Protect Local Anti-Discrimination Ordinances! 

Rep. Kristin Hansen (R-Havre) has requested a bill to repeal the Missoula Nondiscrimination Ordinance that so many worked so hard to pass last spring.  The ordinance protects Lesbian, Gay, Bi, and Transgender (LGBT) people from discrimination in the areas of housing, employment, and public accommodations. Rep. Hansen’s bill doesn’t stop with Missoula.  It would prohibit any locality from passing an ordinance, resolution, or policy that protects a class of people beyond what the Montana Human Rights Act already covers! And it’s retroactive, which calls into question any personnel policy or resolution that a locality has already passed.  Click here to read the bill.

We need you to contact Rep. Hansen TODAY at krishansen33@gmail.com

and ask her not to introduce LC1865! We are hoping that if she hears from enough Montanans by Monday, that she will drop this egregious effort.  Please take a minute to email Rep. Hansen!  This bill would prevent any Montana city from protecting LGBT people in the future.  It is really important that Rep. Hansen hear from people all over the state!

Here are a few talking points for your message:

• After Montana has failed to protect LGBT Montanans at the state level for decades, localities have decided to take the initiative and protect their own residents.  This is the right of cities and counties across Montana.  The state sets a minimum standard for protections against discrimination.  Cities and Counties can expand protected classes.

• LGBT Montanans deserve to live their lives and fully participate in their communities without fear of losing their jobs or housing because or their sexual orientation or gender identity and expression.

• It is the right of cities and towns to take care of their residents and protect them from discrimination.  The state of Montana should be in the business of extending these protections to LGBT Montanans, not repealing these protections.

We also got notice that SB 276, to repeal the unconstitutional language that criminalizes consentual, same sex sexual conduct has been set for a hearing on Tuesday, Februrary 15th in the Senate Judiciary Committee at 9:00 AM.  Sen. Facey (D-Missoula) is carrying this legislation.  Please email the committee and show your support by clicking here. Or you can attend the hearing and show your support in person!

Thank you for your continued support!

Sincerely,

Kim

Kim Abbott

Montana Human Rights Network