over 24 years before joining the Wassmuth Center in 2022.