GCN04092020 - Page 22

FACEBOOK/ MARY SOUZA IDAHO daho State Senator Mary Souza is a champion of invasive physical testing of transgender student-athletes ➤ IDAHO DISCRIMINATION, from p.23 United States constitution prohibits purposeful discrimination, not facially neutral laws of general applicability, such as a biology-based defi - nition of sex that has been consistently applied since our nation’s founding;” the bill states. Then, without citing any evidence, the bill appears to suggest that altering birth certifi cates to refl ect a person’s true identity could actually put the safety of society at risk. “Identifi cation of biological sex on a birth certifi cate impacts the health and safety of all individuals,” the legislation notes. “For example, the society for evidence based gender medicine has declared that the confl ation of sex and gender in health care is alarming, subjects hundreds of thousands of individuals to the risk of unintended medical harm, and will greatly impede medical research.” While it is not clear who was responsible for crafting the specifi c language in the bill, ACLU of Idaho policy director Kathy Griesmyer told Gay City News in March that groups lobbying lawmakers included the Madison Liberty Institute, a research organization dedicated to promoting “the founding principles of the American Republic, free-market solutions, and ‘secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and posterity.’” That mission’s reference to the “founding principles of the American Republic” is unmistakably similar to the bill’s language tying together the “biology-based defi nition of sex” and “our nation’s founding.” Other groups that were lobbying conservative lawmakers in the state included the Catholic Church and, unsurprisingly, the anti-LGBTQ legal group Alliance Defending Freedom, Griesmyer said. The bills, which were the subject of intense criticism and aggressive resistance by civil rights groups, were resting on the governor’s desk as the coronavirus pandemic blanketed the nation and the world. Despite the crisis, Little made his priorities clear when he signed the bills just weeks after he said on the record that he was “not a big discrimination guy.” The birth certifi cate law represents a setback just two years after Lambda Legal fi led a lawsuit in 2017 arguing that preventing trans people in the state from receiving accurate birth certifi cates amounts to discrimination and violates the US Constitution. In March of 2018, the US District Court for the District of Idaho ruled that such a restrictive birth certifi cate policy was unconstitutional and discriminated against transgender people. In accordance with the judge’s order, state offi cials were ordered to allow trans people born in the state to correct the gender markers on their birth certifi cates. Civil rights groups are vowing to fi ght back, noting that the birth certifi cate bill, in particular, is clearly at odds with the 2018 federal court injunction. “Leaders from the business, faith, medical, education, and athletics communities will not forget this decision or what it says about the governor’s priorities during a global pandemic,” the ACLU of Idaho said in a written statement. “The ACLU will see the governor in court. We encourage all Idahoans to email, call, and tweet Gov. Little to express outrage and disappointment at wasting precious taxpayer resources on blatantly anti-transgender bills at a time when we should be coming together for the health and wellbeing of our people.” Lambda Legal offi cials, recalling their own recent case in the state, also blasted the governor’s decision to sign the bills into law. “At each step of the legislative process, from this bill’s introduction in the Idaho House, through the Idaho Senate, and on to the governor’s desk, policymakers were fully aware that they were explicitly fl outing a binding federal court order,” Lambda Legal Counsel Peter Renn said. Wheels For Wishes benefiting Make-A-Wish® Metro New York We’re still accepting donations and pick ups Your Car Donations Matter NOW More Than Ever! Free Vehicle Pick Up ANYWHERE We Accept Most Vehicles Running or Not WheelsForWishes.org 100% Tax Deductible Minimal To No Human Contact Call:(917)336-1254 �� CLASSIFIEDS HOME SERVICES Prepare for power outages with a Generac home standby generator SCHEDULE YOUR FREE IN-HOME ASSESSMENT TODAY! 877-516-1160 FREE 7-Year Extended Warranty* A $695 Value! Off er valid March 16, 2020 - June 30, 2020 Special Financing Available Subject to Credit Approval *Terms & Conditions Apply INSURANCE DENTAL Insurance Physicians Mutual Insurance Company A less expensive way to help get the dental care you deserve! FREE Information Kit 1-855-225-1434 Visit us online at www.dental50plus.com/nypress CALL NOW! 1-855-225-1434 Get help paying dental bills and keep more money in your pocket This is real dental insurance — NOT just a discount plan You can get coverage before your next checkup Don’t wait! Call now and we’ll rush you a FREE Information Kit with all the details. Insurance Policy P150NY MB17-NM003Ec 6129 HOME IMPROVEMENTS Discover the world’s best walk-in bathtub from 5 Reasons American Standard Walk-In Tubs are Your Best Choice Backed by American Standard’s 140 years of experience Ultra low entry for easy entering and exiting Patented Quick Drain® fast water removal system Lifetime Warranty on the bath AND installation, INCLUDING labor backed by American Standard 44 Hydrotherapy jets for an invigorating massage 1 2 3 4 5 $1,500 SAVINGS FREE IN-HOME EVALUATION! Includes FREE American StandardRight Height Toilet Limited Time Off er! Call Today! 888-609-0248 Receive a free American Standard Cadet toilet with full installation of a Liberation Walk-In Bath, Liberation Shower, or Deluxe Shower. Off er valid only while supplies last. Limit one per household. Must be fi rst time purchaser. See www.walkintubs.americanstandard-us.com for other restrictions and for licensing, warranty, and company information. CSLB B982796; Suff olk NY:55431H; NYC:HIC#2022748-DCA. Safety Tubs Co. LLC does not sell in Nassau NY, Westchester NY, Putnam NY, Rockland NY. Saving a Life EVERY 11 MINUTES alone I’m never Life Alert® is always here for me even when away from home. One touch of a button sends help fast, 24/7. ® FIRST AID KIT FREE! WHEN YOU ORDER! with GPS! For a FREE brochure call: 1-800-404-9776 Visit us online at GayCityNews.com April 9 - April 22, 2 26 020 | GayCityNews.com /nypress /www.walkintubs.americanstandard-us.com /WheelsForWishes.org /nypress /www.walkintubs.americanstandard-us.com /GayCityNews.com /GayCityNews.com