Transgender lawmaker Zooey Zephyr was barred from participating on the Montana House floor Wednesday as Republican leaders voted to silence her for the rest of 2023 session.
Montana’s House speaker is refusing to allow a transgender lawmaker to speak on bills for the rest of the session until she apologizes for criticizing colleagues.
Regier had previously said he would not allow Zephy to speak until she apologized for her previous comments, which she refused to do.A protest against lawmakers silencing Zephyr disrupted Monday’s House session. Authorities arrested seven people in a confrontation that Republicans claim Zephyr encouraged. The first-term Democrat received notice from House leaders Tuesday night informing her of the plan to consider disciplinary action against her, according to a letter she posted on social media.
Much like events in the Tennessee Statehouse weeks ago — where state Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, two Black lawmakers, were expelled after participating in a gun control protest that interrupted proceedings — Zephyr’s punishment has ignited a firestorm of debate about governance and who has a voice in democracy in politically polarizing times.
Zephyr’s remarks, and the Republican response, set off a chain of events that culminated in a rally outside the Capitol on Monday. Protesters later packed the gallery at the Statehouse and brought House proceedings to a halt while chanting, “Let her speak.” The scene galvanized both her supporters and and those saying her actions constitute an unacceptable attack on civil discourse.
“There needs to be some consequences for what he has been doing,” said Rep. Joe Read, who frequently but not always used incorrect pronouns when referring to Zephyr. The events have showcased the growing power of the Montana Freedom Caucus, a group of at least 21 right-wing lawmakers including Read that has spearheaded the charge to discipline Zephyr. The caucus repeated its demands and rhetoric Monday, saying in a statement that Zephyr’s decision to hoist a microphone toward the gallery’s protesters amounted to “encouraging an insurrection.”
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Montana GOP bans trans lawmaker from 2023 House sessionFor the past week, Rep. Zooey Zephyr has been forbidden from speaking on the House floor. A protest against lawmakers silencing Zephyr disrupted Monday’s House session. Authorities arrested s…
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Montana transgender lawmaker barred by GOP from 2023 sessionTransgender lawmaker Zooey Zephyr was barred from participating on the House floor as Republican leaders voted Wednesday to silence her for the rest of 2023 session after she protested GOP leaders' decision earlier in the week to silence her.
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Montana Transgender Lawmaker Barred by GOP From 2023 SessionTransgender lawmaker Zooey Zephyr was barred from participating on the House floor as Republican leaders voted Wednesday to silence her for the rest of 2023 session after she protested GOP leaders’ decision earlier in the week to silence her.
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Montana GOP bars transgender lawmaker from 2023 sessionTransgender lawmaker Zooey Zephyr was barred from participating on the House floor as Republican leaders voted Wednesday to silence her for the rest of 2023 session after she protested GOP leaders' decision earlier in the week to silence her.
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Montana transgender lawmaker Zooey Zephyr barred from 2023 session by House RepublicansFor the past week, Zephyr has been forbidden from speaking on the House floor.
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