Missoula Pride co-chairs Devon Carpenter and Kara Rivera addressed a Missoula rally, calling this year’s Pride activities an act of resistance amid what they described as “calculated and direct attacks” on queer and transgender people in state legislatures.

“Across the country and right here in Montana, queer and trans people are being targeted in the legislature,” said Kara Rivera, co-chair of Missoula Pride. Rivera listed measures she described as bans on participation in school sports, restrictions on healthcare, book and drag bans and other actions she called “calculated cruelty.”

Rivera explained the symbolism of this year’s Pride design, saying organizers adopted the pink triangle “because history doesn’t just live in books. It echoes.” She invited the public to participate in Missoula Pride events next weekend, saying, “We invite all of you to join us when Missoula Pride lights up this city with queer joy.”

Carpenter and Rivera also connected federal spending and mental-health supports, saying $45 million could fund dedicated LGBTQ+ counseling on the national suicide hotline. Rivera noted the national crisis line (988) and said it has provided “life-saving support to a staggering 1,300,000 youth in just three years.” She urged community members to support local organizations and participate in Pride and Juneteenth events as civic action.

Missoula Pride is partnering with the Western Montana Community Center and other local groups to run events and outreach tables at the rally, organizers said.