Missoula, MT – A proposed amendment in Montana to prohibit a transgender lawmaker from using the women’s bathroom in the state Capitol building was defeated on Tuesday. The amendment, introduced by Republican Rep. Jerry Schillinger of Circle, sought to require legislators to use restrooms corresponding to their biological sex at birth. Although the amendment garnered enough votes to pass in the state Senate, it failed to secure a majority in the House of Representatives, effectively halting its progress.
Rep. Zooey Zephyr, D-Missoula, Montana’s first openly transgender female lawmaker, expressed her appreciation for the bipartisan support she received in opposition to the proposal. On social media, Zephyr thanked her colleagues, particularly those from the Republican Party, who recognized the amendment as a distraction from the legislative work they were elected to perform.
“This was about focusing on the issues that matter to the people of Montana,” Zephyr wrote, emphasizing that the defeat of the proposal allowed the legislature to stay focused on its core responsibilities.
Rep. David Bedey, R-Hamilton, one of only four Republicans to vote against the proposal, also criticized the amendment, suggesting it would do little to advance the work of the legislature. “This particular action will have the effect of making people famous in the national news and will not contribute to the effective conduct of our business,” Bedey said.
The debate over restroom access for transgender individuals has become a focal point in national politics. This latest development in Montana follows a similar proposal in Washington, D.C., where a Republican representative from South Carolina introduced a ban on Capitol Hill bathrooms ahead of the first openly transgender member of Congress, Rep. Sarah McBride of Delaware, who will take office next year.
Despite the setback, advocates for transgender rights hailed the rejection of the amendment as a victory for inclusion and equality. As the conversation around transgender rights continues to evolve, lawmakers in Montana and across the country will likely face further debates on policies affecting the transgender community.
