A Montana Democrat was censured by the state assembly Thursday after hate-filled comments that accused Republicans of having “blood on your hands” over transgender legislation.
Rep. Zooey Zephyr, the state’s first transgender-identified lawmaker in the Montana legislature, mocked Republican prayers in a floor speech this week as the House debated a bill to codify the sex binary of male and female. Senate Bill 99, which ultimately cleared the lower chamber, bans transgender medical interventions for minors with gender dysphoria.
“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 when you bow your heads in prayer, you see the blood on your hands,” Zephyr said.
Rep Zooey Zephyr of Missoula said the following when debating SB99 Amendments.
“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 when you bow your heads in prayer, you see the blood on your hands.” pic.twitter.com/wuhlympbLq
— Montana Freedom Caucus (@MTFreedomCaucus) April 18, 2023
The Montana House Freedom Caucus responded to the remarks with a demand to censure the Missoula-area representative. Zephyr was banned from engaging in further floor debate on Thursday and is not allowed to speak on bills in the chamber without an apology.
“It is up to me to maintain decorum here on the House floor, to protect the dignity and integrity,” said House Speaker
