HELENA, Mont. - Keegan Medrano, Policy Director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Montana, released the following statement as House and Senate leaders prioritize anti-transgender, anti-reproductive justice, and anti-Indigenous legislation in the 2023 legislative session.
"This legislative session, both House and Senate leadership have made it clear they are willing to remove or restrict the rights of all Montanans to serve their own interests. Already, our Policy & Advocacy team is tracking approximately 2,000 bill drafts, the majority of which are anti-LGBTQ, anti-Indigenous rights, and anti-reproductive rights legislation.
"The common thread we are seeing through all legislation this year is an attempt to control our bodies: what they are, what they should be, and how they should function. The ACLU of Montana remains dedicated to stopping these harmful bills and protecting the right to privacy and bodily autonomy.
"The ACLU of Montana has strengthened our commitment to stopping harmful legislation in 2023. We have four lobbyists in the building covering fifteen separate issue areas in an effort to protect the civil rights and liberties of all Montanans. These issues include: Indigenous Justice, Voting Rights, LGBTQ Rights, Environmental Justice, Religious Freedom & Establishment Clause, Free Speech, Criminal Legal Reform, Jail and Prison Conditions, Policing, Immigration, Reproductive Justice, Death Penalty, Aid in Dying, Privacy Rights, and the Child Welfare and Foster Care System."
The ACLU of Montana will have staff in the Capitol daily throughout the legislative session who are available to speak with the media upon request.
###
