Recent legislative sessions in Idaho have been heated, with some Republican lawmakers calling LGBTQ books pornographic and others saying drag performers are waging “a war of perversion against our children.” Democratic lawmakers have repeatedly tried to add the words “sexual orientation and gender identity” protections to Idaho’s harassment code; so far, however, they’ve been unsuccessful.
Boise Pride director Donald Williamson says Pastor Joe Jones’ words aren’t necessarily shocking but are definitely “disheartening, to say the least, infuriating and just sad.” Williamson calls it “just pure hate speech,” saying the pastor is asking for trouble. “He’s throwing gas on the wood, and he’s just waiting for someone to toss in the match, and that’s dangerous.”
The Boise Police Department has an LGBTQ+ Liaison Officer who works to support members of the gay community. Department spokesperson Haley Williams says, “Any form of hateful speech, whether verbal, written, or symbolic, against the LGBTQ+ community is inconsistent with the city’s mission… . The Boise Police Department will always protect someone regardless of their race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, or sexual orientation and gender identity.”
