IDAHO, USA — More Idaho children and teenagers in the LGBTQ+ community are calling Rainbow Youth Project's hotline for help. Leadership attributes the increase to the legislative session.
"Words are powerful," Executive Director Lance Preston said. "In many instances, we see that these words have led to increased amounts of bullying of these young people in schools. Young people who are bullying these kids feel almost authentic authorized to do so."
The national organization offers free counseling and suicide prevention services. Typically, Preston said they get about 100 calls from Idahoans each month.
Staff members are now answering well over 200, he said.
Preston said most of the calls are from children and teens; some are from parents wanting to learn how to better support their child and/or how to address bullying issues at school.
"There's always several factors included," Preston said. "But ... the majority of these callers are mentioning political rhetoric or anti-trans rhetoric specifically as part of their reason for their need to reach out for support."
Jenna Damron, ACLU of Idaho advocacy fellow, said lawmakers have introduced more than 20 bills this session "targeting" the LGBTQ+ community, including House bills 538 and 668.
As KTVB previously reported, HB 538 would keep public school employees from using a minor student's preferred pronouns if it differs from their birth sex, unless a parent gives written permission.
The bill also protects teachers and public employees from legal action if they refuse to use a person's preferred pronouns.
HB 668 bans public funds for gender-affirming surgeries and medical treatments. KTVB reached out to several lawmakers behind some of the bills related to the LGBTQ+ community but did not hear back.
The Idaho Family Policy Center lobbies for and writes bills. President Blaine Conzatti said, "While we certainly have compassion for individuals who struggle with same-sex attraction or gender confusion, there simply aren't any bills in our state legislature that "target" these individuals."
"Legislation that affirms reasonable – and oftentimes easily observable – distinctions between the two biological sexes isn't discriminatory, as federal and state courts have recognized for centuries," he said. "As elites in our culture become increasingly confused about sexuality and gender, it becomes all the more necessary for sound public policy that affirms what used to be considered common sense."
Liliana Rauer, a Boise High School transgender student, said bills relating to the LGBTQ+ community create problems that do not exist.
Rauer commutes from Eagle to Boise to school because the environment is "more welcoming." However, Rauer said her mental health has taken a hit because of recent decisions made at the Capitol.
During the legislative session, Rauer sometimes misses school to testify at hearings. She also emails senators and representatives about the impact of certain bills.
Rauer said she is exhausted from not being heard.
"I just want to be a student and live my life," she said. "But it feels like because of all these bills, I'm not able to, and I have to be a voice; I have to be out there fighting."
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