You’re Invited

JOIN THE CELEBRATION – YOU ARE INVITED!

Announcing a special reception to honor the 2013 Montana Pride Foundation Scholars and the 20th Anniversary of the Pride Foundation Scholarship Program!

Twenty years ago, Pride Foundation received a special request to memorialize a family member by starting a scholarship fund in his honor. Growing from that first, single scholarship award to six scholarships awarded the following year, we never could have imagined the growth and joy that would follow. This year, Pride Foundation will support the educational dreams of more than 100 students from across the region—bringing the total number of students supported since 1993 to over 1,000. In partnership with and with great thanks to the thousands of volunteers, fund-holders, and donors of the Scholarship Program, nearly $3 million has been awarded.

We will be celebrating this special anniversary as well as honoring the 2013 Pride Foundation Scholars at events across the region. Please join us as we celebrate our scholars, acknowledge family members, teachers, and mentors in their lives, and also thank our generous donors and volunteers for their support.

Please join us:

Missoula, Montana
Friday, May 10
5:00 PM
The Florence: 111 North Higgins Avenue | Missoula, Montana 59802

This event is free to attend. Hors d’oeuvres, beer, and wine will be hosted.

It is important that you RSVP to Caitlin at caitlin@pridefoundation.org or by calling 406-546-7017 by May 8. Space is limited.

We look forward to seeing you there!

With Pride,
Kris Hermanns
Executive Director

PS: If you cannot join us but would still like to support the Scholarship Program, pleaseclick here to make a secure gift online.

Join Pride Foundation Scholars At Special Reception (dgsmith.org)
Two UM students awarded prestigious scholarships (missoulian.com)

Fair Is Fair

Apr23 by D Gregory Smith

This past weekend was important to me for a number of reasons.

I got to meet and spend some quality time with one of my heroes, Bishop Gene Robinson. (story/interview to follow)

But I also got to meet and spend some quality time with dedicated Montana people who care about equality in our state. Some became even more strongly convinced after watching “Diversity Day” and “Love Free Or Die” presented in local churches.

Even I- a committed partner of the ACLU and the Fair Is Fair Campaign- became inspired after hearing Bishop Robinson speak about the need for Christian compassion and understanding in the face of fear and unintentional ignorance about LGBTIQ persons.

“Our job is to make this an issue of compassion and justice, not theology”, Bishop Robinson said. “We have to make the issue of fairness one that brings a face to mind whenever we talk about equality. This is about people.”

But being inspired is only as good as the actions it produces.

I want to encourage you to bolster the ACLU’s Fair Is Fair campaign by taking your inspiration and desire for justice and take action- by becoming a member.

My family belongs because we believe in the work of the ACLU. We believe it is important to support a coalition of organizations to bring full equality to all Montanans- but that only works if we all come together. The Montana ACLU is helping to make that happen, and I’m proud to be a supporting member.

I hope you’ll join us.

~Greg

You Don’t Want To Miss This: Big Gay Weekend In Billings (dgsmith.org)
Win A Copy Of Love Free Or Die From ShockYa’s Twitter Giveaway (shockya.com)
First gay Anglican bishop, Gene Robinson, reflects on tenure in New Hampshire (miamiherald.typepad.com)
Bishop Gene Robinson Predicts 6-3 Supreme Court Ruling Striking Down DOMA (ontopmag.com)
‘Love Free or Die,’ Film on Bishop Gene Robinson, Comes to DVD (advocate.com)
Former Felons Celebration Thursday (dgsmith.org)

Former Felons Celebration Thursday

Apr16 by D Gregory Smith

From the Facebook event page:

Senate Bill 107 is on its way to the Governor’s desk for his signature and last week’s historic vote deserves a celebration!

SB107 finally removes the 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 remained on the state’s law books because of homophobia and fear. Last week it passed the Montana House on a 64-35 vote, after passing the Montana Senate 38-11.

The passage of SB107 is a “decades in the making” event that deserves some celebrating!

Come enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres, music and fun sponsored by the Montana Human Rights Network, Planned Parenthood of Montana, ACLU of Montana, Pride Foundation, and generous personal donations from Senators Tom Facey, Christine Kaufmann, Pat and Carol Williams, Diane Sands, Jamee Greer and Linda Gryczan.

What: Former Felons Celebration
When: Thursday, April 18th at 5:30pm
Where: Jorgenson’s Ballroom, 1714 11th Ave. in Helena
Cost: Free, although donations accepted!

** Governor Steve Bullock will sign Senate Bill 107 earlier that day in a special signing event in the Montana Capitol Building Rotunda at 12:30pm.
All supporters are welcome to attend!

And yes-I’ll be at that signing. No way I’d miss it…..

You Don’t Want To Miss This: Big Gay Weekend In Billings

Apr14 by D Gregory Smith

Bishop Gene Robinson is a pioneer, and I’m really looking forward to meeting him- this is a big deal for Montana.

I’m also excited about Gregory Hinton’s play about the Missoula non-discrimination ordinance. It promises to be an informative, enlightening and inspirational weekend for everyone interested in equality. I will be in Billings Friday through Sunday- I hope to see you there!

B.A.S.S Copper Cotillion May 4th

Apr11 by D Gregory Smith

Butte AIDS Support Services holds their Third Annual Copper Cotillion to benefit those living with HIV in Southwest Montana. Check out their Facebook event page here.

SB107 Passes 2nd Reading!

Apr9 by D Gregory Smith

…on a 64-36 vote– adding four more Republican votes (Jones, Hagan, Redfield and Cuffe) than yesterday.

The testimony included reasoned argument and a lot of theological gymnastics- at one point actually bringing in “the devil”.

Seriously.

Thank God wiser heads prevailed.

There will be one more up-or-down vote on Wednesday before the bill heads to Governor Bullock’s desk for his signature, but based on today’s lackluster- and sometimes childishly superstitious opposition- I don’t expect much of a fight.

Related articles

Help Still Needed to Pass SB107 (dgsmith.org)

Watch the MT House Debate SB107 Live

Apr9 by D Gregory Smith

Here: http://leg.mt.gov/css/Video-and-Audio/live-session-2013.asp

From Yesterday’s Testimony:

Apr9 by D Gregory Smith

Full speech is here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7CsHmMwzrQ

Help Still Needed to Pass SB107

Apr9 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!

Send an email to legislators in your area by clicking here.

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.

There’s Still Time To Take Care Of This…. (dgsmith.org)
Being Gay or Lesbian Isn’t a Crime! It’s Time to Pass SB 107! (dgsmith.org)
MONTANA: Openly Gay Rep. Bryce Bennett Intros Bill To Decriminalize Gay Sex (joemygod.blogspot.com)
Montana GOP legislators think homosexuality is a crime (watchdog.org)
Gay Montana Lawmaker Makes Emotional Plea to Decriminalize Homosexuality: I am Not a Felon – VIDEO (towleroad.com)

There’s Still Time To Take Care Of This….

Apr7 by D Gregory Smith

Being gay or lesbian isn’t a crime!

It’s time to pass SB 107!

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!