BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — A debate in the House State Affairs Committee Friday broke out when a Representative proposed legislation surrounding the use of preferred pronouns.
Representative Ted hill, who represents the people of Eagle and Emmett, says that his proposed legislation will protect employees in public entities from reprisals should they fail to use someone's preferred pronouns. The legislation comes from teachers who are concerned about this topic, according to Rep. Hill.
This legislation will protect people of Idaho with law that prohibits any government entity in the state from compelling any public employee to communicate preferred personal pronouns, or titles that do not correspond with the biological sex of the individual seeking to be referred to by such a title.
Rep. Hill testified before the committee that he has heard from several teachers who are concerned about this issue, "I got most of this from teachers. This thing was really hot and heavy last year. It was, you will do what they say. You come in each day, each day it's changing. You better honor this or I'm going to report you."
Representative Gannon pushed back, asking for specific examples of when there has been a reprisal against someone for not using someone else's preferred pronouns. Representative Hill replied that he could bring in 20 teachers to another hearing, though he seemingly did not have a specific example.
Rep. Gannon pushed back again asking for any specific examples of reprisals, against teachers or anyone else. Rep. Hill responded again that he could bring in 20 teachers, though he did not provide any specific examples of teachers, or anyone else, who received backlash or reprisals from not using preferred pronouns.
Rep. Hill pointed out that similar legislation has already been passed by 23 states, that this is a First Amendment right. The motion carried, though Rep. Gannon and Rep. Stinson both voted no.
