The Equality Project is the Network's Lesbian, Gay, Bi, and Transgender (LGBT) rights program. This program organizes to pass policies and legislation that are fully inclusive of the LGBT community in Montana. We organize to build the base of support for LGBT inclusive policies by running intensive local campaigns, holding educational events, supporting organizational allies, developing strong leadership, and promoting a human rights analysis of LGBT equality. All of our activities and campaigns promote human rights values of dignity, security, self-determination, and fairness for all Montanans regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Helena Non-Discrimination Ordinance
Montana state law does not protect people from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. This means that Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) people can be fired from their job, denied housing, or be kicked out of a restaurant simply because they're LGBT.
We think that Helena is a great place to live and work, but we want to make sure that everyone feels safe and dignified here. So we're trying to put Helena's values of fairness, dignity, and security into Helena's laws! We're working with city commissioners, local business owners, people of faith, and supportive Helenans to pass a non-discrimination ordinance that protects our LGBT friends and neighbors from discrimination.
If you want to help, click here to sign our petition to the Helena City Commission urging the City of Helena to pass a non-discrimination ordinance that protects LGBT people who live, work in, or visit the City of Helena.
For faith leaders in the Helena area: the online petition includes space for you to add your name to a growing list of faith leaders in the Helena area.
For business or organization leaders: the online petition includes space for you to add your group's name to our growing list of public endorsements for a non-discrimination ordinance that includes law firms, ice cream shops, breweries, restaurants, hotels and dental offices!
If you want to help, download and print this postcard – and put it in the mail. We'll deliver it to the Helena City Commission! For more info, contact equality@mhrn.org
Safe Schools Coalition
The Network has worked to support students, teachers, parents and schools dealing with bullying and harassment. The Network helped form the Montana Safe Schools Coalition in response to concerns that students, parents and teachers raised about severe anti-gay harassment and even violence in their schools. The Coalition offers teacher workshops to educate school officials and teachers about the harmful effects of the anti-gay bias on ALL students and to help them develop skills to address it.
Equality Project links of Interest
As part of this work the Network has engaged in:
- Creating a video, The End of Silence, featuring interviews with Montana students about their experiences with anti-gay harassment.
Contact the Network for the video and training materials.
- Conducting a 2005 survey to accurately and thoroughly analyze Montana youth's experiences with harassment, sexuality,
homelessness and high risk behavior. Contact the Network for a report.
- Working with the State Board of Public Education to require schools to adopt and enforce anti-bullying policies.
The Coalition is formed of the following groups:
Contact Jamee Greer
Phone: 406-442-5506 ext. 12
jamee@mhrn.org
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