Montana transgender lawmaker silenced: What to know

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

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — A Montana transgender lawmaker has sued to get back onto the House floor after Republicans banished her for the remainder of the session. The standoff between Rep. Zooey Zephyr is the latest high-profile example of statehouse leaders deciding who can be heard during legislative debate. The House Speaker said Zephyr violated rules of decorum with remarks that lawmakers would have “blood” on their hands and her subsequent participation in protests. Zephyr says she won’t apologize and is asking a Montana court to issue an injunction that would allow her to return to the House floor. The dispute illustrates tensions around culturally divisive issues such as abortion, firearms and LGBTQ+ rights that are dominating America’s political discourse.