*May 9, 2021* It’s been just over a week since we bid adieu to the 2021 Legislative Session, and we hope y’all have been able to take a breather. As you’re probably aware, a lot of the legislation we saw this session wasn’t so great. Over the last four months, you may have felt hopeless,…
Category: Notes from the Field
What the Helena – Week 17
*May 2, 2021* Friends, it has been a long session. We feel like we’ve aged ten years in the last four months. We have seen good bills die, bad bills pass, and legislators representing special interests — NOT their constituents. Through it all, one thing has been constant: Montanans like you have shown the f**k…
What the Helena – Week 16
*April 25, 2021* The final day of the legislative session — known as sine die — inches closer by the day, though lawmakers seems to be speeding up before they slow down. One hateful bill down, two to go Put on your party pants, people! This week, the Senate voted to indefinitely postpone HB427, which…
What the Helena – Week 15
*April 18, 2021* Events this week: Sunday, April 18 (Today!): Time to channel your inner Bob Ross, because we’re hosting a statewide, collaborative art project exploring what economic justice means to young Montanans. Sign up to participate by the end of the day today! Monday, April 19: Students from across Montana will be holding a protest at the Capitol building…
Queer in Montana: Reflecting on the 2021 Legislative Session
During the event on March 16th, we talked about this issue: How do we take care of each other when it feels like every politician in the state is working to abolish our existence? I’ve thought a lot about this and have struggled to come up with a good list of self-care tips because it does feel a bit hopeless at times. Then I was reminded by a very inspiring individual that queer and trans people are magical. We have always and will always exist. With that, here are a few of my favorite tips to take care of yourself and others:
What the Helena – Week 14
*April 11, 2021* We hope y’all are staying healthy, safe, and taking care of yourselves. If you haven’t already heard, COVID-19 vaccinations are now available to all Montanans over 16 years old. They are free and don’t require insurance, so go get that jab! Save the date: Forward Montana is collecting submissions for a zine…
What the Helena – Week 13
*April 4, 2021* Events this week: Tuesday, April 6 — Join us and some of our partners for a virtual Public Lands Rally from 12-1pm. We’ll hear short speeches from Conrad Anker (climber, mountaineer, & author), Francine Spang-Willis (board member, Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness Foundation), Rachel Schmidt (former director, MT Office of Outdoor Recreation), and Andrew Posewitz (sportsman…
Stop Asian Hate Statement
Note: Monday night, a gunman shot and killed 10 people in Boulder, CO. Our hearts go out to the Boulder community and families of the victims. — Hyun Jung Grant. Xiaojie Tan. Yong Ae Yue. Daoyou Feng. Soon Chung Park. Sun Cha Kim. These are the names of the six Asian women who were…
What the Helena – Week 11
*March 21, 2021* Events this week: Tuesday, March 23 — Voting Rights Legislative Happy Hour Wednesday, March 24 — Climate Justice & Public Lands Legislative Happy Hour Join us to ask questions on bills and practice crafting testimony! Let’s talk about decorum Decorum: a fancy word for appropriate conduct in the legislature. It’s causing quite a stir. Last week, the House Rules Committee…
2020 Post-Election Statement
Please see the below statement from Kiersten Iwai, Executive Director and Amara Reese-Hansell, Program Director: As an organization that fiercely believes in a just and equitable world where all Montanans can thrive, we’re disappointed in this week’s statewide election results. We’re grappling with the fact that our generation is now represented by Montana politicians…