Zooey Zephyr, the first openly transgender person to be elected to the Montana legislature, has emerged as a vocal and fearless advocate for LGBTQ+ rights in the face of Republican opposition and censorship.
Zephyr, who represents House District 50 in Billings, was silenced by Republican lawmakers after she spoke against a bill that would ban gender-affirming care for transgender youth in Montana. The bill, which was signed into law by Governor Greg Gianforte in May, is one of the several anti-transgender measures passed by conservative states this year.
Discussing the role of representation, Zephyr underlined the impact of personal connections to the LGBTQ+ community.
“We know the difference that knowing someone who’s LGBTQ makes. Recent polls show around 30 percent of Americans know someone who’s transgender. And those with a much higher understanding, empathy, and support for the rights of trans Americans,” she explained.
On a more personal note, Zephyr eagerly anticipated experiencing the first year of school with her soon-to-be stepson and shared her excitement about hobbies she enjoys with her fiancée, journalist and activist Erin Reed.
“I am bingeing the entirety of [web series] Critical Role.… And then, on the flip side, I am a huge fan of One Piece, and she is bingeing all of One Piece. So both of our insurmountable hobbies are being conquered,” she added.
Zephyr was one of the featured speakers at the convention, where she met with President Kamala Harris and other LGBTQ+ leaders from across the country. She discussed her plans to increase Democratic representation in Montana and protect democratic values.
In April, Montana Republicans barred her from speaking on the floor of the legislature because they were offended that she said their opposition to gender-affirming care amounted to having “blood on [their] hands.” Later, a judge refused her reentry for the remainder of the legislative session. But Zephyr remains committed to her advocacy and legislative work.
In a post-convention interview with The Advocate, Zephyr opened up about her plans and the importance of representation.
“When I ran for office, I talked to Sen. Bryce Bennett, and what I said was, is this room — is the legislature — a room my voice can do good in? And he said, ’Not only can you do good, it’s the place your voice is most needed right now,” she shared. Bennett, who is now out of office, was the first out gay man in the Montana legislature.
Zephyr aims to bolster Democratic representation in Montana.
“We saw what happens when the Republicans had a supermajority. They attempted to attack marginalized communities, and they attempted to overturn the judicial branch and consolidate power,” she said. “In 2022, Democrats didn’t run in nearly 40 districts,” she pointed out, emphasizing her commitment to helping prospective candidates run effective campaigns.
Zephyr’s courage and resilience have earned her praise and admiration from many, including President Harris, who called her “a trailblazer, a fighter, a leader, and an inspiration to so many people across this country.”
However, Zephyr also faces challenges and threats from those who oppose her identity and her agenda. She said she has received hate mail, death threats, and harassment from some of her constituents and colleagues.
She also faces legal battles, as she is one of the plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union against Montana’s ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth. The lawsuit argues that the law is unconstitutional, discriminatory, and harmful to the health and well-being of transgender people.
Zephyr said she is hopeful that the lawsuit will succeed and that the law will be overturned. She also said she is optimistic that the LGBTQ+ movement will continue to grow and gain support from allies.
She said she hopes her story will inspire other transgender people to run for office and make their voices heard.
“I want to show them that they are not alone, that they are not invisible, that they are not less than. I want to show them that they can be anything they want to be,” she said.
Relevant articles:
- Transgender Montana Legislator Zooey Zephyr Unsilenced and Unyielding at Equality Convention, The Advocate, October 17, 2023
- Jerry Summers: Montana’s One – Tennessee’s Three, The Chattanoogan, October 9, 2023
- Transgender Residents in North Carolina, Montana File Lawsuits Challenging New State Restrictions, NowThis News, October 12, 2023
- 1st trans Montana legislator celebrates win with heartwarming story, ABC News, November 23, 2022