State Rep. Zooey Zephyr (D-Missoula) is suing after the GOP-led Montana House of Representatives censured the transgender lawmaker last week.
“This is an action for emergency declaratory and injunctive relief against Defendants arising out of their unconstitutional Censure and retaliatory silencing of Representative Zooey Zephyr, a member of the Montana House of Representatives who engaged in Constitutionally protected speech,” the lawsuit states.
The legislature voted to bar Zephyr, a biological man who identifies as a woman, from attending or speaking at floor sessions after the lawmaker held up a microphone as supporters disrupted the proceedings in the Montana House chamber while chanting, “Let her speak!” The commotion led to several arrests.