Police on Monday carted off dozens of
gay rights activists blocking entrances to the Idaho Senate chambers.
Wearing black shirts with white
lettering that said “Add the 4 words Idaho” and covering their
mouths, the demonstrators stood shoulder to shoulder demanding
lawmakers take up legislation which would add sexual orientation and
gender identity to the Idaho Human Rights Act. Similar laws in other
states outlaw discrimination in the areas of employment, housing,
public accommodations and credit.
Former state Senator Nicole LeFavour,
the Idaho Legislature's first openly gay lawmakers and a 2012
congressional candidate, told
the AP that the group would block the entrances until lawmaker
agreed to consider the bill.
Police said the protesters blocked the
entrances for more than two hours and 43 people were arrested.
Republicans, who hold large majorities
in both houses of the Idaho Legislature, have refused to consider
such protections.