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Dear WFM Supporters,
June is Pride Month! This is a time for us to learn, celebrate, and honor the struggle and joy of the LGBTQ, nonbinary, and Two-Spirit communities. Work for LGBTQ2S+ equality and women’s equality are linked, through lived experiences of people who are both women and LGBTQ, like myself, and in our laws, workplace policies, and cultural norms and beliefs.
The struggle for LGBTQ2S+ equality is a struggle that ultimately impacts everyone who works for gender equality. Roughly 3% of adults in Montana are LGBTQ2S+. While Montana is a special place to call home, LGBTQ2S+ Montanans face health and income disparities and have no statewide protections against discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, or lending and credit.
For transgender individuals specifically, trans women experience incredibly high rates of discrimination in employment and healthcare and high rates of violence. This year, we saw an increase across the country in the legislative attacks against the trans, nonbinary, and Two-Spirit communities. The 2023 Montana State Legislature passed legislation that explicitly defines sex throughout state law to exclude transgender people.
Even with these obstacles, June has been a month full of celebrations around the state including Bozeman, Red Lodge, Flathead, Missoula, Billings, Great Falls, Anaconda, and Big Sky Pride. We should recognize the local organizing in Montana that supports the queer and trans community and honor the joy of these celebrations.
If you attended any of these celebrations, we would love to see your pictures and hear your stories.
Celebrations still to happen in July and August:
Read more about Pride here.
Sincerely,
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