Montana Republicans Target Transgender Lawmaker Zooey Zephyr

Montana's Republican-dominated House of Representatives has voted to formally punish Democratic Rep. Zooey Zephyr, one of Montana's first transgender lawmakers, by banning her from attending or speaking during floor sessions. This comes after she was blocked from speaking during a debate on a bill to ban gender-affirming care for minors. Zephyr had alluded to studies that show that transgender health care can reduce suicidality in youth. The punishment is a lesser one than expulsion, which was also on the table. The public gallery will be closed for Wednesday's proceedings when the House will vote on whether to discipline Zephyr.