Montana Votes Down Proposed Bathroom Ban #

Montana lawmakers rejected a measure to ban the state’s first transgender legislator from using women’s restrooms at the State Capitol. The proposal was not passed, with opposition from all Democrats and some Republicans.

Democratic state Rep. Zooey Zephyr expressed her satisfaction, stating she was grateful the proposed ban failed and highlighted the importance of focusing on legislative duties instead of distractions.

The measure, if passed, would have required legislators to use restrooms corresponding to their birth-assigned sex. Though Zephyr was not named in the proposal, the measure was perceived as targeting her. A Republican legislator commented that the move was a distraction from effective governance, suggesting it would attract national attention without benefiting legislative work.

A similar bathroom ban proposal in the US Capitol targeted a newly elected transgender woman to Congress. The resolution, not yet voted on, indicated that all single-sex facilities were intended for individuals of corresponding biological sex.

One Montana Republican asserted that some female lawmakers were uncomfortable sharing bathrooms with transgender individuals, emphasizing the need for the issue to be addressed.

In 2023, Montana Republicans had banned Zephyr from the House chamber following her remarks about potential consequences of GOP-backed bills limiting transgender rights. Despite this, she was re-elected, affirming her ongoing presence in state politics.