An event planned by “Satanic Idaho,” at the Capitol Building in Boise, has created a stir among local & national right wing media outlets this last month as what is normally a routine & uneventful happening, when any other religious groups hold events at the Capital Building, is now being framed by publications as a protest of a bill re-introduced last week by Republican state Rep. Bruce Skaug.
I spoke with Rowan Astra the co-facilitator of Satanic Idaho about the event & the effects of the media apparatus pushing the narrative that the gender affirmation ritual is a protest.
Rowan said, “It was not planned as a protest, but a gender affirmation ritual. Did I plan it during legislative session to be seen by a marginalized demographic & make a point for religious plurality? Yes. Is it however, a meaningful religious or secular ritual to affirm one’s self in a hostile state? Also Yes.” they continued, “Both can be true. We also have others from other religious churches coming to speak on their religious identity & gender affirmation.”
The event is following all the rules to reserve a space in the building & even received a permit. Also many other religious groups have held events at the Capitol, & there’s a Christian one just about weekly there without provocation. For this event, Satanic Idaho is offering “gender affirmation rituals” to remind Idahoans that not everyone uses religion to condemn, but to accept. Saying “We not only accept LGBTQIA+ identities, but celebrate & affirm them.”
The event’s “ritual” is described as, “Essentially a self affirmation ritual, discarding the old name/pronouns and cultural/religious stigma in being LGBTQ+.” & “Talking about how certain beliefs resonate with people's identity,” basically a self declaration, in a space designed for the people (The Capitol Building.)
They also would like to point out while not a protest of the bill introduced by Rep. Bruce Skaug, they do oppose the legislation. The bill, under the condemnable name “Vulnerable Child Protection Act” mirrors other anti-trans legislation in Red States by the same name, but even harsher in some ways. The bill claims that giving puberty blockers or hormones to youth is akin to child abuse & punishable as a felony with jail sentencing up to 10 years.
To dispel a right wing narrative that is also being spread by media outlets. Rowan would like to point out that the group Satanic Idaho is separated from the main “The Satanic Temple” in Massachusetts, but is still a collective, of mainly atheistic Satanists & progressive minded allies that value religious plurality & freedom from religion. Previously a part of “TST Idaho”, they decided they would be more effective combatting specific issues that came to Idaho, but that doesn't stop FOX from reaching out to TST co-founder Lucien Greaves. Whom delightfully declined to comment on the event.
Rowan is expecting “counter protesters” to their ritual on February 13th at the Capitol Building in Boise Idaho, & would like to invite others to attend their celebration of life & LGBT community. They will also have speakers from other faiths talking about their religious views & gender affirmations. In the 2nd Floor Rotunda, at 3pm-5pm.