Because Freedom Can't Protect Itself

June, 2005, Idaho Statesman

Wave the Rainbow Flag!

By Andrea Shipley

The summer holidays are in full swing as rainbow flags mark the traditional Pride festivals across the world.  As a community, we so much to celebrate including electing the first Idaho Lesbian legislator, fostering new leadership and challenging Idahoans to confront political tactics that hurt families of all kinds with an educational advertising campaign called “A Simple Matter of Equality” focused on marriage equity.  And, as a state, a civil rights victory that will grace history books because for the second year in a row, decision makers have courageously defeated another anti-gay amendment.  Idahoans dedicated to human rights will celebrate these victories while commemorating lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender heritage and culture at this year’s Boise Pride weeklong celebration from June 5^th to the 12th.

Pride can be traced back to one night in June of 1969 in New York City’s Greenwich Village, where cops routinely harassed gays and lesbians at the Stonewall bar.  On this historic night however, the gay and lesbian crowd challenged the discrimination they were facing.  To mark the anniversary of the Stonewall Revolution, one year later, the first Gay Pride Parade took place in New York City.  This year will mark the 35^th anniversary in cities like New York City, San Fransisco and Atlanta.  Boise Pride will celebrate its 15th Gay Pride Celebration this year.

This year’s theme, “Live Out Proud” characterizes the face and purpose as Idaho continues to challenge anti-gay public policies.  There is thousands of Idaho taxpayers who are either gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender and vote.  We are working professionals with families, friends and co-workers who recognize us as valued individuals who deserve equality and justice under the law.

We know bad things happen when people are not treated fairly.  Families are torn apart, people are abused and society suffers.  Public policy dictates that thousands Idahoans still have a long way to go before they can plainly say they have dismantled the oppression and negative feelings that impact our family, friends and neighbors who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender.

We will see the impact of this oppression again in next year’s legislative session as right wing pundits fight to add their private opinions into our constitution by proposing an anti-gay marriage amendment.  For over 200 years of American history, the U.S. Constitution has been amended only 17 times since the Bill of Rights – and except for Prohibition, which was repealed, it has never been amended to restrict the right and liberties of the American people.  It has however, been amended to end slavery.  It has also been amended to guarantee people of color, young people and women the right to vote. 

An anti-gay marriage amendment would not only affect LGBT families, but straight families as well depending on the “new” definition of marriage.  Also, committed couples opting not to marry, still face all the legal battles and expenses that same-sex couples have to face.  An amendment does nothing to protect families; it prevents families already in existence from receiving the 500 plus benefits of marriage offered to other families.

The economic impact of marriage equity can be critical for families.  Since same-sex marriage has become legal in Massachusetts a year ago, there have been 5400 same-sex weddings.  Nearly two-thirds of these ceremonies have been between women.  We know Idaho women make an average of 72.5 cents for every dollar an Idaho man will get for the same and women are still more likely to raise children than men.  Without the equivalent legal protection of marriage, women face another barrier to economic liberation and are forced to answer degrading questions about their private life in order to receive depleting social services, guaranteed to them by law.

Many people have opinions of LGBT people, but either does not know or are not close to a single person that identifies as LGBT.  Coming out and showing your support is still one of the most important things you can do to humanize our lives and the lives of those who support us.  We look forward to seeing you there!

 Andrea Shipley is the Education Associate at the ACLU of Idaho and a volunteer at Your Family, Friends and Neighbors in Boise.