Silence is Complicity

Bill S 1323, amending the Idaho Human Rights Act to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, was killed in the State Senate Affairs Committee Friday Feb. 20 by the committee not allowing the bill to be printed. I understand "Silence is complicity."

I surely do not want to be counted among those who are complicit in allowing any of my fellow citizens in Idaho to be discriminated against for whatever reason. I do not have to agree with all my neighbors, the make of car they choose to purchase, the breed of dog they own, the number of children they have, for example, but I do have to respect their rights to make these choices.

My faith makes it necessary for me to take a stand as I have opportunity to "love kindness, do justice." My church denomination says, "It is the duty of Christians 'to help create a worldwide community in which governments and people treat each other compassionately as members of one human family.'"

It also states "We pledge to continue to be in respectful conversation with those with whom we differ." Refusal to print this bill signals that the Senators voting against it are not open to a conversation.

Should not we as citizens be able to expect from our elected leaders the opportunity to be heard on such a critical issue as extending civil and human rights to all Idaho's citizens?