This has been a good month for supporters of civil rights. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled California’s Proposition 8, which would have undone the progress made in legalizing gay marriage, unconstitutional.
Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire signed a gay marriage bill into law — a great step forward for gay rights in the state.
New Jersey’s legislature also passed a gay marriage bill, though the governor there is expected to veto it.
And the number of interracial marriages is at a record high. To modern eyes it might not seem significant, but interracial marriage was once considered the greatest threat to marriage, just as gay marriage is today. It’s been decades since interracial marriage became legal, and the institution hasn’t collapsed yet.
Slowly but surely, progress is being made. America is getting a little closer every day to LGBT equality. But we aren’t there yet. Anti-gay attitudes remain pervasive among the right: No Republican presidential candidate supports gay marriage.
If we don’t continue to fight for equal rights for all Americans, we risk losing them. And it’s more than just gay marriage.
LGBT teens face higher suicide rates and much more frequent bullying. Gay and lesbian seniors deal with discrimination in trying to find housing and health care.
It’s easy to become frustrated by how slow progress has been or how regressive the rhetoric and attitudes of some Americans can be. But we shouldn’t lose hope. Even in Idaho there is a push for equality.
Gay marriage isn’t likely to be legalized here anytime soon — Idaho’s not exactly a progressive state. But there is one movement picking up steam. It’s called “Add the Words, Idaho.” Idaho’s Human Rights Act protects against discrimination on the basis of race or sex, but doesn’t protect anyone from being discriminated against for their sexual orientation or gender identity. “Sexual orientation” and “gender identity” are the words civil rights activists in Idaho want to see added to the Human Rights Act.
As it stands, there’s nothing protecting LGBT Idahoans from discrimination in jobs, housing, health care or government services. And supporters of gay marriage and gay rights in Idaho may not even realize it. Protection from discrimination hasn’t received the same attention as gay marriage.
This is an issue in which every Idahoan can make a difference. Write or call your district representatives and tell them to add the words. Tell your friends and family to call too. Any Argonaut readers in Boise can join Add the Words’ sticky note campaign. Write your request for equal rights on a Post-it and affix it to the doors of the Capitol building.
We’ve made a lot of progress, but we’ve got a long way to go. Do your part in the push for civil rights and LGBT equality. Help protect Idaho citizens from hate. Tell the Idaho legislature to add the words.