Gay Pride Rally Held At Capitol

Michael Faughn attended the Gay Pride rally wearing a white ribbon over his beige sports jacket proclaiming him “Mr. Gay Idaho.”

“I’m gay. I was born this way,” Faughn, 35, said Saturday, “but a lot of people can’t deal with that.”

An estimated 500 people gathered on the Statehouse steps for Idaho’s 8th annual rally for human equality. Speakers stood under a rainbow of colored balloons and called for an end to all discrimination against Idahoans.

Organizer Dallas Chase asked the group how many had friends who were too afraid to come to a public rally and parade. About half raised their hands. Then she asked how many were worried about losing their jobs because they were gay. Three-quarters responded.

Faughn said he believes Idaho is growing more tolerant. But he said he has been the target of discrimination during the six years he has lived in Boise.