Montana lawmakers make unexpected choice about Capitol bathroom rules
Montana legislative committee made a key decision about bathroom access in state Capitol building. Several Republican lawmakers joined Democrats to block new restrictions aimed at transgender representative
In a recent legislative meeting Montana lawmakers blocked new bathroom-use limits that targeted Zooey Zephyr‚ the states first transgender representative. The Joint Rules Committee saw four GOP members side with Democrats rejecting the proposal which wouldʼve set chromosome-based rules for restroom access
Im happy to see that this proposed ban failed and am grateful for my colleagues - particularly my republican colleagues - who recognized this as a distraction from the work we were elected to do
The failed measure brought-up by Jerry Schillinger wanted to make rules about who can use which bathroom based on peoples:
- Chromosomes
- Reproductive system
- Endocrine features
This local debate mirrors whats happening in Washington DC where theres talk about similar rules affecting Sarah McBride‚ Delawareʼs incoming trans representative. Mike Johnson‚ the House Speaker stated bathrooms should be for “individuals of that biological sex“
The vote shows a shift from last year when Montana Republicans stopped Zephyr from joining floor talks after she spoke against limiting young peoples healthcare choices; her comments were seen as breaking meeting rules. Zephyr‚ who won her seat about two years ago continues working despite these past issues
