Montana House of Representatives Censures First Transgender Lawmaker After She Speaks Out Against Proposed Transgender Care Ban

The Montana House of Representatives voted Wednesday to censure Democratic state Rep. Zooey Zephyr, the state’s first transgender lawmaker. The decision came after Zephyr spoke out against proposed legislation that would ban gender-affirming care for transgender minors.

During a hearing last week, Zephyr warned her colleagues that if they voted in favor of the bill and its amendments, they would have “blood on their hands.” In response, Republicans moved to prevent Zephyr from debating the bill.

The House voted in favor of the censure, which bars Zephyr from the floor for the remainder of the legislative session. In a statement, Zephyr said she was “disappointed” by the decision, but that she would continue to fight for the rights of transgender people in Montana.

“I am disappointed that my colleagues chose to censure me instead of listening to the voices of transgender Montanans,” Zephyr said. “I will continue to fight for the rights of transgender people and for all Montanans who are marginalized and oppressed.”

The proposed legislation, which is still being debated in the House, would make it illegal for doctors to provide gender-affirming care to minors. If passed, the bill would be the first of its kind in the United States. The bill has been widely criticized by LGBTQ rights groups, who have called it “dangerous” and “discriminatory.”