Montana lawmakers on Dec. 3 rejected a proposal to reserve two legislative restrooms, one exclusively for males and one exclusively for females, as defined by the users’ chromosomes, reproductive systems, and endocrine systems.
Four Republicans joined Democrats on the Montana Legislature’s Joint Rules Committee in voting down the proposal.
An individual who would otherwise fall within this definition, but for a biological or genetic condition, would also be classed as female, according to the measure.
Male restrooms could be used exclusively by “a member of the human species who, under normal development, has XY chromosomes and produces or would produce small, mobile gametes, or sperm, during his life cycle and has a reproductive and endocrine system oriented around the production of those gametes,” according to the measure. An individual who would otherwise fall within this definition, but for a biological or genetic condition, would be classed as male.
Under the measure, Democratic state Rep. Zooey Zephyr, who identifies as transgender, would have been prevented from using the women’s restroom. Zephyr was not mentioned in the proposed measure.
Zephyr was reelected to a second term in the state House just over a month ago.
The lawmaker declined to apologize for the comments and was censured before being removed days later, following a protest in the House gallery by the lawmaker’s supporters.
Zephyr’s censure technically ended when the 2023 legislative session adjourned. However, since the Legislature operates on a biennial schedule and did not meet in 2024, the lawmaker is expected to return to the House floor in 2025.
Lawmakers are yet to vote on that bill.
“It is important to note that each Member office has its own private restroom, and unisex restrooms are available throughout the Capitol,” Johnson said. “Women deserve women’s only spaces.”
The Epoch Times contacted Schillinger’s office for comment but received no reply by publication time.
