Hundreds of individuals assembled on Friday in a vibrant pride rally outside the Missoula County Courthouse to commemorate Pride Month and to initiate discussions on the rights, political landscape and celebration of the queer community in Missoula and nationwide.
Gov. Greg Gianforte recently signed into law a bill outlawing drag performances on public property, a bill defining sex as either “male” or “female” and a bill placing language from the federal Indian Child Welfare Act in state statute.
Gov. Katie Hobbs used her veto stamp to reject Republican attempts to allow guns on college campuses and to permit shelters to discriminate against trans women.
Kansas Rep. Brandon Woodard and Montana Rep. Zooey Zephyr pushed back Monday against movement among conservative state legislators to erode non-discrimination protections of LGBTQ+ individuals.
Dr. Lauren Wilson writes, "A bill to prohibit critical health care for transgender Montana youth was just signed by Governor Gianforte. His signature came despite the objections of Montana’s health experts, child advocates and parents."
Two transgender Montana teenagers and their families, along with two medical providers of gender-affirming care in the state, are challenging Montana’s newly signed law that bans the treatments for minors and opens practitioners up to professional punishment and lawsuits.
In a state where the political majority has cracked down on the freedoms once enjoyed by the LGBTQ+ community, the chance to dance and mingle in a safe and supportive atmosphere drew hundreds of participants from all identities.
Rep. Regier said in a press conference following Zephyr’s censure last week that SJ Howell was an example of someone who could articulate their point of view on the floor within the rules decorum.