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.
Shameful. Amid a global pandemic, today Idaho became the first state to sign a ban on trans youth participation in… https://t.co/DqQ28qc9GA— TransgenderLawCenter (@TransgenderLawCenter)1585620668.0
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.
#BREAKING: @GovernorLittle just signed anti-trans birth certificate bill HB 509 & anti-trans high school/college sp… https://t.co/JStY2DRv4s— Lambda Legal (@Lambda Legal)1585616637.0
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.
Attention @GovernorLittle: We condemn your decision to sign discriminatory, unconstitutional, and deeply hurtful an… https://t.co/ZsK0N9HSZa— ACLU of Idaho (@ACLU of Idaho)1585617489.0
Leaders from Idaho's business, faith, medical, education and athletics communities will not forget this decision or… https://t.co/uNZAI3w3Kb— ACLU of Idaho (@ACLU of Idaho)1585617490.0
The ACLU will see you in court, @GovernorLittle.— ACLU of Idaho (@ACLU of Idaho)1585617490.0
We encourage all Idahoans to email (governor@gov.idaho.gov), call (208-334-2100), and tweet @GovernorLittle to expr… https://t.co/7ih7STs6EI— ACLU of Idaho (@ACLU of Idaho)1585617490.0
.@GovernorLittle's actions come at a time when we should be coming together for the health and wellbeing of all Ida… https://t.co/Dx5QRJZawk— ACLU of Idaho (@ACLU of Idaho)1585617490.0
Many joined the Idaho ACLU in encouraging people to contact their elected representatives.
Shameful that on the eve of #TDOV @GovernorLittle signed into law two anti-trans bills which will easy cost IDAHO o… https://t.co/tsVZ1AT8X9— The Chris Mosier (@The Chris Mosier)1585616486.0
THANK YOU to everyone who called, wrote, and put themselves in the line by showing up, day after day after day, in… https://t.co/amUC3ZpKxI— The Chris Mosier (@The Chris Mosier)1585616486.0
They also offered words of encouragement to transgender Idahoans.
To every trans athlete in Idaho: I’m so sorry you will face discrimination at this level until the state loses a la… https://t.co/urBMf4Po6G— The Chris Mosier (@The Chris Mosier)1585616487.0
We will fight HB500 & HB509. We will win. It’s just a shame that millions of dollars that could help families & peo… https://t.co/NNooqXEka6— The Chris Mosier (@The Chris Mosier)1585616487.0
#Idaho Trans Youth of Idaho if you are in crisis during the time please reach out for help: Trevor Project 1-866-4… https://t.co/owxjb3VMKh— Jesse (They/Them & Trans) (@Jesse (They/Them & Trans))1585618638.0
They were joined by some famous figures.
This is disappointing and heartbreaking for the trans folks and our allies in Idaho https://t.co/NslOiekpWG— Laverne Cox (@Laverne Cox)1585622086.0
We’re in the middle of a pandemic, so when nobody was looking, Idaho made it illegal for trans people to update the… https://t.co/RPay13oues— Parker Molloy (@Parker Molloy)1585666164.0
Trans women are women. https://t.co/WKsPrhNJWc— Ed Markey (@Ed Markey)1585690080.0
BREAKING: Idaho Gov. Brad Little just signed two bills discriminating against trans people. One blocks trans people… https://t.co/Ghd74IUVZd— Kmart Ronan Farrow (@Kmart Ronan Farrow)1585615236.0
With so many critical issues affecting our nation right now, Idaho is focused on attacking transgender youth. Join… https://t.co/6tmk8sBr1S— Ali Krieger (@Ali Krieger)1585342802.0
We are living in an unprecedented global health crisis, but @GovernorLittle & the Idaho legislature have decided to… https://t.co/aZVlumfqeh— Alphonso David (@Alphonso David)1585618884.0
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.