Tag Archives: Bill (law)

Help Still Needed to Pass SB107

by D Gregory Smith
Because of YOUR HELP, we made history today!
But we still need YOUR HELP to pass Senate Bill 107!
 
Dear supporter of equality:
Senate Bill 107 has passed an important hurdle! For the first time in our state’s history, a bill to repeal unconstitutional language from Montana’s code that labels gays and lesbians felons has received majority support from both chambers in the Montana Legislature.
This is big news, and reason to celebrate! But there’s still more work to be done.
SB 107 survived today’s “blast motion” carried by Rep. Bryce Bennett and will be heard during second reading on the floor of the Montana House TOMORROW: Tuesday, April 9th!
 
We need you to take a moment and contact your Representative immediately and ask them to support SB 107! Click here to email representatives in your area, or call 406-444-4800 to leave messages for up to five representatives in your area!
This bill would finally remove unconstitutional language from Montana law that labels gays and lesbians felons, punishable by fines of up to $50,000 and/or up to ten years in jail. It was ruled unconstitutional by the Montana Supreme Court in 1997, but remains on the state’s law books because of homophobia and fear.
 
We know that there are reasonable members of both parties on the floor of the Montana House who believe language criminalizing gay and lesbian relationships is wrong! Click here to see how your representative voted on today’s “blast motion” for SB 107!
 
We need you to take a moment and contact your Representative immediately and ask them to support SB 107! Click here to email representatives in your area, or call 406-444-4800 to leave messages for up to five representatives in your area!
 
Call the Capitol Switchboard at (406) 444-4800 to leave a message for up to five legislators in your area at a time.
Thank you for your continued support for equality.
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Being Gay or Lesbian Isn’t a Crime! It’s Time to Pass SB 107!

by D Gregory Smith
Action Alert! From The MHRN today:
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Senate Bill 107, carried by Missoula’s Sen. Tom Facey, was tabled by the House Judiciary Committee today on a 12-8 vote.
We need you to take a moment and contact your Representative immediately and ask them to support the “blast motion” on SB 107 to put this bill on the House floor for a simple yes or no vote! Click here to email representatives in your area, or call 406-444-4800 to leave messages for up to five representatives in your area!
This bill would finally remove unconstitutional language from Montana law that labels gays and lesbians felons, punishable by fines of up to $50,000 and/or up to ten years in jail. It was ruled unconstitutional by the Montana Supreme Court in 1997, but remains on the state’s law books because of homophobia and fear. Despite perennial attempts to eliminate this hurtful language from our laws, and the passage of this bill by the full Senate this session and back in 2011, we consistently come up against a brick wall in an ideologically driven and extremely conservative House committee.
But this is not the end of SB 107 this session! 
We think there are reasonable members of both parties on the floor of the Montana House that believe language criminalizing gay and lesbian relationships is wrong! We want to see this bill move forward with a “blast motion,” a special procedure that allows a bill that has been tabled in committee the chance to have an up-or-down vote. The catch?We’ll need a supermajority of legislators to agree with us – and that’s why we need your help! 
We need you to take a moment and contact your Representative immediately and ask them to support the “blast motion” on SB 107! Click here to email representatives in your area, or call 406-444-4800 to leave messages for up to five representatives in your area! 
 
Call the Capitol Switchboard at (406) 444-4800 to leave a message for up to five legislators in your area at a time. 
Thank you for your continued support for equality.
Sincerely,
Jamee Greer
Montana Human Rights Network