LEXIE CANNES STATE OF TRANS — Two years ago, activists and supporters of a grassroots ‘Add The Words’ campaign to add the words ‘gender identity’ and ‘sexual orientation’ to Idaho’s Human Rights Act, left the state capitol when directed to do so by the state police.

This week they came back. And this time they stayed when directed to leave.

Prior to the protest, the group released the following statement:

“Gay and transgender Idahoans have tried every means to get the Legislature to consider the ‘Add the Words’ legislation. If the Legislature again chooses to ignore us and not hear or vote on the bill, we are prepared to peacefully remain here to bring attention to the issue and the Legislature’s failure to protect those in our community from harm.”

All the protesters, including former State Sen. Nicole LeFavour, were arrested, cited and later released. The group recruited the help of lawyers in anticipation of arrests this time around.

The group’s website has not been updated since the protest.

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My hat’s off to these guys. Idaho is a tough battleground but it is exciting that people aren’t sitting still in the parts of the country where many are less than enlightened.

I wrote about the group’s “Add The Words’ effort two years ago: https://lexiecannes.com/2012/01/29/idaho-grass-roots-group-trying-to-get-transgender-people-added-to-state-human-rights-act/

Video: http://www.boiseweekly.com/boise/arrests-are-threatened-as-add-the-words-protest-blocks-idaho-senate-chambers/Content?oid=3049699

Lawyers: http://www.sfgate.com/news/crime/article/Idaho-s-Add-the-Words-activists-added-lawyers-5204592.php

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2014/02/03/3006687/add-the-words-protestors-blocking.html

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Categories: Discrimination, Equality, Civil Rights, Legislative, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans

Tags: Add The Words, idaho, protest, Sen. Nicole LeFavour, senate