A Montana judge ruled that Zooey Zephyr can't return to the House Floor, and LGBT protesters were booted from the Texas Capitol.

Judge Rules Trans Legislator Can’t Return to House Floor

According to AP News, District Court Judge Mike Menahan ruled on May 2 that Rep. Zooey Zephyr was not permitted to return to the Montana House floor. The trans legislator was censured after telling her colleagues they would have blood on their hands if they voted in favor of a bill restricting gender-affirming care for minors. Menahan stated that it was outside of his scope to allow Zephyr to return to the floor.

“Plaintiffs’ requested relief would require this Court to interfere with legislative authority in a manner that exceeds this Court’s authority,” Menahan wrote.

Zephyr responded to his decision.

“It’s a really sad day for the country when the majority party can silence representation from the minority party whenever they take issue,” Zephyr told AP News.  

LGBT Protesters Booted From State Capitol

Landon Richie, one of the protesters removed from the Texas Capitol. Photo via Instagram.

According to The Texas Tribune, protesters advocating for trans rights at the Texas Capitol were removed by police on May 2.  Texas Speaker Dade Phelan cleared the gallery. State police handcuffed two people.

“Rules matter in the TX House,” said Phelan in a tweet. “Today’s outbursts in the gallery were a breach of decorum and continued after I warned that such behaviors would not be tolerated. There will always be differing perspectives, but in our chamber, we will debate those differences with respect.”

Landon Richie, a transgender man and policy associate with the Transgender Education Network of Texas, disagrees with the move.

“It’s a real act of cowardice,” Richie said. “They don’t want to face accountability for their actions. They don’t want to face the people that this legislation is going to harm.”