The state of Idaho has been at the center of controversial legislation targeting LGBTQ+ residents, with lawmakers passing several bills this year that restrict the rights of this community. These bills include measures that prevent public employees from using preferred pronouns, redefine gender as synonymous with sex, and prohibit the use of public funds for gender-affirming care. These efforts are part of a larger national battle over LGBTQ+ rights, with many Republican officials actively working to limit these rights.
The legislation in Idaho has faced significant opposition, with protesters sending 48,000 colorful paper hearts to the Statehouse to represent the number of LGBTQ+ residents in the state. The hearts were meant to convey a message to lawmakers that their voices were not being heard and that they oppose the discriminatory measures being taken. Despite this opposition, Republican Rep. Julianne Young sponsored a bill to redefine gender, aligning it with biological traits rather than self-identity, and a separate bill allowing lawsuits against schools and libraries over materials deemed harmful to minors.
The library bill in Idaho allows community members to request the removal of materials they consider harmful to minors, with the option to sue for damages if changes are not made within 60 days. This legislation has sparked concerns about censorship and access to information, with opponents arguing that it could lead to increased costs for libraries and taxpayers. Similar legislation has been considered in other states, with Kansas already enacting a law last year that ended legal recognition of transgender identities. The ACLU and other opponents of the new laws in Idaho anticipate legal challenges that could result in federal lawsuits.
Governor Brad Little, a Republican, vetoed a similar bill last year citing concerns about creating a bounty system that could raise costs for libraries. However, the recent bills targeting LGBTQ+ rights in Idaho have been signed into law, despite the potential for legal challenges. The state is already facing lawsuits over attempts to deny gender-affirming care to transgender residents, and it remains to be seen how these new laws will hold up in court. The battle over LGBTQ+ rights in Idaho reflects a larger trend of conservative efforts to restrict these rights, with activists and advocates continuing to push back against discriminatory legislation.
