Montana House Censures Trans Rep. Zephyr

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Facts

  • On Wednesday, the Montana House of Representatives voted 68-32 to censure transgender state Rep. Zooey Zephyr (D) for allegedly encouraging demonstrators and disrupting proceedings following comments made by the lawmaker in response to a GOP-led bill to ban puberty blockers for minors.1
  • Last week Zephyr told GOP lawmakers, "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."2
  • Since making those comments, GOP leaders have declined to recognize Zephyr on the House floor and deactivated the lawmaker's microphone while others debated, resulting in a protest Monday — which saw seven people arrested — outside the state Capitol as people filled the House chamber chanting, "Let her speak!"1
  • Wednesday's decision — a lesser penalty than expulsion, which was also considered — will see Zephyr barred from attending or speaking during future sessions, requiring the Montana representative to vote on any legislation in absentia.3
  • Zephyr was informed about Wednesday's scheduled vote the day prior in a letter from House Speaker Matt Regier, Speaker Pro Tem Rhonda Knudsen, and Majority Leader Sue Vinton that said the chamber would decide whether the Democrat "violated the rules, collective rights, safety, dignity, integrity, or decorum of the House."1
  • This comes as three Tennessee Democrat lawmakers were recently kicked from committees for leading similar demonstrations on the House floor. Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson were temporarily expelled but later reinstated by their districts' officials.2

Sources: 1Washington Post, 2Federalist, and 3NPR Online News.

Narratives

  • Democratic narrative, as provided by Vox. Montana Republicans aren't just upset that Zephyr encouraged her constituents to exercise their right to protest, but the issue behind the protests as well. The GOP is trying to criminalize gender-affirming care nationwide, which is why they want to silence any opposition to their anti-trans agenda before it can gain public traction. The Montana House is violating both trans rights and freedom of speech all in one fell swoop.
  • Republican narrative, as provided by New York Post. Zephyr violated the House rules not only by encouraging protesters to interrupt an official floor debate but also demeaning the state government body through slanderous and vile personal attacks against fellow lawmakers. If you claim to be fighting for democracy, you shouldn't encourage mobs to disrupt floor debates between democratically-elected officeholders set to vote on an important issue.