In the college town of Missoula, pride flags are as common a sight as the peaks of Montana’s Rattlesnake Mountains. The college town of Missoula — often described as a blue island in a vast red state — elected the state's first openly transgender legislator. Its voters, fully aware that they are vastly outnumbered by conservatives statewide, were still shocked at what happened next. Representative, Zooey Zephyr, was barred last week from speaking on the floor of the Montana by the Republican majority, which accused her of violating decorum by telling them they had “blood on your hands” for approving a bill barring gender-affirming care for minors. Later Wednesday, Republican leaders plan to vote on censuring or expelling Zephyr from the body.
