#406equality

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We Stand with Pulse 

An amazing show of support from organizations, community members and allies from across the state of Montana following the June 12th tragedy in Orlando, Florida‪.

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We urge everyone to voice their opposition to Fort Peck's recent North Carolina-style bathroom policy!

All individuals deserve to be treated with dignity and respect regardless of their gender identity or expression.

Help end the bathroom bills and ensure true and fair equality.

Thanks to Newsweek for exposing this terrible step backward in trans* equality in Montana at a national level.

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A huge thanks to the Kalispell community for showing their support at our second Trans* Community Conversation on Thursday. We had a packed house! Not only did we help educate the community, but as a group, collectively put into action a means of better serving and supporting the trans* community in the Flathead. We are in the process of starting a series of community focused potlucks in the Flathead. Interested in getting involved? Email Bree at bree.sutherland@genderexpansionproject.org

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Kalispell Transgender Community Conversation

Join the Gender Expansion Project for a community conversation to talk about issues facing the transgender, gender diverse and gender non-conforming communities in rural environments like Montana.

We will be talking about the unique challenges and obstacles that gender diverse Montanans face, resources for support and how we all can help to elevate our trans and gender diverse community members. When: Thursday, April 28th, 2016 - 6pm Where:  The Museum at Central School 124 2nd Ave E, Kalispell, Montana 59901

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The Whitefish City Council will have a hearing on a non-discrimination ordinance (NDO) next Monday, March 21st.

If you are near Kalispell or Whitefish, please show your support for protections in housing, employment and public accommodations based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression!

EVERYONE deserves equality when it comes to finding a place to live, when it comes to working and seeking out public accommodation, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity!

Please help support this important measure by showing your support at the hearing on Monday!

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Join the Gender Expansion Project, Pride Foundation, Montana Human Rights Network and the Carroll College Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) for a community conversation to talk about issues facing the transgender, gender diverse and gender non-conforming communities in rural environments like Montana.

We will be talking about the unique challenges and obstacles that gender diverse Montanans face, resources for support and how we all can help to elevate our trans and gender diverse community members.

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Say NO to anti-transgender legislation and together, lets put a stop to harmful and discriminatory legislation!

All people deserve fair and equal rights under the law, regardless of their physical sex, gender identity, gender expression or gender presentation!

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The first of a three-part interview series on the needs of ‪#‎LGBTQI‬ ‪#‎youth ‬living in ‪#‎poverty‬ around the world. Introducing Bree Sutherland, executive director of The Gender Expansion Project in ‪#‎Missoula‬, ‪#‎Montana‬, ‪#‎USA‬.‪#‎endLGBTIpoverty‬ ‪#‎IDAHOT‬

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sBree Sutherland and Keegan Olson of the the Gender Expansion Project in Bozeman, Montana; training Bridgercare on the leading health practices in working with trans*, gender diverse and non-binary individuals.

We are excited to see some great opportunities in quality trans* healthcare in the center of Montana.

Want to learn more about our trainings? Email us at info@genderexpansionproject.org Want to learn more about Bridgercare? Check them out at http://www.bridgercare.org

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Congratulations to GEP's own Marcus Ordane for being inducted into the 2015 Trans 100 list. Your hard work and dedication to the Gender Expansion Project is truly appreciated.

Keep up the amazing work!

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This paints a very clear picture of why trans* advocacy and education is an absolute must in the rural northwest.

The Gender Expansion Project is working to serve individuals of gender diversity throughout the rural northwest, and is actively reaching out to those in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and the Dakotas.

Through the work of GEP and many other amazing organizations throughout our region, we hope to one day see equality across our region.

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If you're a young person who is trans and struggling, or if you're questioning your gender identity, Kimberly is living, breathing proof that it can and does get better. People grow up, families change, and life can be really great.

If you know someone who is struggling, please share Kimberly's story with them.

And if you're considering suicide or know someone who is, please call the Trevor Project Lifeline at 866-488-7386 or Trans Lifeline at 877-565-8860. You're not alone.

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Television shows like "Transparent" and celebrities such as Bruce Jenner have brought the transgender population into the mainstream. But it's not just a Hollywood story

GEP's director, Bree Sutherland, featured on KPAX news, talks about transitioning in rural Montana and about the important work the Gender Expansion Project is doing throughout the rural northwest.

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Most people know the first three letters in LGBT stand for lesbian, gay and bisexual — each of which has something to do with sexual orientation. But what about that "T"? What exactly does it stand for? Transgender? Definitely. Transsexual? Yup. Genderqueer? Uh huh. Cross-dresser? Yeah. Trans man? Indeed. Trans woman? Yes. The "T" in LGBT encompasses a broad range of gender identities and gender expressions — many of which don't even start with T. Some people have even begun using the term trans*, with an asterisk, when writing about the spectrum of gender nonconforming people. Many of those gender nonconforming individuals and their LGB allies plan to converge today on the state Capitol to lobby lawmakers on issues important to them.

Trans* in Montana - silence no more. A huge thanks to John Adams and the Great Falls Tribune for giving this issue the attention it needs. Trans* lives are human lives. All lives matter. In 2015 alone, countless trans* and gender diverse individuals have had their lives cut far too short. Lives have been taken out of fear, hatred, ignorance and lack of acceptance of diversity. We are people. We are your neighbors. We are your employees and employers. We are your brothers and sisters, cousins, parents. We want what EVERYONE wants, to be treated with fairness, dignity and equality!

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Usually when newspapers write about "LGBT," it's contained in a sentence with words like "rights" and "discriminate."

An in-depth look at the people and issues behind the 'T' in the LGBT communities of Montana.

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CONTACT THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE TODAY! Friday, January 30th at 9am,is the official hearing on SB 179 in the Senate Judiciary Committee. This legislation will amend the Montana Human Rights Act to include gender identity and sexual orientation to ensure that all Montanans are protected from discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations. Whether you contact them by email, phone or through written communication, remember to state clearly who you are and how you want them to vote on SB 179. Remind them that in Montana we judge people based on the quality of their work not who they love. This is about coming together as a state and making sure that all of our neighbors have access to the protections they need to take care of themselves and their families. If appropriate, include personal stories and anecdotes about why protecting all Montanans from discrimination is important to you. You can contact your legislators by calling (406) 444-4800 or online at this link: http://leg.mt.gov/css/Sessions/64th/legwebmessage.asp . The members of the Senate Judiciary Committee can be found here along with some talking points and information about this important legislation!https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mh9KIs5xSADYEqQtsJ_abI05N3wnpEWYHc7re5R_HsY/pub