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Protesters speak out for quashed human rights bill
Carrying signs with slogans including, “Love your neighbor as yourself doesn’t mean ‘Everybody but…’”, “Senator McKenzie, the people deserve a hearing” and “Idaho values human rights,” protesters and a few legislators gathered in front of the Capitol Annex over the noon hour to call for support for SB 1323, which was introduced this session but never scheduled for a hearing in the Senate State Affairs Committee. The measure would add sexual orientation to Idaho’s human rights law, which bans discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations. The bill had six legislative cosponsors from both parties, and included an exemption for religious organizations. Retired Hewlett Packard Co. executive Don Curtis Sr. told the crowd that his company has long banned such discrimination. “We believe it has affected our bottom line much for the better,” he said. Emilie Jackson-Edney of Idaho Equality said, “The amendment seeks to protect civil rights so fundamental, and so very fundamentally American, that it seems absurd we are still haggling over this in early 2008. The amendment simply states that it is illegal to discriminate against or fire someone because of the employee’s perceived or actual sexual orientation or gender identity.” McKenzie said earlier that he wouldn’t hold a hearing on the bill unless a majority of his committee members said in advance that they’d vote for it, and that didn’t happen.
"[The rally was hosted by the newly formed Idaho Human Rights Collaborative: The Interfaith Alliance of Idaho, Idaho Equality and Idaho Women’s Network, foundation funding by the Gill Foundation. For information on how to get involved, contact organizer Rachel Greer <Rachel@tiaidaho.org>] |
