Judge Hands Major Defeat to Transgender Lawmaker Suing Montana over ‘Unconstitutional’ Censure

A Montana judge dismissed a lawsuit Tuesday by Democratic state Rep. Zooey Zephyr, who is transgender, against the state’s House of Representatives after Zephyr was censured in April, according to court documents.

Zephyr was disciplined by House officials on April 26 for breaking legislative protocol after Zephyr held up a microphone to support protesters, several of whom were arrested at the demonstration several days prior. Zephyr filed a lawsuit against Republican state House Speaker Matt Regier and the House’s Sergeant of Arms Bradley Murfitt for allegedly violating Zephyr’s right to freedom of speech, but District Judge Mike Menahan argued that the legislature does have the right to discipline members who violate the rules, according to court documents.

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Judge Denies Trans Montana Lawmaker’s Bid to Return to House Floor Following Censure

A judge has rejected a suit from Montana Democratic state Rep. Zooey Zephyr seeking to return to the state House floor following a censure vote from lawmakers over remarks made during debate on a bill barring transgender care for minors. Zephyr, a trans individual, filed suit on Monday seeking to override the decision that bars the Democrat from speaking on the House floor. Several constituents alleged that the decision had infringed on their constitutional rights.

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Montana Lawmakers Censure Transgender Representative over ‘Blood on Your Hands’ Remark

The Montana state House on Wednesday voted to censure Rep. Zooey Zephyr, the state’s first transgender legislator, following the Democrat’s opposition to a statewide ban on so-called gender affirming care for minors. The House voted on Wednesday to censure Zephyr in a 68-32 vote, ABC News reported. The vote bars Zephyr from being recognized for the remainder of the legislative session.

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Seven Arrested in Protest That Disrupted Montana House Hearing on Youth Transgender Bill

man in handcuffs

Seven people in Montana have been arrested in connection with a protest Monday at the state capital over the censure of a state Democrat lawmaker opposed to a GOP-led bill limiting youth transgender medical procedures. 

The incident took place in the capital’s House chambers. Those arrested faces charges of criminal trespass after refusing to leave the gallery, which overlooks the House floor, Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton told local NBC affiliate KTVH-TV.

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