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Republican lawmakers in Montana have passed a motion to exclude freshman Democratic Representative Zooey Zephyr from the chamber floor and gallery for the remainder of the legislative session. The move came after Zephyr, the state's only transgender lawmaker, spoke out against a bill that would prohibit gender-affirming care for minors.
Zephyr, who represents Missoula, can still vote via Zoom but is prohibited from physically attending the floor and gallery in Helena, the state capital.
During a session on Monday, she directed her microphone towards her supporters in the Statehouse gallery as they chanted, "Let her speak!" The vote to exclude her was split along party lines, with 68 Republicans in favor and 32 Democrats opposed. Some Republicans had even considered expelling her altogether.
Shortly after leaving the House chambers, Zephyr published a tweet which included a photo of her pressing the green light at her podium which signals when it's a lawmakers turn to speak.
She captioned the photo with the following message:
"As I left the House chambers, I pressed my light to speak—a reminder that this legislature is removing 11,000 Montanans from discussion on every bill going forward."
"I will always stand on behalf of my constituents, my community, and democracy itself."
You can see Zephyr's tweet below.
\u201cAs I left the House chambers, I pressed my light to speak\u2014a reminder that this legislature is removing 11,000 Montanans from discussion on every bill going forward.\n\nI will always stand on behalf of my constituents, my community, and democracy itself.\u201d— Rep. Zooey Zephyr (@Rep. Zooey Zephyr) 1682543578
Many have expressed their support for Zephyr and praised her for taking such a bold and public stance.
\u201c@ZoAndBehold There\u2019s a lot of confusion about what fascism really is. That confusion stems from fascists making sure Americans don\u2019t learn much about fascism in school & from their own efforts to redefine fascism to hide themselves. We can\u2019t let them. THIS is fascism. Stand with @ZoAndBehold.\u201d— Rep. Zooey Zephyr (@Rep. Zooey Zephyr) 1682543578
\u201c@ZoAndBehold @lpackard I stand in support of you and it\u2019s fascist that the Montana House GOP has disenfranchised your constituents. \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f\u201d— Rep. Zooey Zephyr (@Rep. Zooey Zephyr) 1682543578
\u201c@ZoAndBehold @MuellerSheWrote Sorry this is happening to you. I stand with you.\u201d— Rep. Zooey Zephyr (@Rep. Zooey Zephyr) 1682543578
\u201c@ZoAndBehold I stand with you Zooey!!\u201d— Rep. Zooey Zephyr (@Rep. Zooey Zephyr) 1682543578
\u201c@ZoAndBehold I admire you and sorry these folks can\u2019t understand the importance of your perspective\u2026they will be poorer for it\u2026\u201d— Rep. Zooey Zephyr (@Rep. Zooey Zephyr) 1682543578
\u201c@ZoAndBehold Thank you for your courage, and for standing up for your constituents and for democracy. \ud83d\udc4f\ud83c\udffb\ud83d\udc4f\ud83c\udffb\ud83d\udc4f\ud83c\udffb\u201d— Rep. Zooey Zephyr (@Rep. Zooey Zephyr) 1682543578
\u201c@ZoAndBehold You're an inspiration for us all. Never stop fighting. We have your back!\u201d— Rep. Zooey Zephyr (@Rep. Zooey Zephyr) 1682543578
\u201c@ZoAndBehold Powerful image. I applaud you for standing up for what's right. While it's awful what the House has put you through, I'm hoping it backfires miserably, giving you (and your constituents) a larger voice than you would have had otherwise. And at least that appears to be happening.\u201d— Rep. Zooey Zephyr (@Rep. Zooey Zephyr) 1682543578
During a passionate speech last Tuesday, Zephyr vocalized her concerns about a proposal that would prevent transgender youth from receiving gender-affirming medical care.
Zephyr warned the Republicans they would have "blood on [their] hands" if the proposal passed.
Here is an excerpt from that speech:
@zoandbehold "If you vote yes on this bill, I hope the next time you bow your heads in prayer, you see the blood on your hands." #mtleg #mtpol #politics #trans
In response, the Republicans complained Zephyr's comments were improper and lacked in respect.
Zephyr spoke again on Wednesday, after being banned from the floor and gallery in Helena.
She stated she had "risen up in defense of my community" and "democracy itself" over the past week.
\u201cMontana state Rep. Zooey Zephyr speaks during discipline vote: "When the speaker asks me to apologize on behalf of decorum, what he is really asking me to do is be silent when my community is facing bills that get us killed." https://t.co/N2gqAtW6cH\u201d— ABC News (@ABC News) 1682538080
Zephyr believes when the Speaker of the House requested she apologize for her remarks on behalf of decorum, he was in essence attempting to silence her.
Zephyr explained speaking out against the anti-trans bills was her way of demonstrating the real consequences of the legislative votes taken in the House.
Zephyr also shared she has been receiving calls from families of transgender youth in dire situations, including one family whose transgender teenager had attempted suicide while watching a hearing on one of the anti-trans bills.