Montana transgender lawmaker silenced: What to know

By AMY BETH HANSON, SAM METZ and MATTHEW BROWN
Associated Press

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana Republicans have barred a transgender lawmaker from participating on the House floor for the remainder of the session after she protested a decision to silence her. The punishment meted out by her colleagues Wednesday for Rep. Zooey Zephyr is the latest high-profile example of statehouse leaders deciding who can be heard during legislative debates. House Speaker Matt Regier has said Zephyr’s remarks that lawmakers would have “blood” on their hands and subsequent participation in protests violated rules of decorum. Zephyr says she won’t apologize. The dispute illustrates the tensions around culturally divisive issues including firearms, racial justice and rights for the LGBTQ+ community. The issues are dominating America’s political discourse.