Montana Governor’s Son Speaks Out Against State Lawmaker’s Controversial Comment on Transgender Rights

A recent comment by a Montana state lawmaker has sparked outrage online, after she suggested that she would rather risk her daughter dying by suicide than allow her to transition. The comment came during a floor debate on a bill that would ban gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors.

In response to the comment, the son of Montana Governor Greg Gianforte has spoken out. David Gianforte, who identifies as nonbinary and uses the pronouns he and they, said they asked their father to veto three bills concerning transgender and LGBTQ rights in a meeting at the governor’s office last month. The bills in question are House Bill 359, which sets to ban drag performances in public places, Senate Bill 99, which bans gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors, and House Bill 609, which would allow businesses to refuse services to LGBTQ individuals.

David Gianforte said they wrote an email to their father pleading with him to use his power to stop the three pieces of legislation coming to his desk for signature. The governor seemed open to his son, replying: “I would like to better understand your thoughts and concerns.”

The issue of transgender rights has become increasingly prominent in Montana, with many people speaking out in support of the LGBTQ community. State Rep. Kerri Seekins-Crowe, who sponsored the bill to ban gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors, has been widely criticized for her comments.

The debate over transgender rights in Montana is ongoing, and it remains to be seen what the outcome of the bills will be. Governor Gianforte has yet to make a decision on whether or not to veto the bills, but it is clear that his son is making a strong case for the LGBTQ community.