Montana transgender lawmaker barred from House floor after 'hate-filled testimony'

A transgender lawmaker in Montana is facing was barred from the House floor for the rest of the 2023 session after Republican lawmakers accused her of presenting "hate-filled testimony" while debating a bill that would ban transgender medical care for minors.

While delivering comments on the bill last week, Democrat State Rep. Zooey Zephyr sent a strong message for those who voted for the bill banning transgender medical care for minors.

"The only thing I will say, is if you vote yes on this bill and yes on these amendments, I hope the next time there’s an invocation when you bow your heads in prayer, you see the blood on your hands," Zephyr said. 

Afterward, Republican Speaker Matt Regier refused to acknowledge Zephyr who wanted to speak on a separate bill aiming to put a binary definition of male and female into the state code.

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"It is up to me to maintain decorum here on the House floor, to protect the dignity and integrity," Regier said. "And any representative that I don’t feel can do that will not be recognized."

Regier said that the decision to not allow Zephyr to speak came after "multiple discussions" with other lawmakers, adding that there have been similar issues. Zephyr since hasn't been allowed to speak on the House floor.

Zephyr was notified Tuesday night that House leaders would consider disciplinary action, according to a Twitter post by the lawmaker. On Wednesday, lawmakers voted to ban Zephyr from the House floor for the rest of the 2023 session.

"I have been informed that during tomorrow’s floor session there will be a motion to either censure or expel me. I've also been told I'll get a chance to speak. I will do as I have always done—rise on behalf of my constituents, in defense of my community, & for democracy itself," Zephyr said. 

During a speech given before the vote took place, Zephyr said that she was standing up for "democracy itself."

"If you use decorum to silence people who hold you accountable, then all you’re doing is using decorum as a tool of oppression," Zephyr said.

Zephyr can vote remotely under the terms of the punishment handed down by lawmakers.

Minority Leader Kim Abbott accused Republicans of trampling on the rights of Montanans' right to free speech.

"Republicans are doubling down on their agenda of running roughshod over Montanans’ rights — to free expression, to peaceful protest, to equal justice under the law," Abbott said.

Seven arrests were made on Monday when protesters went into the gallery at the Montana Statehouse and chanted "Let her speak."

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Regier said that Monday's disruptions were a "dark day for Montana."

"Currently, all representatives are free to participate in House debates while following the House rules," Regier told reporters. "The choice to not follow the House rules is one that Rep. Zephyr has made. The only person silencing Rep. Zephyr is Rep. Zephyr. The Montana House will not be bullied."

In the letter sent to Zephyr, Republican leaders said that the gallery will be closed on Wednesday "to maintain decorum and ensure safety."

Abbott said that the protest inside the Statehouse "absolutely was not violent," and were a predictable response to the actions levied against Zephyr.

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Zephyr said that the seven people arrested were "defending democracy."

"They picked me in this moment because I said a thing that got through their shield for a second," Zypher said to supporters on the Montana Capitol steps.

The transgender lawmaker has said that an apology will not be issued.

Montana Freedom Caucus member Rep. Caleb Hinkle, one of the individuals who demanded the censure, previously said that "Hate-filled testimony has no place on the House floor."

The caucus said on April 20 that Zephyr should be censured.

"The Montana Freedom Caucus demands Representative Zooey Zephyr of Missoula's House District 100 be censured by the House for attempting to shame the Montana legislative body and by using inappropriate and uncalled-for language during a floor debate over amendments concerning Senate Bill 99 — to ban sex changes of minor children," a press release states. "This bill already passed the Montana House and Senate, and the debate was over amendments requested by the governor."

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Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte has signaled that he will sign the bill if it reaches his desk.

The Associated Press and Fox News' Kyle Morris contributed to this report.