For Idaho’s LGBTQ community, there is likely no bigger issue right now than “Add the Words,” a statewide grassroots effort to get the Idaho Legislature to include “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” as protections in the state’s Human Rights Act. Despite eight years of intense effort by LGBTQ advocates, the predominately Republican legislature has steadfastly
I knew when I started my job with Pride Foundation in late 2010 that my personal and professional worlds would merge at times, but never have they melded as meaningfully as in the last year, starting with something I never thought would be possible in my lifetime: I got married. My life partner, and now
An upcoming May referendum to repeal Pocatello, Idaho’s ordinance protecting LGBTQ residents from discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations has mobilized ordinance proponents. The group is determined to do all it can to ensure that the long and challenging road to get the LGBTQ equality ordinance adopted does not result in the eastern
There’s no better way to start 2014 than by announcing that Pride Foundation is offering a new scholarship this year, started by an Idaho donor and volunteer motivated simply by the desire to give students the opportunity to succeed in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. The new fund is named for Alan
“People are often afraid of what they don’t understand. Ignorance can lead to fear, fear to anger, and anger to various forms of oppression.” That’s Emilie Jackson-Edney—Emi to her friends—a lifetime Boise resident, and Pride Foundation volunteer and board member who has lived as a transgender woman for the last decade: not always easy in
Proponents of a non-discrimination ordinance in Idaho Falls are as determined as ever to get their city leaders to eventually approve and adopt an ordinance that protects LGBTQ residents in all public sectors, propelled by the overwhelming support of the community’s first gay pride festival in September. The eastern Idaho town, a largely conservative community
After meeting Jackie Sandmeyer, you know immediately that she’s one of those amazing young women who is going places. At only 23 years old, the Idaho native and 2012-13 Pride Foundation scholar from Boise has had to overcome more obstacles than most people have to in a lifetime. On discovering she was queer, Sandmeyer’s parents
A few weeks ago we reached out and asked you to join us at the Idaho Falls City Council meeting. At the time, the council was considering a citywide ordinance that would prohibit discriminatory acts in housing, employment, and public accommodations on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. We
Idaho Falls is on the cusp of becoming the seventh city in Idaho to step up and move equality forward for LGBTQ residents. This week, the Idaho Falls City Council is expected to have a first public reading of a citywide ordinance that would prohibit discriminatory acts in housing, employment, and public accommodation on
Boise Pride was particularly meaningful this year for Pride Foundation’s staff and board who participated in the weekend’s festivities as part of the organization’s strategic planning retreat in Boise June 14–16. For many, it was their first time visiting Idaho’s capital city, and for others it was a proud homecoming. All agree they were happily