MT: Republican House Speaker bars transgender member from speaking on chamber floor

[RandySF]

Rep. Zooey Zephyr, Montana’s first openly transgender state lawmaker, will not be able to speak on the House floor until she apologizes publicly for telling Republicans earlier this week they should be ashamed of their votes in favor of a bill that would ban gender-affirming care for children in Montana, the Republican House speaker said Thursday.

Speaker Matt Regier, R-Kalispell, declined to recognize Zephyr on Thursday when she punched the button at her desk that indicates to the floor chairperson a lawmaker would like to speak on a bill or to the chamber.

Zephyr had hoped to speak against Senate Bill 458 on its second reading in the chamber – a bill that aims to define “male” and “female” in state statute. It was newly amended this week in committee to include exact definitions that were contained in amendments to Senate Bill 99 requested by Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte that Zephyr spoke against earlier this week.

Regier’s declining to recognize the Missoula Democrat kicked off objections from the minority leader, a House Rules Committee hearing about whether they should adhere to Regier’s ruling that Zephyr should not be recognized, and another challenge to undo his ruling on the floor that was unsuccessful.

“It’s up to the speaker on who gets recognized and who doesn’t,” Regier told reporters after the floor session. “So, until that trust is restored, and I can assure the integrity of the House is a priority, then I think it’s going to be a pause.”

When asked specifically what Zephyr had done on Tuesday during the discussion on SB99 that he found to be out of line with House decorum rules, Regier said it was “personal” comments directed toward Republicans who would vote in favor of Gianforte’s proposed amendments.




https://dailymontanan.com/2023/04/20/republican-house-speaker-bars-zephyr-from-speaking-on-chamber-floor/

[MontanaMama]

1. So my 17 year old son was in the house

and witnessed Zoey Zephyr’s speech. He texted the video of her speaking to me in real time. It was moving. We’re in trouble here in Montana. I’m afraid.

ETA: My son’s text to me was: “Mama, Zoey Zephyr is a badass.”

[cilla4progress]

11. Aww, Montana Mama..

I am so sad Montana is going through this!!

WTF happened to your lovely state???!

Sending love!

[Lovie777]

2. The red states are taking away people's rights..................

[LoisB]

3. ...and calling it "freedom"

[RegulatedCapitalistD]

5. Just like thr Nazis did.

[LoisB]

7. Exactly!

[Baitball Blogger]

4. They're trying to make an example of her.

She speaks for many, and they want to make a point that transgender people should not get representation.

[babylonsister]

6. GRRR. Who the hell does Regier think he is?

That is maddening; he should not be allowed to determine what is or isn't said, by anyone.

[Deuxcents]

8. I wonder if there's any skeletons in the Speaker's closet we'll discover soon.

[SunSeeker]

9. Fucking fascists. Hope she sues them for violating her 1st Am rights. nt

Last edited Fri Apr 21, 2023, 01:41 AM - Edit history (1)

[PortTack]

12. Same...it could set a precedent and put an end to some of this bigotry and hate

[tirebiter]

10. They're trying to set up a populace that won't vote for Testor

[NullTuples]

13. Her "personal" comments that so offended Republicans and Speaker Regier (quote below)

"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.

If you vote yes on this bill, I hope the next time you bow your heads in prayer, you see the blood on your hands."

That's it. Those are the "personal comments" directed toward House Republicans.

For that, she was blocked from speaking out on a bill that legally erases trans people from the state of Montana.

[Marcuse]

14. Snowflakes