Dear District 19 and LGBTQ+ friends and allies,
We love Boise, and we are honored to serve this community, a community that is known for welcoming diversity and celebrating what makes us who we are.
Our state has fiercely fought for human rights and dignity. In the past we expelled white supremacists in northern Idaho in the late 1990s, and in our present advocate for the rights of our LGBTQ+ community by standing up for a world where everyone has an opportunity to succeed and to live the life they choose without disdain or fear.
Today we are writing to express our fierce opposition to actions and extremist ideology fueled by fear and ignorance that infringe on the rights of Idahoans. The LGBTQ+ community should not have to wonder if Idaho is a safe and welcoming place to live.
Just this week, we happily posed for some campaign photos under the rainbow flags on Harrison Blvd, and the next day over 20 flags were ripped down. Our hearts sank when we saw this. However, our spirits were lifted quickly the next day when someone replaced them all!
District 19, Boise, Idaho we see you. We love you and we support you. Feeling safe is not a privilege, it is a fundamental right. Every person deserves to feel safe in their community, and have the right to make their own decisions – about love, family, medical care – and to live an authentic life without judgment.
As your elected Democratic legislators from District 19 and one new candidate, we are resolute. We promise to do everything we can in the Idaho Statehouse, and in this community, to continue to fight for your right to freedom and to live your most authentic life.
We stand with you.
In solidarity,
Senator Melissa Wintrow
Representative Chris Mathias
D19 House Candidate Monica Church