Democratic Rep. Zooey Zephyr hasn't been allowed to speak on Montana's statehouse floor since Thursday.
Republican legislative leaders in Montana persisted in forbidding transgender Democratic lawmaker Zooey Zephyr from participating in debate for a second week as her supporters brought the House session to a halt Monday — chanting"Let her speak!" from the gallery before they were escorted out.
Zephyr's supporters were escorted from the gallery above the state House floor on Monday, including several who were escorted by force. Leaders cut the sound on the video feed and Zephyr remained on the floor holding her microphone. Zephyr did not return after lawmakers reconvened and wrote on Twitter that she would be back after showing"support for those who were arrested defending democracy.
Supporters waved pride flags and chanted"Let her speak!" while she connected the transgender community's plight against gender-affirming care bans to the political fights animating other marginalized groups throughout the United States. The standoff is the latest example of emergent discussions around civility, decorum and how to discuss political issues many perceive as life and death.
"She's been silenced because she spoke the truth about what these anti-trans bills are doing in Montana — to trans youth especially," she said of Zephyr.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Silencing of trans Montana lawmaker Zooey Zephyr continues over protestsMontana Rep. Zooey Zephyr, who is transgender, hasn’t been allowed to speak on the statehouse floor since Thursday because she told her Republican colleagues they would have “blood on their hands” if they banned gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth.
Read more »
‘Let Her Speak!’: Trans Montana Lawmaker Stands Firm In DisputeMontana Republicans want to silence Rep. Zooey Zephyr after she said they would have “blood on their hands” if they banned gender-affirming medical care.
Read more »
Montana transgender lawmaker silenced again as backers eruptRepublican legislative leaders in Montana persisted in forbidding Democratic transgender lawmaker Zooey Zephyr from participating in debate.
Read more »
Silenced Montana trans lawmaker upholds stance in disputeA silenced transgender lawmaker in Montana who was deliberately misgendered by some Republican lawmakers plans to keep trying to speak on the House floor Monday
Read more »
Silenced Montana trans lawmaker upholds stance in disputeA silenced transgender lawmaker in Montana who was deliberately misgendered by some Republican lawmakers plans to keep trying to speak on the House floor Monday despite Republican leaders insisting that won’t happen until she apologizes for saying lawmakers would have “blood on their hands” if they banned gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth.
Read more »