Montana’s first transgender legislator, Rep. Zooey Zephyr, is under fire for heated comments made during a House floor debate on amendments to Senate Bill 99, which seeks to prohibit sex change treatments for minors.
The proposed legislation initially aimed to ban specific medical procedures for transgender minors. However, Republican Governor Greg Gianforte proposed changes on Monday to clarify that public funds cannot be used to pay for surgery or hormone treatments for young individuals diagnosed with gender dysphoria.
In a letter to legislative leaders, Gianforte stated his support for the bill, saying, “I share your profound commitment to protect Montana children from invasive medical treatments that can permanently alter their healthy, developing bodies.”
During the debate on the governor’s suggested amendments, Zephyr told Republican lawmakers that if they supported the bill and its amendments, they would have “blood on (their) hands,” and hoped the notion would haunt them during their 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 when you bow your heads in prayer, you see the blood on your hands,” Zephyr said.
Majority Leader Sue Vinton interjected, reminding her colleagues to debate civilly and with respect for one another.
In response to Zephyr’s comments, the Montana Freedom Caucus issued a statement demanding the representative’s censure for using “inappropriate and uncalled-for language” during the debate.
The group argued that such “hateful rhetoric” could lead to tragedies similar to the Covenant Christian School shooting in Nashville.
The press release also mentioned former Montana Supreme Court Justice Jim Nelson’s recent call for “jihad” and a “fight to the death” as evidence of a growing desire for violence over political beliefs, insisting that this must stop.
Senate Bill 99 has already passed the Republican-controlled legislature, with the House voting 66 to 34 in favor of the governor’s amendments and the Senate approving the bill 31 to 19. It now awaits Governor Gianforte’s signature to become law.
If enacted, Montana would join at least 13 other states that have passed laws restricting or prohibiting sex change treatment for minors. Additionally, three states have implemented bans or restrictions through regulations or administrative orders.
Federal judges have blocked enforcement of such laws in Alabama and Arkansas, while Missouri’s attorney general issued an emergency ban last week limiting treatments for adults.
The heated debate over Senate Bill 99 and the proposed amendments highlights the ongoing national conversation about transgender rights and the appropriate medical care for transgender youth.
Advocates for transgender rights argue that these laws interfere with the doctor-patient relationship and the ability of transgender youth to access vital healthcare.
Meanwhile, supporters of the legislation maintain that the restrictions are necessary to protect minors from making life-altering decisions they may regret in the future.
As Montana grapples with this contentious issue, the controversy surrounding Rep. Zooey Zephyr’s comments adds another layer to the debate, reflecting the deep divide in the state and the nation on this topic.