Montana Rep. Zooey Zephyr Files Lawsuit Against State of Montana and Speaker of House After Censure and Silencing

A Montana state representative has filed a lawsuit against the state of Montana and the speaker of the Montana House after Republican lawmakers voted to censure and block her from speaking.

Rep. Zooey Zephyr, a Democrat from Missoula, is the first transgender lawmaker in Montana and represents a liberal district in the college town. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Zephyr and several of her constituents who claim they are being denied their right to adequate representation.

The lawsuit comes after Zephyr was silenced and barred from the House floor for chiding her Republican colleagues over legislation to restrict gender-affirming health care and for encouraging protesters.

In a tweet announcing the lawsuit, Zephyr said, “Montana’s State House is the people’s House, not Speaker Regier’s, and I’m determined to defend the right of the people to have their voices heard.”

The recent actions have been widely criticized by Democrats and civil rights groups, who argue that the Republican lawmakers are violating Zephyr’s right to free speech. The lawsuit seeks to overturn the censure and allow Zephyr to return to the House floor.

The case is expected to be heard in state district court in Helena. It is unclear when a decision will be made, but the outcome could have far-reaching implications for the rights of lawmakers in Montana and beyond.