From The ACLU: http://myemail.constantcontact.com/ID-to-Pee-in-Pocatello-.html?soid=1104524377630&aid=uQ8tJBAwsGk
Greetings!
It sounds like an SNL skit, but this is no joke. As you may have heard from Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest, in Pocatello, a new public bathroom policy may enforce humiliation and discrimination.
The non-discrimination ordinance that may come up for a vote on June 6th includes a bathroom discrimination policy as an amendment. The amendment says the gender marker on a person’s identification card determines which bathroom they use — and when asked, city officials said any member of the community can enforce the ID check.
There are so many things wrong with this amendment. If you are a child or an immigrant and don’t have ID, can you use the bathroom? Can businesses be sued if someone feels harassed by a bathroom identification demand on their property?
Not to mention that the intentions of the original ordinance were to grant lesbian, gay and transgender people legal protections at work and in their homes — not to further discriminate against people in the community.
Out of state anti-LGBT groups have lobbied the mayor for this amendment. This ordinance is a simple, commonsense chance at equal opportunity for all. This amendment will not only humiliate residents if it is passed, it will also put a dark stain on the long, hard work so many have done to pass a true non-discrimination ordinance.
Together, let’s stop this amendment and protect basic human dignity for all. Write to Mayor Blad and the city council members in Pocatello today urging them to take out this bathroom ID provision. Mayor Blad can by reached by email at mayor@pocatello.us and the Pocatello City Council can be reached at city.council@pocatello.us
Thank you for standing with us and upholding the tenants of freedom and justice.
-ACLU of Idaho
