Here We Have Idaho
I know, I know – an Idaho-centric post, complete with Idaho’s state song as the headline, which on the surface doesn’t apply to or interest those of you outside my home state.
But before you scroll to your next read, give me a few moments. Because not every fire is being started in Washington, D.C. right now.
You see, the whackadoodle legislators in my state are at it again – thus the relevance of the state song – passing an Idaho Senate Committee resolution asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Obergefell v. Hodges, the 2015 decision that gave same-sex couples the right to marry.
The committee wants the power of regulating marriage returned to the states. To send this to the U.S. Supreme Court it will take passage by the Idaho House and Senate chambers, which is not a long shot by any means.
So, a resolution doesn’t have the legal heft to do anything. But what we’ve learned about whackadoodles is that we must take their fever-state dreams seriously because smoke here in the sagebrush can ignite a fire across the country.
I’ve lived in Idaho continuously since 1984. (Wow, writing that sounds Orwellian.) So, I’ve had the opportunity to confront these “Here We Have Idaho” moments before, typically on issues that cast Idaho in a negative light.
I’ve also had the opportunity to stand up in opposition.
In 2014, my firm Oliver Russell joined other businesses in filing an amicus brief (aka friend of the court) to the United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit in favor of same-sex marriage. In our filing, we made a business case for it. It was a public position well outside the main currents here in the conservative state of Idaho, one that didn’t win many friends or clients, but was in complete alignment with our firm’s values. Shortly thereafter in 2015, same-sex marriage became the law of the land. We wound up being a small pebble causing a ripple that joined with others to create a powerful wave.
(The time travelers among you might like to read our post of July 31, 2014, The Business Case for Marriage Equality.)
I didn’t think it would become an issue again. Foolish me.
When the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade with the Dobb’s decision, many observers foresaw it opening the door to revisit law based upon “states’ rights.”
I remember listening to Kara Swisher on an episode of the Pivot podcast say, “First they come for a woman’s right to her own body; next they’ll come for gay marriage.” I’m paraphrasing there, though the spirit is correct and was a prescient auguring that rang true when I heard it.
So, here we have Idaho.
I believe the small brush fire started by our whackadoodles will arrive on everyone’s doorstep this year.
My question is: How will businesses’ respond to this issue? Because it is coming.
If you are a business, it’s an opportunity to breathe life and meaning into your brand, values, and influence by stating publicly that you support the law of our land that upholds the right to same-sex marriage.
If you are an employee, the same measure exists: Ask your leadership for its stance on same-sex marriage – use your talent, their primary profit-generating asset, as a leverage to start discourse and ultimately gain a public commitment to it.
Ditto for customers who hold the sway and power of the almighty hammer engraved with the dollar.
I realize these are fraught times for freedom of speech and human rights. We’ve seen kowtowing of the highest order by the most powerful people and companies in the world to the new presidential administration. Shocking, really, to see the full-frontal lack of dignity and absence of courage on display.
Of course, they know all too well that actively living up to your values, whether corporate or individual, can come with a cost. Something they aren’t willing to risk.
We small businesses ride on the bleeding edge most of the time just trying to keep our pants on.
With, in many ways, more to risk of taking public stands on issues than the mega corporations of this world.
So, are we willing to put it on the line for same-sex marriage as a business issue?
As a social justice issue?
For me, it’s time to bray, not bleat.
On this and a whole host of other issues.
Godspeed, friends.
Russ
💬 Think About It
"But nothing worth having comes without a fight – Got to kick at darkness till it bleeds daylight." Bruce Cockburn, Lovers in a Dangerous Time
💥 Quick Hits
• Lush Poetry – Soap and skincare company Lush brings you "poetry on prescription" in its partnership with the Poetry Pharmacy. (Because I am always trying to infect you with the woke poetry virus. 😉)
• Poetic justice is social justice – The far-right Proud Boys have lost control of their brand name and trademark symbols as a judge has awarded them to a Black church they vandalized.
• Trends in social impact and sustainability – Susan McPherson writes in Fast Company about the five biggest trends in social impact and sustainability for 2025 — and the potential for a watershed year of change.
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