Montana House Democrats Pick Nonbinary Leader

Montana House Democrats have elected a transgender and nonbinary state representative as their minority leader and a prominent transgender rights advocate to another leadership position.

State Rep. SJ Howell of Missoula is the first openly transgender or nonbinary lawmaker in the United States to lead a legislative party caucus, state Rep. Zooey Zephyr, also of Missoula, posted on social media Wednesday.

"We have an incredible leadership team, and are ready to get to work for Montana!" Zephyr posted on Bluesky.

Zephyr was also elected one of three House minority whips.

Howell was a lobbyist and advocate for women's rights and LGBTQ rights before being elected in 2022 as Montana's first nonbinary legislator. Zephyr, a university program manager, was elected that year as Montana's first openly transgender lawmaker.

Zephyr gained attention in 2023 when other lawmakers barred her from the House floor after she refused to apologize for telling colleagues who supported a ban on gender-transition treatments for youths that they would have "blood" on their hands.

Republicans hold large majorities in both chambers of the Legislature and control all six statewide elected offices.

House Republicans elected Katie Zolnikov of Billings as House speaker, Mike Vinton of Billings as speaker pro tempore, and Tom Millett of Marion as majority leader.

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