Idaho has joined the long list of red-state legislative bodies across the country restricting the civil rights of Trans and Queer people with the passage of House Bill 752, slated to go into effect on July 1, 2026. 

The bill stipulates that “any person who knowingly and willfully enters a restroom or changing room in a government-owned building or a place of public accommodation, as defined in section 67-5902, Idaho Code, that is designated for use by the opposite biological sex of such person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and may be imprisoned in the county jail for a period not to exceed one (1) year,” and those found guilty another time within five years “shall be guilty of a felony and may be imprisoned in the state prison for a period not to exceed five (5) years.”

Gov. Brad Little signed the bill into law on March 31, which also happened to be Transgender Day of Visibility. 

On the same day, the governor also signed into law House Bill 561, which will fine Idaho cities $2,000 a day for flying flags not on a specific list, until taken down. As a result, the Pride flag that flew over the state capitol in Boise was removed. 

A sit-in of over 30 people was staged in Gov. Little’s office on April 1 by Transgender advocates and allies to protest both laws. Several protesters who refused to leave after the office closed at 5 p.m. were arrested for the misdemeanor charge of trespassing, according to KTVB 7 and the Idaho State Police. 

A GoFundMe effort was organized to assist with the legal fees of those arrested. As of April 2, the campaign reached its $20,000 goal, having received about 350 donations.