Republican lawmakers in Montana are expected to consider disciplinary action against Rep. Zooey Zephyr Wednesday afternoon after the state’s only transgender lawmaker spoke out against a bill that would ban gender-affirming care for minors.
“I have been informed that during tomorrow’s floor session there will be a motion to either censure or expel me,” Zephyr tweeted Tuesday evening. “I’ve also been told I’ll get a chance to speak. I will do as I have always done — rise on behalf of my constituents, in defense of my community, & for democracy itself.”
Zephyr, a freshman Democratic lawmaker who represents Missoula, also shared a letter she received from GOP House leadership notifying her that a motion would be made to determine whether she violated House rules or its decorum and “whether to impose disciplinary consequences.” On Monday, Zephyr raised her microphone toward supporters in the Statehouse gallery above as they chanted, “Let her speak!”
News of the motion is just the latest development in what critics say are attempts to silence the legislator, who hasn’t been able to speak on the House floor in nearly a week. Last Tuesday, in an impassioned speech on a proposal that would ban gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth, Zephyr told Republicans that they would have “blood on their hands” if they went through with the plan.
In response, Republicans called Zephyr’s comments inappropriate and disrespectful. Later that evening, the Montana Freedom Caucus demanded disciplinary action against Zephyr, deliberately misgendering her in a letter and tweet. Zephyr has been barred from speaking on the House floor by Republican state House Speaker Matt Regier until she apologizes for her remarks.
On Monday, seven people were arrested by police for protesting in support of Zephyr in the House chamber, while dozens more demonstrated outside on the Capitol steps. Republicans described the scene as a “riot” and likened it to an “insurrection.”
In a brief statement to reporters on Tuesday, Regier called the arrests “a dark day for Montana,” blaming Zephyr and journalists for not telling “the entire story.” He then canceled Tuesday’s afternoon House session without an explanation.
“Headlines that have happened over the last week, stating that Montana House leadership or GOP has silenced anyone is false,” Regier said. “Currently, all representatives are free to participate in House debates while following the House rules. The choice to not follow House rules is one that Rep. Zephyr has made. The only person silencing Rep. Zephyr is Rep. Zephyr. The Montana House will not be bullied. All 100 representatives will continue to be treated the same.”
Regier did not take any questions and did not respond to Yahoo News’ request for comment.
Anti-trans efforts build across the country
The actions by the Montana Legislature demonstrate two apparent trends among Republican state legislators: Disciplining — and subsequently elevating — Democratic representatives as well as pushing anti-trans legislation at a breakneck pace nationwide. Many, including Zephyr, have drawn parallels to what’s unfolding in Montana to what took place earlier this month in Tennessee, where two Black Democratic lawmakers were expelled over gun control protests on the state’s House floor in the wake of the deadly Nashville school massacre. The two have since been reappointed.
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