Protestors Gather to Oppose Idaho Bathroom Ban
Leading Off: Protests break out in Idaho Government buildings following bathroom ban, the DoJ files a lawsuit against the state of Minnesota, and Louisville considers becoming a safe haven. The top story lines as we start off the week.
by Assigned Media
Last week saw the enactment of one of the harshest bathroom bills in America, with HB 752 in Idaho seeking to ban trans people not just from bathrooms in government buildings, but also from bathrooms in private businesses. Penalties for violations of this new law may be as high as a felony and five years in prison.
Responding to this legislation, protestors gathered on Wednesday in Idaho Governor Brad Little’s office at the Idaho Statehouse for a sit-in. Over thirty people participated in the protest, including Democratic gubernatorial candidate for Idaho, Maxine Durand, who described the bill as “draconian.” Police were called on the protestors, resulting in nine arrests.
Undeterred by the arrests, another group of protestors gathered on Friday at the Idaho State Capitol, this time arranging a sit-in in the restrooms. Once again, police were called and arrested six this time.
The DoJ sued Minnesota on Monday, alleging that the state’s policies on sports are in violation of Title IX. This lawsuit comes following threats by the Trump regime late last year that the state would see repercussions if it did not adhere to Trump’s anti-trans policies and executive orders.
Similar to lawsuits seen in Maine and California, this suit seeks to block federal funding to Minnesota public schools as long as the state remains noncompliant with the president’s demands.
Minnesota AG Keith Ellison had expected this lawsuit and already had a preemptive suit against the federal government that had been filed one year ago that argued that the state’s civil rights act superseded Trump’s executive orders.
A Councilmember in Louisville, Kentucky has proposed an ordinance to designate the city as a transgender safe haven. Councilman JP Lyninger filed legislation last week that would restrict city funds from being used to detain people seeking gender affirming care, as well as prevent the city government from being able to share information about individuals’ gender identity with other governments. Additionally, this legislation would seek to expand protections for people’s gender expression.
The proposed ordinance will need to go through legal processes in order to be passed, starting with a discussion at a Public Safety Committee Meeting on April 15, but offers a potential beacon of safety for transgender people in a major city within the otherwise republican dominated state.
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