On Halloween night in 1955, the first arrests in what would become known as the Boys of Boise scandal began. What followed was one of the most disturbing episodes in Boise's history — an investigation and crackdown that would devastate lives, tear families apart, and leave a lasting mark on the community.
Seventy-one years later, the events of that autumn remain an important part of Idaho's history, and the stories of the men caught up in the scandal deserve to be remembered.
Twenty years ago, I made The Fall of ’55, a documentary exploring the events surrounding Boise's 1955 anti-gay crackdown. The film was an effort to bring this largely forgotten chapter of history to light and preserve the experiences of the people whose lives were changed by it.
As we approach the 20th anniversary of the film's release, I've been spending time back in Boise preparing for a special screening. Over the past several days, I've been on the ground putting up posters at local businesses, bookstores, coffee shops, and community gathering places, and reconnecting with the city where this story unfolded.
I've also been filming a series of short videos at locations connected to the history — including the Old Ada County Courthouse and the Old Idaho Penitentiary. While making the original documentary, our crew was granted access to One House at the penitentiary, where several of the men caught up in the crackdown were imprisoned. That building remains off limits to the public today.
It's meant a lot to return to these places two decades after making the film. The history hasn't changed, but the opportunity to share it with new audiences continues.
Join us for the 20th Anniversary Screening of The Fall of ’55
Wednesday, November 11, 2026
7:00 p.m.
Idaho Film Society
Boise, Idaho
This special screening is an opportunity to revisit the film, remember the people at the center of this history, and reflect on why these stories still matter.
Seventy-one years after those first arrests, we remember.