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Tell UsIdaho Women’s Network
The Idaho Women’s Network received a grant in 2008 to change the employment policies of two major Idaho cities, Pocatello and Moscow, so they include sexual orientation and gender identity protections for its employees, along with working to pass a statewide non-discrimination bill. Executive Director, Donna Wade, talks about their work for LGBTQ equality.
“The Idaho Women’s Network is one of the oldest women-led social justice organizations in Idaho and we are proud to work at the connection of traditional women’s rights movement and the gay rights movement. A key step in this movement is to provide basic security in employment, housing, and accommodation by passing an amendment to the Idaho Human Rights Act to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. During the 2008 legislative session, Idaho Women’s Network took the lead on organizing a rally to pressure legislators into giving the Human Rights Act a public hearing, after it had been denied. In response, we organized a rally at the Capital, which drew a crowd of 60 to 70 supporters who held signs and got attention from significant media sources. Most of all, it provided an entire community- silenced by their legislature- an opportunity to demonstrate and have their voices heard.
We will continue our work with an eye to the future, hoping that in five years, the movement to amend the Idaho Human Rights Act will be strong and visible. We will have established supporters, leaders, and allies in every part of the state and will have been working to pass city non-discrimination policies in several Idaho cities. We will have built a long list of supporters from small and large businesses, to faith-based organizations and religious groups, to individuals and families- all ready to mobilize and put needed pressure on legislators.”
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