Montanans don’t live single-issue lives, and similarly the ACLU of Montana’s work often spans multiple issue areas. For example, there are many overlaps between our Indigenous Justice and Racial Justice work, both of which also tie into Voting Rights, while our Free Speech work is connected to our 2S-LGBTQIA+ Rights work, since political or legislative attacks against 2S-LGBTQIA+ people often involve attempts to restrict free speech or expression, as seen in attempts to ban drag performances. Still, identifying our primary areas of focus (listed alphabetically below) helps ensure that our work is relevant to the needs and priorities of people across Montana.
ACLU of Montana works so that 2S-LGBTQIA+ (Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, & Asexual) people can live openly without discrimination & enjoy equal rights, personal autonomy, & freedom of expression, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression.
The ACLU of Montana continues to envision a criminal legal system (also called the criminal justice system) that fairly serves all people, especially those who have been historically marginalized or treated unjustly. We work to end mass incarceration, combat the criminalization of poverty, and more.
The First Amendment protects our freedom of speech, of the press, of association, of assembly, and to petition the government. The ACLU of Montana works to ensure that these freedoms are preserved for all of us.
Upholding the rights of immigrants is important to us all, not just to citizens. The ACLU of Montana works to protect immigrants' rights by opposing state legislation and policies that discriminate against immigrants, providing public education devoted to immigrants' rights, and more.
The ACLU of Montana seeks to uplift Indigenous people, communities and tribes through community-directed legal and advocacy work. We aim to support tribal communities—and to follow their lead—as they work to uphold their sovereignty, dignity, and autonomy.
All our issue areas tie into our Racial Justice work, as systemic racial disparities can be found across Montana. With that in mind, the ACLU of Montana is committed to pursuing racial justice in all parts of society, including in the criminal justice system, elections, & in schools and businesses.