Another attempt is being made in the Idaho Legislature to include the terms “sexual orientation” and “gender discrimination” in the state’s Human Rights Act to protect members of the LGBTQ community from discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodation. Boise Senator Maryanne Jordan and her fellow Democrats proposed the latest incarnation of the so-called “Add The Words” bill on Tuesday, an effort continually thwarted by the Legislature’s Republican majority. Jordan’s latest attempt comes on the heels of another failed effort during the 2019 session. The past decade has seen attempts to “Add the Words” fail repeatedly as Republicans claim barring such discrimination could infringe on religious freedom. (Idaho Democratic Caucus, Idaho Statesman)
