HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana Republicans continued to forbid a transgender lawmaker from speaking in the statehouse on Monday and are expected to maintain their position throughout the week. Their standoff with Rep. Zooey Zephyr over her remarks last week are the latest high-profile example of statehouse leaders deciding who can be heard during legislative debates. House Speaker Matt Regier said last week he won’t let Zephyr speak until she apologizes for saying lawmakers would have “blood on their hands” if they passed a ban on gender-affirming care. Zephyr says she won’t apologize. The dispute illustrates the tensions around culturally divisive issues including firearms, racial justice and rights for the LGBTQ+ community. The issues are dominating America’s political discourse.
