The Boise City Council voted tonight to join the City of Sandpoint up in northern Idaho and pass a non-discrimination ordinance making it illegal to “discriminate against someone in housing, employment, and public accommodation just because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.”

This is huge.  HUGE!!

Finally, members of one of our state’s most vulnerable communities will have an island of safety down here in the southern part of the state, in spite of the Idaho State Legislature’s relentless efforts to leave them exposed.  Gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgenders have been consistently singled out for exclusion from Idaho’s discrimination and hate crime laws, most recently in February when Idaho senators refused to allow a protection bill to so much as be introduced for discussion.

But now Idaho cities are starting to take the matter into their own hands, bypassing the state legislature and setting up their own ordinances.  Mayor Dave Bieter of Boise told the press tonight that he’s already receiving calls from other mayors in the state wanting information about what’s included in the Boise ordinance.

Thank God.  Maybe if enough of our cities step up to the plate the state legislators will finally start to realize that what they’re practicing has nothing to do with values and everything to do with targeted discrimination.

Bravo Boise and Sandpoint city councils and citizens!  You make us all proud.