Protesters Occupy Idaho Governor's Office Over Strict Bathroom Law

Activists rally against new legislation criminalizing bathroom use not based on birth sex

Apr. 1, 2026 at 10:23pm

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More than 30 protesters gathered inside the Idaho State Capitol, in front of the governor's office, for a sit-in to protest the recent passage of House Bill 752, which criminalizes any person who "knowingly and willfully" enters a bathroom, locker room or changing room that does not align with their sex assigned at birth. The group sang in the halls and several sat inside the office, holding transgender and pride flags, in opposition to the new law, which critics say targets transgender individuals unfairly.

Why it matters

The new law in Idaho is considered the strictest in the nation regarding bathroom use, with penalties including up to a year in jail for a first offense and up to five years for a second offense. The legislation has faced strong criticism from the transgender community, with some saying they may leave the state due to the law's enforcement.

The details

House Bill 752 creates criminal penalties for anyone who enters a bathroom, locker room or changing room that does not align with their sex assigned at birth. This is stricter than Idaho's existing indecent exposure laws and DUI penalties. The protesters gathered at the state Capitol, singing and occupying the governor's office, to voice their opposition to the new law.

  • On Tuesday, April 1, 2026, Gov. Brad Little signed House Bill 752 into law.
  • On Wednesday, April 2, 2026, the protesters staged a sit-in at the Idaho State Capitol starting at 4 p.m.

The players

House Bill 752

Legislation that criminalizes the use of bathrooms, locker rooms and changing rooms not aligned with a person's sex assigned at birth, creating the strictest guidelines for bathroom use in the nation.

Gov. Brad Little

The governor of Idaho who signed House Bill 752 into law on Tuesday.

Mistie DelliCarpini-Toman

The director of Idaho PPAA, who previously criticized the bill as "hateful, abusive, and goes against what Idahoans want and need from elected officials."

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What they’re saying

“This bill is hateful, abusive, and goes against what Idahoans want and need from elected officials. HB 752 — which makes it a crime to be trans in public — is not about safety. This is about using the power of government to target, intimidate, and erase an already vulnerable community.”

— Mistie DelliCarpini-Toman, Idaho PPAA Director

What’s next

The protesters have vowed to continue their occupation of the governor's office until the law is repealed or significantly amended. Legal challenges to the law are also expected in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

Idaho's new bathroom law, which imposes harsh criminal penalties on those who use facilities not matching their birth sex, has sparked outrage and protests from the transgender community and their allies. The law is seen as an extreme measure that unfairly targets a vulnerable population, raising concerns about civil liberties and the role of government in regulating personal identity.