To those who went to Helena to testify - The Western Montana ...

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MEl Dear Chairman Peterson and Members of the House Judiciary Committee: I was born and raised in Montana, in a Protestant and military family. I’m a 4th generation Montanan. I’ve lived here nearly all of my life. I’m a member of the LGBTQ community, and this is my home. It’s tough to be queer in Montana. We face discrimination, mistreatment, and constant uncertainty. If we sit in a restaurant and discuss our relationships, or hold hands with our partners, we’re uncertain if we’ll draw hateful looks or comments from the people around us. If we come out to our boss, we’re uncertain if we’ll still have our job the next day. If we come out to our landlord, we risk losing our home. If we live our lives honestly, openly and shamelessly, we risk alienating ourselves from our friends and families. In 2005, I decided to leave Montana and move to Seattle, because I knew I’d find there a community more accepting of me, and where I could learn to be more accepting of myself. In 2007, I graduated with honors from the University of Washington with a Masters’ Degree, and spent several years in a successful career. In 2010, I realized that my love for Montana is greater than my fear, so I decided to come home. My fear of being “out” – of being who I am - may have kept me away from Montana for several years, but I returned because I know this is where I belong. I didn’t choose to be queer, but I am choosing to live in the one place that feels like home. Before I moved back last fall, Missoula passed its antidiscrimination ordinance. I am tremendously grateful for, and inspired by the efforts of everyone who helped bring a sense of safety and respect to the LGBTQ community in Missoula. The ordinance was a very big part of why, when I decided to move home to Montana, I chose Missoula instead of my own hometown of Helena. Because of the anti-discrimination ordinance, Missoula is a place in Montana where I can be myself, a little bit safer, a little bit freer. When I started my new job in December, I felt safe coming out to my boss and co-workers. I didn’t have to be afraid that I might lose my new job because I am queer, and I didn’t have to hide who I am. And because the issue of LGBTQ equality has been discussed through such an open community process in Missoula, I have been able to have meaningful and informed conversations with my new co-workers, friends and neighbors about what it means to be “out” in Montana, and what it means for everyone to be treated with simple, basic respect. Please don’t take this sense of respect away from me. I’m not asking for special treatment; I’m asking for basic human rights. During the five years I spent in Seattle, I talked endlessly about Montana – the natural beauty, the quality of life, and the amazing people. I talked about how Montanans are GOOD are to one another. How Montanans RESPECT and VALUE one another. Please, don’t prove me wrong – please join me in supporting HB 514, and opposing HB 516. JiM prEndErgASt The recent actions by the Republican controlled Montana State Legislature remind me of working on the "No On 6" Campaign back in 1978 in San Francisco. Back then we were fighting against a voter initiative that would have allowed any gay teacher to be fired by the State of California. At the start of the campaign it look almost certain that this initiative would pass, but with hard work and a campaign of informing the public of the initiative's implications and the bigotry behind it, it was defeated. Credit for this should go to Harvey Milk's tireless insistence that LGBT people should always and everywhere fight for our rights and dignity. I feel that the same applies to the atmosphere of hate and intolerance which exists in Helena particularly prevalent with so called "Tea Party Republicans." And most importantly, it shows that NO MATTER HOW MANY YEARS HAVE PASSED since that campaign in California almost 33 years ago, the need is still urgent for LGBT people to keep fighting for our rights and to never sit back and think that we can be complacent in the face of this danger. So even though I am "pushing 60" and have slowed up (retirement will do that!), I still feel the need to be actively out and to contribute to our cause in any way that I am able to do so. Hate never sleeps and never should we! HEAtHEr grAnboiS I was lucky enough to get a chance to speak that morning. Growing up in Wolf Point MT, being homosexual was not an option. Forming an impenetrable barrier around my heart was the only way to protect it from the oppressive nature of the majority. I didn't even come out to myself until I was 21 and living in the much more tolerant city of Missoula, MT. Coming out opened the floodgates of my consciousness and I could finally take a breath as a free human being. I say human being because that is what we all are. We cannot be defined simply by race, creed or sexuality; only by character. If we would all choose to go beyond our own conceptual barriers, we would start to recognize the divine light that is humanity. That is what we should be holding up high, embracing with loving arms and an open mind. Not hateful words, actions or intolerance. bErnAdEttE knEEfE Imagine you have a job, which is hard to come by these days. You also have to keep a secret. You are a part of the LGBTIQ community. You go to bed each night wondering if you will be “found out” & fired from your job. Each day at work, you wonder if “today is the day.” Not because of anything you did wrong, it’s just because of your sexual orientation or gender expression. The stress is enormous. Experienced on a daily basis, this kind of stress leads to a number of mental health issues, including, anxiety, depression, panic attacks. There can be internalized feelings of loneliness, abandonment, desperation, & even self hatred. Suicide rates in the LGBTIQ community are higher than in the general population. LGBTIQ Kids in school drop out because of bullying & are also at greater risk of suicide than there heterosexual peers. These conditions do not have to play a role in anyone’s life. The passage of this ordinance will send a clear message that discrimination will not be tolerated any longer. Some will testify that homosexuality is an abomination. This is a religious belief not a secular issue. Some say that homosexuality is a choice. Clearly, if it were a choice, one would certainly not choose to be a target of hatred! Is heterosexuality a choice? Does a person change after you find out they are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender? Aren’t they the same person they were just seconds ago before you knew? Fear is a great deterrent for living ones life fully. That is all we are asking. The right to live life fully without fear; fear of loosing a job, being evicted from housing or just not being hired because of how we are perceived. To finally be part of “freedom & justice for ALL in the constitution. I urge you to pass the non-discrimination ordinance. Thank you for your time. Out Words 10
An Ally in HElEnA: SEnAtor toM fACEy by Yvonne Sorovacu The state capitol has not historically been a bastion of support for the LGBTIQ community. Check out this nugget of fine Montana legislation: “’deviate sexual relations’ means sexual contact or sexual intercourse between two persons of the same sex or any form of sexual intercourse with an animal” for which “(a) person convicted of…deviate sexual conduct shall be imprisoned in the state prison for any term not to exceed 10 years or be fined an amount not to exceed $50,000, or both”. It may sound archaic and unconstitutional, and it is, but this old statute is still on the books. Fortunately, there are allies in the state government that do step up to the plate to create positive change, such as introducing senate bill 276 to strike the language above that criminalizes homosexuality and equates it with bestiality. First-time Senator Tom Facey of District 48, which begins in the center of the city of Missoula and extends southwest, is the legislator behind that bill. Although this is his first year as senator, this is by no means his first stint in the capitol or the first time that he has attempted to erase this homophobic language from the Montana statutes. He previously served in the House of Representatives from 1999 until 2006 and repeatedly attempted to revise the “deviate sexual conduct” laws while in that wing of the state government. While a representative he also introduced bills to add sexual orientation and gender expression as classes protected by hate crime legislation; to remove the state prohibition on same sex marriage; and to require school bullying policies that include protections for students harassed because of their sexual orientation or gender expression. In 2003 the Montana PRIDE foundation recognized him as a champion for LGBTIQ equality. Recently I talked with Senator Facey to become more familiar with this legislator who could be considered an ally in Helena. For Facey, civil and social service is a family tradition that extends back to the early 1900’s, when his paternal grandmother became the third woman to serve in the Montana legislature and his maternal grandfather served as mayor of Chester. His mother, in turn, became a social worker. Facey was born in Helena and grew up in Great Falls until the age of six, when his parents moved the family to California and his mother began working in programs for sexuallyabused children in L.A. county. Although he lived there until his college years, family brought him back to Montana every summer. He ended up returning to his home state to receive a biology degree from the University of Montana in Missoula…and to play Griz football. In the 80’s he once again left Montana, this time to teach in London through the Fulbright exchange program. Eventually he settled in Missoula with his wife, received his Master’s in Education, and began teaching Earth Science and Biology in the city’s middle and high schools. His wife, Maureen O’Malley, is another social worker whose work with AIDS-affected individuals, he says, was very informative and influential in his understanding of the difficulties and discrimination faced by LGBTIQ communities. While Facey cited family as a clear influence on his political views and involvement, he also mentioned how being a kid in California, surrounded by the social turmoil of the 60’s, made an indelible impression on him. He vividly remembers the assassination of JFK, the protests led by MLK, and the images of civil rights protesters being attacked. Other parts of the struggle for racial equality he saw up front. His family lived in Riverside, which was the first city in the country to voluntarily use busing to desegregate its public schools. It appears that these experiences have instilled a dedication to the right to equal treatment for all people in Senator Facey. When asked about his reason for initiating and supporting LGBTIQ-positive legislation, he is very clear in articulating it as a basic civil rights issue. As he explained, none of this legislation provides “special” protections. It simply ensures the inclusion of the LGBTIQ community in what other citizens are entitled to, namely, to be free of discrimination and threats in the pursuit of a fulfilling life. In particular, the fact that the deviate sexual conduct law has not been revised sends a message to LGBTIQ individuals that they are not valued or included in government. Facey is also concerned that leaving the statute on the books means that law enforcement officials could still arrest LGBTIQ individuals on this basis. It leaves the door open to potential harassment of citizens whom are perceived as homosexual. He points out that if such a case were brought before any court with knowledge of current legislation, state and federal law would easily dismiss the charges as unconstitutional. That anyone would have to spend the time and money, and endure the indignity of arrest and trial to defend themselves from such an offensive law, is unacceptable. Early in February the Senate Judiciary committee passed Facey’s bill. If it is passed by the Senate before February 24th, it moves on to the House of Representatives for approval. Bill number 276, like LGBTIQ rights in general, still has a long way to go,. However, with a good show of support, there is hope that it might make it through this time around. Regardless, if Senator Facey continues to be as supportive as he has been, we know it won’t be the last time that the capitol has the chance to make amends for its inhospitable past…and present. W O R D E N T H A N E P. C. A T T O R N E Y S A T L A W Shane A. Vannatta Jane E. Cowley Suite 600 The Florence • 111 N Higgins Ave P.O. Box 4747 • Missoula, MT 59806 Suite 600 The (406) Florence 721-3400 • 111 N Higgins Ave P.O. Box 4747 • Missoula, MT 59806 (406) 721-3400 • svannatta@wthlaw.net Out Words 11
Page 3 and 4: Editors: Suzie Reahard A.D. Seibel
Page 5 and 6: obby ZEnkEr Opposition to HB 516 li
Page 7 and 8: CArly dAndrEA I am Carly Dandrea. I
Page 9: CAitlin CopplE Dear Chairman Peters
Page 13 and 14: iMpEriAl Court CrEAtES nEw StAtEwid
Page 15: ecurring Events Around Montana Cent

To those who went to Helena to testify - The Western Montana ...

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