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Zooey Zephyr

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Noloader (talk | contribs) at 04:39, 2 May 2023 (Add two pieces of info. First, accusations of Zephyr and insurrection. Second, Zephyr lawsuit filed by ACLU of Montana. I tired to keep it neutral. I don't have a dog in this fight.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Zooey Zephyr
File:Official Portrait of Zooey Zephyr.jpg
Member of the Montana House of Representatives
from the 100th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 2, 2023
Preceded byAndrea Olsen
Personal details
Born (1988-08-29) August 29, 1988 (age 37)[1]
Billings, Montana, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Residence(s)Missoula, Montana, U.S.
Alma mater
OccupationUniversity administrator
Websitewww.zooeyzephyr.com

Zooey Zephyr (born August 29, 1988) is an American politician and university administrator who represents Missoula in the 100th district in the Montana House of Representatives. A member of the Democratic Party, she was elected in the 2022 election, making her the first openly transgender person to be elected to the state legislature in Montana.[2][3][4] She was sworn in as a representative on January 2, 2023.[5]

Early life and education

Zephyr was born in Billings, Montana. She graduated from the University of Washington in 2011 with a dual Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Creative Writing.[6][1]

Under the username Cazcom, Zephyr was a competitive Super Smash Bros video game player, particularly in Project M tournaments.[7] In May 2014, she made the top 8 at the Northwest Majors IV in Des Moines, Washington.[8]

Zephyr subsequently returned to her home state to pursue graduate studies at the University of Montana (UM). She joined the university's Biology department and then the Office of the Provost, where she worked as a Program Manager overseeing the university's curricula.[6]

Career

Zephyr became involved in activism in 2020. She testified before the Montana legislature in defense of LGBT+ rights and met with Republican Governor Greg Gianforte, but felt her words were not heard. Having watched bills that were opposed to the rights of transgender people pass with one-vote margins, such as legislation making it difficult for transgender people to update birth certificates, she felt she needed to "get into the room where the laws are being written". On March 1, 2021, Zephyr decided to run for state representative in the 2022 mid-term elections.[9]

House District 100 (Missoula), described as "one of the bluest districts in the state", was previously held by Andrea Olsen, who stood down to run for state senator. Zephyr defeated Dave Severson in the Democratic primary on June 7, 2022. Upon defeating Republican opponent Sean Patrick McCoy that November, Zephyr became the first trans woman to be elected to the Montana legislature alongside SJ Howell, the first non-binary person to be elected.[10] Zephyr assumed office in January 2023.

2023 legislative session

Zephyr has been a vocal opponent of the multiple anti-LGBT+ bills introduced during the 2023 legislative session.[11][12][13] During a floor debate on April 18, 2023, Zephyr admonished those who supported Senate Bill 99, which prohibits gender-affirming medical and surgical care for transgender minors. She first commented, "If you are forcing a trans child to go through puberty when they are trans, that is tantamount to torture, and this body should be ashamed." When this remark triggered an objection from Republican majority leader Sue Vinton, Zephyr replied, "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."[14] This prompted backlash from House Republicans. The Montana Freedom Caucus issued a statement misgendering Zephyr and calling for her censure.[15][16] Zephyr stood by her words, and House Minority Leader Kim Abbott defended her, describing the statement as "blatantly disrespectful and the farthest thing imaginable from the 'commitment to civil discourse' that these letter writers demand".[17] Thereafter, Speaker Matt Regier refused to let Zephyr speak on any bills despite no censure having taken place.[18]

On April 24, about 100 people gathered at a rally in support of Zephyr, prompting heavy police presence. That afternoon, Zephyr was again denied speaking privileges, prompting every present Democratic lawmaker to stand in protest. All but two Republican members of the chamber’s supermajority voted to uphold Regier’s ruling. Protesters in the House Gallery then began chanting, "let her speak," resulting in a half-hour delay in proceedings as riot police were brought in to clear the gallery. Most Democratic legislators remained in the House chambers, mostly in the wings, but Republican lawmakers evacuated the room. Zephyr remained at her desk on the floor, silently holding aloft a microphone. Seven people were arrested, and after booking were released without needing to post bail.[19][20][21] Afterwards, members of the conservative Montana Freedom Caucus accused Zephyr of "standing in the middle of the floor encouraging an insurrection."[22]

On April 26, a hearing was held to vote on a proposal to sanction Zephyr's actions during the protest on April 24. After a speech by Zephyr and a brief debate limited to three speakers on each side, the House voted 68–32 along party lines to bar Zephyr from the House floor, gallery, and antechamber until the adjournment of the 2023 session the first week of May. She was allowed the option to vote remotely for the remainder of the session.[23][24][25][26]

On Thursday, April 27, Zephyr set up her laptop and assorted paperwork on a bench outside the House Chambers in a hall open to the public. Behind the bench, she placed a sticky note saying "Desk 31"—her designated seat on the house floor. When Regier asked her to leave, House Democrats pointed out that she was in a public area. He responded that he was afraid she was blocking the hallway, but claiming to be reassured that she was not blocking traffic, agreed that she could remain. Additionally, following her expulsion, the GOP leadership cancelled all remaining hearings of the committees on which she served. To handle the bills still pending, they used their supermajority to "blast" several bills directly to the floor, and reassigned other bills to different committees.[27]

Following the GOP actions, Zephyr filed a lawsuit on May 1 claiming her First Amendment rights had been violated. The lawsuit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Montana and other lawyers. Zephyr added the rights of her 11,000 constituents had also been violated in a tweet following the filing.[22]

On April 28, Zephyr announced she would seek re-election in 2024.[28]

Electoral history

2022 Montana's 100th House district Democratic primary[29]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Zooey Zephyr 1,483 61.36%
Democratic David Severson 934 38.64%
Total votes 2,417 100%
2022 Montana's 100th House district election[30]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Zooey Zephyr 4,053 79.21%
Republican Sean Patrick McCoy 853 16.67%
Libertarian Michael Vanecek 211 4.12%
Total votes 5,117 100%
Democratic hold

Personal life

Zephyr is bisexual and transgender. She is in a relationship with journalist and activist Erin Reed.[31]

References

  1. ^ a b "Missoula County House District 100". Missoulian. 13 October 2022. Archived from the original on 21 April 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  2. ^ Astor, Maggie; Lau, Stephanie (November 9, 2022). "A diverse field of candidates make history in the midterms". New York Times. Archived from the original on November 10, 2022. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  3. ^ Branigin, Anne (July 27, 2022). "A record number of trans and nonbinary people are running for office". Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 10, 2022. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  4. ^ "Zooey Zephyr". Victory Fund. Victory Fund. Archived from the original on November 10, 2022. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  5. ^ Girten (January 2, 2022). "'Organized and ready to do business': Montana's 68th Legislature begins with supermajority poised". Daily Montanan. Archived from the original on January 2, 2023. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  6. ^ a b "Zooey Zephyr". Run for Something. Archived from the original on 22 April 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  7. ^ Gwilliam, Michael (10 November 2022). "Young Link main becomes first Smash pro elected to Montana State Legislature". Dexerto. Archived from the original on 21 April 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  8. ^ Tate, Dylan (9 November 2022). "Former Smash competitor elected to Montana State Legislature". Upcomer. Archived from the original on 21 April 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  9. ^ Rock, Audrey (30 August 2022). "Montana House Candidate Zooey Zephyr Stresses The Importance Of Her Vote: 'We Need Trans Representation'". Hollywood Life. Archived from the original on 19 April 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  10. ^ Hanson, Amy Beth (13 December 2022). "Transgender lawmaker hopes her presence brings understanding". ABC News. Archived from the original on 19 April 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  11. ^ Owen, Greg. "Transgender Rep. Zooey Zephyr condemns Montana drag ban in a passionate speech". LGBTQ Nation. Archived from the original on 31 March 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  12. ^ Teeman, Tim (2 April 2023). "Montana Could Soon Define Trans People 'Out of Existence'". Daily Beast. Archived from the original on 19 April 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  13. ^ Ambarian, Jonathon (18 April 2023). "Legislature endorses Gianforte amendment to bill banning gender-affirming care to minors". KTHV. Archived from the original on 19 April 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  14. ^ Silvers, Mara (19 April 2023). "Ban of medical care for transgender minors clears legislative hurdle". Montana Free Press. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  15. ^ Migdon, Brooke (19 April 2023). "Montana GOP caucus calls for censure of legislature's only openly transgender member". The Hill. Archived from the original on 19 April 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  16. ^ Hansford, Amelia (19 April 2023). "Trans Montana lawmaker condemned by Republicans for powerful speech in support of trans healthcare". Pink News. Archived from the original on 19 April 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  17. ^ Hanson, Amy Beth (19 April 2023). "Montana Republicans want censure while misgendering lawmaker". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 19 April 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  18. ^ Margolis, Josh (21 April 2023). "Republicans refuse to recognize House Democrat due to previous remarks". NBC Montana. Archived from the original on 20 April 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  19. ^ Press, Associated (25 April 2023). "'Let her speak!': protests after Montana Republicans silence trans lawmaker". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  20. ^ Miller, Blair; April 24, Daily Montanan (25 April 2023). "At least seven arrested after protest in gallery in support of Rep. Zephyr". Daily Montanan. Retrieved 25 April 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  21. ^ "Seven arrested in Montana after protesting silencing of trans lawmaker". Washington Post. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  22. ^ a b Fortin, Jacey (May 1, 2023). "Transgender Lawmaker Sues Over Removal From Montana House Floor". New York Times. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  23. ^ Robbins, Jim; Tumin, Remy; Fortin, Jacey (2023-04-26). "Montana House to Vote on Discipline of Transgender Lawmaker". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-04-26.
  24. ^ "Montana House votes to bar transgender Representative from House floor". KXLH News Helena. 26 April 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  25. ^ Robbins, Jim; Tumin, Remy; Fortin, Jacey (26 April 2023). "Montana House Votes to Discipline Transgender Lawmaker". The New York Times. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  26. ^ "Who is Zooey Zephyr, the trans lawmaker banned from her own House in Montana?". Washington Post. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  27. ^ Girten, Nicole; April 27, Daily Montanan (28 April 2023). "Zephyr working from bench outside House floor; while her committee meetings cancelled". Daily Montanan. Retrieved 28 April 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  28. ^ "Zooey Zephyr Touts Reelection Bid as Montana Bans Med Care for Trans Youth".
  29. ^ "2022 Legislative Primary Election Canvas". Montana Secretary of State. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  30. ^ "2022 Legislative General Election Canvas". Montana Secretary of State. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  31. ^ Ragar, Shaylee (3 December 2022). "After record election year, some LGBTQ lawmakers face a new challenge: GOP majorities". NPR. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
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