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Zooey Zephyr

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Zooey Zephyr
Zephyr in 2023
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 36)[1]
Billings, Montana, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
​
(m. 2024)​
Residence(s)Missoula, Montana, U.S.
Alma mater
OccupationUniversity administrator
Websitewww.zooeyzephyr.com

Zooey Simone 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 Montana Legislature.[2][3][4] She was sworn in as a representative on January 2, 2023.[5] In April 2023, Zephyr was permitted to speak and later banned from the House after speaking out against multiple anti-LGBT bills and criticizing their supporters. In November 2024 Zephyr won re-election to the House.[6]

Early life and education

Zephyr was born in Billings, Montana.[1][7] She moved with her parents to Seattle at the age of 10.[8] She competed in wrestling during her childhood and teenage years.[8]

Zephyr graduated from the University of Washington in 2011 with a dual Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Creative Writing.[1][7] She subsequently returned to her home state to pursue graduate studies at the University of Montana (UM), earning master's degrees in creative writing and literary criticism.[7][8] 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.[7][8]

Under the username Cazcom, Zephyr was a competitive Super Smash Bros. video game player, particularly in Project M tournaments.[9] In May 2014, she made the top 8 at the Northwest Majors IV in Des Moines, Washington.[10]

Career

Zephyr's rise as an activist began in 2020. She testified before the Montana state legislature in defense of LGBT rights and then also met with Republican Governor Greg Gianforte, but felt her words were not heard. Having watched in frustration as bills limiting the rights of transgender people passed by single-vote margins; these included, for example, legislation making it difficult for transgender people to update birth certificates. Over time, Zephyr came to believe that she needed to "get into the room where the laws are being written," leading her to decide to run for a seat in the Montana House of Representatives in the 2022 midterm elections.[11]

House District 100, based in Missoula, is one of the most Democratic-leaning districts in Montana.[11] The seat was previously held by Andrea Olsen, who left the seat 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.[12] Zephyr assumed office in January 2023. On April 28, 2023, Zephyr announced she would seek re-election in 2024.[13] In an interview with Out, she noted that she was working with "various groups to brainstorm policy proposals for the next legislative session," and added that she was traveling across Montana, and the country, to build coalitions and to ensure that "the good folks who want to get into office have the support they need in order to succeed."[14]

In early December, 2024, the House Rules Committee of the Montana State Legislature voted 10-12 to reject a measure which, according to Rachel Treisman from NPR, would have "required legislators to use the [bathroom] that aligned with their sex chromosomes at birth", with the proposed rule being seen as targeting Zephyr.[15][16]

2023 legislative session

Zephyr was a vocal opponent of multiple anti-LGBT bills introduced during the 2023 legislative session.[17][18][19] 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 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."[20] 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."[21] Zephyr's comments prompted an immediate backlash from House Republicans. The Montana Freedom Caucus issued a statement misgendering Zephyr and calling for her censure.[22][23] 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".[24] Thereafter, Speaker Matt Regier refused to let Zephyr speak on any bills despite no censure having taken place.[25]

On April 24, about 100 people gathered at a rally in support of Zephyr, prompting a heavy police presence. Later that afternoon, Zephyr was once again denied speaking privileges, prompting every single Democratic lawmaker who was present to stand in protest. All but two Republican members of the chamber's supermajority voted to uphold Regier's ruling. Protests in the House Gallery resulted 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 having been required to post bail.[26][27][28] Afterwards, members of the conservative Montana Freedom Caucus, in a letter that once again misgendered Zephyr, accused her of "standing in the middle of the floor encouraging an insurrection."[29]

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 was held, which was limited to three speakers on each side, the House voted 68–32, along straight party lines, to bar Zephyr from the House floor, gallery, and antechamber, which would last until the adjournment of the 2023 session the first week of May. She was permitted to vote remotely for the remainder of the session.[30][31][32][33]

On April 27, Zephyr set up her laptop and assorted paperwork on a bench situated just outside the House Chambers in a hall open to the public. Behind the bench, she posted a sticky note, simply saying "Desk 31"—her designated seat on the house floor. When Regier asked her to leave, House Democrats pointed out that she was situated in a public area. He responded that he was afraid she was blocking the hallway, but claiming that upon being reassured that she was not blocking traffic, agreed that she could remain.

Additionally, following her ban, Republican 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.[34]

On May 1, the bench from which she had been working at just off the House floor was occupied by a group of women, among them Regier's mother,[35] and the wife of Republican senator Steve Hinebauch, in order to prevent Zephyr from sitting.[36][37] Business Insider's Katie Balevic compared a photo of the women apparently laughing and leering to civil rights era photos of white student Hazel Massery shouting at African-American student Elizabeth Eckford during the Little Rock Crisis.[38] On subsequent days, a group of Zephyr’s supporters, primarily a group of tech workers able to work remotely dubbed “The Blue Bench Brigade,” came in and occupied the bench to save Zephyr’s spot.[39] Immediately upon adjournment sine die on May 2, Zephyr walked onto the House floor to meet her colleagues.[40]

On May 5, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) announced that it intended to defend the protesters who were arrested at the Capitol on April 24.[41]

Four days after having been barred from the House floor, Zephyr and several of her constituents sued the state and Regier in state court,[29][42][43] alleging that the legislative action violated the Montana Constitution, specifically Zephyr's right to freedom of speech and equal protection under the law, and her constituents' rights to be represented by a member of their choice.[44][45] The ACLU of Montana, and several private law firms, represented Zephyr in the suit, while state Attorney General Austin Knudsen defended the House.[29][42][43] Zephyr relied in part on previous court decisions involving legislators' challenges to discipline by legislative bodies, including Boquist v. Courtney and Bond v. Floyd.[43][46]

Zephyr also sought an emergency court order to allow her to return to the floor. On May 3, District Court judge Mike Menahan, a former Democratic legislator, denied the motion, holding that the separation of powers doctrine prevented the judiciary from such action against the legislative branch.[42][47] Because the decision was issued the day after the state legislative session adjourned for the year, the suit and the denial of injunctive relief had little immediate effect.[42][45]

Electoral history

2022 Montana's 100th House district Democratic primary[48]
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[49]
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
2024 Montana's 95th House district election [50]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Zooey Zephyr 5,073 80.18%
Republican Barbara Starmer 1,254 19.82%
Total votes 6,327 100%

Personal life

Zephyr came out as transgender in 2018. She chose the name Zooey, meaning "life", and Zephyr, as she wanted to be "a gentle breeze". Her middle name, Simone, is a tribute to her paternal grandmother.[51] A 2023 Out profile described her as a bisexual trans woman.[14]

Zephyr is in a relationship with journalist and trans activist Erin Reed; they were engaged on May 5, 2023, and married on December 14, 2024.[52][53][54][55][56] Earlier in the week of their engagement, Zephyr and Reed were victims of attempted swattings at their respective residences; Reed credited local police for helping to stop the incidents.[53][57] In June 2023, the couple appeared at Pride events throughout the U.S.[58] She later told Out: “Everywhere I travel, I see a queer community that is supporting one another through the hardships we are facing... We are facing an unprecedented level of attacks by the far right; however, broadly, this hate is being rejected."[14]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "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. 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. ^ Hanna Schoenbaum; Any Beth Hanson (November 5, 2024). "Silenced transgender state lawmaker Zooey Zephyr wins reelection in Montana". AP News. Retrieved 2024-11-06.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ a b c d "Zooey Zephyr". Run for Something. Archived from the original on 22 April 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  8. ^ a b c d Yurcaba, Jo (September 3, 2023). "How Zooey Zephyr, Montana's first trans legislator, became a national celebrity". NBC News. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ a b 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.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ "Zooey Zephyr Touts Reelection Bid as Montana Bans Med Care for Trans Youth".
  14. ^ a b c Broverman, Neal. "Zoey Zephyr". Out. Archived from the original on October 20, 2023. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  15. ^ Treisman, Rachel (4 December 2024). "Montana lawmakers cross the aisle to block a trans bathroom ban in the state capitol". NPR. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
  16. ^ Fortin, Jacey (3 December 2024). "Montana Lawmakers Reject Bid to Restrict Bathroom Use for Trans Legislators". The New York Times. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
  17. ^ Owen, Greg (28 February 2023). "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.
  18. ^ 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.
  19. ^ 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.
  20. ^ "Transgender lawmaker censured by Montana House Republicans". ABC News. 26 April 2023. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  21. ^ Silvers, Mara (19 April 2023). "Ban of medical care for transgender minors clears legislative hurdle". Montana Free Press. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  22. ^ 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.
  23. ^ 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.
  24. ^ Hanson, Amy Beth (19 April 2023). "Montana Republicans want censure while misgendering lawmaker". Associated Press News. Archived from the original on 19 April 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  25. ^ 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.
  26. ^ "'Let her speak!': protests after Montana Republicans silence trans lawmaker". The Guardian. Associated Press. 25 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  27. ^ 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)
  28. ^ "Seven arrested in Montana after protesting silencing of trans lawmaker". Washington Post. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  29. ^ a b c Fortin, Jacey (May 1, 2023). "Transgender Lawmaker Sues Over Removal From Montana House Floor". New York Times. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  30. ^ 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.
  31. ^ "Montana House votes to bar transgender Representative from House floor". KXLH News Helena. 26 April 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  32. ^ Robbins, Jim; Tumin, Remy; Fortin, Jacey (26 April 2023). "Montana House Votes to Discipline Transgender Lawmaker". The New York Times. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  33. ^ "Who is Zooey Zephyr, the trans lawmaker banned from her own House in Montana?". Washington Post. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  34. ^ 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)
  35. ^ Trans Montana Lawmaker’s Girlfriend Narrowly Avoids ‘Swatting’ Incident, by A. J. McDougall; at The Daily Beast; published May 2, 2023; updated May 3, 2023; retrieved May 6, 2023
  36. ^ Girten, Nicole (May 1, 2023). "ACLU of Montana files lawsuit challenging Zephyr censure; Zephyr speaks in committee". Daily Montanan.
  37. ^ Russell, John (May 2, 2023). "Are these women forcing Zooey Zephyr to stand instead of sit while in exile from the house floor?". LGBTQ Nation.
  38. ^ Balevic, Katie (May 3, 2023). "A photo of women snickering at trans lawmaker Zooey Zephyr in Montana looks a lot like the photos of white people snickering at Black people in the 1950s". Business Insider.
  39. ^ Girten, Nicole; May 2, Daily Montanan (2 May 2023). "'Blue Bench Brigade' protects bench where Zephyr has worked since censure". Daily Montanan. Retrieved 6 May 2023.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  40. ^ @ZoAndBehold (May 3, 2023). "Late last night, the House adjourned Sine Die—meaning the 68th legislative session has come to a close" (Tweet). Retrieved 6 May 2023 – via Twitter.
  41. ^ Pyburn, Evelyn (May 5, 2022). "ACLU Helps Defend Protesters". Yellowstone County News. pp. 15–16.
  42. ^ a b c d "Judge rejects Zooey Zephyr bid to return to Montana House floor". AP NEWS. 2023-05-02. Retrieved 2023-05-03.
  43. ^ a b c Arren Kimbel-Sannit, Zephyr, constituents, challenge House disciplinary action in court, Montana Free Press (May 1, 2023).
  44. ^ Complaint, Zephyr v. State, Montana First Judicial District Court.
  45. ^ a b Jennifer Calfas, Judge Rejects Montana Transgender Lawmaker's Bid to Return to House Floor, Wall Street Journal (May 2, 2023).
  46. ^ Solcyre Burga, Why Rep. Zooey Zephyr's Free Speech Lawsuit is Unprecedented, Time (May 2, 2023).
  47. ^ "Mike Menahan". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  48. ^ "2022 Legislative Primary Election Canvas". Montana Secretary of State. Archived from the original on 27 June 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  49. ^ "2022 Legislative General Election Canvas". Montana Secretary of State. Archived from the original on 3 September 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  50. ^ "Montana Secretary of State". 2024-11-08. Archived from the original on 2024-11-08.
  51. ^ McLaughlin, Kathleen (October 31, 2023). "She was censored over trans rights. But lawmaker Zooey Zephyr won't be silenced". The Guardian. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  52. ^ 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.
  53. ^ a b Wiggins, Christopher (May 2, 2023). "Montana Transgender Rep. Zooey Zephyr's Girlfriend Foils SWATting Attempt". The Advocate. Archived from the original on 3 May 2023. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  54. ^ Wiggins, Christoper (May 6, 2023). "Zooey Zephyr, Transgender Montana Lawmaker, Is Engaged to Her Girlfriend". The Advocate. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  55. ^ Oliver, David (December 12, 2024). "Zooey Zephyr on trans rights and the fight to use the bathroom". USA Today. Retrieved 15 December 2024.
  56. ^ Reed, Erin (2024-12-17). "Our Wedding, From The Woman Who Loves Zooey Zephyr". www.erininthemorning.com. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
  57. ^ Woodward, Alex (3 May 2023). "Zooey Zephyr and girlfriend avert swatting attempts: 'We will not be deterred'". The Independent. Archived from the original on 3 May 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  58. ^ "Power couple Zooey Zephyr and Erin Reed are spreading hope to fellow trans people". NBC News. Associated Press. June 27, 2023. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
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