Montana

A Montana transgender teenager’s journey for gender affirmation • Daily Montanan

Published

2 years ago

March 17, 2024

A Montana transgender teenager’s journey for gender affirmation • Daily Montanan

K.A. began to socially transition in the beginning of 2019 after shaving his head. He initially asked his friends to address him using they/them pronouns, then they/he pronouns, while also asking to be called by a different name. Eventually he realized that he preferred he/him pronouns and his birth name. “Coming out as transgender is not as easy as saying ‘I want to be a boy,’ it’s a whole process of looking at yourself and figuring out who you want to be,” K.A. said. (Photo by Nance Beston | Byline Magazine)

K.A.walks into the bathroom at his dad’s house, flicks off the overhead light and closes the door. He plugs in a dim disco ball that speckles the bathroom walls with blue, purple, green and pink. More than a year ago, K.A. began showering in the dark like this, dreading this part of his morning routine.

He carefully avoids eye contact in the mirror, but if he catches a glimpse of himself, he presses his breasts down to see what it would be like if he had a flat chest. He finally steps in the shower.

Warm water streams down his skin as K.A. begins his hygiene regimen: face care, shampooing and conditioning his hair. Then, K.A. starts to wash his body. He aims to finish this task swiftly to avoid discomfort, especially surrounding his chest. Sometimes, if he’s not quick enough, tears stream down his face.

He turns the water off and wraps his towel snugly around his chest. He then darts to his adjacent bedroom.

After closing his bedroom door, he squirms into his binder, a black compression tank top, with beads of water still dotting his skin. He faces his full-length mirror, adjusting his chest until it appears as flat as possible.

Now content with how he has hidden his breasts, he gets dressed, swapping clothes until he feels like he looks masculine. Before leaving his room, he checks the mirror one last time.

“The binder would already cause me to start slouching,” K.A. said. “But at least nobody could see I still had breasts.”

K.A., a transgender Montana teen, had been planning to get top surgery before his high school graduation this spring. But after the Montana Legislature passed a bill threatening his ability to do so, K.A. and his family were left scrambling.

Grappling with dysphoria

Gender dysphoria is recognized by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and is defined as when someone’s gender doesn’t align with their body — breasts or lack thereof, body and facial hair, voice pitch, face shape and genitalia are some examples of specific characteristics that can cause gender dysphoria.

The Williams Institute of University of California, Los Angeles Law reports 0.5% of adults in the U.S. identify as trans, or around 1.3 million people. It’s estimated there are 500 trans teenagers in Montana, which is 0.78% of minors.

Trans people in the United States are four times more likely than their cisgender counterparts to be the targets of violent crime, according to Williams Institute. K.A. is a pseudonym, as he asked to be anonymous for safety reasons and his friends and family will only be referred to by first name.

Two years ago, at age 15, K.A. found himself grappling with serious anxiety, depression, self-harming and discomfort in his own body. To cope with his mental health struggles, K.A. was prescribed Prozac and attended weekly therapy sessions.

K.A.’s parents tried to work with a mental health facility when he shared he had suicidal ideations, but because they were just ideations and not attempts, the facilities were unable to help.

“I wanted to take the pain away,” K.A.’s mom Kerstin said. “I wanted to make it better. I wanted there to be a quick and easy answer. I know the self-loathing involved when you self-harm from experience. So knowing that K.A. was feeling that horrible pain was really, really hard.”

On an especially difficult day, K.A. decided he needed a significant change, so he shaved his hair down to a buzzcut. He realized the more masculine look brought him comfort. Then, he began to socially transition, asking his friends to start using “he” and “him” pronouns. Socially transitioning is when an individual starts to live according to their gender identity by changing forms of gender expression such as name, pronouns, clothing and hair.

In April 2019, K.A. publicly announced his trans identity during a school walkout. At that point, only a few friends knew about his gender identity. “I honestly think I may be a trans-man,” K.A. said during his speech. “That is like the first time I have said that.”

His sister recorded the moment and, with K.A.’s permission, showed it to both parents.

“I want to say that it caught me off guard, but it kind of didn’t. Like we kind of also saw it coming. It did kind of get heavy on my mind,” Kerstin said. “Because I know what happens to some people in some states and cities and how awful the hate can be. So, I was afraid for K.A.”

K.A. called his dad, Jerry, and told him over the phone. Jerry said he loved K.A. and nothing would change that.

“I wish you would have been born in the body that you want it to be in,” Jerry told K.A. “But you know, either way, God loves you.”

Where it all began

K.A. began attending sessions with a gender-affirming therapist in August 2021. After months of therapy and a series of discussions, his therapist, K.A. and his parents decided it was appropriate for him to start hormone replacement therapy.

“K.A.’s mental health was declining quickly, and I didn’t want to lose (him),” Kerstin said. “I’d rather have him as a him than not at all and I want him to be happy. There’s no point in being in this world and being unhappy.”

K.A. prepares for his HRT shot. He usually takes it before school on Friday. “It gives me a little boost to get through the last day of the week,” K.A. said. (Photo by Nance Beston | Byline Magazine)

His inaugural testosterone dose was Dec. 10, 2021.

“It was a really exciting day, because I was at school the whole day and I was just anxiously waiting to get out of school, go pick up my prescription and shove a needle in my leg,” K.A. said. “Which isn’t my favorite part, fun fact. I kind of hate that part. But I liked the testosterone part.”

The following injections were self-administered every Friday before school. A few months later, K.A. noticed biological changes — his menstrual cycle stopped, his voice deepened and facial and body hair emerged. These transformations boosted his overall well-being, leading him to decide to stop taking Prozac.

“If I had gone this long knowing my identity, but not being able to have the changes that I’ve had, I would not be as happy,” K.A. said.

K.A. said he began to feel more comfortable in public places after starting testosterone treatments. His circle of friends expanded and he discovered a love for school, particularly choir, orchestra and drama, prompting him to plan for a career as a music teacher.

“My confidence had a big impact, especially before I started testosterone because I had a squeaky voice like I was a soprano one. I knew that I wasn’t passing and I just didn’t feel confident to talk to anybody besides my, at that point, small group of friends,” K.A. said. “But once I started being on testosterone, my voice lowered. I was passing more, my confidence just immediately went off. I used to have really bad social anxiety, but it’s basically ultimately gone at this point.”

Weekly testosterone injections steadily improved his well-being, yet one barrier remained — a longing for top surgery. Desire for a flatter chest was driven by daily discomfort from wearing a binder and constant dysphoria surrounding his breasts.

The binder increased K.A.’s neck problems, resulting in migraines that would drive him into a dark, quiet room for relief. He wished to stroll down the school hallway, his mind on classes instead of the anxiety he felt over whether others were fixating on his chest.

“I look at my face and I know that I’m a boy, I feel like I’ve looked like a boy. But then I see my chest and it just does not match with what I know I am and what I feel like I look like otherwise,” K.A. said. “It’s like my body was mixed up.”

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Plans derailed

K.A. planned to undergo top surgery, the process of removing breasts for a more masculine chest, prior to graduating high school. However, the passing of Senate Bill 99 derailed his plans.

SB99 was introduced to the Montana Legislature on Jan. 3, 2023. The bill called for banning access to any gender-affirming care for minors, including hormone replacement therapy, surgeries and hormone blockers in cases that treat gender dysphoria.

Under the bill, any doctor who performs a banned procedure can be sued, fined and could result in a year-long suspension of their authority to practice. Twenty-two states had similar bills introduced in 2023.

Democrat Zooey Zephyr was the first trans woman elected to the Montana Legislature. The 2023 session was her first. When SB99 went to the House, Zephyr spoke out against it.

“When you pass these laws you get trans people killed. When you bring these laws, trans people get killed,” Zephyr said.

Montana legislators received a letter from an ER physician during the session, who said they were seeing an increase in suicidality among trans youth.

Representatives later voted to ban Zephyr from the House Chamber after she said, “I hope the next time there’s an invocation when you bow your heads in prayer, you see the blood on your hands.” The House Speaker justified the ban, saying Zephyr had violated “the rules of decorum.” Zephyr said she doesn’t regret her statement and stands by it to this day.

SB99 passed and was signed into law by Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte. It was scheduled to go into effect on Oct. 1, 2023.

Top-surgery was always part of his plan

K.A. found a doctor who specializes in cosmetic, plastic and reconstructive surgery last September. K.A. and his parents rushed to schedule top surgery before SB 99 took effect. Payment for the surgery required out-of-pocket funds, totaling $11,200. With an eight-day window between finding the right doctor and the law’s implementation date, the family needed to secure the funds and pay the entire surgery cost.

“I was given the quote and then went home to my mom. I was in tears when I got the quote. I was in tears when I was talking to my mom. Like, surgery was always part of the plan,” K.A. said. “But the state, they cut off everybody who was already in the process of getting this done. Including somebody who has already been taking testosterone for a couple of years and they just, like, stopped (gender-affirming care), just like, no consideration for anything.”

The family did not have the funds to pay for his surgery. Jerry, K.A.’s father, said that given a couple more months, he would have sold his new motorcycle and other things around the house to ensure K.A. could get his surgery. They discussed loans, but approvals would take too long. Kerstin proposed a different strategy — launch a GoFundMe campaign on social media to help pay for the medical bill.

“This was, like, our last chance, I was like, holy crap, they’re going to win. The state is going to tell me what medical care my kid can have,” Kerstin said. “That wasn’t a good feeling. We had to fight that.”

On the GoFundMe post on Sept. 20, 2023, K.A. wrote, “Having this surgery now would save me from another year of constant dysphoria, distress and discomfort. I can’t imagine spending so much more time suffering like this.”

After it went live, K.A. obsessively checked his GoFundMe campaign. One day before they needed the funds, K.A. was still $2,275 short of his goal and he went to sleep not knowing if he would be able to get the surgery. But the next morning, K.A. discovered an anonymous donor paid the remaining sum.

“People they didn’t even know donated money to my kid so he can have medical freedom,” Kerstin said. “It was just an overwhelming sense of love and support from the community.”

‘Happy no more boobs’

On Sept. 26, K.A. awoke at 4:30 a.m., after a restless night with little sleep. It was the day of his surgery. A day filled with nerves, but also immense excitement. K.A. arrived at the hospital at 5:45 a.m., scheduled for the day’s first operation. Accompanied by his anxious parents, K.A. prepared for the transformative procedure.

After a 30-minute wait, K.A. was brought into the back. The nurse had him put on a yellow gown before he went under anesthesia. As the nurse wheeled him to the surgery room, K.A. said he remembers being very happy, giggling and saying “hi” to every passerby. He fell asleep before entering the room.

K.A. woke up three-and-a-half hours later, fairly high on the anesthesia drugs, his chest wrapped with a bandage and drainage tubes sitting on his lap.

Drainage tubes are removed from K.A. The tubes helped drain any excess liquids from his chest after top surgery. “It just feels really weird to have something moving in your body. It’s like a snake moving through,” K.A. said. “I like snakes, I have a snake, but I don’t like them in my chest.” (Photo by Nance Beston | Byline Magazine)

“I don’t remember much after the surgery, but the first thing I remember was I looked down and I could kind of see under my bandages and I started crying seeing my chest because…my chest, it was flat,” K.A. said. “For the first time ever, it was just flat.”

Jerry said there were a lot of emotions in the room, but those emotions and K.A.’s reaction convinced him and Kerstin that they had made the right decision.

“People can say that it was a choice and that I shouldn’t have allowed (the top surgery) to happen,” Jerry said. “But what’s a year difference gonna make? Why make this person suffer for another year?”

The World Professional Association of Transgender Health showed few people regretted their decision to receive gender-affirming treatment. The study showed that getting early medical help, as part of a complete plan focusing on feelings about gender and wellness, can help many trans people who want to seek gender-affirming treatment.

K.A. went home to his dad’s apartment that afternoon and both of his parents helped him get comfortable in the recliner. His mom left for the night but sent him messages. Before K.A. fell asleep, tired from the big day, his friends sent him a video singing a parody of “Happy Birthday” with a chocolate ice cream cake that read “Happy no more boobs” in blue frosting.

The very next day, a district court temporarily blocked SB99 from becoming law. Three families with trans children, two medical providers who work with trans youth and three organizations including LAMBDA Legal, the American Civil Liberties Union and ACLU of Montana sued the state.

Missoula County District Court Judge Jason Marks sided with the plaintiffs, saying SB99 appeared unconstitutional, would infringe on fundamental rights and fail to protect minor children from harm.

Living in the unknown

Jerry assisted in cleaning K.A.’s post-top surgery wounds for the following weeks, taking special care to prevent any infection in the cuts and his re-positioned nipples. His older sister sent him daily texts asking him how his nipples were. His friends remained supportive throughout, flooding his phone with motivational messages and calls.

“He is more himself than I have ever seen him be, and I have known him for ten years,” Ashley, K.A.’s best friend, said. “I think having that care has helped him through all of it. I can’t imagine where he would be today if he didn’t have that care. He would still be K.A., but he wouldn’t be fully himself because he would still be struggling with a lot of that dysphoria along with the mental health impacts of not getting that care.”

After his surgery, K.A. was out of school for three weeks. He took the time to admire his chest, work on homework and relax. He was given the OK to return after his surgeon removed his drainage tubes.

When he returned to school that Friday, all of his teachers and friends were very excited to see him again. He was glad to be back in classes, especially choir class. He said he loved talking to his friends over the phone, but he really missed singing with them. For the first time in his high school career, he was able to wear a button-up with nothing underneath it.

Now, the only worry K.A. has about his care is the future of his testosterone treatments. He said he has anxiety about the possibility that SB99 could go into effect any time and what he and his parents will have to do to ensure he still gets testosterone.

K.A. said that it’s frustrating that the Legislature tried to ban his care instead of applying restrictions on who can access the care. K.A. was in therapy for multiple months before starting hormone replacement therapy. Then, he spent almost two years doing HRT before he got top surgery.

If SB99 goes into effect, both parents agree they will figure it out. They won’t allow K.A. to lose that part of his health care, but it would be incredibly stressful. As SB99 remains temporarily blocked, there is not much they can do but wait.

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A light in the dark

Showering has now become one of K.A.’s favorite things to do. He enters the bathroom, undresses and plays his favorite indie music. He has retired the disco ball, keeping the overhead light on. Before he even turns on the water, he admires himself in front of the mirror — flexing and checking out his chest. He flips between full-front view and sidelong looks, admiring his flat chest, healing nipples and a developing six-pack.

He steps into the shower. The warm water runs down his skin, like it did before, only now he can appreciate his body. He says during the shower he carefully traces his scars multiple times.

“I love it so much,” K.A. said. “Getting in the shower like I have no worries. I’m just singing along with my little songs because it’s fun now and not as a distraction. I can actually look at myself and feel good about myself when I’m in the shower.”

After he finishes his shower, he ties a towel around his waist. He returns to the mirror, water droplets still dotting his chest. He struts to his bedroom with his towel still casually draped around his waist.

Then he picks out what pants he wants to wear for the day. Before he finishes dressing, he massages his scars in front of the mirror, part of his post-surgery care. He puts antibiotic ointment on his finger and gently rubs it in circles on his scars and nipples for about 10 minutes. His discarded binder lays crumpled on the floor, never to be worn again.

Eventually he picks out a shirt, appreciating how the fabric feels against his bare skin.

Before he leaves his bedroom, he gives himself one last glance in the mirror. Then, he walks out of his bedroom with his head held high.

Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site.

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Montana

Al Manuel Invite: Montana State’s Tilde Bjerager shatters mark; Montana breaks 5 records

Published

7 hours ago

March 29, 2026

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Al Manuel Invite: Montana State’s Tilde Bjerager shatters mark; Montana breaks 5 records

MISSOULA — Tilde Bjerager ran a school-record time of 57.79 in the 400-meter hurdles on Saturday to lead a group of 15 Bobcat winners on the final day of the Cat-Griz Dual/Al Manuel Invitational.

The Bobcats combined for a total of 17 event wins and 13 improvements to the program’s all-time top-10 list over the course of the two-day meet as the women tallied 81 points to finish first and the men posted 67 points for second place at the Montana-hosted meet.

Bjerager crossed the finish line with a converted time of 57.79 to shatter the school 400m hurdles record by 0.14 seconds, securing the victory in Missoula. Her time ranks fourth in the NCAA in the young outdoor season. She also matched the third-fastest time in program history in the 100m hurdles, crossing the finish line in a converted time of 13.63 to win the event. Millie Hubbell finished close behind with a time of 13.94 for a runner-up finish.

Sydney Brewster opened her outdoor season with a mark of 17.12 meters/56 feet, 2 inches to win the shot put. The mark came on her fourth throw and came within six inches of her own school record. Emma Brensdal finished with a mark of 15.01m/49-3, and Maggie Hillis took fourth with a throw of 13.83m/45-4.50.

Jaeden Wolff came within 0.01 second of tying the school record in the 100-meter dash, crossing the finish line with a converted time of 11.60 to place second in the event. She improved her own No. 2 time in school history in a strong start to her outdoor season. Peyton Garrison finished seventh with a time of 11.97, and Ave Roberts crossed the finish line in 12th with a time of 12.51.

Caroline Hawkes took over sole possession of the third spot on the program top-10 list in the 200m, clocking a converted time of 23.77 to earn the victory in Missoula. Giulia Gandolfi finished fifth in the event with a time of 24.43.

Xavier Simpson equaled his own No. 3 time in school history with a runner-up finish of 10.51 in the 100m. Malikye Simpson finished close behind in third with a time of 10.61 while Billy Cunningham (10.90) and Preston Wysocki (10.94) crossed the finish line in eighth and ninth, respectively.

Easton Hatleberg finished runner-up in the shot put with a mark of 18.09m/59-4.25 on his fifth throw. The mark was his personal best outdoors and helped him improve from ninth to fifth in program history in the event. Talon Holmquist (6th) and Matt Furdyk (7th) also competed in the event, recording top throws of 16.44m/53-11.25 and 16.27m/53-4.50.

Gandolfi clocked the No. 5 time in program history in her outdoor debut in the 400m, crossing the finish line in 54.26 to win the event to start her outdoor season. On the men’s side, Jett Grundy clocked a time of 47.09 to complete the sweep for the Bobcats.

Jordan Lasher cleared 5.22m/17-1.50 to win the pole vault, moving to sixth in program history with the mark. The clearance came on his third and final attempt to help him set a new personal best.

The Bobcats claimed the top eight positions in the women’s 1500m, led by Eva Koos’ winning time of 4:23.84. Claire Rutherford moved to sixth in program history with her converted time of 4:27.27 to place second in her outdoor debut. Kalei Moravitz (4:32.60), Annie Kaul (4:33.48), and Kaitlyn Skinner (4:35.08) rounded out the top five, while Sophia Miller (4:36.50), Madi Siana (4:39.06), and Stella Diaz (4:42.09) finished sixth through eighth.

The Bobcats posted the No. 7 4x100m relay times in program history on both the women’s and men’s side. Peyton Garrison, Hawkes, Jadyn VanDyke, and Jaeden Wolff posted a converted time of 45.32 while the men’s squad of Noah Barbery, Xavier Simpson, Drake Wilkes, and Malikye Simpson clocked a 40.67 as both teams finished second in their respective events.

Jackson Fagerlin crossed the finish line in 1:50.60 in the 800m, moving into the No. 10 slot in program history in the event, to secure a runner-up finish. Mario Oblad joined him in the top five, clocking a time of 1:51.69 to finish fourth in Missoula.

Hannah Perrin opened the Bobcats’ day on the track with a win in the 3,000m steeplechase, crossing the finish line with a converted time of 10:47.86. She defeated her closest competition in the event by 51 seconds. Rob McManus followed with a victory on the men’s side with a converted time of 8:50.52. Quinn Newman (3rd) and Ben Saelens (4th) also finished in the top five with respective times of 9:11.03 and 9:13.77.

Trystin Chapel and Billy Cunningham completed the one-two sweep in the long jump, posting respective marks of 7.22m/23-8.25 and 7.14m/23-5.25.

Nash Coley helped the Bobcats sweep the 400m hurdles, crossing the finish line in a converted time of 52.49.

Libby Hansen opened her season with a win in the pole vault, recording a top clearance of 3.85m/12-7.50. Tatum Richards finished fourth with a clearance of 3.70m/12-1.50.

Sophia Miller earned a win in the 800m as the Bobcats swept the top four in the event. Miller crossed the finish line in 2:14.84 while Jada Zorn (2:15.71), Kaitlyn Skinner (2:15.92), and Iris Rogel (2:17.02) finished second through fourth.

Koos won the women’s 5000m with a converted time of 17:36.99, leading a trio of Bobcats who finished in the top three as Hailey Watkins finished second (17:42.44) and Diaz took third (17:46.58).

Griz break five program records, three stadium marks

The Montana track and field team picked up right where it left off at the end of the indoor season on Saturday as the team set five new program records, including three that were Dornblaser Field records, in an impressive start to the outdoor season.

The Grizzly men also won the Griz-Cat Dual for the second time in the last four years by a final score of 99.67-93.33. The MSU women won 100-75. The Cats were picked second in the Big Sky in both preseason polls with Montana third.

Montana picked up 13 event wins on an action-packed Saturday afternoon.

The biggest roars of the day came from the men’s shot put. Missoulian Alex Shields, a graduate of Hellgate HS, missed the indoor season with a health issue. He had not been lifting or throwing regularly throughout the fall and winter.

He was cleared to resume competition for the outdoor season, but the coaching staff still debated letting him rest and redshirt this year. They decided to let him go out on Saturday, and the move paid off.

Shields broke the Montana school record with his first throw of the day in the men’s shot put. It would be the worst of his five measured throws as he saved his best attempt for last to win the event.

Shields trailed Montana State’s Easton Hatleberg going into his final throw. He uncorked his best attempt of the event, throwing it 59-8.5 to win by over four inches and shatter the previous program record from 2019.

It’s a huge step for someone that entered the outdoor season not knowing if he would be able to throw. It’s been a long journey for Shields to get back to full health

Freshman Astin Brown finished 3rd in the event with a throw of 57-10.25 and got the energy going early in the event and Titus Jeffrey finished 5^th with a throw of 54-4.5. Shields shouted out every single one of throws group teammates by name when talking about his success on Saturday.

The men’s and women’s 4×100-meter relay teams got the record breaking going early with times of 40.23 and 44.78 to win both races. The women broke a Dornblaser Field record that had stood since 2019 in the process.

The women have Tara Ohlwiler, the defending 100m and 200m Big Sky Champion, running the opening leg with freshman Callie Wilson, this season’s 60m and 200m indoor Big Sky Champion, running the anchor.

The men’s team ran with two true freshmen, Romin Saleki and Ben Bliven, with Brody Thornsberry in the lineup and Big Sky Indoor champion Karsen Beitz running the closing leg. Fraley wasn’t sure how fast the team would go being so new to collegiate competition and to running as a unit.

Wilson anchored the women’s record breaking relay team and then showed off the individual speed in the women’s 100m. Wilson broke the Dornblaser Field record set by Weber State’s Emily Morgan in the 2019 Big Sky Championships with a time of 11.49.

Her time is also a Montana program record as she beat her teammate Tara Ohlwiler’s best mark of 11.53 from last season.

In her first ever outdoor meet at Montana, Wilson put on a show for the Grizzly fans in attendance.

Wilson wasn’t the only Grizzly to break a women’s stadium record. Erin Wilde has long been the standard for high jump in the Big Sky Conference but she reached a new and impressive height on Saturday.

Wilde, a six-time Big Sky champion in the event, cleared 6-0 for the first time outdoors to break her own program record and become the first woman to ever break the 6-0 mark at Dornblaser Field.

For Wilde, the height is something that she’s had her sights set on for a while. She has cleared 6-0 multiple times indoors, including at the 2025 Big Sky Indoor Championships. She checked that box on Saturday.

The men had five wins on the track and Karsen Beitz played a part in three of them. He anchored the record relay team and then picked up a pair of individual wins in the men’s 100m and 200m.

Beitz ran lifetime bests in both events, winning the short sprint in a time of 10.44 in a highly competitive field and following it up later with a time of 20.93 in the 200m to hold off teammate Braden Ankeny.

Morgan Amano won the men’s 800m from behind, flying down the final straightaway for the win in a time of 1:50.82, which was a lifetime best

The men’s final win on the track also sealed the dual victory as the teams were nearly dead even entering the 4x400m relay. Montana’s team of Ben Antley, Braden Ankeny, Cadence Waller, and Taylor Johnson coasted to a four second win to bring the title home for Montana.

The field events made a big contribution as well two event wins and eight top three finishes on the men’s side to contribute to the point total. Freshman Sam Henderson won the triple jump with a mark of 48-8 to go with Shields’ win in the shot put.

The Grizzlies went over a decade without a dual win over MSU. They’ve now taken the title twice in the last four years on the men’s side.

Wilde and Wilson were joined in the winners circle on the women’s side by Ainsley Shipman and Lillian White.

Shipman had the top triple jump of the day on the women’s side with a mark of 38-6.25, and she also finished 3^rd in the long jump 18-5.75. White won the women’s discus with a throw of 154-10 in her first meet as a Grizzly.

Montana has had many entire seasons pass without five school records falling. They were able to knock off five records on Saturday alone in just the first meet of the outdoor season. The Grizzlies should only get better from here.

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Protestors back at Montana Capitol, other ‘No King’ rallies double

Published

19 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

Protestors back at Montana Capitol, other ‘No King’ rallies double

Following weeks of uncertainty as to whether the state would allow another large No Kings rally on the state Capitol steps, more than 1,000 people stood on the lawn as they protested what they said is creeping authoritarianism in the United States.

Montana poet and author Chris La Tray, along with former Gov. Steve Bullock headlined the event, with stark criticism of President Donald Trump, the Gianforte Administration and attacks on voter rights.

Event organizers scrambled as the state Department of Administration went back-and-forth on a blanket ban of weekend events at the Capitol that was eventually nixed after pressure from legislators and the public.

“When the current governor tried to silence your voice to make it so that you could not gather here on the steps of the people’s house, you stood up and said, ‘No, that’s not who we are,’” Bullock, a Democrat, said. “Today, Montanans and Americans are finding their voices.”

A man holds an American flag upside down at a No Kings rally in Helena, MT, on March 28, 2026. (Jordan Hansen / Daily Montanan)

More than 30 No Kings rallies took place across Montana, drawing more than 10,000 to Missoula and at least 5,000 in Billings, according to organizers.

In Helena, Bullock was sharply critical of state Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen, now a Congressional Candidate in the western district, saying, “We still don’t know what she’s given to Trump’s DOJ (Department of Justice).”

Former Montana Poet Laureate La Tray spoke about bringing people together and how that’s both important to him, but also sees it important within the bounds of his Anishinaabe culture, specifically pointing to his nation, the Little Shell Chippewa — a tribe that was not federally recognized until 2019.

After speaking about the complicated relationship he has with the American flag, he pointed to the Little Shell flag, which flies along with Montana’s other sovereign nation flags on the steps of the Capitol, and spoke to the nature of the rally.

“We are a sovereign nation, and we are here to build this future with everybody else,” La Tray said. “So what does that look like? I don’t know, but I think this is where we begin to see it.”

Attendees of all ages stood on the Capitol grounds, including Katy Mays, a Helena woman who had a sign saying “86 47” with a plushie of Kermit the frog.

It became personal to her when the Trump Administration came after public broadcasting.

“They came after PBS, and Kermit didn’t like that very much,” Mays said, who has taken the sign to several No Kings events.

U.S. Senate candidate Alani Bankhead spoke to voters while holding a sign saying “Pedo Hunter for U.S. Senate.” Bankhead, a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, has made child protection and public safety a centerpiece of her campaign for the Democratic nomination in the state. She’s also been active in discussions around the city, also giving public comment in favor of an immigration resolution in Helena earlier this week.

Bankhead said she was encouraged by the protests, adding, “I tell people, make your casserole for someone who needs to be encouraged, and drop it on their stoop. That’s just as powerful as running for Senate.”

Across the state, organizers in Fort Benton said they reached 100 people at their event — 8% of the town’s population — adding it was nearly double their event in October. Miles City saw about 135 people, which was in line with their last rally. Havre had 151, according to Indivisible organizers there.

“People are concerned about a lot of issues from the Epstein files, ICE and giving lots of money to Argentina, but not supporting farmers here,” said Kurt Reinhart, with Indivisible’s chapter in Miles City.

Billings: Largest turnout yet

At the Yellowstone County Courthouse lawn and stretching for several blocks north and south, Billings’ “No Kings” organizers estimated 5,000 to 6,000 people showed up, making it the largest protest turnout so far in the “Magic City.”

“Our voices are louder than money,” said event organizer and leader of Yellowstone Indivisible Elizabeth Klarich. “Sign up for something, get involved because this is how we get change.”

The organizers and speakers at the two-hour event coalesced around the theme of registering to vote and boosting Initiative 194, a measure that hopes to drive out corporate spending in campaigning and politics. In Montana, some cities have elections for school board members in April, a primary in June and a general election in November.

The rally also saw a number of younger speakers, as well as speakers who had a bit more gray hair, including those who hearkened back to the rallies they participated during the Vietnam War era.

“No Kings” rally organizer Elizabeth Klarich laughs with speaker Gage Duffy, a student at Billings Senior High. Duffy led a walk-out at the high school and was featured as one of the speakers at the rally on the Yellowstone County Courthouse lawn in Billings, Montana on March 28, 2026 (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick of the Daily Montanan).

Billings Senior High School junior Gage Duffy was the youngest speaker of the day, though it wasn’t his first time speaking or organizing. Earlier this year, he led a walk-out of the high school to protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement treatment of people.

“We call on the abolition of ICE not out of hatred, but out of humanity,” Duffy said, who was spending his 17th birthday speaking to the crowd and rallying. “We have to rethink how justice and immigrants are handled. Justice is not just something we celebrate, it’s something we work for.”

Scott Frazier, a Santee and Crow tribal member who is also Quaker, said he was inspired to participate because the Santee people had been rounded up, held against their will, not so unlike the same people who ICE is detaining.

“Those children who are being put in those camps will suffer for the rest of their lives,” Frazier said. “Yes, I am a Quaker, and you may know them for staying quiet, but we have to be talking about peace. The essence of peace is not hating each other, and guess what? It takes work to have peace.”

After speaking, Frazier sung a traditional sundancing song that is used in the morning called “Meadowlark.”

Tom Curry of Billings is a U.S. Navy veteran and brought a sign to protest for his first rally. He said he missed the other two because of medical issues, but said that his service was part of a NATO mission in Italy, and he wanted to show support for both the Armed Services and NATO.

“But there are 100 really good reasons to be out here,” Curry said.

The March 2026 No Kings rally in Missoula drew more than 10,000 people, organizers said. (Keila Szpaller/The Daily Montanan)

No Kings in March 2026 drew more than double the crowd of the first No Kings rally in Missoula. (Keila Szpaller/The Daily Montanan)

Alex King and Shannon Tillotson of Missoula said they fear for their marriage under the Trump administration because King is transgender. They believe Trump’s hatred has led to more fighting and violence in general. (Keila Szpaller/The Daily Montanan)

No Kings in March 2026 drew more than double the crowd of the first No Kings rally in Missoula. (Keila Szpaller/The Daily Montanan)

Two mothers came with their newborns to participate in the “No Kings” rally on the lawn of the Yellowstone County Courthouse in Billings, Montana on March 28, 2026 (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick of the Daily Montanan).

Laurel Tynes of Missoula showed up to the No Kings rally to defend democracy against Trump. “He’s going to kill us all.” (Keila Szpaller/The Daily Montanan)

A protestor holding a sign at a “No Kings” rally on the Yellowstone County Courthouse lawn in Billings, Montana on March 28, 2026. The sign references Alex Pretti and Renee Good, who were shot by Immigration and Customs Agents in Minneapolis (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick of the Daily Montanan).

A protestor who attended the “No Kings” rally at the Yellowstone County Courthouse lawn in Billings, Montana on March 28, 2026 (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick of the Daily Montanan).

Protestors during the “No Kings Rally” in Billings, Montana on March 28, 2026 (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick of the Daily Montanan).

A protestor at the “No Kings” rally in Billings, Montana on the Yellowstone County Courthouse lawn on March 28, 2026 (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick of the Daily Montanan).

A protestor in an inflatable costume at the “No Kings” rally in Billings, Montana on March 28, 2026. The protestor was pointing to an exchange between President Donald Trump and a female journalist in which Trump didn’t appear to like a question and replied, “Quiet, Piggy.” (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick of the Daily Montanan)

A mother and her daughter walk through the crowd at the “No Kings” protest at the county courthouse lawn in Billings, Montana on March 28, 2026 (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick of the Daily Montanan).

Billie Weston of Billings, Montana holds her sign at the “No Kings” rally on March 28, 2026. She said she had never attended a rally or protest before the first “No Kings” and this is her third (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick of the Daily Montanan).

Protestors holding signs during the “No Kings” rally in Billings, Montana on March 28, 2026 (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick of the Daily Montanan).

A man holds a sign referencing the Epstein files at the “No Kings” rally in Billings, Montana on March 28, 2026 (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick of the Daily Montanan).

Tom Curry, a U.S. Navy veteran, came to protest the war in Iran and the treatment of NATO at the “No Kings” rally in Billings, Montana on March 28, 2026 (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick of the Daily Montanan).

Two protestors at the “No Kings” rally in Billings, Montana on March 28, 2026 (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick of the Daily Montanan).

A woman holds up a sign during the “No Kings” rally along one of the city’s thoroughfares, North 27th Street in Billings, Montana on March 28, 2026 (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick of the Daily Montanan).

Organizers of the “No Kings” rally in Billings, Montana collect current and previous signs for community use on March 28, 2026 (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick of the Daily Montanan).

Over 1,000 people came to the grounds of the state Capitol in Helena, MT, on Saturday, March 28, 2026 for a No Kings rally. (Jordan Hansen / Daily Montanan)

Former Montana Governor Steve Bullock speaks during a No Kings event in Helena, MT, on Saturday, March 28, 2026. (Jordan Hansen / Daily Montanan)

For Kita Mays, a Helena resident who has attended multiple No Kings rallies, it became personal when the Trump Administration went after public broadcasting. “They came after PBS, and Kermit didn’t like that very much,” she said Saturday at a Helena, MT, event on Saturday, March 28, 2026. (Jordan Hansen / Daily Montanan)

The places where he served are now in danger because of the escalating war in Iran, he said.

“That scares the sh—t out of me,” he said. “There was no imminent danger. There was no nuclear threat. There were no missiles that were going to strike the U.S. — there never has been.”

Billings Public Schools Trustee Luke Ashmore, who ran on a platform of no corporate donations, said that sometimes the headlines of news can feel isolating and that’s why he’s participating in these rallies.

“On the worst days, I feel alone, but then look around,” Ashmore said. “But if we rely on each other, and if we stand with each other, and if we join together we can make a difference.”

Crow tribal member and Quaker Scott Frazier who spoke and sang at the “No Kings” rally at the Yellowstone County Courthouse lawn in Billings, Montana on March 28, 2026 (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick of the Daily Montanan).

Billings resident Billie Weston said this was her third “No Kings” rally in Billings. She said that she had never attended a rally or protest before these began.

“I am 67 and had never been to a protest before,” she said.

When asked what made her decide to attend, Weston replied, “How can I not?”

Missoulians protest war in Iran, SAVE Act

In Missoula, more than 10,000 people turned out to protest the Trump administration at a peaceful gathering that started and ended with song.

They came to protest the war in Iran, the SAVE Act, the flagrant disregard for the U.S. Constitution, the erasure of history, attacks on the press, and the enrichment of billionaires at the expense of poor people.

Many veterans showed up to state their disagreement with President Trump’s decision to drop bombs on Iran. Sandy Pisauro, of Seeley Lake, said she is a military veteran who believes in the U.S. Constitution and is tired of seeing Trump fan the flames of hatred.

“Where is the love in our society?” she asked.

Pisauro said she is retired and might be “kind of OK” financially, but she worries for young people who can’t afford homes. She said Trump is creating pain and suffering as he helps rich people make even more money off the backs of others.

“I am sickened by what Republicans have done to this country. I don’t even know how to put it into words,” Pisauro said.

A parade that started at the north end of downtown extended all the way to Caras Park blocks away at the other end, and demonstrators drummed and chanted and even expressed sign envy along the route. Jody Hammond, of Missoula, made eight signs on four boards, including one to which she attached small balls.

“Free Balls For Members of Congress Who Have Lost Theirs,” read one of her signs.

Hammond said she’s so worried for the country, “I can’t stand it.”

She made the signs last week that she and her friends used on Saturday.

Alex King and Shannon Tillotson of Missoula said they fear for their marriage under the Trump administration because King is transgender. They believe Trump’s hatred has led to more fighting and violence in general. (Keila Szpaller/The Daily Montanan)

“What I worry about more is not so much Trump but the people who know what he’s like and vote for him anyway,” Hammond said.

Penny Bertram, of Florence, drew admirers who stopped to take pictures of her sign: “Trump Sandwich. White Bread. Full of Baloney. W/ Russian Dressing. And A Small Pickle.”

Bertram said she wanted to have fun with the sign despite the attacks on democracy she sees in the country.

“I can’t imagine anything more serious that’s facing our country right now,” Bertram said.

Before the parade started, Laurel Tynes sat in a wheelchair at the head of the No Kings banner, and asked why she showed up to the event, her eyes flickered, and she paused.

“He’s going to kill us all,” Tynes said.

On the parade route, the demonstrators chanted: “Hey, hey! Ho, ho! Donald Trump has got to go;” “No kings. No tyrants. The people will not be silent.”

Previous demonstrations in Missoula have drawn thousands, and the one Saturday, organized by Missoula Resists, Indivisible Missoula and Stand Up Fight Back, was estimated at more than double, possibly triple, the first No Kings rally.

Joanna Morrison, who watched the parade for a few minutes before going to work, described herself as a child of the ‘60s and ‘70s. She said she was arrested in her 20s in front of Malmstrom Air Force Base to protest the nuclear arms race. Morrison said she appreciated the attendance Saturday, both the high number of people and the lack of heckling.

“I’m thankful to see so many people on the same page,” Morrison said.

Penny Bertram’s sign drew lots of admirers and people who wanted to take its picture. (Keila Szpaller/The Daily Montanan)

One speaker, Amber Shaffer of Missoula, said she’s an enrolled tribal member attending her first No Kings rally. Shaffer said she feels like she’s been judged for not participating in the past, but many Native Americans don’t feel secure in the country.

“I just want to acknowledge the privilege that everyone here has to feel safe enough to gather in these spaces,” Shaffer said. “Many of my Indigenous relatives don’t feel that sense of safety in our country, or any marginalized people.”

Lindsey Stout, who came to the rally with her daughter, Morgan Taylor, said she opposed the fear Trump was bringing not just to the country but the world. Stout also said under the SAVE Act, she wouldn’t even be able to vote as a woman who changed her last name.

“I think that’s insane,” Stout said.

Sean Eudaily, a professor of political philosophy and Constitutional studies at the University of Montana-Western, also spoke to the crowd, although as a concerned citizen. Eudaily said he watched his dad, a conservative Republican from western Montana, work on conservation efforts in the Bob Marshall Wilderness and the Rock Creek drainage. He said Montana’s political history offers “good, old common sense wisdom” for people today.

“We were the first state to systematically regulate the influence of corporate money in politics. We were the first state to send a woman to Congress, Jeannette Rankin,” Eudaily said.

He also said when it was time to rewrite the Montana Constitution in 1972, Montana sent everyday people to do it, not politicians, and it has a model document in the country.

“If you let the politicians write the constitution, the people will be sidelined. So that’s not how we do it,” Eudaily said.

Organizers said more than 10,000 people showed up, and possibly as many as 15,000. Rose Zee, with Missoula Resists, said the protests weren’t about political parties, but about protecting the country.

“It is about standing up for what we know to be right and taking action against what is wrong,” Zee said. “Today (Saturday), about 15,000 Montanans came together in Missoula because we can no longer remain silent while our Constitution and our rights are under attack.”

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Montana

Montana Lottery Mega Millions, Big Sky Bonus results for March 27, 2026

Published

1 day ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 27, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from March 27 drawing

13-27-28-41-62, Mega Ball: 16

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from March 27 drawing

04-05-15-16, Bonus: 14

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 27 drawing

06-09-28-33-46, Bonus: 04

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Montana Cash: 8 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Millionaire for Life: 9:15 p.m. MT daily.

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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