Montana
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Montana is a state in the western region of the United States. The state's name is derived from the Spanish word montaña (mountain). Montana has several nicknames, although none are official, including "Big Sky Country" and "The Treasure State," as well as slogans like "Land of the Shining Mountains" and more recently, "The Last Best Place." Montana has a 545-mile (877 km) border with three Canadian provinces: British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan, making it the only state to do so. It also borders North Dakota and South Dakota to the east, Wyoming to the south, and Idaho to the west and southwest. Montana ranks 4th in size but 44th in population and 48th in population density among the 50 United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges, while smaller island ranges are found throughout the state. In total, 77 named ranges are part of the Rocky Mountains. The eastern half of Montana is characterized by western prairie terrain and badlands.
The economy is primarily based on agriculture, which includes ranching and cereal grain farming. Other significant economic activities comprise oil, gas, coal, hard rock mining, lumber, and the fastest-growing sector: tourism. The health care, service, and government sectors also play a significant role in the state's economy. Millions of tourists visit Glacier National Park, the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, and Yellowstone National Park each year.
Etymology
The name Montana comes from the Spanish word montaña, which in turn derives from the Latin word montanea, meaning "mountain" or more broadly "mountainous country." Montaña del Norte was the name given by early Spanish explorers to the entire mountainous region of the West. The name Montana was added in 1863 to a bill by the United States House Committee on Territories (chaired at the time by James Ashley of Ohio) for the territory that would become Idaho Territory.
The name was changed by representatives Henry Wilson (Massachusetts) and Benjamin F. Harding (Oregon), who complained that Montana had "no meaning." When Ashley presented a bill in 1864 to establish a temporary government for a new territory to be carved out of Idaho, he again chose Montana Territory. This time, Rep. Samuel Cox, also from Ohio, objected to the name. Cox argued that the name was a misnomer since most of the territory was not mountainous and a Native American name would be more appropriate than a Spanish one. Other names such as Shoshone were suggested, but the Committee on Territories decided that they had the discretion to choose the name, so the original name of Montana was adopted.
Attitudes toward the LGBTQ+ Community in Montana
Attitudes towards LGBTQ+ individuals in Montana are influenced by a complex interplay of changing public opinion, inadequate legal protections, and considerable challenges encountered by LGBTQ+ youth.
- Public Opinion
Public support for LGBTQ+ rights in Montana has gradually been on the rise. According to a 2011 national poll, 76% of Montanans believed Congress should pass a federal law prohibiting employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Additionally, a 2008 poll found that 58% supported extending the state's non-discrimination law to protect gay and lesbian individuals.
- Legal Protections and Legislative Landscape
Montana lacks comprehensive statewide nondiscrimination laws that explicitly protect individuals based on sexual orientation or gender identity in areas such as employment, housing, and public accommodations. However, several cities, including Missoula, Helena, Butte, and Bozeman, have enacted local nondiscrimination ordinances to protect LGBTQ+ residents.
In recent years, Montana has seen legislative efforts that impact the LGBTQ+ community. For instance, Senate Bill 458, passed in 2023, defines sex strictly as male or female based on reproductive characteristics, effectively eliminating legal recognition for transgender and nonbinary individuals. This law has faced legal challenges, with opponents arguing it infringes on constitutional rights.
- LGBTQ+ Youth Experiences
LGBTQ+ youth in Montana face significant mental health challenges. According to a 2024 survey by The Trevor Project, 44% of LGBTQ+ young people in Montana seriously considered suicide in the past year, including 49% of transgender and nonbinary youth. Additionally, 13% of LGBTQ+ youth attempted suicide during the same period.
The survey also highlighted barriers to mental health care, with nearly 40% of LGBTQ+ youth unable to access the services they need. Reasons included concerns about affordability, fear of discussing mental health issues, and apprehension about not being taken seriously.
Furthermore, 12% of LGBTQ+ youth reported being threatened with conversion therapy, and 10% had been subjected to it. Experiences of discrimination and victimization were also prevalent, with 64% reporting discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity, and 31% having been physically threatened or harmed in the past year.
- Community and Advocacy Efforts
Despite these challenges, ongoing efforts support the LGBTQ+ community in Montana. Cities like Missoula, Helena, Butte, and Bozeman have enacted local nondiscrimination ordinances to protect LGBTQ+ residents. Additionally, organizations such as the ACLU of Montana advocate for LGBTQ+ rights across the state, working with the legislature, city commissions, and school districts to promote inclusivity and equality.
- Conclusion
While public support for LGBTQ+ rights in Montana is growing, the state still faces significant hurdles regarding legal protections and the well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly youth. Continued advocacy and community efforts are crucial to fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment.
History of the Montana Flag
The Montana State Flag features a blue background with the Seal of Montana emblazoned at the center. Above the Seal, the word "Montana" is emblazoned in golden text in the font Helvetica. The seal is circular and showcases a scenic view of the sun rising over a river with a waterfall, adjacent to mountains and green fields. On the green fields, there is a miner's pick and a shovel next to several trees. The shovel and pick represent the importance of agriculture in Montana. The river and waterfalls symbolize the Great Falls of the Missouri River, while the mountains, fields, and trees reflect the state's natural features. The state motto, "Oro Y Plata," which translates to "Gold and Silver," is written on a banner across the bottom of the seal. This motto references the mountains in Montana, where gold and silver were discovered in the mid-1800s. The Montana State Flag was adopted on July 1st, 1981.
Montana is one of the nine mountainous states in the Northwestern region of the United States of America and shares borders with four states: Wyoming, Idaho, North Dakota, and South Dakota. It is also the only state that shares borders with three Canadian provinces (British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan). Montana is the fourth largest state by land mass and is the largest landlocked state in the country. The capital city of Montana is Helena, and the largest city is Billings. Montana's name is derived from the Spanish word for "mountain." Montana is referred to as "The Treasure State" due to the gold, silver, and rich mineral reserves that have been discovered in the state's mountains. It is also known as "Richest hill on planet earth' due to its mining history.
The first people who inhabited Montana were known as the Paleo-Indians. Montana was later inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Blackfeet, Shoshone, Crow, Cheyenne, Kootenai, and Salish. During the 1700s, European fur traders arrived in the area, and trading posts were established. The land was claimed by both the French and the Spanish. In 1803, Montana became a territory of the United States of America following the Louisiana Purchase. In 1804, American explorers Lewis and Clark traveled to the area and reported on the beautiful land that they had found and the abundance of fur. This led to an influx of trappers and missionaries moving to Montana, and by 1846, Fort Benton was established as a fur trading post by the American Fur Trading Company.
In 1858, gold was discovered in Montana, and as a result, more people began moving to the area seeking fortunes. As more settlers arrived in Montana, Native American tribes started losing their land, and in the 1870s, they began to oppose and fight back. In 1876, this frustration erupted in the "Battle of Little Big Horn," which was the conflict between the United States Army and the Indian tribes. The battle occurred on June 25-26, 1876. The Native Americans' military efforts were led by several famous chiefs, including Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, Chief Gall, Lame White Man, and Two Moon, among others. The United States Army was led by George Custer, who commanded 650 soldiers. George Custer was prepared for battle against hundreds of tribe members. Instead, he was caught off guard when he arrived to face thousands of them. George Custer and his men were all killed, and the battle is also known as "Custer's Last Stand." Montana became the official 41st state of the United States of America on November 8, 1889.
External links
- Wikipedia article: Montana
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