BOISE, Idaho — LQBTQ+ community leaders and local nonprofits gathered Monday on the steps of the Idaho State Capitol Building to protest more than a dozen bills being proposed in this year's legislative session.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) said in a news release that the "March Forth" rally was in response to the bills that the LGBTQ+ community feels unfairly target them or would affect those within the LGBTQ community in some way.
"We are here to tell lawmakers in Idaho to keep the LGBTQ+ community out of their hateful legislation," said Joseph Crupper, March Forth organizer.
"March Forth is an LGBTQ-led day of protest, celebration, outrage, and healing for our communities who are being unfairly targeted by Idaho's elected officials," said Damron. "We are here, and we refuse to be invisible, despite bills explicitly trying to erase our humanity and our rights. March Forth is a place for trans and queer Idahoans to express our outrage, reaffirm our dignity, and heal together in a radical act of love and rebellion. We are proud and we are not going anywhere."
As KTVB previously reported, one of the bills that is referenced is House Bill 538, which, if passed, would keep public teachers in K-12 from using a students' preferred pronouns if it differs from their birth sex, unless a parent gives written permission.
HB 538 would also protect teachers and public employees from legal action if they refuse to use a person's preferred pronouns.
Another bill being opposed by the ACLU and allies is House Bill 421, which states: In human beings, there are two, and only two, sexes: male and female.
"Being transgender, being nonbinary, does not strip any of us of our right to the pursuit of happiness," said a member of the community at the podium.
The event was organized by community leaders, Joseph Crupper and Brandon Connolly, along with a host of local nonprofits: ACLU of Idaho, Add the Words, Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, Southern Idaho PRIDE, PRIDE Foundation, Southeast Idaho PRIDE, Boise Trans Collective, Black Liberation Collective, Boise Unitarian Universalist Fellowship and Boise Pride Fest.
"During the 2024 legislative session, lawmakers have introduced 16 bills that either specifically target our community or would affect us in a roundabout way. We are specifically aware of how many of these bills target transgender youth. Our community and our allies have been routinely showing up in hearings to testify against these bills, yet their voices are ignored. We are tired of fearing for the safety, well-being, and security of our community and we wish to make our voices heard in one of the few ways we have left."
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