Montana State Representative Zooey Zephyr, the state's first transgender lawmaker, was barred by the Republican-controlled House from participating on the House floor for the remainder of the 2023 session. Zephyr called the decision "a disturbing affront to democracy" and vowed to stay committed to serving her community.

Zephyr has spent much of her adult life working as a community advocate. She has worked to help integrate diversity, equity and inclusion. She has worked with the city of Missoula to draft human rights legislation tailored towards making justice more accessible to people who have experienced discrimination.

​Zooey is fighting for human rights — from voting rights to trans rights to working towards dismantling the cruelties of the prison-industrial complex. She is also working to address climate change, health care, housing inequality and infrastructure.