Father and Son Soldiers to Bike 1,800 Miles to Boy Scouts HQ to Protest Gay Ban: VIDEO

Army Spc. Joe McGrath, who came home April 15 from a year-long deployment in Kuwait, and his father Dave, a former Army Airborne Ranger, are taking on the Boy Scouts, Idaho's Local8 News reports:

These two warriors are home now, in Idaho Falls together. Now, father and son are about to fight one of those wars that don't look like war. "I have six sons, two of whom are gay," said Dave McGrath. "I have an identical twin brother who is an Eagle Scout, and he's gay."

Thinking about his family, a typically talkative Dave McGrath edges on with a quieter tone. "I love the Boy Scouts," he said. "I wish them all the best, and yet they discriminate against people I love." 

Dave McGrath is a lifetime scout -- but right now the honor weighs heavy on his shoulders He knows not everybody can be one. "Some of us have gay people that we love," he said.

Father and son will bike 1,800 miles to Boy Scout headquarters so McGrath can pin his "95 objections to their stupid policy" on the door.

Watch a report on their amazing mission, AFTER THE JUMP...

Transgender Woman Banned from Idaho Grocery Store for Using Women's Bathroom

Aly Robledo, a 25-year-old transgender woman in Lewiston, Idaho, was banned from a Rosauers grocery store after using the women's bathroom, the AP reports.

Lewiston's KLEW adds:

Robledo was given a no trespass order Monday night shortly after exiting the Rosauer's grocery store location in Lewiston.

"A male subject who was using the female restroom, and that made some women customers uncomfortable because of the appearance that a male was using their restroom," said Lewiston Police Captain Roger Lanier.

"I really doubt that would be more socially acceptable than someone using the men's restroom," said Robledo.

Lanier told KLEW News that employees confronted Robledo, who explained she identifies herself as a transgendered woman who has gone through one phase of reconstructive surgery.

"The store employees didn't want any further problems, and they chose to exercise their right to trespass this individual from the business," said Lanier. "Anyone who owns or controls their property can make that decision."

"I think calling the police is not really sufficient and I think it's a waste of our tax payers' dollars," said Robledo.

The grocery store chain is refusing to comment: "The manager on duty Wednesday afternoon at Rosauer's chose not to comment. KLEW news attempted to get an official comment from the corporate offices of Rosauers, however our calls have not been returned over the period of two days."

Anti-Gay Sen. Crapo Apologizes After Drunk Driving Arrest

Michael Crapo, an anti-gay Mormon Republican Senator from Idaho, has apologized after being arrested for drunk driving early Sunday morning.

"I am deeply sorry for the actions that resulted in this circumstance," he said after being released on a $1,000 bond. The arrest came after Crapo ran a red light in Virginia.

He went on, "I made a mistake for which I apologize to my family, my Idaho constituents and any others who have put their trust in me. I accept total responsibility and will deal with whatever penalty comes my way in this matter. I will also undertake measures to ensure that this circumstance is never repeated."

Crapo is one of the nine Republicans who filed an amicus brief to sustain DOMA earlier this year. He also also voted against repealing DADT, against a comprehensive hate crimes law and for a constitutional amendment prohibiting same-sex marriage. Wonder if we'll ever get an apology for those mistakes...

Big News from Boise, Idaho as City Council Unanimously Approves LGBT Non-Discrimination Ordinance: VIDEOS

Boise, Idaho's City Council took a big step forward last night, passing an ordinance protecting LGBT people from discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodation before a packed house that rose to gave it a standing ovation when the vote was over.

Writes the Statesman:

Following unanimous passage of the ordinance, the standing-room-only crowd in the State Capitol’s west wing auditorium stood and cheered. Jordan and fellow councilwoman Lauren McLean, who spearheaded the effort to draft the ordinance, said it is something Boise has lacked and will help the city’s standing with companies considering whether to open new establishments here. Churches, private organizations such as The Boy Scouts of America and other governments operating in the city are exempt from the law, which takes effect Jan. 1.

Boise is the second city in the state (and the largest) to pass such an ordinance. The first was Sandpoint.

Watch reports from KBOI and NWCN, AFTER THE JUMP...

Idaho Bar Refuses To Sell Pepsi, MillerCoors Over Gay Support: VIDEO

Citing their Christian faith, Mike and Mari Fuller, owners of the Waha Bar & Grill in Idaho, say they will no longer sell Pepsi or MillerCoors beer because of those companies' ties to the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.

"The National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce is an entity that collects money from major corporations to further promote policies for the gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders, and as Christians, we don't support that," said Mr. Fuller. He and his wife said they would bring back the products if the corporations changed their tune on LGBT rights. MillerCoors says that ain't gonna happen.

"MillerCoors has a strong track record of supporting the diversity of our employees as well as the communities in which we work and live. Due to the diversity and breadth of our consumers and because we believe in supporting the many communities we serve, we support myriad organizations across the country. The National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce is one of many organizations we are proud to support," said a spokesperson.

Despite their allegedly strong convictions, the Fullers still sell products from Coca-Cola and Budweiser, both of which work with the NGLCC. Guess they weren't too thorough in their witch hunt.

Watch a video report on the Fullers' conservative menu AFTER THE JUMP...

Idaho Won't Add The Words

On a Friday in February three years ago, disappointed LGBT people and their allies departed the Idaho Senate, some tearfully, after the Senate State Affairs Committee rejected legislation adding LGBTs to the Idaho Human Rights Act, which would have protected LGBTs from housing and employment discrimination. A similar scene played out yesterday. From MagicValley.com:

BOISE • Shock, anger and sadness reverberated through the Idaho Senate auditorium Friday morning after a party-line vote by the Senate State Affairs Committee killed legislation to add protections for gay, lesbian and transgendered individuals under the Idaho Human Rights Act.

Legislative committees don't hear testimony at print hearings, but that didn't stop 300 people from watching as the proposal fell, with only the committee’s two Democrats voting to print the bill. Many attendees wore buttons or shirts stating their support for the legislation, referred to as "Add The Words."

... Bill sponsor Sen. Edgar Malepeai, D-Pocatello, introduced the legislation to the committee. He fought back tears [as he] asked its members to print the bill and allow testimony from supporters.

"In my opinion, it would be profoundly disrespectful not to afford," Malepeai said, pausing to compose himself. "Not to afford those tens of thousands of families affected by this legislation with at least a printing of the bill."

None of the committee members spoke against the bill, though Sen. Chuck Winder, R-Boise, thanked Malepeai for his work.

"I appreciate your passion for this. I appreciate your sensitivity," Winder said. "I appreciate the way you treated me when we visited. I thank you and have a great deal of respect for you."

Respect or no, Winder didn't want that bill printed. Though he and his fellow Republicans declined to speak publically against the bill, they all voted against its printing. From MagicValley.com:

After the vote, the audience gasped. One man shouted "Have you no shame?" as Committee Chairman Curt McKenzie, R-Nampa, adjourned the committee.

As Sen. Bart Davis, R-Idaho Falls, left the auditorium, Bliss resident Marley Luna tearfully approached him, asking for an explanation of his vote. He silently walked past her.

Last time the bill was rejected, it at least made it to print. For more info on the efforts to amend Idaho law, visit addthewords.org.