Idaho's state Human Rights Commission has endorsed legislation adding sexual orientation to the state's anti-discrimination law, a key move since two years ago, the commission opposed such legislation - and lawmakers refused even to introduce it. This year, the legislation's already been introduced, and Senate Minority Leader Edgar Malepeai, D-Pocatello, says he's hopeful lawmakers will consider it, especially now that the Human Rights Commission has voted 7-2 in favor of it.

"I have seen and experienced a lot of discrimination based on race and ethnicity," said Malepeai, who is of Samoan ancestry. "I know what it's like to be on that end." At least 20 states, including Washington, already ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, but Idaho is not among them. State lawmakers have repeatedly rejected the idea over the past decade, most recently in 2009. You can read my full story here at spokesman.com.