On January 28, Representative Bruce Skaug introduced HB 557, dangerous bill that would enable statewide discrimination against 2SLGBTQ+ people. Its passage would mean that we could be fired from our jobs, lose our housing, or be denied service because of who we are.
The bill was written by the Idaho Family Policy Center, a conservative Christian group that is also behind efforts to restrict reproductive freedom. It would wipe out nondiscrimination laws already enacted by two counties and 12 cities, and it would permanently block other local governments from adopting similar laws in the future.
These local laws exist for a reason: Idaho state law still allows discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and state lawmakers have declined every opportunity to fix that. Every year, for more than a decade, advocates have introduced legislation to add basic protections for 2SLGBTQ+ people. But the bill has only received one public hearing during that time.
Now, we’re joining with our allies to build a response to HB 557. And we hope to have you with us.
To learn more about this bill and how we can push back together, please join our community meeting on Zoom this Sunday, February 1, 4-5:30 p.m. MT / 3-4:30 p.m. PT.
This event is a collaboration with our partners at the Idaho Queer Caucus, Planned Parenthood, and the ACLU of Idaho. By registering for this event, you will be able to join future community check-ins hosted by the Idaho Queer Caucus during the legislative session.
