Idaho's GOP Governor Blasted After Signing Two Anti-Trans Bills Into Law On Eve Of Trans Visibility Day

The International Transgender Day of Visibility was Tuesday, March 31.

It is an annual event dedicated to celebrating transgender people, raising awareness of discrimination faced by trans people and a celebration of their contributions to society.

But Idaho Governor Brad Little chose a unique way to celebrate.

Little, a Republican, signed two anti-trans rights bills into law on Monday.

The first (HB500) limits trans people's participation in school sports. The second (HB509) makes it harder for trans individuals to change their birth certificates.

Little's office didn't comment on the need for laws deliberately targeting transgender Idahoans during a global pandemic. However the move mimicked other attempts by GOP leadership at the national level.

The White House has been accused of exploiting the distraction caused by the public health crisis to roll back environmental protections and attack the tribal sovereignty of the Mashpee Wampanoag.

While Little's Boise office didn't comment on the discriminatory legislation, plenty of others did.

Many joined the Idaho ACLU in encouraging people to contact their elected representatives.

They also offered words of encouragement to transgender Idahoans.

They were joined by some famous figures.

While the current public health crisis deserves the attention it has required, people will also need to be vigilant against those who would exploit the pandemic to attack their rights.

For people who know someone who needs to get the message, this shirt is available here.