Upcoming Events
Thursday October 5th
Bozeman Municipal Candidate Forum
Join us for the Bozeman Municipal Candidate forum! We will have mayoral and commission candidates present to answer YOUR burning questions about our community.
Location: Bozeman, Wild Joe’s on Main Street
5-7pm
Saturday October 7th
Billings Municipal Candidate Forum Day 1
Join Forward Montana, the League of Women Voters and Billings Kiwanis for our Municipal Candidate Forums in local parks across Billings! We’ll ask candidates about their vision for our community, play some fun candidate games, and we’ll have plenty of time for audience questions. Please bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket to sit on! We’ll have a limited number of chairs available for folks who may need them!
Pioneer Park @ 10 a.m. Ward 1
Central Park @ 1 p.m. Ward 3
Castle Rock Park @4 p.m. Ward 2
Location: Parks across billings!
Sunday October 8th
Billings Municipal Candidate Forum Day 2
Join Forward Montana, the League of Women Voters and Billings Kiwanis for our Municipal Candidate Forums in local parks across Billings! We’ll ask candidates about their vision for our community, play some fun candidate games, and we’ll have plenty of time for audience questions. Please bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket to sit on! We’ll have a limited number of chairs available for folks who may need them!
Veterans Park @ 1 p.m. Ward 4
Centennial Park @ 4 p.m. Ward 5
Location: Parks across Billings!
Past events
Wednesday Sept. 21st
Missoula Pint Night
Say hi to local FMT team members, update your voter registration, pick up some swag! Enjoy a bev that benefits Forward Montana’ year-round work!
Location: Missoula, Imagine Nation, 1151 W. Broadway St. 5:30-8 p.m.
Wednesday Sept. 10th
Bozeman Pint Night
Say hi to local FMT team members, update your voter registration, pick up some swag! Enjoy a bev that benefits Forward Montana’ year-round work!
Location: Bozeman Brewing, 504 N. Broadway Ave. 2-8 p.m.
Wednesday Sept. 6th
Butte Pint Night
Say hi to local FMT team members, update your voter registration, pick up some swag! Enjoy a bev that benefits Forward Montana’ year-round work!
Location: Butte, Slainte 8 S. Montana st. 5-8 p.m.
Friday & Saturday august 25-26
Alpenglow Voter Registration
Come join us at Bozeman’s country music festival and register local voters with us! We have some free tickets available to folks who come volunteer with us. Come hang out with us, listen to music, and support our local community!
Location: Bozeman, Ponderosa Social Club,
515 W Aspen St
Thursday august 24th
2023 Missoula Mayoral Candidate Forum
In anticipation for the 2023 Missoula Municipal Primary Elections on September 12th, join Forward Montana for our Mayoral Candidate Forum Event! Join us as we ask candidates about their visions for Missoula, play a fun candidate game, and talk about how the Mayor can affect change in our community! The first 30 participants to RSVP /sign in will receive a drink on us.
Location: Missoula, The Unions Bar & Grill
Saturday august 8th
montana pride (Helena)
Montana Pride will celebrate its 30th anniversary from July 30th – August 6th in Helena. We will be walking in the parade and present at the street party on August 8th. More details soon!
Location: helena, multiple locations
Tuesday July 25th
Trivia in the Park
Do you love trivia? Are you looking for something to do after you hit the farmers market? Come join Forward Montana and friends for a night of voting rights themed trivia. Bring your friends, make a team, and try and have the best (or funniest!) trivia answers for some fun prizes. Game starts at 6:30pm in Story Mill park, we’ll be grilling and hanging out from 5:30-6:30pm so make sure to get there early for some free food and drink!
Location: Bozeman, Story Mill Park, @ 5:30pm-7:30pm
Saturday July 8th
lincoln county pride festival
Lincoln County is celebrating Pride and we can’t wait to be in Libby on July 8th! More details to come, but you can expect live performances, family friendly games, food vendors, and more!
Location: libby, fred brown pavilion @ 11am-7pm
Saturday July 1st
butte pride
Join us at Butte Pride! We’ll have a tent and table with swag and zines, and look forward to live music, delicious food, and a dance party.
Location: Butte, stodden park @ 5-9pm
FRIDAY June 30th
Zine Release & Pre-Pride Social
Join us in celebrating the release of Transcendent Joy: Big Gay Planet! at this Pre- Butte Pride Social. Come collage, share sips and snacks, and make some friends to wave to at Butte Pride the next day!
Location: Butte, IBRC / Imagine Butte Resource Center @ 5-8pm
Saturday June 24th
Voter Registration Downtown Pride Festival
Join Forward Montana as we celebrate pride in downtown Billings by registering voters and handing out stickers and resources! We have two hour shifts set-up for volunteers but we can be flexible with when volunteers have time. You’ll receive a full training and will be in the heart of pride festivities!
Location: Billings, Skypoint 124 N 28th St. @ 11AM-7pm
Wednesday June 21st
BIG GAY PLANET! Zine launch, survey party and open mic night!
Join Forward Montana at Kirk’s Grocery during Pride week to celebrate the launch of our 2023 Zine “Big Gay Planet” and our Billings LGBTQ2S+ Community survey AND an open mic night for folks to read their work related to our Big Gay Planet theme! This will be an alcohol free space with snacks and drinks, crafts and an opportunity to be together with queer folks and allies celebrating our community.
Location: Billings, Kirk’s Grocery @ 5:30-8pm
Sunday June 18th
Missoula Pride Roller Disco!
Join Forward Montana at Missoula Pride’s Roller Disco to hand out the new edition of our zine, Transcendent Joy, conduct voter registration, and celebrate queer joy! Volunteers will receive food and drinks for their time
Location: Missoula County Fairgrounds @2pm-5pm
Saturday June 17th
Pride Parade + Block Party
Join Forward Montana on Saturday June 17th in Downtown Missoula at Missoula’s Pride Parade and Block Party! Come help hand out our new edition of Transcendent Joy (Big Gay Planet!), conduct voter registration, and celebrate queer joy with us! Volunteers will receive food and refreshments for their time.
Location: Missoula, Downtown Missoula @12:30-8 Pm
Friday June 16th
Big Gay Planet! Dance Party
Forward Montana is hosting an afterparty at the ZACC for the first day of Missoula Pride, and we are looking for volunteers to help make this event a success! There are several different roles and time slots that we are hoping to fill. We’d like some help setting up and cleaning up, would like to have some folks tabling (passing out resources and registering people to vote), and then some general floaters to be available to help event attendees (pointing people towards the bathroom, helping people if they look unwell, helping out with screen-printing at the beginning of the event).
Location: Missoula, Zootown Arts Community Center @8:30pm-12:30am
Friday June 16th
Missoula Zine release party
Join us to celebrate the release of volume three of Transcendent Joy, Forward Montana’s zine by and for LGBTQ2S+ Montanans. This year’s theme? BIG GAY PLANET! Enjoy free snacks, and readings from featured artists and local queers.
Location: Missoula, Zootown Arts Community Center @4:30-6:30 pm
June 8th-11th
Flathead Pride Festival
Forward Montana will be tabling from 11am – 3pm on June 10th during the Party in the Park!
Location: Kalispell, Depot Park @11 am
Wednesday June 7th
Youth V Gov Screening
As a part of Climate Week Billings, Forward Montana, Families for a Livable Climate, The Montana Environmental Information Center, and Montana Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate are hosting a screening of Youth v. Gov, followed by a social event! Rikki Held and Steve Running will give short talks with the screening of the film from 6:00-7:50pm followed by a social hour!
Location: Billings, Pub Station @ 5:30 pm
Friday April 14th
Flathead School Board Roundtable!
The Flathead School Board election is right around the corner, giving you the chance to vote for a candidate that you believe best represents our community and the future you want to see for schools in Kalispell and Columbia Falls School Districts. No matter if you’re a parent, high school student, college student or a community member – our school board election impacts you! Join Forward Montana at our School Board Roundtable to learn more about the candidates and where they stand on key school issues. We’ll be sure to ask important questions and ensure there’s plenty of time for community participation so your questions can be heard! Participants will receive a free beverage on Forward Montana!
Location: Bias Brewing (new location!), 412 Main St, Kalispell, MT 59901
6pm – 7:30pm
Friday April 14th
WTF is an Urban Transportation District?!
Join Forward Montana and partners for an informational event about what is an Urban Transportation District, why we need it, and why it’s on your ballot this May. Appetizers and refreshments will be provided!
Location: MSU SUB Room 233, 751 W GRANT St Rm 233, Bozeman
5:30pm – 7:00pm
Wednesday April 12th
Billings School Board Candidate Forum
You’re invited to Forward Montana’s 2023 Billings School Board Candidate Forum – taking place virtually over Zoom on Wednesday, April 12th from 6:00-7:30pm. Join us at our School Board Forum to learn more about the candidates and where they stand on key school issues. We’ll be sure to ask hard-hitting questions and ensure there’s plenty of time for audience participation so your questions can be heard!
Location: Zoom!
6pm – 7:30 pm
Every Monday Feb 20-May 1st
Write for our rights
Join the statewide Forward Montana on Monday nights throughout the 2023 legislative session! We’ll come together to discuss everything you want to know about getting involved and shaping the future we want to see! Join us for the full 45 minutes, or drop in and out, we’ll be here, over zoom, every Monday at 6pm!
Location: Zoom!
6pm – 6:45pm
11 March 2023
MT Youth Organizing Summit
Join us in Bozeman for a summit centered on an issue on every young Montanan’s mind: housing! We’ll cover three categories: mutual aid and direct service, community and tenant organizing, and policy and legislative advocacy. Sign up here!
Location: Bozeman @ Rialto
23 February 2023
Storytelling as Political Action
Join Forward Montana at Burns St. Bistro as we discuss turning our stories into political action, whether that be through testifying to the Montana State Legislature or Missoula City Council, writing an LTE, or emailing your representative! This event will include a short presentation and an opportunity to learn about bills we care about in this year’s legislature and workshop a public comment or LTE in small groups! Food will be provided. Hope to see you there!
Location: Missoula @ Burns St Bistro
6pm – 7:30pm
23 February 2023
Bozeman Public Comment Training
Join us at the Bozeman office for a chance to learn about how to get involved the current Montana Legislative Session OR right here in Bozeman at the City Commission. You’ll get the chance to practice writing public comment, testimony and more, plus the chance to ask all your questions and connect with other passionate community members. Light dinner and drinks will be provided!
Location: Bozeman@ FMT Office
6pm – 7:30pm
23 February 2023
Billings Legislative Public Comment Training
Join us at the Billings office for a chance to learn about how to get involved the current Montana Legislative Session. Lawmakers are in Helena making decisions that will affect us and our neighbors for years to come. You’ll get the chance to practice writing public comment, testimony and more, plus the chance to ask all your questions and connect with other passionate community members. Light dinner and drinks will be provided!
Location: Billings @ Home On the Range (FMT Office)
6pm – 7:30pm
20 February 2023
LGBTQ+ Lobby Day
Join Forward Montana and our friends with Free and Fair Coalition for EQUALITY DAY at the Capitol in Helena on Monday, February 20th! The day will run from 10AM to around 4:30PM, with opportunities to learn about lobbying, talk with legislators, attend workshops, and connect with other LGBTQ+ community members and allies from across the state. In the face of backwards legislation, we’re SO excited to come together to celebrate what we know to be true: Montana is better because of queer and trans folks, and our joy is unstoppable.
Sign up at the link in our bio by February 15th for help with food and travel! See you there 
Location: Helena@ the Capitol
10AM – 4:30PM
16 February 2023
Bozeman Valentine’s Candy Gram Event
Join our statewide Forward Montana team Bozeman for a Valentine’s Candy Gram event! Throughout the night, we’ll have materials to write notes and make goodie bags for your neighbors and care packages for unhoused folks in our community to spread some extra love.
Location: Bozeman @ FMT Office
6pm-8pm
16 February 2023
Billings Valentine’s Candy Gram Event
Join our statewide Forward Montana team in Billings for a Valentine’s Candy Gram event! Throughout the night, we’ll have materials to write notes and make goodie bags for your neighbors and care packages for unhoused folks in our community to spread some extra love.
Location: Billings @ Thirsty Street Brewing: The Garage
5:30pm – 7:30pm
13 February 2023
Write for Our Rights
Join the statewide Forward Montana team on Monday nights throughout the 2023 legislative session as we come together to discuss some of the bills we’re watching that week. We will have plenty of space for questions and we’ll take time to submit emails and public comments together AND there will be small group space to practice giving testimony and asking for feedback!
We’ll meet over zoom every Monday (with holiday exceptions!) from 6-645(ish!)pm. Join us for as much or as little of the time as you want.
Location: Virtual- via Zoom
6pm – 6:45pm
13 February 2023
Missoula Valentine’s Candy Gram Event
Join our statewide Forward Montana team in Missoula for a Valentine’s Candy Gram event! Throughout the night, we’ll have materials to write notes and make goodie bags for your neighbors and care packages for unhoused folks in our community to spread some extra love. Swipe through for details in your community!
Location: Missoula @ Imagine Nation Brewing
5:30pm – 7:30pm
25 Oct. 2022
STUDENT VOTER DAY
Forward Montana will be at the University of Montana, Montana State University (both Billings and Billings campuses), Rocky Mountain College, and Flathead Valley Community College to help students make a plan to vote! Find us to pick up a voter guide, ask your questions about voting, grab some snacks and swag, and more!
Location: Campuses statewide
13 oct. 2022
Bozeman Candidate Forum
Join Forward Montana for a forum with candidates from the Gallatin County Attorney race, Gallatin County Commissioner race, and House Districts 61, 62. 63. & 65 races. The forum will focus on the issues affecting the Bozeman community! RSVP here.
Montana state university SUB: room 237
13 Oct. 2022
WTF is the Crisis Intervention Levy: Missoula
Join us from 6:00-8:00PM as we talk about WTF the Crisis Intervention Levy on the Missoula County Ballot means! Learn about the services it will fund, ask questions, and spend time visioning what a healthy and safe Missoula looks like! Participants will receive a beverage on Forward Montana for joining! RSVP here.
GILD Brewing
13 Oct. 2022
Flathead Candidate Forum
Join Forward Montana for a non-partisan candidate forum from 5:00-7:30PM. The forum will feature legislative candidates, Public Service Commission Candidates, and County Commissioner Candidates. Questions will be through the lens of issues that matter to young people in Flathead Count. RSVP Here.
Glacier Lanes Bowling Alley
28 July 2022
Brews and boardgames in Missoula
Join Forward Montana staff on the Imagine Nation Brewing patio from 5:30-7:30PM for a night of community building and board games! Learn about what Forward Montana is up to in 2022 and ways to get involved! Bonus: Rockstar Members get their first beverage on us! (to become a Rockstar, donate here) RSVP here.
Location: ImagineNation Brewing
26 July 2022
Potluck in Pioneer Park
Come join our Forward Montana team at Pioneer Park from 6:00-8:00PM (specific spot will be sent out before the event) for a potluck style meal! We want to build community with you in Billings while we share we have coming up this summer and fall as well as hear from you on what matters most to you in our community! We’ll provide a main dish, please bring a side (appetizer, dessert etc) if you are able! RSVP here.
Location: Pioneer Park
25 July 2022
Lounge in Lindley
Forward Montana will be celebrating all of our volunteers that make our work possible and encouraging new folks to join our volunteer team from 6:00-9:00PM at Lindley Park. We will have fun games, yummy food, cold drinks, and amazing conversation about your hard work and the work that we still have to do. We will provide a gluten-free and veggie main dish and ask that folks bring a side dish to this summer potluck! RSVP here.
Location: Lindley Park
18 July 2022
Libertees skillshare
Join Forward Montana from 6:00-8:00PM for a skill share of altering t-shirts into fun summer shirts with bling! T-shirts and supplies provided, just bring yourself and we will guide the creative process! We will also break into groups and learn about how to do voter registration in Flathead County! Fun, fellowship, and a free T! RSVP here.
Location: Glacier Queer Alliance
22 June 2022
Billings pride Event: Queer Young Adult Night
Join Pari in Billings as a part of a week long Billings Pride Event through 406 Pride. We’ll have art projects, snacks, drinks and LOTS of time to meet fellow queer folks to build community and joy together. RSVP here.
Location: Kirk’s Grocery
28 June 2022
Meet and Greet in Missoula
5:30PM – Join Lucy in Missoula for some Scrabble and beer. We will be sharing stories from this whirlwind spring, getting excited about the events of the summer and most importantly, enjoying each other’s company and being in community together! RSVP here.
lOCATION: giLD bREWING
21 June 2022
Kickball in Kalispell
6:00PM – Join Forward Montana for lemonade under the gazebo and/or a game of pickup kickball. The game will just be a fun, non-competitive, accessible round of kickball! Feel free to bring a picnic blanket and your dinner. This will be a great time to meet new people and learn more about Forward Montana! RSVP Here.
lOCATION: tHOMPSON park, Kalispell
16 June 2022
rockstar hall of fame
6:30PM – For the first time since 2019, Forward Montana will host our premiere event of the year, Rockstar Hall of Fame, where we celebrate our community and partners and honor Montanans who have worked tirelessly to make our communities a better place.
2022 also marks the 18th year of Forward Montana, so we’re throwing it back to our early days and partying like it’s 2004 with an aughts themed celebration.
Location: Conflux Brewing, Missoula
03 June 2022
Transcendent joy 2.0 Launch Party
3:30PM – Join us for a sober, all-ages Pride celebration + release party for Transcendent Joy vol 2, featuring readings from zine artists, a collaborative art project, and a whole lot of queer joy! RSVP here.