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Add the words January 21, 2014 • Issue no. 33 Volume 26
Boise, Idaho
First issue free
Tabitha Bower @TabithaBower
Mistie Tolman’s hard work and passion came to fruition as she looked out over a crowd of nearly 1,000 Idahoans chanting “add the words” on a clear and mild January afternoon in front of the Idaho State Capitol Building. “Add the Words,” a rally on the capitol steps, drew supporters from all over the State of Idaho on Saturday, Jan. 11. Their message was clear: Idaho lawmakers need to add the words “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to the Idaho Human Rights Act. “It (the rally) was beautiful, moving, inspiring,” said Tolman, spokesper-
son and co-chair of Add the Words, Idaho and Boise State senior political science major. “We need to continue to build on that momentum that the public helped create.” Currently, the Idaho Human Rights Act protects individuals experiencing discrimination based on age, race, gender, religion and disability. It does not, however, protect those who are in the LGBTQIA community. Twenty-one states and the District of Columbia have passed laws prohibiting sexual orientation-based employment discrimination. Discrimination based on gender identity is prohibited in 17 states and D.C. For the past seven years, the Idaho Legislature has refused to
make the changes. Add the Words, Idaho hopes that will change in this legislative session. “What we are asking is very simple, very easy,” Tolman said. “Just add four words in the appropriate places within a law that already exists, so that all of Idaho is afforded the same protections.” Among the speakers at the rally were Sen. Cherie Buckner-Webb and worldacclaimed jazz musician and native Idahoan, Curtis Stigers. As speakers took their turns at the podium, event volunteers passed multicolored ribbons to crowd members who cheered, applauded and chanted, “add the words.”
Tabitha Bower/THE ARBITER
Tabitha Bower/THE ARBITER
Hundreds rally at the state capitol, urge Idaho to “Add the Words”
“Add the Words” rally participants tie ribbons on Saturday, Jan. 11.
See add words I page 3
Lance Moore @LanceMoore07
On the evening of Jan. 17, students and community members flocked downtown to the El Korah Shrine in order to get a taste of the Treefort Music Festival which will take place in March. The organizers of Treefort held a free launch party for all to enjoy, where headlining artist ‘Slow Magic’ took the stage. The launch party consisted of something a little new from the folks of Treefort, they showed brief glimpses into new elemants such as ‘Film Fest’, ‘Storyfort’ and ‘Hackfort’.
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The buzz of Treefort charged excitement throughout the patrons of the launch party. The electric environment was made up of booze, dancing free-spirits and an array of youthful volunteers. The conglomorate of psychedelic performances and shoulder-to-shoulder crowds made up the energy of the night. Mackenzie Thiry, a student at Boise State, spoke her thoughts on Treefort and its rise to popularity. “The last two years have been super successful and I also think this third year is going to be just as successful,” Thiry said.
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Emily Walton, recent Boise State graduate, said the launch party felt like a “reunion.” She also went on to give some of her thoughts on why she thought Treefort has grown to such popularity in Boise and with Boise State students. “I think it’s grown so successfully because they are willing to share their success. They are great about partnering with organizations like Boise State (for Hackfort) and Story Story Night (Storyfort) in a way that enables other people to do something awesome,” Walton said.
See Treefort I page 8
Features
pg 6
Devin Ferrell/THE ARBITER
Treefort mini-fort builds excitement for festival in spring
A preview party for upcoming Treefort took place at the El Korah Shrine.
Arts & Entertainment
pg 7
Sports
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