Montana Pride Foundation launches statewide LGBT support initiative in Butte

BUTTE — Local businesses are joining a statewide campaign to show support for LGBT customers by putting up window decals of a rainbow pride flag in the shape of Montana.

The Open to All Initiative already has a presence in four other Montana cities, and as of Tuesday evening, June 6, Butte is on board, too.

Kim Leighton of the Pride Foundation launched the project in September with nine Helena businesses to raise visibility and support for LGBT — lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender — people. Before Tuesday’s event, nearly 150 businesses were enrolled across the state, and at least 19 more signed up in Butte by the end of the launch event, hosted at Silver Bow Pizza Parlor, with several more pending members. Leighton said that she’s hoping to expand outside of Montana’s cities soon too, using social media to connect with businesses in rural and tribal areas.

The Butte launch comes at the start of LGBT Pride Month, celebrated nationally every year in June. Originally a march to mark the Stonewall Riots of 1969, these days Pride events celebrate the LGBT community while drawing attention to the continued pursuit of full equality.

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