Idaho GOP seeks to legalize anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination in wave of billshttps://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/02/idaho-gop-seeks-to-legalize-anti-lgbtq-discrimination-in-wave-of-bills/ 🔗Daniel Villarreal (20 Feb 2026)
LGBTQ+ advocates are speaking out against several anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced by the Republican supermajority in Idaho's legislature, including one that would legalize anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination by local businesses.
The bills include H.B. 607, a bill banning trans people from using the correct restrooms and changing rooms in government buildings and public businesses, and H.B. 606, a bill criminalizing trans people from using facilities that match their gender identity; H.B. 516, a "don't say gay" bill banning LGBTQ+ instruction in public school classrooms; H.B. 561, a bill banning the Pride flag from being flown at city and county government buildings; and H.B. 557, a bill blocking local LGBTQ+ anti-discrimination protections.
The Idaho Family Policy Center has explicitly said that LGBTQ+ non-discrimination protections force business owners — particularly "bakers, photographers, florists, graphic designers, and wedding venue operators" — to "participate in same-sex wedding ceremonies and pride festivals," which conflicts with their religious beliefs, KIVI reported. As such, the bill seeks to allow businesses to refuse to serve LGBTQ+ individuals, organizations, and events.
Nikson Mathew, the transgender chair of the Idaho Democratic Queer Caucus, said, "These bills ... police public spaces, censor speech, override local control, take away parental rights, restrict privacy and target LGBTQ+ people and families... I just want to say to every queer and trans Idahoan: We deserve safety, we deserve joy and love, and to exist without our humanity being debated every legislative session."
