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'Add the Words' to be shown |
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October 31, 2017 |
The Boundary County Human Rights Task Force will
be showing the documentary, “Add the Words,” at
4 p.m. Saturday, November 11, at Trinity
Lutheran Church, 6784 Cody Street, Bonners
Ferry.
Idaho law prohibits discrimination in
employment, education, real estate transactions
and public accommodations based on race, sex,
color, national origin, religion, age (over 40),
mental or physical disability.
In Idaho, it is not illegal to discriminate
against a person for their sexual orientation or
gender identity, which includes denying housing
or employment. Human rights advocates in Idaho
have been asking lawmakers to add the words
“sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to
the state anti-discrimination law in order to
ensure all people are protected against
discrimination.
The documentary "Add the Words" is a compelling
and well-told look at the fight for the LGBT
community to be safe from discrimination in the
state of Idaho, featuring interviews with those
who fought, some for as long as eight years.
The stories might be familiar, but they are no
less heartbreaking.
From Dianne Piggott, the transgendered
middle-aged woman who suffered discrimination in
the workplace, to Madelyn Lee Taylor, who served
in the Navy for many years and won three medals,
but was asked to leave because she was suspected
of being gay, the stories of discrimination are
sad, angering, but ultimately important.
The fight for Idaho to add the words "gender
identity" and "sexual orientation" to the
state's human rights law was one of the
bitterest of the 2013-14 legislative session. It
was the eighth session in which lawmakers
ignored the issue, and what began as a few
rallies at the Statehouse escalated to
protesters blocking the entrance to the Idaho
Senate chamber.
Idaho State Police made more than 100 arrests,
and some demonstrators were arrested multiple
times. With their hands covering their mouths,
the demonstrators weren't interested in being
heard -- their black "Add the 4 Words" shirts
said it all -- they just didn't want to be
invisible.
The public is invited to watch and join in
discussion following the film. |
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