The coexistence between progress and regression, between 21st century ways and 19th century ways, is taking the polarization of the United States to an unknown dimension.
The last episode of this difficult coexistence between two practically incompatible worlds takes place these days in Montana. There, the 68 Republicans who dominate the House of Representatives against the 32 Democrats approved an unusual measure on Wednesday to block transgender congresswoman Zooey Zephyr, obviously from Joe Biden's party. As of yesterday Thursday and until the session ends on May 5, the parliamentarian cannot participate in the deliberations of the Chamber, nor can she be physically present at her headquarters; she only vote remotely. The reason is the bitter criticism that Zephyr made a few days ago against the approval of an anti-trans regulation.
Montana's first transgender representative launched her attack during the debate on the law that, pending only the signature of the governor Greg Gianforte (Republican), will ban hormone treatments and surgical care throughout the state – what is often called change of sex–, for minors.
“I hope the next time you bow your head in prayer you see the blood on your hands,” Zephyr said, addressing House Republicans preparing to vote for the new rule. His allusion to blood was in reference—as was made clear in the context of the discussion and she would later confirm—to the high risk of suicide among transgender youth and adults in Montana and across the country.
According to surveys by the National Center for Biotechnology Information and the Trevor Project – a crisis prevention and assistance line for LGTBI youth – 42% of all trans adolescents in the US and 50.8% of those who have transitioned from female to male report having ever attempted suicide, the rate of attempts among non-trans youth is 14% (17.6% in girls and 9.9% in boys).
Zephyr released his damning sentence on April 18. Conservative lawmakers accused her of using "hateful rhetoric," and House Speaker Matt Regier announced that she would not allow him to speak again until she apologized. She replied that she didn't have to. Last Monday, defenders of LGTBI rights protested on the steps of the state Capitol and ended up entering the chamber shouting "Let her speak!". Regier ordered the eviction of the Chamber. The police entered with batons and arrested seven people. The following day the session was suspended, and on Wednesday the Republicans approved the blockade of the deputy.
It was a shot in the foot of the conservative majority. Far from being muffled, Zephyr's voice took on a volume and an echo that, without the ban on him speaking, he would not have had. She underlined it herself: “Now there are a lot more eyes on Montana,” she said.
The conflict sparked reactions in many other of the 14 states that, according to the American Civil Liberties Union, have passed a total of 29 bans on gender transition treatments and operations.
“The attack on Representative Zephyr in Montana is an attack on all of us,” said Nebraska Sen. Megan Hunt, a Democrat. Her state is among those who have most recently joined the anti-trans legislative wave, although the debate continues there.
The Zephyr case was associated with the recent expulsion from the Tennessee House of Representatives, earlier this month and also by the Republicans, of two Democratic representatives who had participated in a protest to demand gun control. Both were replaced by the bodies in charge of replacing them, but the scandal still resonates. One of those expelled, Justin Pearson, alluded to the “undemocratic” ban on Zephyr on Wednesday, tweeting: “We will not let our democracy die without a fight for every voice. We are in this fight from Memphis to Montana!”
