Forward Montana is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization located in Missoula, Montana. [1] It is described as a "non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to training, mobilizing, and electing a new generation of progressive leaders in Montana". [2] It was co-founded by Billings-born blogger Matt Singer, along with several members of the Montana Public Interest Research Group and The Associated Students of The University of Montana, in 2006. [3]
Forward Montana played a critical role in the 2007 municipal election in Missoula, unseating conservative incumbent Missoula City Council member Don Nicolson in a close race with progressive candidate Pam Walzer. [4] The organization used their Pink Bunnies campaign to register young voters [5] and turn them out for the election. The campaign proved interesting enough to warrant Missoula Mayor John Engen to issue a proclamation, making the day before voter registration closed "Official Pink Bunny Day" citywide. [6] The campaign registered more than 1,000 voters—more than one-third of all the city's new registrants.
Forward Montana also helped turn out hundreds of voters using candidate forums like Candidates Gone Wild, in which candidate's ideas were presented as a talent show rather than in standard Q&A style forums. [7]
After two members of Missoula's LGBTQ community were physically assaulted, Forward Montana co-organized the rally "We Are Missoula... Stand Up, Speak OUT!" The rally drew over 300 people, with help from groups like Western Montana Gay & Lesbian Community Center and the YWCA of Missoula. [8]
In 2012, Forward Montana registered more than 10,000 people to vote across the state, making it the largest third-party voter registration effort in Montana's history. [9]
Missoula is a city in and the county seat of Missoula County, Montana, United States. It is located along the Clark Fork River near its confluence with the Bitterroot and Blackfoot rivers in western Montana and at the convergence of five mountain ranges, and thus it is often described as the "hub of five valleys". The 2020 United States census recorded the city's population at 73,489 and the population of the Missoula Metropolitan Area at 117,922. As of 2023, the estimated city population was 77,757. Missoula is the second largest city and third largest metropolitan area in Montana. Missoula is home to the University of Montana, a public research university.
LGBT+ Labour is the socialist society officially representing the LGBTQ wing of the Labour Party in the United Kingdom. The purpose of the organisation is to campaign within the Labour Party, and the wider Labour movement to promote the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ) people, and to encourage members of the LGBT community to support the Labour Party.
Haysel Diane Sands is an American politician from Montana. As a Democrat, she served in the Montana State Senate, representing the 49th senate district in Missoula, Montana. Previously, she served in the Montana House of Representatives representing first the 66th district and then the renumbered 95th district.
The 2008 United States House of Representatives election in Montana took place on Tuesday, November 4, 2008. Voters selected a single representative for the at-large district, who ran on a statewide ballot. Incumbent Representative Denny Rehberg sought re-election; he was originally elected in 2000 with 52% of the vote. He was formerly a Billings area rancher, state legislator (1984–90) and Montana Lieutenant Governor (1991–97).
The Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus is the South's oldest civil rights organization dedicated solely to the advancement of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights. It was founded in 1975, and is the largest LGBTQ political organization in the city of Houston and Harris County. It is known locally simply as "The Caucus". The Caucus is nonpartisan and endorses candidates on the basis of their support for LGBTQ rights, regardless of political party or candidate's sexual orientation.
Next Up, formerly known as The Bus Project, is a non-profit organization that aims to amplify the voices and leadership of diverse young people in Oregon, helping them improve the state. For over two decades, Next Up has collaborated with youth activists to work towards their stated goal of achieving a more just and equitable state through civic engagement.
The 2012 congressional election in Montana was held on November 6, 2012, to determine who would represent the state of Montana in the United States House of Representatives. At the time, Montana had one seat in the House. Incumbent Denny Rehberg did not run for reelection, choosing instead to run unsuccessfully for the seat in the U.S. Senate. A primary election was held on June 5, 2012. Republican businessman Steve Daines won the open seat.
Jason Priest is an American businessman and former politician. A member of the Republican Party, he served in the Montana Legislature, representing Senate District 30 from 2011 to 2015.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the U.S. state of Montana may face some legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBTQ residents. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal in Montana since 1997. Same-sex couples and families headed by same-sex couples are eligible for all of the protections available to opposite-sex married couples, as same-sex marriage has been recognized since November 2014. State statutes do not address discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity; however, the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County established that employment discrimination against LGBTQ people is illegal under federal law. A number of cities also provide protections in housing and public accommodations.
Robert Ernest Quist is an American musician and politician, known for his work in bluegrass and country music. Originally a founding member of the Mission Mountain Wood Band, he plays guitar and banjo in addition to singing and songwriting. His songs have also been recorded by artists Michael Martin Murphey and Loretta Lynn, among others.
Gregory Richard Gianforte is an American businessman, politician, and software engineer serving as the 25th governor of Montana since 2021. A member of the Republican Party, Gianforte served as the U.S. representative for Montana's at-large congressional district from 2017 to 2021.
The history of LGBT residents in Louisiana, has become increasingly visible recently with the successes of the LGBT rights movement. In spite of the strong development of early LGBT villages in the state, pro-LGBT activists in Louisiana have campaigned against nearly 170 years of especially harsh prosecutions and punishments toward gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender people.
Amanda Gayle Curtis is an American politician who serves as the president of the Montana Federation of Public Employees (MFPE), Montana's largest labor union.
Michael Charles Fellows was an American political activist and Army reservist. He was also a state coordinator for the Montana Fully Informed Jury Association. In the 1990s he issued a press release calling for the impeachment of Bill Clinton. Fellows made political history in 2012 by becoming the first Libertarian candidate ever to gather more than 40% of the vote in a partisan statewide race.
Fred R. Van Valkenburg is an American politician in the state of Montana. He served in the Montana Senate from 1979 to 1998. In 1993 he was President of the Senate, and in 1985, 1987, and 1991 he was majority leader of the Senate. An attorney, Van Valkenburg attended the University of Montana, earning his J.D. degree in 1973. From 1998 to 2014, he was the county attorney for Missoula County, Montana. He has also served as city attorney of Missoula and deputy county attorney of Missoula County.
The 2018 United States House of Representatives election in Montana was held on November 6, 2018, to elect the U.S. representative from Montana's at-large congressional district. The election coincided with other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate, and various state and local elections.
In Montana, an at-large congressional district special election was held on May 25, 2017, to determine the member of the United States House of Representatives for Montana's at-large congressional district. The election was necessitated by incumbent Republican Representative Ryan Zinke's appointment as United States Secretary of the Interior. Zinke resigned on March 1, 2017, upon his confirmation.
The 2020 United States House of Representatives election in Montana was held on November 3, 2020, to elect the U.S. representative from Montana's at-large congressional district. The election coincided with the 2020 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate, and various state and local elections.
The 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Montana were held on November 8, 2022, to elect two U.S. Representatives from Montana, one from each of its congressional districts. Prior to this election cycle, Montana had one at-large district, represented by Republican Matt Rosendale. However, during the 2020 redistricting cycle, Montana regained the 2nd district that it lost in 1993.
The Missoula Art Museum (MAM) is a contemporary art museum in Missoula, Montana. MAM was founded in 1975 as the Missoula Museum for the Arts and has been accredited by the American Alliance of Museums since 1987.
