Montana Transgender Lawmaker Silenced and Arrested During House Session

Police in riot gear removed and arrested at least seven protesters who chanted “let her speak” in the Montana House Representatives after Rep. Zooey Zephyr, a Missoula Democrat and one of Montana’s first transgender lawmakers, was blocked from speaking on a bill. Zephyr was first blocked from speaking last week after she condemned supporters of a bill to ban gender-affirming care for minors. Republican Speaker of the House Matt Regier is refusing to recognize Zephyr until she apologizes for violating House rules of decorum.