MISSOULA – A non-discrimination ordinance in Missoula has been in effect for a little over nine years, and since then, the second Saturday in April has been declared “Diversity Day.”
The observance is meant to commemorate extending protections against the LGBTQ community. The Missoula Art Museum hosted this year’s event, and kids from Missoula schools presented a community art project called “Let Me Be.”
Empower Montana also presented their first youth leadership awards, and the winners were asked to speak.
Spencer Czech with Empower Montana helps run LGBTQ youth groups and said it’s an honor to show kids that they can be loved.
“I hope that more communities around Montana have groups like Youth Forward because there are queer kids in every community, I can guarantee it. And they just want support and love just like the rest of us,” Czech said.
Empower Montana is also celebrating 20 years as an organization this month.
-Reported by Katie Miller/MTN News
