CURRENT ISSUES 2

CURRENT ISSUES (2)

Oppose government

funded religion.

Support the First Amendment

The Interfaith Alliance of Idaho

PO Box 15893
Boise, ID 83715-5893

TIA Message Phone:

208-368-6772

Office:

208-331-7028

Email:

info@tiaidaho.org

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Community Rallies for Fairness and

Anti-discrimination Bill

_{Boise, ID}_{– Advocates for equal rights, fairness, and diversity gathered Wednesday, March 26th at 12:30 to join the Idaho Women’s Network (IWN), the Interfaith Alliance (TIA), and Idaho Equality in a last –ditch effort to gain support for a public hearing on Senate Bill 1323, which would amend the Idaho Human Rights Act to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The bill stalled in the Senate State Affairs Committee when the chairman declined to give it a public hearing.}

_{The group gathered on the South side of the Capitol Annex building with signs stating “Human Rights are not ‘Special Rights’” and “Equal Rights Under the Law- No Exceptions”. Speakers included Representative Nicole LeFavour, Emilie Jackson-Edney from Idaho Equality, and Don Curtis, Sr, formerly of Hewlett-Packard, to read HP’s recently formulated letter of support for S 1323.}

_{“The proposed amendment to the Idaho Human Rights Act is a proud product of some hard battles won by a unified coalition of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender activists and advocates”, states Ms. Jackson-Edney, “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.”}

_{The groups ended the rally by addressing the growing grass-roots movement among communities in Idaho to fight for non-discriminatory policies in employment.}

_{“We’ve been talking to GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender) communities and advocates throughout Idaho” states Rachel Greer, a community organizer for Idaho Equality, “they are ready to mobilize and stand up for equal rights. It’s time Idaho’s policies reflect the will of the people.”}