Montana
Drag Bans Aren’t New — and Laws Haven’t Changed Much Since 1887
Montana is the latest state to ban drag performances. The bill included more references to drag in earlier drafts, but now mentions only a ban on “drag story hour” and “sexually oriented or obscene performances.” It targets performances on public property where children are present, public schools, and libraries — and something more specific that seems to be on the minds of lawmakers: One line item singles out performances that feature prosthetic breastplates, like those worn by drag queens.
If you think this law sounds as though it was lifted straight out of the Victorian Era, you’re right. The claim that “we need to protect minors” by legislating what kinds of performance are acceptable is a line conservative legislators have used since the 1880s. In fact, in 1887, Montanans applied this same logic in an attempt to ban women’s cross-dressing onstage and the exposure of minors to variety theaters, among other things.
As a historian focused on gender and performance in Montana’s early years, I’ve uncovered archival evidence of such attempts to legislate what happens onstage that echo, eerily, what’s happening today in Montana and nationwide. At the heart of these bans are myths about gender and queerness — and the idea that youth need protection from the newfangled “evils” they could be exposed to at something like drag story hour in a public library.
That 1887 petition makes it clear: There’s a long history of gender-bending performance in Montana and the United States. Beyond the realm of performance, gender variance is nothing new.
It was 136 years ago when over 500 people from across the then-territory of Montana drafted a petition to send to the 15th Territorial Legislature. The goal was to ban women in “character dresses” — meaning anything from the 19th-century equivalent to today’s drag kings to performers in skimpy attire — from public performances. The petition read: “Women who appear in semi-nudity or in ‘character dresses’ [should] be entirely precluded from any part of the auditorium of any place of public resort…. [Minors employed] in such an atmosphere can have but one tendency, and that for evil.”
One such location was Ming’s Opera House, opened in 1880, which featured cross-dressing by women in stagings of German and Italian operas. Ming’s was considered one of the territory’s most esteemed theaters, attended by citizens deemed respectable by those who policed morality. This attempt to regulate performance was odd. Women had been wearing all sorts of attire and cross-dressing in American variety theaters since the early 1870s. Why, suddenly, were Montana petitioners and lawmakers concerning themselves with this kind of performance?
According to census records and experts at the Montana Historical Society, in 1883, the Northern Pacific Railway connected through Helena for the first time, bringing new waves of white settler families. Christian groups like the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) and Salvation Army began loudly advocating for changes to the state’s frontier reputation. Many of their attempts to legislate succeeded, irrevocably changing Montana’s legal and cultural landscape. Throughout the 1887 legislative session, Montana saw an uptick in petitions against things that groups like the WCTU and Salvation Army deemed “immoral.” There were petitions for prohibition of liquor sales and gambling, and for closure of all businesses and theaters on Sundays.
The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 26, 2024, results for each game:
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 26 drawing
09-10-12-30-47, Lucky Ball: 09
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from Dec. 26 drawing
01-05-06-30, Bonus: 01
Check Big Sky Bonus 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: 9:00 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
- Lotto America: 9:00 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: 8:00 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.
Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.
Where can you buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.
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.
POLSON — A 31-year-old Pablo man was shot and killed early Christmas morning after what police are calling a disturbance in Polson.
The Polson Police Department reports that Lake County 911 took several calls for a shooting in the area of 11th Avenue West.
Polson Police, Lake County Sheriff’s deputies, and Flathead Tribal Police officers responded and found 31-year-old Sheldon Fisher had been shot and killed during a disturbance involving several people.
According to Polson Police, arrests were made on Wednesday, including the arrest of the suspected shooter, who has not yet been identified.
Polson Police are investigating the incident, along with the Lake County Coroner and Sheriff’s Office.
Micah Drew
(Daily Montanan) Montana’s soon-to-be senior U.S. Sen. Steve Daines will keep a key leadership position in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee in the upcoming Congress, as well as take a new position on the Foreign Relations Committee.
Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota on Friday announced the Senate Republican Conference committee assignments for the upcoming 119th Congress beginning next year. Daines also will serve on the Finance and Indian Affairs committees.
“It’s an honor to serve Montanans in the U.S. Senate, and I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues on these crucial committees to fight for our Montana way of life,” Daines said in a prepared statement. “President (Donald) Trump received a mandate from the American people, and with these committee assignments I’ll be working to enact the president’s agenda to unleash American energy, cut taxes, open overseas markets for Montana farmers and ranchers, improve America’s relationships abroad, bring down costs for hardworking families, secure the southern border and stem the flow of deadly drugs.”
Daines has also been the ranking member on the Subcommittee on National Parks, which he will chair in the upcoming Republican-controlled Senate.
Sen.-elect Tim Sheehy, a Navy Seal, will serve on the committees on Armed Services, on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and on Veterans’ Affairs.
Sheehy, of Bozeman, won his election to the Senate against incumbent Democrat U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, who had chaired the Veterans’ Affairs committee during the last two sessions of Congress.
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