Source: Missoulian and Montana Kaimin 
Jess Keith didn't always get hugs from strangers at the grocery store, but she happily tolerates the "random acts of peace."

But she won't tolerate acts of violence, especially if that means being attacked on her hometown streets because she's a lesbian. That's precisely what compelled Keith, 29, to stand before more than 250 people Monday night at the Badlander and urge their support of legislation that would add sexual orientation, gender and disability to Montana's current hate-crime statute.

"When I was attacked that night I felt really alone, and now I see all of you and I feel so much support," she said.

Walking into the Badlander packed with people standing shoulder to shoulder, you'd think it was a Friday night. But it was Monday, and the crowd wasn't a drunken bunch.

At the bar was 31-year-old C.C. Deveroux, the 17th Miss Gay Missoula. He sported a frizzy wig, with a red bow, and wore red lipstick, a leather jacket, short skirt and fishnet stockings. In displays of solidarity within the gay community, others wore white T-shirts bearing the names they had been called: muff diver, big homo, FAG and vagatarian. 

The group swarming to the Badlander took part in a rally against hate crimes formed in response to attacks on two gay people in Missoula earlier this month.

The Western Montana Gay & Lesbian Community Center held the rally in conjunction with 30 other organizations, including Forward Montana, the UM Lambda Alliance and the Missoula Police Department. The night's theme was "We are Missoula. Speak up. Stand out."

Two recent instances of alleged anti-gay violence in Missoula provided the impetus for the rally. Earlier this month, Keith was beaten by a group of four women who she said verbally assaulted her with homophobic remarks.

That same weekend, a 22-year-old University of Montana student was attacked by four unknown men while crossing the campus footbridge. The victim was shoved to the ground and kicked repeatedly in the chest and back, police said, and his assailants screamed anti-gay epithets during the attack.

Sgt. Casey Richardson and Capt. Dick Lewis of the Missoula Police Department were on hand to visit with members of the audience and show their support at the rally, and so was Kirsten LaCroix from the Missoula County Attorney's Office.

"We want everyone to know that we're available," Richardson said.

The event also featured political speakers such as Rep. Michelle Reinhart, D-Missoula; Sen. Dave Wanzenried, D-Missoula; and Sen. Christine Kaufmann, D-Helena, who has been proposing bills to expand Montana's hate-crime statute for 16 years.

"It's time for the assault on the gay and lesbian community to stop," Kaufmann told the crowd. "That's why we're here. We are all under assault."

Kaufmann encouraged audience members to convince their legislators not only to vote for new hate-crime legislation, but also to "twist arms and expend a little political capital."

Missoula Mayor John Engen also voiced his support, commending the full-capacity turnout at Forward Montana's weekly Progressive Happy Hour and the coalition of 50 organizations who sponsored the event.

"Hate and violence are not Missoula values," Engen said. "We all have the responsibility to remind ourselves relentlessly that hate and violence are not Missoula values. It doesn't matter whether the incident is big or little, if you feel you have been victimized, let us know. It's the only way we can help."

Full articles: Missoulian: `Speak up ... stand out' - Hundreds gather downtown to support Missoula's gay and lesbian community
Gay community rallies against crimes

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