Add The Words Voted Down In Committee

By a 13 to 4 vote, Idaho's House State Affairs Committee defeated a bill that would have added the words "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" to Idaho's Human Rights Act. The vote fell along party lines.
After 21 hours of testimony of 191 people for and against the bill and a closing statement from Democrat Sen. Cherie Buckner-Webb, members made several motions and statements before holding a vote made on a motion by Republican Rep. Ken Andrus from Lava Hot Springs.
Cindy Gross, Chair of Add The Words issued a response to the vote: “Emotions are high after hearing three days of powerful testimony from hardworking Idahoans who simply want to be judged on the merits of their work. Although we are happy to hear that some members of the committee are committed to showing more compassion, it’s not enough and we are very disappointed in the committee’s vote. We will see the Human Rights Act updated in Idaho, and we’ll keep working on this issue until all hardworking Idahoans are protected. With these powerful stories our legislators can no longer claim that there isn't discrimination in Idaho.”

Kido’s Kevin Miller will have the Latest on the “Add the words” issue tomorrow morning on KIDO.