Montana state representative silenced over comments on anti-trans bill reelected
Montana Democratic Rep. Zooey Zephyr, who was silenced by her Republican colleagues in 2023 over her comments on legislation affecting transgender youth, won her re-election campaign, the Associated Press called.
In 2023 while the Montana House considered a bill banning gender-affirming care for minors, Zephyr, a trans woman, told the bill's supporters they would have "blood on your hands." The House later voted to censure her, barring her from the State Capitol grounds through the 2023 legislative session, Paste BN and the AP previously reported.
She beat Republican opponent Barbara Starmer by a landslide in her election for District 95, which covers part of Missoula.
"It is an honor to have been re-elected to the Montana House of Representatives," she wrote in a post on X. "And I promise to do as I have always done: fight for my constituents, stand up against those who seek to break democracy, and be a bulwark against the rising tide of American fascism."
Trans state representative to return to chamber after being silenced
2025 will mark Zephyr's return to the House floor. Zephyr and the American Civil Liberties Union unsuccessfully sued to clear her punishment, and although the censure ended in 2023, the legislature did not meet in 2024, according to the AP.
She gained national attention for speaking out against the bill and prompted demonstrations on her behalf. She has also campaigned for Democrats in other states, the AP reported.
Her censure came amid a slew of anti-trans rhetoric and legislation that has been on the rise over recent years. Hundreds of bills have been introduced across state and federal legislatures aimed at restricting health care for youth, bathroom access and the ability to participate in sports.
2024 election results bring wins, devastation for LGBTQ community
Former President Donald Trump won the presidency in a major political comeback. He has repeatedly attacked the trans community on the campaign trail and vowed to "keep men out of women's sports" as one of the GOP's central campaign promises. As LGBTQ media advocacy group GLAAD CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said on X , "the pain is real today...our work has renewed importance and urgency."
Across the country, LGBTQ representation in politics also reached new milestones. Sarah McBride was elected as Delaware's next representative in Congress, becoming the first openly transgender person elected to federal office. Tennessee also elected its first openly LGBTQ+ woman to the state legislature, with Democratic Gabby Salinas being elected to a Memphis district.
Contributing: David Oliver, Marina Pitofsky, Xerxes Wilson, Vivian Jones, Melissa Brown, Rachel Looker; Paste BN Network
Kinsey Crowley is a trending news reporter at Paste BN. Reach her at kcrowley@gannett.com, and follow her on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley.