I’m still thinking about Indiana. I’m glad they came up with a patch to the RFRA law they passed. I recognize gays and lesbians in Indiana (and other states) are still subject to discrimination if they don’t live in communities that have added gender identity or sexual orientation to their human rights codes. (Idaho–Add the…
Indiana’s Governor Mike Pence signed a law this week for “Religious Freedom Restoration”. On the surface, this is presumably to protect people’s religious expression. Of course, there are no instances to be cited where religious expression has been threatened in this country. There are plenty of illustrations of where people are legally being allowed to…
Today the House State Affairs committee voted, on a straight party line vote, to keep the Add the Words Bill from progressing to the full house for debate. It should not have come as a surprise, I suppose. But as I kept listening to the 21 hours of testimony, it was clear that the voices…
I’ve spent much of the week listening to testimony for and against House Bill 2, which would Add the Words “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to the Idaho Human Rights Act. My testimony to the House State Affairs Committee is here. There were some beautiful stories shared, particularly when parents of trans children spoke of…
I was able to testify today in favor of House Bill 2, which would Add the Words “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to the Idaho Human Rights Codes. my testimony starts at 1:49. Here are my edited remarks: My name is Marci Glass and I am the pastor of Southminster Presbyterian Church in Boise. I’m…
The Idaho House this week approved introducing a piece of legislation to add the words “gender identity” and “sexual orientation” to the Human Rights Codes. This means we will, after 9 years, finally get a hearing. This will allow people to share stories with legislators about the vital need to include these protections in the…
This morning on the news, I heard someone complain the editors of Charlie Hebdo were guilty of the “sin of provocation” for continuing to publish any cartoons depicting the prophet Mohammed. Last week, 12 people were murdered by terrorists who were offended by the publication and its history of publishing satirical cartoons that depicted religions…
Idaho Governor Clement Leroy “Butch” Otter made this statement this week as he was sworn in for his third term in office. “Where we draw the line is having others’ views imposed on us as mandates out of misguided political correctness or a lack of respect for our history, traditions and values.” I heard that…
Donald and Lynn Knapp are licensed ministers in the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel. Which is great and all. They also own a wedding business in City of Coeur D’Alene that illustrates how sacred marriage is by removing it from the church and putting it in a for-profit business called “The Hitching Post”. They…
Three years ago, I stopped signing marriage licenses on behalf of the state of Idaho. As long as I was unable to officiate at ALL weddings, I wasn’t going to sign my name on any licenses. I still presided at services of Christian marriage and blessings, but the papers were signed by someone other than…
Glass Overflowing 