Transgender Lawmaker Sues Montana Over Censure

Montana Lawmaker Sues GOP-Led House of Representatives Over Censure

State Rep. Zooey Zephyr (D-Missoula) has announced a lawsuit against the GOP-led Montana House of Representatives in response to her censure last week. The transgender lawmaker is being punished for the remainder of the current legislative session, which ends this week, for holding up a microphone as supporters disrupted proceedings in the chamber while chanting, “Let her speak!”

Zephyr’s complaint argues that the censure violates her First Amendment rights and the rights of her 11,000 constituents to representation. The lawsuit lists the state of Montana, Montana House Speaker Matt Regier, and Montana House Sergeant-at-Arms Bradley Murfitt as defendants, with Zephyr and Missoula County constituents as plaintiffs.

Standoff Over Transgender Surgeries for Minors

The standoff occurred as Republican leadership refused to recognize Zephyr to speak, citing violations of decorum rules after Zephyr lashed out at other lawmakers who support legislation that would crack down on transgender surgeries for minors. “I hope the next time there’s an invocation when you bow your heads in prayer, you see the blood on your hands,” Zephyr had said, referring to the opening prayer.

The censure prevents Zephyr from attending or speaking at floor sessions, but still allows her to vote remotely. Regardless of the short period of time, Zephyr’s complaint argues that the lawmaker is being silenced at an important juncture, as the Montana House of Representatives is set to consider critical legislation, including House Bill 2, the State’s budget bill.

Defending the Right of the People to Have Their Voices Heard

I’m suing.

The recent actions violate my 1st amendment rights, as well as the rights of my 11,000 constituents to representation.

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. pic.twitter.com/eyDjgchWPQ

— Rep. Zooey Zephyr (@ZoAndBehold) May 1, 2023

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

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