Idaho Republicans are trying to strip localities of nondiscrimination ordinances that protect LGBTQ+ people

"This specific bill we're talking about, HB 557 would eliminate the ability of localities to pass non-discrimination policies protecting characteristics like gender identity or sexual orientation that are not currently protected under state law. The legislation would also remove existing protections that are in place, essentially stripping those LGBTQ folks of the protections that they currently have under law."

"We, like many states, have been fighting for decades to get sexual orientation and gender identity added to the Idaho Human Rights Act. When that effort stalled in the legislature, organizers pivoted to city councils and counties to establish local protections."

Idaho House Bill 557 prohibits cities and counties from adopting or enforcing nondiscrimination ordinances that extend beyond state law. Since Idaho's Human Rights Act does not include sexual orientation or gender identity as protected classes, the bill would erase existing protections in 12 cities and two counties representing approximately 36 percent of Idaho's population. The legislation blocks future local protections while removing current safeguards for LGBTQ+ residents. Advocates view this as a reversal of civil rights protections rather than a policy disagreement, following years of unsuccessful efforts to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the state's Human Rights Act.

Read at Advocate.com