Montana House Speaker Silences Trans Lawmaker

[gerder3]

apnews.com/article/transgender-lawmaker-silenced-montana-censure-ee3e30ee6a1cd7c0faa8fd072d580a94

I guess this is the new GOP tactic

[seeyalater52]

They are absolutely ridiculous in every way. To call Rep. Zephyr’s comments “hate filled testimony” in the context of this absolutely INSANE legislative session is just… beyond the pale. To silence a trans lawmaker for comments made during debate of a bill that will impact her personally and to Rob her constituents of a voice in the legislature is unreasonable and awful.

I’ll also note that while there is definitely a similar vibe to what happened in TN, Rep. Zephyr has not been formally censured and refusing to acknowledge her to speak is a clear violation of house rules. Just because a majority says they can do it doesn’t make it procedurally correct. They were also very shitty to a representative of color who pointed out their hypocrisy during the rules hearing. What a shitshow.

[Gato]

Sigh... and Montana goes on my list. How the heck is saying the legislature will "have blood on their hands" hate speech? It's a very common phrase used to emphasize the hurtfulness of someone's actions.

What is her recourse? I am clueless about how she can fight back. Can one of her constituents sue the Speaker if she's not allowed to debate?

[underwaterrhymes]

This silencing of constituents (and colleagues) - especially those in marginalized communities that are being actively harmed - is so dangerous and evil.

This is a different circumstance, but one of my friends shouted “Shame!” when Nebraska lawmakers approved a bill to remove training and permit requirements for concealed carry the other day and not only did they remove her, but they banned her from coming back to the Capitol building except when she has scheduled a meeting or appointment.

The GOP is morally corrupt and absolutely terrifying.

[seeyalater52]

Still going great. The last 2 days have been absolutely unhinged in Montana.

More here: www.them.us/story/zooey-zephyr-montana-trans-lawmaker-protests-seven-arrested

[Michelle]

Apr 21, 2023 14:55:11 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

This silencing of constituents (and colleagues) - especially those in marginalized communities that are being actively harmed - is so dangerous and evil.

This is a different circumstance, but one of my friends shouted “Shame!” when Nebraska lawmakers approved a bill to remove training and permit requirements for concealed carry the other day and not only did they remove her, but they banned her from coming back to the Capitol building except when she has scheduled a meeting or appointment.

The GOP is morally corrupt bankrupt and absolutely terrifying.

FTFY

Unless someone has something even lower, in which place please correct me.

[chickadee77]

Apr 25, 2023 18:16:44 GMT -5 Michelle said:

Apr 21, 2023 14:55:11 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

This silencing of constituents (and colleagues) - especially those in marginalized communities that are being actively harmed - is so dangerous and evil.

This is a different circumstance, but one of my friends shouted “Shame!” when Nebraska lawmakers approved a bill to remove training and permit requirements for concealed carry the other day and not only did they remove her, but they banned her from coming back to the Capitol building except when she has scheduled a meeting or appointment.

The GOP is morally corrupt bankrupt and absolutely terrifying.

FTFY

Unless someone has something even lower, in which place please correct me.

A fucking moral free-zone is my personal go-to.

[Velar Fricative]

She is now barred from the House floor. Fucking disgraceful. Here’s the gift link:

www.nytimes.com/2023/04/26/us/zooey-zephyr-transgender-montana-house.html?unlocked_article_code=XPcAEwYBMlOEq9w2xrOiMW75EtGO3BPNLv7nR_VUSgF46VjuO_9EbP-7eFF5Y9MY7NA1pHFKyI6uSI0iuB0HWqhlTZ8EASJ194tiI2rPEAIX7XHJBmlNXrd7M0noPNHRnxCCJTj0kQHA1cu99TBoKpzMGOW7PGbxehg7GjD8QUkIW6S7O3YZCeSq6Ka5U28nabaFGPMLZH3xmqIlYzHeydLwHSEG9TWQBAmFsVWg5n1ut5u9JxQ4xdEU1oPQLBOfREiInSHTVP5N4NqbOdtlN30AQlEFuUoA_ziviBMwgwR00U-aTTBJ3kwgxjc5vs0Pi3dUndeXl_p51GUZHPlIK0YE8BuZOR61lFhK&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

[seeyalater52]

I feel sick. I know I’ve called out this board for being slow to acknowledge attacks on trans folks this year, but I’d really love to see the same energy backing Rep. Zephyr as there was supporting Rep Pearson and Rep Jones in Tennessee. That was major national news. I will be surprised if this gets the same play, since coverage has been so incredibly poor on these issues across the board for years.

Will Biden meet with her like he did with other un democratically expelled lawmakers? Or are we just going to pretend he’s checked the Respect for Marriage Act box and so anyone who calls him out on this is out of touch?

[seeyalater52]

Related: Senator Megan Hunt in Nebraska is being formally investigated for “conflict of interest” for standing up for trans Nebraskans. The conflict? She has a trans son.

[seeyalater52]

More Montana: Gianforte is an asshole.

montanafreepress.org/2023/04/26/montana-governor-gianforte-lobbied-by-son-to-veto-trans-bills/

[mrsslocombe]

Apr 26, 2023 16:25:30 GMT -5 seeyalater52 said:

Related: Senator Megan Hunt in Nebraska is being formally investigated for “conflict of interest” for standing up for trans Nebraskans. The conflict? She has a trans son.

I swear to god. These fucking assholes own businesses and give themselves tax breaks and all kinds of shit. But goddess forbid one of them use their lived experience in consideration of their vote.

I just feel despair. Constant despair. The playing field is so rigged. I'm terrified of what Pride Month is going to look like.

[seeyalater52]

Apr 26, 2023 16:43:51 GMT -5 mrsslocombe said:

Apr 26, 2023 16:25:30 GMT -5 seeyalater52 said:

Related: Senator Megan Hunt in Nebraska is being formally investigated for “conflict of interest” for standing up for trans Nebraskans. The conflict? She has a trans son.

I swear to god. These fucking assholes own businesses and give themselves tax breaks and all kinds of shit. But goddess forbid one of them use their lived experience in consideration of their vote.

I just feel despair. Constant despair. The playing field is so rigged. I'm terrified of what Pride Month is going to look like.

I’m terrified that Pride month will come with new waves of attacks (and LGBTQ motivated hate crimes are up too) but I’m also scared that based on how out of fucking touch cishet and corporate America seem to be right now that the whole tone is going to be wrong and soul-sucking and send me off the deep end. Every time I think I can’t be more shocked by how little anyone seems to give a shit about trans communities (to even pay attention to what is systematically happening) I am sadly disappointed again.

[estrellita]

FFS. I.. don't have words. This is getting absolutely ridiculous. I feel more and more hopeless about this country every day. 😢

[tacokick]

Apr 26, 2023 16:50:18 GMT -5 seeyalater52 said:

Apr 26, 2023 16:43:51 GMT -5 mrsslocombe said:

I swear to god. These fucking assholes own businesses and give themselves tax breaks and all kinds of shit. But goddess forbid one of them use their lived experience in consideration of their vote.

I just feel despair. Constant despair. The playing field is so rigged. I'm terrified of what Pride Month is going to look like.

I’m terrified that Pride month will come with new waves of attacks (and LGBTQ motivated hate crimes are up too) but I’m also scared that based on how out of fucking touch cishet and corporate America seem to be right now that the whole tone is going to be wrong and soul-sucking and send me off the deep end. Every time I think I can’t be more shocked by how little anyone seems to give a shit about trans communities (to even pay attention to what is systematically happening) I am sadly disappointed again.

But hey, we can vote for Biden again because he’s totally on top of this. You know the candidate that got elected because he was so beloved and totally not because there was literally no other viable option.

I find all of this so bizarre because the Republicans and these wackjobs are in the minority yet the Democrats don’t speak up. You are the popular ones! You can lead and change and shape the discourse! You can take a stand!

[smock]

Apr 26, 2023 16:25:30 GMT -5 seeyalater52 said:

Related: Senator Megan Hunt in Nebraska is being formally investigated for “conflict of interest” for standing up for trans Nebraskans. The conflict? She has a trans son.

GOP'er listening to the "I Have A Dream" speech: Wait, did MLK just say his kids are BLACK? That's a total conflict of interest; he can't be pro-civil rights. 

Every time the GOP reaches new depths of cruelty and ridiculousness, they find a way to keep digging. 

[smock]

From the NYT article linked above:

“When the speaker asks me to apologize on behalf of decorum, what he is really asking me to do is be silent when my community is facing bills that get us killed; he’s asking me to be complicit in this Legislature’s eradication of our community,” she said.

“I refuse to do so. I will always refuse to do so,” she added.

[expectantsteelerfan]

I don't understand why I'm only seeing this here and not anywhere else. That infuriates me almost as much as the issue itself.

[pixy0stix]

I've been following both the MT and NE stories. It's infuriating.

[basilosaurus]

I did like the throwing of gloves tainted with "blood."

I also really hated that's what we've come to.

[Velar Fricative]

I didn’t think it was possible that the MT Governor could be any more of an asshole than I already knew. His (adult) child is non-binary.

montanafreepress.org/2023/04/26/montana-governor-gianforte-lobbied-by-son-to-veto-trans-bills/

[seeyalater52]

Apr 28, 2023 5:07:45 GMT -5 Velar Fricative said:

I didn’t think it was possible that the MT Governor could be any more of an asshole than I already knew. His (adult) child is non-binary.

montanafreepress.org/2023/04/26/montana-governor-gianforte-lobbied-by-son-to-veto-trans-bills/

Oh I know. I posted The article a few posts up. Just blown away.

Yesterday was Rep Zephyr’s first day expelled from chambers and it was honestly so painful to watch. She set up in the hallway outside House chambers and Regier tried to force her to move from there. The level of composure and grace Zooey has had to show in the face of such horrific discrimination and literal shunning has me in awe, and also very, very angry. It is 2023 and we are literally trying to put the “undesirables” in a back room so people might forget how we have treated them. It’s triggering as fuck to witness for many trans people too because this is exactly how so many people treat trans individuals in their personal lives, professional lives, and in public spaces. I am so sad about what she is having to endure and hoping that this gets due recognition.

Sorry for the Twitter link, but in case folks want to watch:

[seeyalater52]

Another must-watch. MSNBC did cover this and did a panel with Zephyr and Rep. Jones from TN and US Rep. Frost (FL) on anti Democracy efforts. It is incredible and intersectional and I hope folks who say we have no one in the pipeline for positions in the national Dem party take notice - the lack of cultivation and nurturing for these folks is by design. The national party is only backing them tepidly while they wait to see if focus on this is a flash in the pan or if they need to take it seriously. This is why people are pissed off.

www.mediamatters.org/msnbc/msnbc-state-rep-zephyr-state-rep-jones-and-us-rep-frost-discuss-anti-democracy-efforts-across

[Velar Fricative]

Oof, sorry seeyalater52! Could have sworn I looked through all the links here.

[mrsd2006]

www.yahoo.com/news/montana-rep-zooey-zephyr-sues-161118666.html

She is suing

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana state Rep. Zooey Zephyr asked a court Monday to allow for her return to the House floor after she was silenced and barred for chiding her Republican colleagues over legislation to restrict gender-affirming health care and for encouraging protesters.

Attorneys for the first-term lawmaker sued in state district court in Helena on behalf of Zephyr, a transgender Democrat who represents a liberal district in the college town of Missoula, and several constituents who the attorneys said were being denied their right to adequate representation