Rep. Zooey Zephyr, the only transgender lawmaker in the state, has been banned from the House floor and gallery for the remainder of the 90-day legislative session, according to a vote on Wednesday in the GOP-led House of Montana.
The big picture: Since last Tuesday, Zephyr has not been permitted to speak in the state’s House chamber, which has led to protests that have resulted in arrests of protesters and the abrupt cancellation of a House session that was scheduled for this week.
Catch up quick: GOP leaders in the Republican-controlled legislature said she couldn’t return unless she apologized for saying that fellow lawmakers would have “blood on their hands” if they voted to support a bill banning gender-affirming care, per AP.
A group of conservative lawmakers known as the Montana Freedom Caucus have last week called for Zephyr’s censure over her comments.
“It’s not enough for them to get the harmful bills through,” Zephyr said Monday. “When someone stands up and calls out their bills for the harm they cause … they want silence. We will not be complicit in our eradication.”
By the numbers: Sixty-eight members voted Wednesday in support of the motion to bar Zephyr from the House floor and gallery for the rest of the legislative session, while 31 members, including Zephyr, voted against it.
One person did not vote.
Of note: Zephyr can still join remotely.
What they’re saying: While Regier couldn’t immediately be reached for comment about the letter, he told reporters: “All representatives are free to participate in House debates while following the House rules. The choice to not follow the House rules is one that Representative Zephyr has made.”
