A transgender Democrat lawmaker has been banned from debate in the Montana state legislature after attacking Republicans over a bill that would ban child care for transgender minors to confirm their gender.
Zoe Zephyr, the state’s first openly transgender representative, told her colleagues, “If you vote yes on this bill, I hope the next time you turn to God and bow down and pray, you’ll see blood on your hands.” .
Republican lawmakers took issue with Zephyr’s words and called Zephyr a man, not a woman, in a statement on Twitter.
The Republican-dominated House, with 68 out of 100 seats, told Zephyr it would not allow him to speak until he apologized for his comments, in the recent debate over transgender rights that has divided society of America.
The bill, which eventually passed, would have banned minors in the state from taking drugs that block puberty hormones or undergoing sex-change surgeries.
Human rights advocates say they are effective treatments for people with gender dysphoria, while opponents say children are not ready enough to make life-changing decisions.
Transgender rights are at the forefront of controversial issues in the United States and sharply divide society.
According to ACLU data released this week by The Washington Post, 29 new laws have been passed since January restricting trans rights in 14 US states.
Source: AFP
Source: Arabic RT
