Montana’s Republican-controlled House has taken a significant step by endorsing a bill that bans transgender individuals from using public restrooms that do not correspond with their sex assigned at birth. This move is set to impact the daily lives of lawmakers and constituents alike.
This endorsement follows a prior rejection by Montana lawmakers of a narrower rule, which aimed to restrict transgender Representative Zooey Zephyr from accessing women’s restrooms in the state Capitol following her return from a legislative exile.
Zephyr, alongside nonbinary Representative SJ Howell, urged their Republican colleagues to discard the proposed bill, arguing against the unfounded labeling of transgender individuals as a threat to women.
Currently, a dozen other states have implemented similar bathroom bans, primarily in school settings. Additional measures have been enacted in many states, including Montana, to prohibit gender-affirming health care for transgender youth and restrict trans girls from competing in girls’ sports.
“Trans individuals in Montana already navigate daily life with significant fear,” said Zephyr. “It is essential to allow trans individuals to live authentically and without harassment.”
Republican Representative Kerri Seekins-Crowe, who sponsors the bill, emphasized that the legislation is not exclusionary, but rather intended to maintain safe and private spaces for women.
“Women should not have to sacrifice their privacy or safety due to cultural changes,” she stated.
The bill passed through the House with a 58-42 vote, strictly along party lines, despite strong opposition from Democratic members. It is set for a final vote before progressing to the GOP-controlled state Senate.
If enacted, the bill would prohibit transgender individuals from using restrooms, changing rooms, and sleeping facilities that align with their gender identity in public buildings, including schools, prisons, and domestic violence shelters.
Additionally, individuals would have the right to sue facilities that do not enforce this ban, although they can only claim nominal damages, typically around $1. However, the court could also mandate the entity to cover the plaintiff’s legal fees.
