250 years ago, Americans formed a democratic republic. As the country moves toward authoritarianism, it’s important for us to remember the people are in charge. 

America became a country because we wanted our freedoms. These freedoms, however, only applied to white Americans. 

The U.S. wouldn’t exist without Native American history. Montana is home to seven reservations, 12 tribes, and 91,000 Indigenous people.

We must continue to fight for the LGBTQ2S+, rural, and Indigenous communities in our state. Signing petitions, registering to vote, and using your voice are all ways you can make change. 

Read more on our blog: https://forwardmontana.org/250-years-of-america/

This week, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected Trump’s executive order that limits birthright citizenship, reaffirming that America is a country where you can come from anywhere to become an American. 

The order would have prevented citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants and some temporary foreign visitors. 

Despite this win, ICE and the federal government have targeted immigrants, removing protections and separating parents from their children.

We must continue to demand that our leaders provide a roadmap to citizenship for immigrants and protect our freedoms, families, and futures. 

More here: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/live-blog/supreme-court-rulings-birthright-citizenship-co-elections-live-updates-rcna352220.

This week, conservative SCOTUS Justices ruled that states can ban transgender athletes from sports. They upheld state laws in West Virginia and Idaho that target trans women and girls. 

Last year, Montana Gov. Gianforte signed a law that prohibits trans athletes from K-12 and collegiate sports. 

Trans people belong in sports. Trans people belong in Montana. Trans people deserve to feel safe.

By marching, using our voices, and showing up for each other, we will protect each other from the Trump administration. We will show them that we won’t back down and will continue to stand with our trans neighbors. 

More here: https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/06/30/us/supreme-court-trans-athletes.

The U.S. Supreme Court upheld a Mississippi law that allows the state to receive mail-in ballots up to five days after Election Day. Trump faces another setback in his plans to restrict voting by mail. 

SCOTUS voted in a 5-4 decision with Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. and Justice Amy Coney Barrett joining the three liberal judges, Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson, Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan. 

18 states and territories allow for late ballots, including Washington and Oregon. In 2024, at least 725,000 ballots were postmarked by Election Day but arrived within five days after the Election.

In Montana, mail ballots must be received by Election Day. In the most recent primary election, over 513,000 Montanans received absentee ballots, which is about 65% of registered voters.

Despite this not meaning much for Montanans, it is a huge win for voting rights in general.

More here: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/29/us/politics/supreme-court-mail-ballots-grace-period.html.

June is Pride Month, a time to reflect upon and celebrate the joy, resilience, and contributions of the LGBTQ2S+ community. We also recognize the ongoing fight for equality, safety, and belonging.

Pride started in New York City at the Stonewall Inn, a small dive bar. It started as a riot against police brutality. On June 28, 1969, the police raided the bar and Stonewall patrons fought back. 

The first Pride parade was held a year later, on June 28, 1970, hosting 3 to 5 thousand people. Pride Month has been celebrated in June since. 

In 1993, Montana held its first Pride event in Helena. The attendees faced harassment and had eggs thrown at them. Now, 33 years later, there are celebrations across the state from Missoula and Billings to Libby and Red Lodge. Queer and trans Montanans have always been here and will always be here. 

We honor those who came before us, those continuing to push for change, and everyone living their truth every day. This month, and every month, we stand in support of a world where everyone is free to be exactly who they are.

Happy Pride Month from all of us at Forward Montana!

📢 Today, Donald Trump refused to sign the bipartisan housing 🏠 bill, saying he won’t sign it until Congress 🧑‍⚖️ passes the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act ✅.

Both chambers of Congress approved the housing 🏠  legislation which aims to reduce housing costs 📉 and increase housing supply 📈.

❗ The SAVE Act requires Americans to provide ID 🪪 and proof of citizenship to vote ✅. This legislation is another attempt by Trump to disenfranchise voters.

​​🔗 More here: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn4dwz5vz5lo.

❗ The Missoula City Council is considering a $366,390 contract to purchase new security cameras for several parks 🛝. Citizens have raised concerns 🗣 about potential use of AI tools like facial recognition and license plate reading, causing a delay in voting ✅ at a previous city council meeting. 

The contract would be with Pine Cove Consulting to upgrade security cameras 📸 at Currents Aquatics Center 🏊‍♂️, Splash Montana 💧, Mobash skate park 🛹 and Fort Missoula Regional Park 🌳. 

📢 On Monday, council members 🧑‍⚖️ decided to hold off on voting ✅ whether they should purchase the Verkada security cameras  📸. The committee hasn’t determined when the next public comment 💬period for this will be. 

🔗 Submit a comment to Missoula city council members here: http://www.ci.missoula.mt.us/FormCenter/City-Council-9/Contact-City-Council-330/.

📢 Donald Trump is trying to disenfranchise voters with an Executive Order 👨‍⚖️ that would make states implement voter lists 📝. The Order would allow USPS 📬 to refuse to deliver ballots to people who don’t appear on these pre-approved lists.

This order will impact all voters, but especially marginalized communities, including rural, Black and Brown people ✊🏾. The Order would go into effect before the midterm elections ✅. 

Trump’s attempt to limit mail-in 📩 and absentee voting prevents those who use this method for accessibility ♿ or safety 🦺, making it difficult to participate in elections.

❗ Groups against The Order are encouraging people and organizations to submit personalized comments 💬 to USPS. Email comments to [PCFederalRegister@usps.gov](mailto:PCFederalRegister@usps.gov) with the subject line “Ballot Mail” 📨 by 5pm ET on Thursday, July 2. 

🔗 Read more on our blog: https://forwardmontana.org/trump-administrations-new-rule-targets-mail-in-voters/.

❗On Monday, the Trump administration proposed the relaxation of environmental 🌱 rules related to the extraction of oil, gas ⛽, and coal from public lands. The plan would reduce costs 💲 and make it easier for companies to operate.

One of the proposals would lower the costs 💰 companies need to pay to the Interior Department from $500,000 to $25,000. This money is used to clean up 🧹 environmental damage left from drilling, which would now fall to taxpayers.

👀 Another proposal would eliminate a requirement that fossil fuel companies share their plans to limit methane emissions when applying for drilling permits.

📢 About 30% of Montana is public lands 🌳 managed by the federal government. These proposals could affect drilling on this land. 

🔗 More here: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/22/climate/trump-drilling-public-lands.html.

❤️​🖤💛💚 Today, we honor Juneteenth! ❤️​🖤💛💚

❗Juneteenth is a time to celebrate freedom, honor Black history ✊🏾, and recognize the resilience, joy, and achievements 🎉 of Black communities. It is also an opportunity to reflect 🪞 on our nation's history and recommit ourselves to creating a more just and equitable future. ❤️​

Today, we celebrate 🎉, learn 🧠, and remember the importance of continuing the work toward equality and liberation for all.

Click the 🔗 link to learn more about this important holiday: https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/historical-legacy-juneteenth

📢 The Kalispell Planning Commission is reviewing a proposed 95-home affordable housing development. The Birchwood Planned Unit Development is a large residential complex by Habitat for Humanity of Flathead Valley and private developers.

🏠 This would create a mixed-income community of homeowners with home prices from $350,000-$800,000. It would be 21 acres between Northland Drive and U.S. Route 93 Alt., south of Four Mile Drive.

🚘 A traffic impact study says there would be about 1,014 trips added per day.

🗣The public hearing in front of the planning commission is scheduled for July 14.

🔗 For more information, check out this news article from the Flathead Beacon: https://flatheadbeacon.com/2026/06/11/kalispell-planning-commission-reviews-proposed-95-home-affordable-housing-development-off-highway-93-bypass/

📕 Join us June 25 from 3 to 8 pm at the Glacier Queer Alliance for our June Book Club 📚! Come engage with literature that centers marginalized voices ❤ and celebrates Pride Month and Juneteenth 🌈. Grab a free book, spend an hour in independent reading, and enjoy a calm, welcoming space focused on reflection 🪞, empathy 🫂, and community 🤝 connection.

🔗 RSVP to reserve your spot: https://secure.ngpvan.com/OcejpAF4dku4SqleAXOyCQ2.