Key takeaways:
- A Montana judge ruled that Rep. Zooey Zephyr, a transgender lawmaker, cannot yet return to the statehouse House floor and participate in debate.
- The incident occurred when Zephyr told Republican lawmakers that they would have “blood on their hands” for opposing a gender-affirming health care measure.
- The judge ruled that the House of Representatives had the authority to control its proceedings and that Zephyr’s rights were not violated.
A Montana judge ruled Tuesday that Rep. Zooey Zephyr, a transgender lawmaker, cannot yet return to the statehouse House floor and participate in debate. This ruling comes after attorneys for the state of Montana asked the judge to reject Zephyr’s attempt to return after she was silenced and then banished for admonishing Republican lawmakers and encouraging a raucous statehouse protest.
The incident occurred when Zephyr, who was advocating for gender-affirming health care for kids, told Republican lawmakers that they would have “blood on their hands” for opposing the measure. This prompted the House of Representatives to retain “exclusive control” over its proceedings.
Zephyr’s attorneys argued that the House of Representatives had violated her First Amendment rights by silencing her and banning her from the floor. However, the judge ruled that the House of Representatives had the authority to control its proceedings and that Zephyr’s rights were not violated.
The ruling is a setback for Zephyr, who has been a vocal advocate for transgender rights in the state of Montana. Despite the ruling, Zephyr has vowed to continue to fight for her rights and the rights of other transgender individuals in the state.
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