Testifying: Anyone can get involved in the decision-making process
Testifying is an important part of participating in our state legislature. This means presenting your support or opposition for a submitted bill that is being reviewed by our elected representatives. There are several ways to do it–in-person, virtually, or written only. This past week, I testified three times against 3 bills—HB 822, HB 516, and HB 752—twice virtually and once in writing. I’ve included my testimonies below as an example of how anyone, not just elected politicians, can be involved in the decision-making process for our state.
If you’d like to get involved in submitting testimony, but aren’t sure where to start, consider these resources:
ACLU:
Conservation Voters For Idaho:
Planned Parenthood:
Testimony against HB 752, the “Bathroom Bill” | March 11th, 2026
Chairman Skaug and members of the committee,
My name is Jeffrey Watkins, I am from Boise, and I ask that you oppose House Bill 752. This bill is clearly government overreach on the personal lives of citizens. This bill does not protect women or children, because it isn't criminalizing something that harms women or children. A person simply using a bathroom harms no one. If women are in danger of being assaulted or harassed, let's make an effective bill that strengthens protections for all victims of those crimes. This bill would make "using the bathroom" a worse crime than intentional and lewd indecent exposure to children. This bill would actually encourage harassment and assault in the bathroom as it creates a fear of people who don't look the way they are "supposed to." Not just trans people, but cis women with short hair, broad shoulders, or masculine features. When I was younger, I was mistaken for a girl multiple times, once in a bathroom. I was without my parents and without an ID. If the police were called on me, what would I have done? The government has no place in limiting the expression of its citizens. Dress, appearance, and mannerisms are part of that. This is clear government overreach on our freedom of expression and I urge you to vote no.
Testimony against HB 516, ban on instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in schools | March 9th, 2026
Chairman Lent and members of this committee,
My name is Jeffrey Watkins, I live in District 16. I am speaking against House Bill 516. One year ago, I argued against House Bill 352, which added item 5 to this section of Idaho code. I am here this year to repeat my argument - bills like this, which exist to persecute our LGBTQ+ community members, will make education worse for everyone.
Being heterosexual is a sexual orientation, and following established gender roles is part of gender identity. If this bill passes, would a parent be allowed to complain that their student had to read Romeo and Juliet? Their heterosexual attraction to each other is a core theme of the story that cannot be avoided. The same can be argued of almost all of Shakespeare's comedies. Even in Hamlet, the heterosexual love between Hamlet and Ophelia is a core part of understanding the play.
In Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night," Viola (a woman) disguises herself as a man to work for the nobleman Orsino. Upon falling in love, she laments frequently about how she cannot act on these feelings because Orsino believes her to be a man. Many plot points revolve around Viola appearing as a man - but behaving like a woman. To fully discuss this play, gender identity and sexual orientation will need to be touched on. The Shakespeare Company performed this play for our school last year. It was an incredible experience for my students. I foresee that this bill would put a stop to that.
Parents could use this law to keep social studies programs from teaching how different cultures have different expectations for men and women, or how women’s role in the work force has changed over time. These are all issues tied to gender identity. What about any "coming of age" story that discusses a boy learning the responsibilities of becoming a man? Do we have to ban Pinocchio - a puppet who wants to be a real boy?
None of these topics are salacious or inappropriate for their intended grade-level classes, but if a school district plays it safe to protect itself from this law, I predict they will be eliminated from instruction. Classic literature and important history could be cut—worsening education for all—just to make sure that LGBTQ+ children don’t get the opportunity to know there are others like them.
Testimony Against HB 822, Forced reporting of “social transition” | Submitted Online
House Judiciary, Rules & Administration Committee,
I am a high school teacher in the West Ada School District. I ask that you vote no on this bill. This is micromanaging the classroom and distracting schools from their responsibility to educate their students. One major issue is 6b. I have students that ask to use nicknames that have nothing to do with gender identity. A female student might ask to be called Rose. Sometimes, they're just silly. I've had a student ask me to call him "the Wizard." I'm sure elementary school teachers hear ridiculous requests for silly nicknames more frequently. While these are often fun stories to share with parents, this law would require that I spend my time calling home rather than lesson plan, grade, or call students who are having true difficulties during class.
Additionally, the rules for what is "for boys" and "for girls" are rapidly changing. Rep. Garner went to school when girls weren't allowed to wear jeans to school - now, many outfits that girls wear are the same as boys. I have male students with long hair and paint their nails. If this bill passes, I would be paranoid about punishment at my job and would waste time calling home about nail polish instead of helping students learn and be successful at school. Does the State Legislature plan on creating a comprehensive list of what appearance or dress corresponds to each sex? This would be required for a clear understanding of when this law has been violated, and a list such as that is a clear overreach of the Legislature's authority on our personal lives.
Lastly, this bill is one of many that will signal to children that they cannot trust their parents, their teachers, or their government if they feel like they are a little bit different. This leads to isolation, self-harm, and even suicide. When students (rarely) tell me that they'd like to transition, I kindly and warmly encourage them to talk with their guardians, because this is a huge step in their lives, and they need the support of their guardians. So far, all students who have approached me have confided in their parents because of my encouragement. If students know that their teacher will immediately tell their guardians, then they will not confide in their teachers, and never receive the help that they need.
