Topline
The Montana House of Representatives will vote Wednesday to censure or expel Rep. Zooey Zephyr (D-Missoula)—the state’s first transgender lawmaker—over her support of a protest earlier this week, after Zephyr was silenced by the House for her opposition to a bill restricting gender-affirming care for minors.
Montana Democratic Rep. Zooey Zephyr hoists a microphone into the air on Monday, April 24, 2023, as ... [+]
Key Facts
Zephyr tweeted Tuesday night a letter she received from House leaders indicating there would be a vote to determine if she “violated the rules” and decorum of the House earlier this week—which could result in her being censured or expelled from the body.
Zephyr offered her support for protestors Monday after a demonstration inside the Montana Capitol called for House Republicans to allow Zephyr to speak, after she had been prevented from debating on the House floor since last Thursday.
House Speaker Matt Regier (R-Kalispell) indicated that Zephyr was prevented from speaking in an effort “to protect the dignity and integrity” of the House, after she told state lawmakers they would have “blood on your hands” if they supported a bill banning gender-affirming care for minors.
Regier initially refused to recognize Zephyr—blocking her ability to participate or speak—on April 20 before continuing to prevent her from speaking this week.
Regier told KRTV that Zephyr “made comments in the past that are derogatory and did not show remorse,” adding “until that can happen and trust is restored,” Zephyr would not be recognized on the House floor.
Despite refusing to recognize Zephyr, Regier said in a statement Tuesday “the only person silencing Rep. Zephyr is Rep. Zephyr,” noting all representatives are “free to participate in debate.”
Crucial Quote
Zephyr told the Montana House on April 18: “The only thing I will say is if you vote ‘yes’ on this bill and ‘yes’ on these amendments, I hope the next time there’s an invocation when you bow your heads in prayer, you see the blood on your hands.”
Chief Critic
The Montana Freedom Caucus—of which 21 Republican state lawmakers are members—called for Zephyr to be silenced for the comment. The body then suggested Zephyr was “encouraging an insurrection” by supporting protestors and called for “immediate disciplinary action.” Republican state Rep. Caleb Hinkle, a member of the Montana Freedom Caucus, supported blocking Zephyr from speaking and said “hate-filled testimony has no place on the House floor.” U.S. Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.) also supported the caucus’ call to censure Zephyr, adding “outlandish and inflammatory statements which jeopardize others is unacceptable.”
Contra
Democratic Tennessee state Rep. Justin Pearson, who was expelled from the House earlier this month alongside Rep. Justin Jones—before being quickly reinstated—over their participation in a gun reform protest, offered his support for Zephyr and said “we will not let our democracy die without fighting for every voice.”
Key Background
Zephyr, a former University of Montana employee, was elected as state representative in November after defeating Republican nominee Sean Patrick McCoy. Zephyr indicated she decided to run for office after Montana legislators introduced bills that would affect the state’s transgender community. She has called bills targeting transgender healthcare “extreme and dangerous attacks.”
Tangent
Several states have approved legislation targeting transgender healthcare this year, including 11 that have restricted or banned access to gender-affirming care. Some Republicans have supported restrictions, including former President Donald Trump, who suggested gender-affirming care was “child abuse” and “child sexual mutilation.” Others, like former Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R-Ark.), suggested restrictions would put “a very vulnerable population in a more difficult position.”
Further Reading
House Speaker Matt Regier Refuses To Recognize Rep. Zooey Zephyr On Floor Until She Apologizes (Montana Free Press)
