LGBTQ+ protestors cover state Capitol in thousands of paper hearts to send powerful message
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A wave of colorful paper hearts flooded the Idaho Capitol rotunda floor on Tuesday, as protestors dropped tens of thousands of handcrafted hearts in protest against the anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric coming from state legislators. The demonstration, organized by the Idaho branch of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU Idaho), aimed to send a powerful message about the impact of discriminatory laws on LGBTQ+ individuals in the state.
Videos and images shared on social media captured the striking visual of 48,000 paper hearts scattered across the Capitol floor, each heart symbolizing a member of the LGBTQ+ community in Idaho. The campaign, which began in early March, called on activists to create and send palm-sized hearts made of fabric or paper to represent the estimated 48,000 LGBTQ+ individuals living in Idaho based on the 2020 Census data.
In a statement, ACLU Idaho emphasized the importance of reminding Governor Brad Little and the Idaho State Legislature of the significant number of people who could be affected by anti-LGBTQ+ laws. The organization received an overwhelming response from activists across 20 different cities in Idaho, including Coeur d’Alene, Pocatello, and Blackfoot, who contributed to the campaign by sending in their handcrafted hearts.
During the protest, an activist captured in a video shared by ACLU Idaho expressed frustration with the anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric from the state House, stating that LGBTQ+ Idahoans are “sick and tired” of the discriminatory legislation. The hearts dropped at the Capitol bore messages such as “48,000 strong,” “I’m trans and I vote,” and “stop the hate,” reflecting the diversity and resilience of the LGBTQ+ community in Idaho.
The protest unfolded just a day after an anti-trans Senate bill passed through the legislature and was signed into law by Governor Little. The bill allows medical providers to refuse healthcare or counseling services to LGBTQ+ individuals based on their religious or moral beliefs, sparking outrage among LGBTQ+ advocates and allies.
ACLU Idaho condemned the discriminatory nature of the bill, asserting that religious liberties do not grant a license to discriminate against marginalized communities. The organization pointed out that courts have consistently ruled against laws that enable religious-based discrimination, citing a concerning trend of legislation that undermines anti-discrimination protections.
As the paper hearts cascaded down to the Capitol floor, lawmakers deliberated over two additional anti-trans bills, both of which were ultimately passed. One bill permits government officials to misgender trans individuals and ignore their preferred names without facing consequences, while the other denies legal recognition of gender identity or intersex people by affirming a binary understanding of sex.
The protest at the Idaho Capitol underscored the ongoing battle for LGBTQ+ rights in the state, with activists and allies coming together to challenge discriminatory legislation and advocate for inclusivity and equality. The powerful visual of 48,000 paper hearts served as a poignant reminder of the diverse LGBTQ+ community in Idaho and the resilience of those fighting against discrimination.
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