Montana Democrat Rep. Zooey Zephyr is partnering with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in an attempt to force reentry to the state House floor this week after Republicans punished the freshman lawmaker over his “hate-filled” comments and a disruptive demonstration he inspired.
On Monday, Zephyr, a man who calls himself a woman and the first trans-identifying member of the Montana House of Representatives, announced a lawsuit with the ACLU to reclaim access to the lower chamber after he was temporarily expelled. While barred from the floor, Zephyr still maintains voting privileges.
“I’m suing,” he wrote on Twitter.
I’m suing.
The recent actions violate my 1st amendment rights, as well as the rights of my 11,000 constituents to representation.
Montana’s State House is the people’s House, not Speaker Regier’s, and I’m determined to defend the right of the people to have their voices heard. pic.twitter.com/eyDjgchWPQ
— Rep. Zooey Zephyr (@ZoAndBehold) May 1, 2023
Republicans banned Zephyr from the floor for the rest of the session last week after the freshman lawmaker encouraged demonstrations that disrupted several House sessions. Pro-trans demonstrators flooded the public gallery and demanded Zephyr have debate privileges restored after he was stripped of them for violating decorum the week prior. When lawmakers considered a bill to bar transgender interventions for minors with gender dysphoria last month, Zephyr mocked Republican prayers.
“The only thing I will say is if you vote yes on this bill, and yes on these amendments, I hope the next time there’s an invocation
