Montana

Lawsuit claims Montana law restricting drag performances limits free expression

Published

1 year ago

July 8, 2023

Lawsuit claims Montana law restricting drag performances limits free expression

HELENA — A new state law putting limits on drag performances in Montana is now being challenged in federal court. Plaintiffs say it’s too broad and could restrict their rights to free expression.

House Bill 359 was passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Greg Gianforte this year. The law prohibits schools and libraries that receive state funding from hosting “drag story hours” during regular operating hours or a sponsored extracurricular activity. It also bans “sexually oriented performances” in front of minors – either on public property or at a business – and it bans them altogether in locations that receive state funding.

Nine plaintiffs filed suit this week, saying the definitions in the bill were too vague. They said it left them in an uncertain position – unable to know what might put them at risk of legal liability.

One of the plaintiffs, Adria Jawort, is a Native American transgender woman and activist. She was scheduled to give a talk on the history of “two-spirit” people in tribal cultures at the Butte Public Library last month. However, city-county authorities canceled the event out of concern that it would violate HB 359.

“This is a definite chilling of free speech,” said Jawort. “I’ve hosted lots of panels, reading events and all types of things at libraries.”

The lawsuit says canceling the talk was discriminatory and violated Jawort’s rights to free speech and equal protection, as it appeared to be based either on her identity or the LGBTQ+ theme of her lecture.

According to the plaintiffs’ complaint, other organizations and businesses have also had to face questions about whether planned events can go forward since the law took effect.

“Jawort may be the first to have a planned event publicly cancelled as a result of HB 359, but she will not be the last,” the complaint said. “No one knows what HB 359 actually prohibits.”

The lawsuit says the definitions in HB 359 are impermissibly broad and could encompass much more than supporters said it was intended to. For example, the bill defines drag story hours as when a performer with “a flamboyant or parodic” persona and “glamorous or exaggerated costumes and makeup” reads children’s books or does other learning activities with children present. Plaintiffs questioned whether that could interfere with a variety of other educational events where teachers or others use costumes.

The bill defines “sexually oriented” to include “stripping, salacious dancing,” and any other “lewd or lascivious depiction or description.” However, because it doesn’t include an exception for artistic, literary or other merit, the lawsuit says it could restrict many works that aren’t obscene but contain sexual themes.

The lawsuit says Montana already has laws that protect children from obscene materials.

“Thus, there are only two options: either HB 359 is superfluous, or it redefines ‘obscene’ beyond constitutional limits to include drag performances, drag story hours, and a spiraling list of nebulously defined ‘sexually oriented performances,’” it said.

Rep. Braxton Mitchell, R-Columbia Falls, sponsored HB 359 in the Legislature. He told MTN Friday that he wasn’t surprised by the lawsuit, and that he didn’t believe most of the situations plaintiffs had proposed would actually be restricted by the law.

“I think it’s pretty clear what those definitions mean and what it entails,” he said.

During debate on the bill, Mitchell frequently argued drag performances could not be separated from sexuality and that the state has a legitimate interest in regulating them when minors might be present and in publicly funded locations.

“Like I said from the beginning, I don’t believe that there’s any type of First Amendment violation by saying that in a taxpayer-funded school or a library,” he said.

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Montana

MSU Billings cultural showcase events bring India to Montana

Published

7 hours ago

November 19, 2024

Press Room

MSU Billings cultural showcase events bring India to Montana

BILLINGS — At Montana State University Billings, this semester’s cultural showcase is all about India—a celebration of its vibrant traditions, rich history, and the students who bring these cultures to life.

Each year, the Office of International Studies chooses a different country to focus on during the fall semesters. They host events to showcase that region through programming, movies, and free events for the community to attend.

Isabel Spartz/MTN News

Over a dozen international students are from India, and many participate and help run the themed events.

“We decided to go to India predominantly because we’ve had a large influx of Indian students, and we really rely on local community to help put this on,” said the school’s Associate Director of International Students Abby Cook.

This is their fourth year of holding themed semesters that began in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic to help students feel connected to other cultures and feel less isolated.

“We were still on a bit of a hiatus for travel and bringing in new students due to COVID, so we were thinking about how can we bring the world and just different cultures to MSU Billings to the Billings community as well, so that’s kind of the brainchild of the theme semester program,” said Cook. “It is funded predominantly by a grant that we have from the Department of Education.”

On Thursday, they held one of their last events of the year, the Indian Cultural Showcase. MSUB students from India had the chance to show off various regions of the country through music, dance, singing, clothing and presentations.

INDIA2_1.2.1.jpg — Many different types of Indian music were showcased through dancing, singing, and playing instruments.

“It’s just generally a really great event that brings the community together and celebrates culture and diversity in a very colorful way,” said Cook. “The community that comes, especially those on a regular basis, they adore it. It is all volunteer, I would say, and it is all something that is done on a very low budget, so it’s just managing the expectations. We are not bringing in people from India to do performances. Everything’s kind of homegrown.”

Over a dozen international students at the university are from India. Sophomores Mansi Luthra and Noor Deep Kaur are both from the northern Indian state of Punjab and have helped run the events throughout the semester. They said the year has been an opportunity to reconnect with their roots while sharing their culture with the local community in Billings.

INDIA4_1.7.1.jpg — Mansi Luthra is from Punjab and is studying health care administration at MSU Billings.

“Most of my classmates, they love Indian outfits. When I wear these outfits, ‘Oh, I love your earrings, I love your bangles,’ so those compliments just rejoy my blush,” said Luthra. “These kind of events rejoy your life, make you feel like you are a part (of something), and you are worthy. That’s a great thing.”

“It’s exciting to tell them about our own culture, and sometimes we are not afraid about things which are really important to us and people might ask about it and then we have to explain them. It’s like, ‘Oh that’s really different. We do that thing in a different way,’” added Deep Kaur.

For many international students like Luthra and Deep Kaur, the transition to a new school in a foreign country can be a difficult and isolating experience. The first year is often filled with challenges.

“First year was crazy, adapting to new technology of assignments, being feeling loneliness, homesick, all those feelings together,” said Luthra.

Over time, the girls found comfort in their shared heritage, and through their Indian student group, they found a sense of community.

“Then you cope with classes, with making new friends, especially I have a very good group of Indian friends here, so it just feels like home now,” said Luthra.

INDIA8_1.11.1.jpg — Noor Deep Kaur is studying nursing at MSU Billings.

For them, the event and chance to perform was an important reminder of the strength and diversity of their cultural identity.

“We get to know each other’s culture and we grow as a community. That’s really I think one of the best parts of this multicultural club and International Office doing this stuff,” said Deep Kaur.

The semester has helped create a bridge between international students and the wider Billings community, and as a reminder that we are all more similar than we think.

INDIA5_1.8.1.jpg — At the end of the showcase, members of the audience were invited on stage to dance.

“It’s important to showcase that we are all unique in our traditions and our cultures, yet we all still love to dance. We all still love music. We all still love to sing,” said Cook. “It brings a unique tone to the Billings community also because they can see, ‘Oh, this is in my community. We have people who are from India. We have a Japanese community. We have a French community,’ so I think that’s really powerful, and it helps them to get involved on a more personal level.”

For the students involved, the event is more than just a cultural showcase, but a way to reduce the isolation often felt by international students. By sharing their traditions, Mansi and Noor have been able to make the place they now call home feel a little bit closer to the one they left behind.

INDIA6_1.9.1.jpg — At the end of the showcase, members of the audience were invited on stage to dance.

“I’m getting to know people and my friends. My bones are growing more stronger and so that’s why I’m feeling good now. Yeah, I’m feeling less homesick,” said Deep Kaur.

“I really love how people embrace Indian culture. Their eyes shine when they see us performing, singing, being in our outfits, they compliment us, and they make our day and nights,” added Luthra.

Their final two events will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Babcock Theater for a showing of the film “I Have Found It,” and on Thursday, Nov. 21 at the MSU Billings Rimrock Cafe from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. for their Indian Cuisine Night. Click here for more information.

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Montana

World’s Only Ski-In/Ski-Out Treehouses @ Whitefish, Montana

Published

14 hours ago

November 18, 2024

Press Room

World’s Only Ski-In/Ski-Out Treehouses @ Whitefish, Montana

If you are in the market for a ski vacation with truly unique accommodations, you should definitely check out what Snow Bears Chalet in Whitefish, Montana has to offer. Snow Bear Chalets is a collection of three luxury treehouses located on Whitefish’s Hope Slope Trail with 100% ski-in/ski-out access. If you’re worried that sleeping in a tree would be roughing it, you will be pleasantly surprised that each of three treehouses comes with standard bedrooms and bathrooms along with luxury amenities including a private hot tub and a gas fireplace. Spend your day shredding the slopes and retire to your treetop turret retreat room to take in the incredible views. Sounds great!

About Snow Bear Chalets:

Snow Bear Chalets is a collection of three magical luxury treehouses located ON Whitefish Mountain Ski Resort’s Hope Slope and all 100% ski-in/ski-out. With no parking lots or treacherous staircases to deal with, you can ski to Chair 3 from any of the chalets and hit the slopes in under a minute! Hope Slope – is the first to open each season and a great option for night skiing on Whitefish Mountain. Plus, in the summer season, you’re only steps away from the mountain’s main mountain biking trailhead, connecting you to hundreds of miles of prime trails.

Each treehouse has breathtaking mountain and wooded views, with beautiful, highly functional living spaces, comfortable bedrooms and a large balcony with outdoor dining and private hot tub. All summer and winter resort amenities are within easy walking/skiing distance, including bars, restaurants, shops, etc.

There’s nothing like Snow Bear on any ski mountain in the US. Ponderosa Chalet sleeps 6 and is our highest in demand with its unparalleled slopeside location. Tamarack is identical to Ponderosa and less than 30 feet from the slope. Cedar is our largest chalet and great for groups, as it sleeps 10. Each Snow Bear Chalet is available for a 3 night minimum, depending upon the season, or for rent by the week during the holidays. Book all three treehouses and sleep up to 22 guests!

Snow Bear is not for everyone. It’s literally the ultimate in luxury living for those who choose a unique, decadent holiday experience. If you’re ready to be spoiled on a gorgeous mountain escape, you’ve found the right place! BOOK HERE.

PONDEROSA, our premier treehouse, is literally ON the ski slope, for unobstructed mountain and slopeside views. Watch the skiers fly by from your hot tub or while having coffee at the dining island in the morning. ZERO time to the slope, as you’re already on it!

TAMARACK, is the same size/layout as Ponderosa, but is located in the middle of the three threehouses. It has downhill slope views and is only about 30′ to the slope!

CEDAR is the largest treehouse and is perfect for larger groups. It has mountain views and is only 50′ from the slope!

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Montana

COVID-19 case numbers level off in Montana, slight increase in influenza cases

Published

22 hours ago

November 18, 2024

Press Room

COVID-19 case numbers level off in Montana, slight increase in influenza cases

MISSOULA, Mont. — Data released Friday by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services shows the number of COVID-19 cases reported in Montana leveling off.

The number of COVID-19 cases recorded for the week ended Nov. 9 was 281, the same as the week before. Hospitalizations dropped slightly from 15 patients to 13 during the same timeframe. There were no COVID-19 deaths reported for the week ended Nov. 9.

Influenza case numbers ticked up to 20 for the week ended Nov. 9, up by four patients from a week prior. There were no influenza-related hospitalizations or deaths recorded for the week ended Nov. 9.

No positive RSV tests were recorded for the week ended Nov. 9.

For more information, click here.

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