A major conversation across Idaho
continues to be how the LGBTQ
community is treated in our state.
Just in the last several months,
the Boise Pride Festival was
surrounded by controversies.
And of course,
the North Idaho Pride Festival was a
target of the Patriot Front Group,
A group that was arrested on
site hanging out in a box truck
wearing their brave masks.
Now those incidents create serious
conversations about acceptance
and the message Idaho leaders
send to Idahoans on the topic
through their words and their
actions and members of the Idaho
LGBTQ community say a big message.
They sent from Idaho's congressional
representatives in a recent
vote on marriage equality.
For perspective,
we spoke with the Director of the
Boise Pride Festival,
and we also heard from congressional
leaders on why they recently voted
No on the respect for Marriage Act.
A major
win in Congress for LGBTQ supporters,
the United States Senate voted in favor
of advancing legislation that would
codify protections for same sex marriage.
A 62 to 37 procedural vote in the US
Senate clears the way for final votes
on the respect for Marriage Act.
The respect for Marriage Act is a few things.
Congressional sponsors explained that the
act would require the federal government
to recognize a marriage between two
individuals if the marriage was valid
in the state where it was performed.
The bill would not require a state
to issue a marriage license.
Contrary to state law, to be clear,
the act still needs to go through
some more technical hoops.
But it does appear that it will pass in
Congress soon the procedural vote tally
that saw all Senate Democrats vote yes
with a handful of Republicans crossing
the party lines to also vote yes.
That's why it advanced.
You know,
the Republican votes got that
act over the procedural hump.
Idaho Senators were not part
of that yes voting Group,
though
not surprised. I mean it's it's it's sad.
Donald Williamson is the executive
director of. Boise pride.
He says no votes from Senator Crapo
and Risch are not surprising.
It would be nice to see them vote in.
To not always vote against
marginalized communities and
equal rights every single time.
So why did senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch
vote no on the respect for Marriage Act?
Senator Crapper writes in a statement.
Quote the bill would
federalize the Law of marriage,
mandating that every state follow
every other state's marriage laws,
establishing private rights of action
and Justice Department enforcement.
I firmly support states rise to
determine the definition of marriage.
Idaho has the constitutional
right to define marriage as its
voters and duly elected officials.
Determine I also remain concerned with
this Senator rish right regarding same
sex marriage Idaho as a constitutional
amendment on the book defining
marriage as its voters determined
and that is a standardized support.
The federal government has no
business attempting to direct
our views on this matter.
In addition,
this bill lacks crucial religious
liberty protections for individuals,
schools, adoption agencies,
and faith-based organizations
that hold valid religious views
that disagree with this mandate.
I find that ironic because I found it as yet.
Another example of elected officials
trying to force their personal,
deeply held religious beliefs on
everybody else that they that they govern,
you know, because not everybody
worships the way that they worship.
But, you know, like I said,
it's sad, but it's not surprising.
Williamson says he understands
the arguments against the act.
But regardless, no votes on the
respect for Marriage Act still sends a
message to the Idaho LGBTQ community.
He says it's similar to Idaho
legislation that is targeted. The.
LGBTQ community in recent years.
And every time we see bills like that,
it's an attempt to further take a
***** in the armor at dehumanizing
this whole sect of of the population.
And when we see them voting against
a bill that was nothing more than
simply making it so that every state
had to recognize the marriage of of
any couple regardless of their gender
or sexual orientation or whatever,
you know that's it's disheartening and it's.
Infuriating.
Williamson says it is encouraging
to see the respect for Marriage
Act getting enough support on a
national level to see it likely pass.
Still, he says the reality of the
situation is many elected officials
do not support the idea here in Idaho.
If that's your deeply held beliefs,
great, more power to you.
Just don't go to the wedding and don't
let those people in your church.
If that's how you want to worship,
yeah, it's not taking away
their personal freedoms.
It's not forcing you to acknowledge it.
It's just.
Forcing the state to acknowledge it.
Again, there are some procedural
votes that still need to happen,
but it appears that the Act will pass.
Will keep you posted as final
votes on the ACT are expected
to be held in the near future.