Equality Project

MONTANANS SUPPORT EQUALITY FOR GAY AND LESBIAN PEOPLE

The Montana Human Rights Network, with the support of organizations including the Montana Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, Service Employees International Union (SEUI HealthCare 775NW), and the United Church of Christ, released polling information that shows a stark contrast between the beliefs of Montanans across the state and Montana law. Read more. . . .

Poll Results

Poll Analysis

-------------

Introducing 50 Voices for Equality
a project of the Montana Human Rights Network

Under Montana law, it is perfectly legal to fire a lesbian from her job, evict a gay man from his home, or refuse a transgender person service in a restaurant.  Amending our existing Human Rights Act to include sexual orientation and gender identity, would allow legal recourse to this discrimination.  Though many allies have been gained, a broader movement is needed to pass this law through the legislature.   

The Equality Project of the Montana Human Rights Network has outlined a three-year program to strategically increase the level of grassroots organizing to support the passage of a fully inclusive Human Rights Act before the end of the 2011 legislative session.

A centerpiece of this expanded grassroots movement will be 50 Voices for Equality. Fifty respected Montanans, one from each Senate district, will agree to make a pro-equality statement to be used in a publicity campaign. 

The Voices will be allies from every corner of the state.  They will be from cities, towns, and reservations.  They will be ranchers, teachers, law enforcement officials, former civic and elected leaders.  Some will be prominent citizens; others, ordinary Montanans.  All will be part of the fabric of their communities.   
 
We are looking for several potential voices in each district.  Since you know your community best, we are looking for help in identifying Voices in your area, and across the state.  These should be people who by publicly supporting equality, will help move family, friends, neighbors and lawmakers to also support equal rights. 

We do not need a large time commitment.  Rather, we are looking for respected members of communities, who by being public in their support for equality, will influence public opinion.

The 50 Voices will:

• agree to the statement, "We believe in equality for all Montanans, and that citizens should not be discriminated against because of their sexual orientation or gender expression." 
  
  
• sign up individually, as a couple or family.   
  
  
• be featured on a website, with a photo, a short bio & a quote for equality.  go to http://www.basicrights.org/50VoicesForEquality/50voices.html to see how Oregon has done this.
  
  
• be asked to do one activity per year & one per legislative session.  These can include an op ed, an interview in the press, sending a press release, testifying at the legislature or speaking at a rally.  The activity will be matched to your interests, skills and community.  We will send talking points or a sample letter to make this easy.           

Thank you for your help in finding 50 Voices for Equality.  Please forward names, contact information (including home address or senate district), & a few words on why this person would be a good Voice for Equality to:

Linda Gryczan
Equality Project    
conlin@mt.net        
(406) 431-3635