Attempt to ban trans politician from women’s bathrooms is rejected 

In the U.S.A. the Montana legislature has dismissed a proposal that would have prohibited state Representative Zooey Zephyr (D), the legislature’s only trans member, from accessing the restroom. The Montana Joint House and Senate Rules committees voted 10-12 against the amendment (S.J. 1), which aimed to prevent trans individuals from using the appropriate restroom at the state capitol, according to ‘LGBTQ Nation’.

Zephyr, first elected in 2022, had previously served a legislative session without restroom issues. However, at the national level, congressional Republicans urged a rule, implemented by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), preventing newly elected Representative Sarah McBride (D-DE)—the first trans person elected to Congress—from using the women’s restroom at the Capitol last month.

During the debate on S.J. 1, a joint resolution outlining rules for the upcoming legislative session, state Representative Jerry Schillinger (R) suggested an amendment stating, “the gals’ restroom will be used only by gals and the guys’ restroom will be used only by guys.” This amendment pertained solely to restrooms between the state house and state senate.

State Rep. David Bedey (R), commenting on the amendment, questioned its necessity given Zephyr’s previous unrestricted restroom use. He expressed “reluctant” opposition, noting that discussions with female legislators revealed no concerns with existing rules, and that adopting the amendment would be a “distraction from us doing our duties.”

Bedey remarked that the amendment “will have the effect of making people famous in the national news and will not contribute to the effective conduct of our business.”

State Rep. Ed Buttrey (R) inquired about enforcing the amendment, questioning if all legislative members would need medical examinations or chromosome tests to define “male” or “female” as specified.

Schillinger responded that no such testing was necessary, referencing Matt Walsh’s film What is a Woman, which he claimed demonstrated that “most of us can figure that out.” Another lawmaker noted the absence of a legal review to answer the question.

State Rep. Jedediah Hinkle (R) claimed that women in the legislature had issues during the previous session sharing a restroom with Zephyr, reporting that some women lawmakers opted for more distant restrooms.

Several male lawmakers advocated for the amendment, citing protection for female lawmakers, but no women spoke on the matter.

Zephyr’s initial legislative term involved controversy. The legislature debated a 2023 bill prohibiting gender-affirming care for transgender minors, which Zephyr criticised, accusing Republicans of having “blood on your hands” for supporting it.

“If you are denying gender-affirming care and forcing a trans child to go through puberty, that is tantamount to torture, and this body should be ashamed,” she stated. “I hope the next time there’s an invocation when you bow your heads in prayer, you see the blood on your hands.”

Conservative legislators demanded Zephyr be censured for her “inappropriate and uncalled-for language during a floor debate,” leading to her being barred from speaking on the state house floor. Speaker Matt Regier (R) asserted the barring was to “protect the dignity and integrity” of the chamber.

On Monday, state house chamber protesters objected to Regier’s refusal to acknowledge Zephyr on the floor, chanting, “Let her speak!” while Zephyr raised a microphone to amplify their voices. Police arrested seven protesters, with Zephyr standing nearby during their booking at the county jail.

“I raised my mic and stood in solidarity with them,” Zephyr later stated. “I am devoted to those who rise in defense of democracy.”

Following the protest, leading Republican state house members accused Zephyr of breaching “the rules, collective rights, safety, dignity, integrity, or decorum” of the chamber and its members, with some describing the peaceful protest as a “riot” and an “insurrection.”

The state house Republicans voted 68-32 along party lines to prohibit Zephyr from the state house floor, although she retained the ability to vote remotely.

Zephyr was reelected this past November.