We envision a Montana in which:
- Affordable housing, higher education, and healthcare are accessible and attainable;
- Policies reflect a livable climate for all future generations;
- All Montanans are able to work, live, and play in Montana free of discrimination and harm;
- The act of voting is just, fair, accessible, and safe.
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!
Forward Montana is working to make sure young people in Montana have all the information, resources, and accessibility they need to speak up about their values — from conversations in person and online, to the ballot box, and even the state capitol. Our staff, fellows, and volunteers are working hard for election reform and voter access — because when it comes to politics, your vote is your voice. Get Involved, stay connected and follow the issues YOU care about the most.
Reproductive Rights
Young Montanans should be in charge of their own reproductive health.
We’re challenging our state’s recent attacks on reproductive freedoms to ensure young people have autonomy over personal decisions like contraception and abortion. Those efforts include fighting for access to high-quality sex education, birth control and abortion care throughout Montana.
In 2024, we worked with Montanans Securing Reproductive Rights to successfully pass constitutional amendment enshrining abortion rights in our state constitution. Now we’re holding our politicians accountable for protecting that constitutional right. Follow along with the 2025 legislative session here.
LGBTQ2S+ Issues
Queer and trans Montanans deserve to live with dignity, freedom and security.
Now more than ever, LGBTQ2S+ Montanans face discrimination and marginalization, with anti-trans rhetoric and harmful policies threatening their rights and safety. Forward Montana advocates for inclusive policies that protect trans and queer youth, ensure equal rights for all Montanans, support LGBTQ2S+ healthcare access, and create a Montana where every person can live freely and authentically.
During the 2021 legislative session, we launched Transcendent Joy, a queer zine created by and for queer Montanans, and we’re now celebrating our fifth edition! We remain dedicated to advocating for the rights of LGBTQ2S+ Montanans both during and outside of legislative sessions, offering spaces for joy, learning, and connection through queer skillshares. We also continue to partner with organizations that promote and host LGBTQ2S+ events across the state.
Housing
Montanans deserve access to safe and affordable housing.
Every day, rising rent and housing prices drive young people out of the state that they call home. Forward Montana advocates for housing solutions that expand affordable housing for all Montanans, strengthen renters’ rights, secure housing for people struggling to make ends meet, support aspiring first-time homebuyers and create walkable communities.
From successfully pushing the city of Missoula to develop and adopt a pro-housing land use plan to securing pro-housing zoning reforms at the state level, we lead multifaceted and community-led housing initiatives so young people can afford to put down roots in the Big Sky State.
Climate Rights
Every Montanan has the right to a clean and healthful environment.
Impacts of climate change threaten the Montana we know and love, from devastating wildfires to unpredictable weather patterns. Forward Montana advocates for climate justice by pushing for policies that address the root causes of climate change, promote renewable energy, and protect our land and water.
In December 2024, the Montana Supreme Court upheld a landmark ruling affirming that the state’s constitution guarantees the right to a stable climate, invalidating laws that barred regulators from considering greenhouse gas emissions when permitting fossil-fuel projects.
Voting Rights & Democracy
All eligible voters have a right to participate in shaping our democracy.
Barriers to voting threaten the voices of young Montanans, making it harder for them to have a say in the decisions that shape their future. Forward Montana advocates for voting rights by fighting against voter suppression, expanding access to voter registration, and ensuring that every eligible Montanan can participate in our democracy. We believe in a strong democracy where every voice is heard and every vote counts, helping to create a more equitable and just state for all.
Your Vote and Your Voice matter
We interviewed young people to hear how they are feeling about voting and the power their voice and vote can hold! We hear from young Montanans who feel that there is a level of disenfranchisement when it comes to voting. Some young people will say ‘why does my vote matter?’ and they aren’t alone in this feeling, yet if we can look at the power we hold and what we can do as a collective, our voices are powerful.