Senate nixes protection for ID gays, lesbians
<p>Sticky notes advocating equal rights for gay and transgender people in Idaho are placed on a glass door by Leta Neustaedter of Boise, Idaho, outside the state Capitol House Chambers on Saturday, January 28, 2012 in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Idaho Press-Tribune, Adam Eschbach)</p>
BOISE (AP) - A party-line Senate committee vote rejected changes to the state's Human Rights Act to protect gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people from workplace and housing discrimination.
All session, a low-key "Add the Words" campaign to update the act with the words "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" has been working to win at least an introduction.
Friday morning's hearing was short, lasting less than 10 minutes - enough time for a tearful plea from Democratic Minority Leader Edgar Malepeai to give the bill a full public vetting.
After Republicans rejected the bill, there was shock and disbelief in the packed audience, with some crying - and others saying "That's Idaho."
Republican Sen. Russ Fulcher said he respected those who want the changes, but "It was just a clash of world views."
Human Rights bill backers 'astounded' Betsy Russell, Eye on Boise, Spokesman-Review blog
Add the Words rally in Cd'A in January Bill Buley, Press