House Bill 446 in Montana establishes two indecent exposure laws: one for the general public that requires intent, and another for trans people that does not.
Oh my god, good citizens! See this for what it is! Transgender folks are being targeted because they are the easiest prey. Next up is gay folks, black and brown folks, then so called “socialist democrats” then whoever resists the dismantling of civil rights in general! Can you not see this? As goes one minority group, so goes all others. Hitler was first, then Stalin, Putin and Orban, now TRUMP and MAGA. They will fuck you over. This is an assault on every American soldier who has ever died in the name of freedom!!! DO NOT LET THIS PASS!
I think you should send this to every single Republican house senator in Montana. It made me cry. Even if you don’t live there. Send it. Let them know we are all watching.
That politicians prioritize anti-trans legislation says a lot about what they care about. They care about vilifying a vulnerable minority so that they can energize their base and maintain power and money. How is this any different from when black people were banned from using white facilities. It was hate then and is hate now and just how we find those who were racist reprehensible, that how these anti-science, dehumanizing politicians will be viewed in the future.
Absolutely, it is targeting a minority, racism, sexism, etc and a desire to pander to a base that wants a white, "christian", patriarchal society fearful of losing privilege, power and moneyed is able to cower most of majority which fears retribution & remains mostly silent. It is little different than most authoritarian's playbook & certainly frightening the parallels with 1930s Germany where the queer population & Jews were targeted first. "Deutchland Uber Alles" {Germany over all} seems quite similar to "America First".
They are not morons. Or ass holes. Or anything else in that vein. They are bigots. Bigots motivated by hate are NOT MINDLESS. They are purposeful and know exactly what they are doing.
I am so, completely exhausted by the hate being thrown at my Trans friends and society. My heart breaks. Your coverage of these issues helps me defend your rights in the midst of fear mongering. That's not your job, but I thank you for giving me the knowledge and ammunition. I will keep fighting for the day when you can simply be "the loving wife".
Ms. Zephyr said it all. This is just unacceptable garbage discrimination in 2025. DJT may have won the election, but I exist too, I overrule him. And it's not just because I'm a trans lover, no, it's because I believe in egalitarian ideals, I'm "woke" and not accepting that trans people get marginalized in the 21st century in the "greatest country in the world". End of story.
i wish the defense didn't involve having had surgery, as that's not an option for some or a desire for others. i understand where she's coming from when she says that and i hope it's a persuasive argument but i also don't want there to be a division of trans people based on surgeries.
I completely understand and agree. However, the fact that she's had surgery and STILL faces persecution under this bill/law speaks unambiguously to its discriminatory/persecutory intent. I think that's the point.
Our adversaries are not interested in carving out exceptions for those of us who have had surgery, so they will never write bills that create these carve-outs. They want us all eliminated.
We need to make certain our allies understand that we all stand together, and that a carve-out for those of us who have had surgery does not make a discriminatory bill acceptable. As a medically transitioned trans woman, I stand with you. I also stand with the entire LGBTQIA2S+++, just like our gay and lesbian friends have stood for us. We will fight these laws together, shoulder-to-shoulder. It's the only way.
"Our adversaries are not interested in carving out exceptions for those of us who have had surgery, so they will never write bills that create these carve-outs. They want us all eliminated."
That, and, I think they won't do it because it draws attention to the nuance. They can't go around yelling about penises in "women's spaces" if they allow any attention to be drawn to the fact that some of us have had bottom surgery and no longer have one.
Exactly. Only our allies might attempt to introduce such a carve-out, and those of us who have had bottom surgery must prepare to insist that we don't want the carve-out. We all have to stand united on this issue.
I will add that if they want to make surgery a carve-out, this "not an option for some" issue can be raised in defense. I think we could demand that if surgery is the key to compliance with the law, then the government should pay for all our surgeries. That would end that line of discussion FAST.
The most horrifying thing to me is the absolutely deafening silence from cis Americans, my friends and my family. My brain literally can’t process this anymore. It’s heartbreaking.
This makes me so sad. I am cis and my adult daughter is trans and I have made sure all of my friends and family know what is happening to trans people, whether they want to hear it or not. They are generally supportive, and a few of them get it, but it feels like some of them don't really get it. They don't think about it all the time like I do. They don't wonder if they will need to leave their home or country to be safe, if that is even possible. They ask how we are doing and when my answer is not "fine," they wonder why, and each time I have to remind them about the appalling things being done to trans people and the things I am thinking about and fearing. I will never feel "fine" until trans people are safe. I am proud that one of my cis friends, who is generally pretty quiet, spoke up when one of her other friends made uninformed comments about trans people. She gets it.
I'm pretty vocal with my friends and family what this guy and his party mean for me. I told them in no uncertain terms that if he were to win the presidency, I would have to go into exile. And I'm pretty certain most of them voted for him anyway - because "tradition" - because they are outraged over the price of a stupid egg.
It is. That's the point. They 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 their nakedly discriminatory legislation to be challenged, because they're confident that at least one of those challenges will lead to a Supreme Court ruling against us.
Honestly, I would rather have this heard by the Supreme Court now, rather than later. Our chances of prevailing will only get worse over time. At least at this time, we're pretending to be a Constitutional democracy, and we have "only" a 6-conservative supermajority. It will get uglier later. Let's hear it now and hope for the best!
Given their other rulings, the Montana Supreme Court will strike this down so fast it will make their heads spin. But that doesn't stop them from wasting time and tax payer dollars to put on the performance of passing the law.
But, if they success in passing the law, it will likely be copied by the other states in the cabal which don't have a responsible supreme court like Montana.
It is unconstitutional. That doesn’t matter to them. Any court that finds this unconstitutional can be pilloried in the press. It is the shiny object that blinds people to what is going on. Zoey is a hero.
There seems to be no bottom to the bigotry that Republicans have in harming trans folks. And it is tragic that the weight of the hate in the Montana legislature must fall on the shoulders of one brave woman. Nationally, the most troubling to me is the decision in Iowa to remove protections for our community that have stood for 18 years. Where there every any issues while that law stood? No. This is the first time since 1870 that any state has removed rights from one group of people. There needs to be a movement to boycott Iowa for this heinous action. The National Senior Games is coming to Iowa this summer. I have participated in the Senior Games for almost a decade and I was an ambassador for the organization several years ago. The games brings thousands of people to the host city and lots of money. It should not happen in a state that is unsafe for LGBTQ+ athletes -- and everyone. Most of the women that I know that have been targeted are cis-women who just happen to be good in sports, or strong, or don't fit into the narrow standards that we are burdened with. Talk this idea of a boycott up. There has to be consequences for this kind of bigotry.
Thank you Zooey for having the strength to keep standing up. Thank you Erin for keeping us aware of shit being pulled at state levels.
I feel weird about "hearting" this article, but I do it for the algorithm and because I appreciate Erin for writing this and Zooey for being a badass.
Me too.
Oh my god, good citizens! See this for what it is! Transgender folks are being targeted because they are the easiest prey. Next up is gay folks, black and brown folks, then so called “socialist democrats” then whoever resists the dismantling of civil rights in general! Can you not see this? As goes one minority group, so goes all others. Hitler was first, then Stalin, Putin and Orban, now TRUMP and MAGA. They will fuck you over. This is an assault on every American soldier who has ever died in the name of freedom!!! DO NOT LET THIS PASS!
I think you should send this to every single Republican house senator in Montana. It made me cry. Even if you don’t live there. Send it. Let them know we are all watching.
That politicians prioritize anti-trans legislation says a lot about what they care about. They care about vilifying a vulnerable minority so that they can energize their base and maintain power and money. How is this any different from when black people were banned from using white facilities. It was hate then and is hate now and just how we find those who were racist reprehensible, that how these anti-science, dehumanizing politicians will be viewed in the future.
Exactly.
It's not really about the bathrooms. It was never about the water fountains either.
Absolutely, it is targeting a minority, racism, sexism, etc and a desire to pander to a base that wants a white, "christian", patriarchal society fearful of losing privilege, power and moneyed is able to cower most of majority which fears retribution & remains mostly silent. It is little different than most authoritarian's playbook & certainly frightening the parallels with 1930s Germany where the queer population & Jews were targeted first. "Deutchland Uber Alles" {Germany over all} seems quite similar to "America First".
This law makes me sick. But I am so impressed with Zooey. She is the woman we need. I send her all my strength to keep fighting.
mindless morons. have they nothing better to do with their time?
They are not morons. Or ass holes. Or anything else in that vein. They are bigots. Bigots motivated by hate are NOT MINDLESS. They are purposeful and know exactly what they are doing.
I am so, completely exhausted by the hate being thrown at my Trans friends and society. My heart breaks. Your coverage of these issues helps me defend your rights in the midst of fear mongering. That's not your job, but I thank you for giving me the knowledge and ammunition. I will keep fighting for the day when you can simply be "the loving wife".
Ms. Zephyr said it all. This is just unacceptable garbage discrimination in 2025. DJT may have won the election, but I exist too, I overrule him. And it's not just because I'm a trans lover, no, it's because I believe in egalitarian ideals, I'm "woke" and not accepting that trans people get marginalized in the 21st century in the "greatest country in the world". End of story.
Thank you for your support!
I'm so sorry
i wish the defense didn't involve having had surgery, as that's not an option for some or a desire for others. i understand where she's coming from when she says that and i hope it's a persuasive argument but i also don't want there to be a division of trans people based on surgeries.
I completely understand and agree. However, the fact that she's had surgery and STILL faces persecution under this bill/law speaks unambiguously to its discriminatory/persecutory intent. I think that's the point.
Our adversaries are not interested in carving out exceptions for those of us who have had surgery, so they will never write bills that create these carve-outs. They want us all eliminated.
We need to make certain our allies understand that we all stand together, and that a carve-out for those of us who have had surgery does not make a discriminatory bill acceptable. As a medically transitioned trans woman, I stand with you. I also stand with the entire LGBTQIA2S+++, just like our gay and lesbian friends have stood for us. We will fight these laws together, shoulder-to-shoulder. It's the only way.
"Our adversaries are not interested in carving out exceptions for those of us who have had surgery, so they will never write bills that create these carve-outs. They want us all eliminated."
That, and, I think they won't do it because it draws attention to the nuance. They can't go around yelling about penises in "women's spaces" if they allow any attention to be drawn to the fact that some of us have had bottom surgery and no longer have one.
Exactly. Only our allies might attempt to introduce such a carve-out, and those of us who have had bottom surgery must prepare to insist that we don't want the carve-out. We all have to stand united on this issue.
I will add that if they want to make surgery a carve-out, this "not an option for some" issue can be raised in defense. I think we could demand that if surgery is the key to compliance with the law, then the government should pay for all our surgeries. That would end that line of discussion FAST.
How is this not BLATANTLY unconstitutional?
The most horrifying thing to me is the absolutely deafening silence from cis Americans, my friends and my family. My brain literally can’t process this anymore. It’s heartbreaking.
This makes me so sad. I am cis and my adult daughter is trans and I have made sure all of my friends and family know what is happening to trans people, whether they want to hear it or not. They are generally supportive, and a few of them get it, but it feels like some of them don't really get it. They don't think about it all the time like I do. They don't wonder if they will need to leave their home or country to be safe, if that is even possible. They ask how we are doing and when my answer is not "fine," they wonder why, and each time I have to remind them about the appalling things being done to trans people and the things I am thinking about and fearing. I will never feel "fine" until trans people are safe. I am proud that one of my cis friends, who is generally pretty quiet, spoke up when one of her other friends made uninformed comments about trans people. She gets it.
I'm pretty vocal with my friends and family what this guy and his party mean for me. I told them in no uncertain terms that if he were to win the presidency, I would have to go into exile. And I'm pretty certain most of them voted for him anyway - because "tradition" - because they are outraged over the price of a stupid egg.
There are some people standing up but far too few.
It is. That's the point. They 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 their nakedly discriminatory legislation to be challenged, because they're confident that at least one of those challenges will lead to a Supreme Court ruling against us.
Honestly, I would rather have this heard by the Supreme Court now, rather than later. Our chances of prevailing will only get worse over time. At least at this time, we're pretending to be a Constitutional democracy, and we have "only" a 6-conservative supermajority. It will get uglier later. Let's hear it now and hope for the best!
Given their other rulings, the Montana Supreme Court will strike this down so fast it will make their heads spin. But that doesn't stop them from wasting time and tax payer dollars to put on the performance of passing the law.
But, if they success in passing the law, it will likely be copied by the other states in the cabal which don't have a responsible supreme court like Montana.
It is unconstitutional. That doesn’t matter to them. Any court that finds this unconstitutional can be pilloried in the press. It is the shiny object that blinds people to what is going on. Zoey is a hero.
Thank you so much to Zooey and Erin. They are fighting for our lives, the conclusion is not forgone, together through collective action we survive.
Thank you Zoey for sticking up for mine and our trans nonconforming families right to exist! These are such scary times.
Thank you Erin for keeping us all up to date! Sending care!
And thus, 𝘴𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘵 "𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘭" rears its ugly head once more.
There seems to be no bottom to the bigotry that Republicans have in harming trans folks. And it is tragic that the weight of the hate in the Montana legislature must fall on the shoulders of one brave woman. Nationally, the most troubling to me is the decision in Iowa to remove protections for our community that have stood for 18 years. Where there every any issues while that law stood? No. This is the first time since 1870 that any state has removed rights from one group of people. There needs to be a movement to boycott Iowa for this heinous action. The National Senior Games is coming to Iowa this summer. I have participated in the Senior Games for almost a decade and I was an ambassador for the organization several years ago. The games brings thousands of people to the host city and lots of money. It should not happen in a state that is unsafe for LGBTQ+ athletes -- and everyone. Most of the women that I know that have been targeted are cis-women who just happen to be good in sports, or strong, or don't fit into the narrow standards that we are burdened with. Talk this idea of a boycott up. There has to be consequences for this kind of bigotry.
Hideous legislators have no regard for reason or humanity. Despicable Nazis