A coalition designed to raise awareness about anti-gay violence in Missoula is gathering for a public skate night on Saturday evening. Members of the We Are Missoula coalition will meet at the Glacier Ice Rink from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

"Skate Against Hate" is led by the Western Montana Gay and Lesbian Community Center and members say they hope to give the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and their straight friends a chance to stand together against all types of violence in Missoula. Organizers say it aims to silence crimes.

We Are Missoula formed in November in response to two attacks on gay people in a single weekend. 

The LGBT community and their allies plan to continue the decade-long fight to add sexual orientation to Montana's hate crimes law during the next legislative session.