Transgender Montana lawmaker barred from House floor for rest of session

The Montana House has disciplined Democratic state Rep. Zooey Zephyr, the state's first transgender lawmaker, by barring her from participating on the House floor for the remainder of the 2023 session, but allowing her to vote remotely. Zephyr had been prevented by Republicans from debating a bill that would ban gender-affirming care for minors after telling her colleagues that they would have blood on their hands if it passed. Her silencing led to protests from her constituents, seven of whom were arrested Monday while protesting in the House chamber.