At Liberty Podcast
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At Liberty Podcast

These Queer Lawmakers Will Not Be Silenced

June 15, 2023

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This year has brought a new level of anti-democratic behavior, particularly in state houses and legislatures. In March, Rep. Mauree Turner from Oklahoma was censured for offering a protester the use of an office in the aftermath of an arrest. In April, two Tennessee state representatives, Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, were ousted for speaking up for their constituents protesting against gun violence. And then in May, Rep. Zooey Zephyr was censured for her vocal opposition to a bill banning gender-affirming care for minors.

The retaliation experienced by these elected officials hints at the growing vulnerability of the right to express dissent in politics and government, a worrying trend. The rise in bans attacking the LGBTQ community is being met with protest, the foundational American mechanism we have for showing disapproval and standing up for our values in our representative democracy. When that right to dissent is threatened, we all are threatened, and the LGBTQ community is put even further at risk. Joining us today to talk about this silencing effect are Rep. Zooey Zephyr from Montana and Rep. Mauree Turner from Oklahoma.

In this episode

Kendall Ciesemier

Former Host of At Liberty and Senior Executive Producer of Multimedia
Kendall Ciesemier
Kendall Ciesemier

Zooey Zephyr

Montana State Representative HD100
Headshot of Montana State Representative Zooey Zephyr smiling closed-mouth. She is wearing rainbow feather earrings.
Zooey Zephyr

Mauree Turner

Oklahoma State Representative HD88
Headshot of Oklahoma State Representative Mauree Turner with a neutral expression. They are wearing a scarf on their head, a black blazer, and a white button-down shirt.
Mauree Turner

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