A transgender Democratic member of the Montana House of Representatives is under fire for using language that has riled her Republican colleagues. Representative Zooey Zephyr was making an emotional plea to her colleagues to reject a bill that would prohibit gender-affirming care for transgender youngsters, claiming that it would be “torture.” The Conservatives took offense.
“This body should be ashamed. If you vote yes on this bill and yes on these amendments I hope the next time there’s an invocation, when you bow your heads in prayer, you see the blood on your hands,” said Zephyr.
After Zephyr’s statement, House Majority Leader Sue Vinton stood and said, “I will note that this is entirely inappropriate, disrespectful, and uncalled for. We can debate matters civilly and with respect for each other,”
Later, Zephyr was accused of employing ‘hateful words’ by the Montana Freedom Caucus, a group of hardline lawmakers. Later that day, the Caucus took to Twitter to demand that Zephyr be censured for his remarks.
“For attempting to shame the Montana legislative body and by using inappropriate and uncalled-for language during a floor debate over amendments concerning Senate Bill 99 – to ban sex changes of minor children” stated the Republican leaders.
Zephyr was born in the wrong gender.
Zephyr, who represents Montana’s 100th House District, responded by claiming that the Caucus misgendered her by using the term ‘he’ in the letter.
“It is disheartening that the Montana Freedom Caucus would stoop so low as to misgender me in their letter, further demonstrating their disregard for the dignity and humanity of transgender individuals. Their call for ‘civility and respect’ is hypocritical given their actions,” said Zephyr.
“It is particularly troubling that the moment they were confronted with the impact their legislation has, they chose to silence the only trans woman elected to public office in Montana as opposed to doing the right thing and voting down this harmful legislation.”
Other states have outlawed gender-affirming healthcare
Montana is not the first state in the United States to pass legislation prohibiting gender-affirming care. Idaho and Indiana enacted identical measures earlier this month, ensuring that minors will not be able to transition from their assigned gender at birth.
Those opposed to the law argue that excluding healthcare facilities is a hurdle for transgender children who may require critical and often life-saving care. They also stated that the majority of operations accessible to trans children are reversible and safe.
Meanwhile, proponents of the legislation claim that such operations are hazardous and have long-term consequences and that only an adult should take the decisions – not the minors or their parents.