The recent decision by the Montana House of Representatives to ban Rep. Zooey Zephyr, the state’s lone transgender legislator, from speaking on the floor for the remainder of the legislative session is not only unjust but also an attack on democracy and free speech values.
The move by the Republican-led House came after Zephyr called out her colleagues during a debate on access to gender-affirming care, stating that they would have “blood on their hands” for supporting a law that stripped young people of health care. Zephyr’s comment was a strong statement on the need for access to gender-affirming care, a stance supported by major medical associations for its role in reducing instances of suicide among young, gender-diverse people.
However, instead of engaging in meaningful dialogue, the Republican majority opted to silence Zephyr by passing a ban on her speaking privileges and blocking her from the House floor. The demand for an apology before restoring her speaking privileges was simply a ploy to further silence her voice, as Zephyr had already stated that she had no reason to apologize for her comment.
The ban on Zephyr is not only a violation of free speech values but also an attack on marginalized and underrepresented voices, including LGBTQ+ individuals and people of color. It is a tool of oppression that seeks to silence those who hold their representatives accountable and limit their ability to speak up for their constituents.
Moreover, the move by the Montana House of Representatives is part of a disturbing trend across the country, with LGBTQ+ and ally lawmakers facing threats of censure for speaking up for their communities in states like Tennessee and Oklahoma. The silencing and censure of lawmakers for speaking up is an assault on democracy and our nation’s democratic ideals.
The LGBTQ+ community and its allies must speak out against this injustice and use their voices to hold lawmakers accountable. When we speak up, extremist lawmakers cannot ignore us, and we can continue to fight for the rights of marginalized communities. The Montana House of Representatives’ decision to ban Zephyr must be challenged and overturned to ensure that all voices are heard in our democracy.