The legislation takes aim directly at trans individuals using the restroom or locker rooms, threatening those who “knowingly” and “willfully” enter facilities designated for the “opposite biological sex” with prison time. A first offense would count as a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail. Those caught using the bathroom in repeated offenses, however, could be convicted as felons and face up to five years in prison.
It’ll be interesting to see how this aligns with the Full Faith and Credit clause for someone who updates their birth certificate from another state that allows for that then uses the bathroom that aligns with said certificate.
Boise isn’t down for the count yet. Last year when the state started coming after Pride flags on government property the Mayor and City Council adopted the Pride flag as our city flag. The state legislature has been trying to figure out how to override that ever since. We ran the Hammerskins out of town when they tried to have a music festival, we’ve put MAGAt business owners out of business, we’ve got a lot of teachers and librarians operating malicious compliance to the anti-woke mandates, and I’ve seen more than a few bigots get their teeth knocked out and heads stomped. They might have taken over our state but they haven’t taken over our city.
Moscow Idaho is also still holding out for a bit longer. Lots of trans people going there as a stepping stone to get to Seattle, it’s got Inland Oasis running pride and drag events and doing a lot of work making queer spaces. It is currently being literally invaded by christo fascists so I worry it’s a matter of time but for now at least it’s still a decent place (especially compared to most other parts of Idaho though I know that bar is so low you’d need a shovel to find it). I wish Boise all the best in their resistance