MONTANA: Bill To Ban All Local LGBT Rights Passes House 60-39

Montana's House yesterday voted 60-39 to approve Rep. Kristin Hansen's bill to ban all local LGBT rights ordinances in the state.

The House took the first steps Tuesday toward striking down Missoula's 2010 ordinance that bans discrimination against city residents based on their sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. Missoula's Democratic legislators were infuriated by the passage of House Bill 516, by Rep. Kristin Hansen, R-Havre. Her bill passed 60-39 and faces a final House vote before heading to the Senate. Sixty Republicans voted for it. All 32 Democrats voted opposed it, joined by seven Republicans. One Republican was absent.

Rep. Sue Malek (D-Missoula) denounced the bill: "Leave us alone. Leave us alone. For heaven's sake. We're one little town in a corner of Montana that has nothing to do with you. You know, I mean, why can't you let people live like they need to live their lives. Why can't they love who they want to love? Why? I don't understand it."