Missoula Democrat Zooey Zephyr is in a court battle after being censured for her transgender status by the Montana House of Representatives, which is controlled by the Republicans.
On Monday, Zephyr said on Twitter, “I’m suing.” Recent actions have violated my right to free speech and the right of my 11,000 constituents to be fairly represented in government. Speaker Regier does not own the Montana State House, and I will work to give Montanans a voice there.
In this case, the plaintiff is requesting that Zephyr be readmitted to the courtroom. Defendants include the state of Montana, House Speaker Matt Regier, and House Sergeant at Arms Bradley Murfitt. A number of people from Zephyr and the surrounding Missoula County area have applied.
Zephyr, who was born a man but now identifies as a girl, has been banned from attending or participating in legislative floor proceedings. When Zephyr, a Montana senator, set up a microphone in the state assembly, several people began yelling, “Let her speak!” After the commotion, several people were taken into custody.
The Republicans are in a deadlock because their leadership has refused to meet with Zephyr. Word on the street is that he lost it and shouted at other legislators who voted for a bill that would make it more difficult for minors to have transsexual surgery.
Z said, “I hope the next time there’s an invocation and you bow your heads in prayer, you see the blood on your hands.” He was making a reference to the invocation.
This week marks the final week of the current legislative session, and Zephyr has been censured for the entire time. Zephyr may still cast an absentee ballot, though. Zephyr states in its case that the member’s silence comes at a crucial time, despite the fact that it has only recently begun.
According to the clip, “In the last few days of the legislative session, the Montana House of Representatives is ready to take up important legislation.”The proposed state budget, also known as House plan 2, will be discussed this week in the House of Representatives. Everyone in the state is impacted, as are all levels of government. Rep. Zephyr has 11,000 constituents who depend on her vote on what may be the session’s most consequential issue.