On May 2, District Court Judge Mike Menahan rejected transgender Montana state Rep. Zooey Zephyr’s attempt to the state House after Republicans ousted her for the remainder of the legislative session, a PBS item noted.
The state GOP lawmakers voted to banish Zephyr after she told Republicans they would have blood on their hands for opposing gender-affirming health care for kids.
Zephyr and several of her Missoula constituents filed court papers on May 1, seeking an emergency order allowing her to return to the House floor for the final days of the 2023 legislative session. Menahan said it was outside his authority to overrule the legislature and return Zephyr to the House floor.
Zephyr told The Associated Press that the decision was “entirely wrong,” adding, “It’s a really sad day for the country when the majority party can silence representation from the minority party whenever they take issue.”
The legislative session ends May 5.
—Andrew Davis