(no subject)
Feb. 10th, 2012 09:32 amThank you, Idaho, for reminding me yet again why I left your (un)friendly shores
Senate Republicans quickly kill Idaho 'Add the Words' gay rights bill
Submitted by Dan Popkey on Fri, 02/10/2012 - 8:15am, updated on Fri, 02/10/2012 - 9:15am
http://voices.idahostatesman.com/2012/02/10/idahopolitics/big_crowd_prompts_room_change_idaho_add_words_gay_rights_bill
The seven Republicans on the Senate State Affairs Committee declined Friday to introduce a bill adding sexual orientation and gender identity to Idaho's human rights law. The law would extend protections in employment, housing, education and public accommodation.
The committee's two Democrats favored printing the bill, authored by committee member Edgar Malepeai of Pocatello, who was joined by Sen. Michelle Stennett, D-Ketchum.
Malepeai took a long pause as he made his case for the bill, fighting back tears, and apologized to the committee for "my emotional breakdown."
Chairman Curt McKenzie, R-Nampa, said no apology was necessary, and Sen. Chuck Winder, R-Boise, told Malepeai he appreciated his passion and expressed respect for Malepeai.
No public testimony was taken, which is the custom for hearings on bill introduction.
Then, without debate, the seven Republicans killed Stennett's motion to print the bill.
About 300 proponents attended the hearing. After the short meeting ended, placed about 30 sticky notes -- on the committee dais -- and gathered in the hallway outside the committee room to sing "We Shall Overcome."
Earlier, McKenzie moved the hearing to accommodate the crowd. Before the meeting Sen. Nicole LeFavour, D-Boise, expressed skepticism that the crowd would convince McKenzie to move the hearing.
"They're not going to move it," she said.
After McKenzie announced the move, LeFavour said, "He's great. I don't expect him to be a bear about anything."
LeFavour is Idaho's only openly lesbian or gay lawmaker.
Senate Republicans quickly kill Idaho 'Add the Words' gay rights bill
Submitted by Dan Popkey on Fri, 02/10/2012 - 8:15am, updated on Fri, 02/10/2012 - 9:15am
http://voices.idahostatesman.com/2012/02/10/idahopolitics/big_crowd_prompts_room_change_idaho_add_words_gay_rights_bill
The seven Republicans on the Senate State Affairs Committee declined Friday to introduce a bill adding sexual orientation and gender identity to Idaho's human rights law. The law would extend protections in employment, housing, education and public accommodation.
The committee's two Democrats favored printing the bill, authored by committee member Edgar Malepeai of Pocatello, who was joined by Sen. Michelle Stennett, D-Ketchum.
Malepeai took a long pause as he made his case for the bill, fighting back tears, and apologized to the committee for "my emotional breakdown."
Chairman Curt McKenzie, R-Nampa, said no apology was necessary, and Sen. Chuck Winder, R-Boise, told Malepeai he appreciated his passion and expressed respect for Malepeai.
No public testimony was taken, which is the custom for hearings on bill introduction.
Then, without debate, the seven Republicans killed Stennett's motion to print the bill.
About 300 proponents attended the hearing. After the short meeting ended, placed about 30 sticky notes -- on the committee dais -- and gathered in the hallway outside the committee room to sing "We Shall Overcome."
Earlier, McKenzie moved the hearing to accommodate the crowd. Before the meeting Sen. Nicole LeFavour, D-Boise, expressed skepticism that the crowd would convince McKenzie to move the hearing.
"They're not going to move it," she said.
After McKenzie announced the move, LeFavour said, "He's great. I don't expect him to be a bear about anything."
LeFavour is Idaho's only openly lesbian or gay lawmaker.