25 arrests at Idaho Capitol in gay rights protest

BOISE – There were 25 arrests at Idaho’s state Capitol on Monday, as protesters continued to press without success for lawmakers to enact civil rights protections for gays. The protesters – six of whom were arrested twice during the course of the day – blocked all entrances to the Legislature’s bill drafting office three times, with one holding a sign saying, “Open for Add the Words Bill Only.” Wearing T-shirts proclaiming “Add the 4 Words Idaho,” they called for adding the words “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to the Idaho Human Rights Act, which currently prohibits discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations based on race, gender, religion and disability, but not on sexual orientation. After nine years of refusing, Idaho lawmakers held a full hearing on the “Add the Words” bill this year, and heard three days of emotional testimony about the experiences of gay and transgender Idahoans, along with comments from the bill’s opponents. Then, the House State Affairs Committee killed the bill on a party-line vote, with all the panel’s majority Republicans voting against it. Opponents on the committee said they’d consider a compromise bill that includes religious freedom protections, but none has been introduced, and the Idaho legislative session is nearing its closing weeks. “People are welcome to leave this office, and we will make way to protect public health and safety, but we intend to allow entry only to legislators beginning work or drafting a new bill to add the four words ‘sexual orientation, gender identity’ to Idaho’s Human Rights Act, our existing state non-discrimination law,” the protesters said in a statement. “Today we stand peacefully, silently and respectfully in place in the Capitol, where we will stay until serious effort is made to craft a bill to add the four words to Idaho law, showing the Idaho Legislature’s respect for religious values and the golden rule.” In was the second time this session that protests over the civil rights bill led to arrests; on March 2, 23 protesters were arrested after they refused to leave the House and Senate chambers. Last year, more than 100 people were arrested calling unsuccessfully for a hearing on the bill. Monday’s arrests happened quietly and without incident, said Lt. Brad Doty of the Idaho State Police. “They’re very calm and peaceful people,” he said. “We’re just getting them processed.” The protesters were taken to the basement welcome room of the Capitol for processing; then to the Ada County Jail. One who is disabled was cited and released rather than being taken to jail; she was arrested twice. Since Idaho held its hearing in January, the Utah Legislature introduced and passed a compromise bill to protect gays from discrimination in housing and employment while including religious freedom protections; the Utah Legislature has now adjourned for the year. All the protesters arrested Monday were charged with trespassing, a misdemeanor.