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By Kathleen Shannon - Producer, Contact - News
Big Sky Connection - Montana lawmakers have introduced more anti-LGBTQ+ legislation this session than in neighboring states – more than 20 bills. Montanans will gather outside the Statehouse today [3/31] to recognize International Transgender Day of Visibility. Comments by Julia Maxon (they/them), program director, Catalyst Montana.
Click on the image above for the audio. The United States has about 3.3 million transgender adults, according to the Human Rights Campaign. (Scott Griessel/Adobe Stock)
Kathleen Shannon
PNS - March 31, 2025 - Today, Montanans will gather outside the Statehouse to observe International Transgender Day of Visibility, during a legislative session that has targeted that community.
More than 500 bills aimed at the LGBTQ+ community have been brought to legislatures across the U.S. this session. Montana lawmakers introduced more than 20 - the highest rate in the region.
Last week, Gov. Greg Gianforte signed two such bills - one prohibiting trans girls and women from playing school sports and another dictating access to public bathrooms, locker rooms, and changing rooms.
Julia Maxon, program director for Catalyst Montana, said the Day of Visibility is timely.
"While we should celebrate and uplift trans people every day," said Maxon, "it is especially important now because of all of the attempts to attack the trans community coming from our state Legislature."
In a video on X, Gianforte said the laws promote "fairness, privacy and security."
The American Civil Liberties Union, in support of a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against House Bill 121, argues that it violates the right to privacy guaranteed in the State Constitution.
Maxon said trans Montanans are "fellow Montanans" and that lawmakers' efforts to target that community come to the detriment of all residents.
"Like other Montanans," said Maxon, "we just want the Legislature to focus on issues facing all of us, including but not limited to affordable housing, access to health care, and child care."
The Day of Visibility observance will be at the Capitol's flag plaza at noon. Maxon said it will include speakers and activities meant to "build community and solidarity."
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PNS - Monday, March 31, 2025 - President Trump says there are ways for him to take a third term. New tariffs are scheduled for this week, but economists say they'll hurt buying power. And advocates say the Trans Day of Visibility is made more important by state legislation.
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PNS - Monday, March 31, 2025 - Elon Musk holds Town Hall event in downtown Green Bay Sunday supporting judge candidate; Rural advocates urge CA lawmakers to safeguard banking protections; Federal and state job cuts threaten FL workers' rights and services; Alabama counties lack high-speed internet and health access.
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PNS - Friday, March 28, 2025 - The Dept. of Health and Human Services prepares to cut 10,000 more jobs. Election officials are unsure if a Trump executive order will be enacted, and Republicans in Congress say they aim to cut NPR and PBS funding.
