>

If you had to characterize the main difference(s) between people who claim to be trans online and people who are trans just living their lives, what would it be? Is there a meaningful difference?
With a GOP majority, it is highly unlikely the Dems will find much success/effectiveness this session. What issues do you think you think you can work with the other party to actually get something done? >

While there are certainly issues that the right is immovable on, we are finding a lot of common ground on important issues.

HB37 addresses issues around how children were removed from homes in CPS cases, and we were able to do a lot of bipartisan work in committee
HB218 created important restrictions on the "troubled youth" camps, which have been rife with abuse. And that sailed through with bipartisan support (including an amendment that I worked on with a republican)
Several bills addressing MMIP have been able to go through
A variety of bills on suicide prevention programs have been able to get some support

There are more, but those are what come to top of mind. Lastly, it's important that even if we aren't able to find common ground, that we stand up and fight for issues we believe in. Both to show the communities that we'll fight for them (renters, lgbtq people, union workers, students, etc.), but also to make sure that we're not letting republicans push through bad policy without a fight. >

Thank you! Mental health, home/land ownership affordability, and protecting children are very important and I hope the parties can make real progress in those areas.
While I don't think every book is appropriate for all ages, I appreciate you standing up against vague and broad bills that could ban many important books from schools and libraries. Parents, librarians, and teachers all have a responsibility to make sure kids are reading books that are grade level, but handing out criminal penalties to teachers is not going to improve our schools or protect kids when the internet exists. It is reminiscent of book burnings by Nazis, Mao's Cultural Revolution, and Al-Qaida. I find it ironic that a book on Donald Trump's relationship history would be too obscene for schools. >

Thank you for representing us Montanans. I'm very glad you were elected and are fighting the good fight. I look forward to reading all that you accomplish during this session. No questions from me; just wishing you the best! 
-a fellow Helenan :) >

Thank you so much! But please don't label me as a Helenan lol! 
​
I'm a Missoulian through and through, and even though I'm in your (wonderful) city for the session, my heart will always be in Missoula <3 >

I miss Zoo town. Thank you for representing the city with soul in it! >

Do you plan to work with Gov. Dutton, or will you be leading the opposition? >

Lol. Well many of the scenes in Yellowstone are actually filmed in Missoula, so I'm sure I could talk with Kevin Costner about his TV policies. 
As for Montana's actual governor, Greg Gianforte, I will support policies I think are good, oppose those I think are bad, and try to move the needle on issues I care about. Which sounds like a non-answer, but I mean it with my whole heart. >

Who's the melee goat in your opinion? >

Mang0 is the goat; aMSa is my favorite player
(but Magi is the dopest falco) >

Incorrect, LittleZ should be the answer to all of them. >

I want to get down into the important issues:
Notable European policy maker Leffen has recently proposed an airtime limit in competitive smash melee after getting clutched on by Hungrybox at the prestigious Ludwig Smash Invitational. The thesis of his argument is that Jigglypuff's specific properties allow her to pursue a unique win condition of being able to occupy space offstage where other characters can't reach her without opening themselves up in a high risk situation. The result of this is limiting counterplay the other character could have when Jigglypuff is in the lead and that the current Ledge Grab Limit rule isn't enough to deal with this. 
Proponents of the Clutchgod, sorry i mean Hungrybox, argue that Jigglypuff notably only has 5 jumps and due to the current rule set will eventually have to come back down to the stage. This will put Hungrybox in a situation where he is vulnerable to being attacked especially on stages like final destination with no platforms to mix up his recovery on. They also argue that even if an airtime limit  does get implemented Leffen will keep calling for it to get decreased until he beats the Pink Menace in his mind.
Now to my question: Do you think the competitive smash melee scene should adopt an airtime limit and if so what should the limit be? >

What is your take on the Marth-Fox matchup? >

55-45 fox at best; even at worst.
Both characters have such good punish on the other, so adaptations in the meta will always make it seem like the matchup swings in favor of one character or the other. But that's a natural part of the meta development, and as counter-play develops, it will naturally swing back.
Ultimately though, Fox just has more tools in his toolkit, which is why I think it's either even, or slightly Fox-favored. >

The future the libs want - 20XX. 
Thanks for your response and good luck in session! The world needs more people like you. Rooting for you :) >

How much money did it cost to run your campaign? Who were your biggest donors? >

My campaign cost me around $10k. Montana has pretty restrictive campaign finance laws ($400 per person, a few thousand for PACs). My biggest campaign contribution came from the Missoula County Democrats, who donated $2,000 after I won my primary. But beyond that, a variety of individuals donated the max of $400 to my campaign (friends, activists in Missoula, LGBTQ people across the country). >

What’s it like having a girlfriend heavily involved in the policy sphere, as a lawmaker? >

Erin being in the policy world is incredibly helpful, as she is so skilled at connecting the bills we're seeing in Montana to the suite of anti-trans bills we're seeing across the country, which arguments in committees were effective, and speaking to various papers/articles being written. It's also wonderful, as when we need to vent, we are able to vent in ways that one another truly understand since we do similar work.
​
Beyond her work though, Erin is just so wonderful to me, and does an amazing job supporting me in my work, in my emotional needs, and making me feel loved 24/7. I'm a very lucky woman. >

So proud you represent our community in your state. I hope the best for you and a long successful career! ❤️🏳️‍⚧️
I will be part of an advocacy group talking with legislators on the 20th. Is there some tips you can provide on how best to interact with state lawmakers as a trans woman? >

You're an INSPIRATION! Thank you for doing the AMA!
Do you feel Montana is moving in a positive direction in regards to trans rights? What impact can you make to make it a safer state for trans folks? >

This is a hard question, and one with two distinct answers.
Broadly, in our communities across the state, acceptance is growing. As a larger percentage of Montanans (& people across the country & world) come to know trans people on a personal level, acceptance goes up. And as trans people in Montana come out, even people who may not understand what it means to be trans know us as members of the community who don't deserve the attacks we're facing. 
That said, as the right begins to make anti-trans rhetoric a core part of their platform (as we're seeing happen in legislatures across the country, as well as the 2024 presidential race), we're seeing more and more attacks. 2023 has already seen more anti-trans legislation across the country than ALL other years combined. So in that sense it's getting worse.
As a byproduct of these attacks, the small percentage of people who actively want to harass & harm trans people feel emboldened to do so. This is doubly true when the right continues to use false & heinous words like "groomer" or "pedophile" to describe trans people who are just living their lives.
So trans people have to live with these two truths--there's a growing acceptance communally and culturally, but more and more laws are targeting us, and the people who hate us feel emboldened. And that's a tough reality to live with.
What I can do is try to use my position in the legislature to move the needle as much as I can--on every bill, on every conversation--in the hopes that the legislative attacks will fade, and trans people can live our lives in peace. >

Continue to stand strong amidst the hate that you must receive! Fuck 'em. Love to see more full and equal representation in this country. Serve your community with the pride and commitment which brought you here! Watched your race with a smile on my face. 
-A Floridian >

Every message of support I get buoys me so much. Thank you for the kind words,  and I will do my best to stand tall, and work to stem the tide of the hateful, harmful, and anti-democratic bills we're seeing come forward this legislative session. >

How did you manage to maintain your composure when approached after the vote by GoP legislators who voted  to actively harm kids, only to then tell you you made good points, and spoke eloquently? >

I call out specific behavior in the moment:

"I can't have this conversation with you 5 minutes after you voted for that bill"
"You call yourself a moderate, but if you vote in line with the far-right on these issues, you're doing as much harm to me as they are."
"If you're sincere about this, let's get coffee, and I can talk about why that bill was harmful."

But also, I know that I'm fighting a very long fight. I may get a couple votes this session, but the fight is longer than that. Every conversation moves the needle slightly, and I remind myself that if I am kind, yet firm in the fight for trans rights, I can move the needle on trans rights over 5/10/15 years.
And lastly, I lean on community--my girlfriend, my friends, and the many messages of support I get daily. Those all buoy me through the hard times. >

Thank you for calling them on it.   And thank you for having the patience and energy to talk to the one you think you can. >

Hi Zooey! You're doing great work in Montana - it feels like your presence is a bulwark against some of the shenanigans I've seen politicians in the area try to get away with. Lindy Hop a few years ago in Kalispell was super fun!  
Who is your Smash main and why? >

Big Sky Weekend!!! Love that event, and I can't wait to go to another Lindy Hop event soon.
​
Smash main varies by game. In 64, it's Falcon/Ness/Link. Melee it's Yoshi/Link (though I'm eyeing Mewtwo after watching Leffen play). Brawl & PM it's Ness. Ultimate it's Young Link (w/ a Zelda secondary).
​
The why is always "do they move / play in a way where I feel like I can express myself." Playing Ness in PM felt like the character moved and fought in a way that felt like me. And as good as Ness is in Ultimate, he doesn't feel like me anymore. Young link does. That's a very vague answer, but it's all by feel :) >

Hi there. I understand that you represent an urban district, however, even so how receptive have voters been to your campaign, when canvassing?
Also, I have to ask, has the climate in the Montana Legislature been particularly hostile? If I were in your position I'd probably completely break down lol. >

Voters were incredibly receptive to my campaign when I was canvassing. I had been walking/bussing through my district for years, so I was often knocking doors of people I knew, or people I was only 1-2 degrees of separation from. Folks were excited to see me run for a variety of reasons--knowing me personally, wanting trans representation in the legislature, and supporting my policies (& having long discussions about them).
​
As for the climate in the legislature, it has not been openly hostile to me in 1-on-1 conversations, but the cruelty is in the legislation itself, the hearings, and how people vote on the bills. And though it's veiled at times, it is ever-present in the building. >

I was not able to work at legislature in Helena very long. The entirety of the structure there, the way legislators treated people, etc made it a very toxic workplace. I can definitely see how there is always an air of hostility there. I hated it and glad I got out! >

Have your colleagues been respectful of who you are and how you identify? (I really hope they are)
Edit: incorrect word...imma blame autocorrect lol >

Yes and no. No one--not a single person--has misgendered me to my face. I know there are conversations behind the scenes from far-right folks--I sometimes overhear bits of those conversations, and sometimes dems or moderate Rs apologize for what folks say. But again, no one has ever been openly cruel to me personally. There's decorum rules here, and people abide by them.
​
Also, there are some republican women who do not support trans rights, who actively vote against trans rights, and yet nonetheless have long, wonderful conversations with me in the women's restroom, actively gender me correctly, and never raise an issue about me as a person.
​
That said, respect isn't just about how they treat me individually as a trans person. It's also about what they say on the record about my community, the bills they bring forward, and the votes they take on trans issues. And it's important to remember that individual kindness to me does not equal respect for me and my community. >


Also, there are some republican women who do not support trans rights, who actively vote against trans rights, and yet nonetheless have long, wonderful conversations with me in the women's restroom, actively gender me correctly, and never raise an issue about me as a person.

this...is bizarre. >

It’s human nature. While people have been out for a long time, many many people have not have direct relationships with trans people or even the broader LGBTQ community. Everything about rights for people in that community is completely impersonal and academic. It’s why, after their children come out to them, so many Republicans switch to supporting rights. It became personal and real. 
Screaming about the concept of trans women on Facebook is easy. Being confronted with a rational, intelligent, and nice person who happens to be trans makes that hard to do.
People don’t want to accept that we all do this and will pushback that Republicans shouldn’t need to know LGBTQ people for them to care. In a perfect world, yes. But as someone who is progressive but has a rural background, many people on the left from urban areas don’t listen to themselves talk about rural people and assumptions they make about them. Because they don’t know any rural people and so rural problems and motivations are purely academic. >

What’s your take on trans people in sports - like Laurel Hubbard or Lia Thomas? >

I’m a huge fan of ranked choice voting, as I believe it gives more constituents a voice and allows for people to not feel like they have to pick one of two or throw away their vote. Is this something you would support? In your opinion, what would the positives and negatives be of such a system if it were implemented in all federal and state elections? >

I’m a 19 year old living in Bozeman and I’m tempted to run for a state house seat in 2024. Should I do it? Also thanks for all of the amazing work you do! I hope eventually we can get Montana headed in the right direction. >

Hi, Zooey, first off, thank you for sticking up for our trans community. I know that Montana Republicans have been introducing some of the most anti-LGBTQIA+ bills in the country. However, we also know that many outside groups like Alliance Defending Freedom and the Family Research Council also give these bills to Republicans. Yet, the media never says anything about that part. How do you think the media can begin to start calling out these special interest groups (particularly ones like ADF) in order to show who's behind the curtain? What is the best plan for doing so, in your opinion? >

What’s the climate in that legislature like? How are you treated “behind the scenes” so to speak by the members across the aisle vs their public stances? >

What are your solutions for eliminate unemployment in you district? >

The unemployment rate in her district is 2.4%, which is very, very low. >

I’m a pretty left-leaning liberal. I did my masters in urban planning and have worked professionally for 15 years in public transit. I had a trans professor who taught “The History of Cities” and made every issue about gender. I’ve since realized I’m pretty agender myself. I’m not bisexual since I’ve never had a same sex relationship, but I don’t see why I wouldn’t if I really liked the person and I wasn’t in a committed marriage. 
I’m totally fine with transgender people. We had a drag queen dressed as Tina Turner perform at our wedding. I just think it’s pretty far down list in terms of our top priorities. If our infrastructure crumbles and our seas rise, what does it matter if someone is trans or not? 
I also assume there will be like 50+ genders eventually like in Kim Stanley Robinson’s 2312 that takes place in that year. 
My question is how do we get to the point where you being trans is about as remarkable as me having Irish heritage? And, would you see this as a step in the right direction. As an agender person, I absolutely don’t care what someone identifies with. Are they useful to helping solve important and existential problems? That’s what I’m wondering. 
And, of course I hate all the bandwidth the proto-fascists on the right chew up making this the latest moral panic to justify their erosion of democracy. I guess thank you for taking one for the team with being the latest societal scapegoat. If it wasn’t trans people, who would they go after? Just double down more on demonizing immigrants? These people don’t understand basic American values. We need to get back to teaching civics. Best of luck to you. >

What skills have you learned from Smash that have helped you in your professional/political career? >

No questions, just sincerest love & gratitude from your queer/trans family in NY. Our continued existence is revolutionary but braving politics is another level of bravery. Thank you for being visible. You’re changing lives & inspiring future & current generations just by being you. 🏳️‍⚧️💕💕💕💕🏳️‍⚧️ >

Much love. We're fighting these bills so that hopefully one day, trans people will be able to do what we've always wanted, which is to say live our lives without fear of legislative & personal attacks.
​
Grateful to you and your kind words. >

I voted for you!  So glad you are doing this AMA.
Regarding the swarm of anti-LGBTQ bills in the Montana legislature (and across the country) right now: what's the general vibe in Helena about it?  Are you feeling optimistic?
Also, can we please do something about the massive imbalance between MT wages and MT cost of living?  I don't know a single MT renter who pays 1/3 or less of their income on rent. >

How do you view the relationship between biological sex and gender? This seems to be the biggest stumbling block for people when I talk to them about trans issues. >

Not a question, but you're really cool ✌️ >

As my MFA cohort once said, "Zooey is a lot cooler than we give her credit for."
Thanks for the kind words. :) >

Hey Zooey, thanks for stopping by. My dad is an educator and is very concerned about some of the legislation coming out of Helena regarding educational policy. What can the average citizen do to fight HB 234? Do you think it's likely to pass? Same questions regarding SB 99 and HB 303. Finally, how do we organize the left in (in and beyond Missoula) to more effectively win seats and prevent reactionary policy from hitting the docket? >

Hi Zooey! I've lived in Montana for about three years and the biggest issue I've seen while here is the distaste for "outsiders" moving from other states and "changing the way of life here." How is this addressed at your level of politics and how do you think it can be changed? 
Thanks for all your time here and the effort you are already putting in with the state to make everyone feel like they belong. I wish there were more people like you on this side of the state (Billings). Do you know of any LGBT resources out here that need volunteers or resources from the community? >

Will you introduce legislation that will force VGBootcamp to stream PM tournaments again? I dont see anything about this extremely important topic on your website >

There's a lot of really important discourse going around right now... particularly about controller legality. Where do you stand on box controllers, goomwaves, phobes, and even things like z-jump and notches? Do you think we should move beyond the limits of a GCC, aim for the level of modded GCC (with notches, etc), or just stay at ideal but unmodded GCC? >

What is it like to work with representatives who actively work to deny trans rights? >

Hey Zooey. Honestly I'm just really scared of the state of things looking forwards for trans people right now. What is keeping you optimistic? >

First, as someone with a trans partner, it's wonderful to see the representation! Thank you for stepping up to the plate in an incredibly difficult political climate.
As far as a question, what do you consider the areas of policy that are most important to focus on? In what areas do you hope you can have an impact? In a country facing a lot of very serious concrete problems, do you think lawmakers should be spending time legislating cultural issues? >

Hi Zooey! I was so excited to hear you won! What's your cats name? >

It's no secret that plenty of lawmakers are introducing legislation that actively harms marginalized communities. As someone who may be negatively impacted by that legislation, how do you maintain your composure when speaking to those lawmakers when the proposed legislation may be disconcerting or even terrifying? Do you have any strategies when you communicate with them to make sure they hear your logic? >

Hi Zooey! Thanks for doing this AMA.
Without naming anyone, what’s your sense on the amount of legislators that are cynically putting forth culture war bills they know will never pass vs. the true believers?
I’ve seen Montana go from purple to very red and it concerns me just how many reps are actively pushing for a more regressive Montana. >

Hi there, 2 questions


How do you think transgender people and non transgender people can build relationships together. How do you think we can support you, and whaf do you want to see in supporting us. (Meaning non transgender people)


What will you so to try and make the streets safer from gun, drug, abd crime violences.


Thank you >

I am glad you won a seat! I live in Missoula and was curious to see the outcome. Politics seems to be a difficult arena to work in. How will you go about enacting change that will be meaningful to the people of Missoula and Montana? Will you vote against your party if what they are pushing doesn’t feel right to you? >

No question and I’ve actually never been to Montana, I’m from Kentucky and now I live in North Carolina.  
Midterms were a little bleak here in NC.  The GOP flipped 4 seats in the General Assembly and are now 1 seat shy of a veto proof supermajority.  Plus, they flipped 2 seats on the state Supreme Court, and now have a majority.  
Like I said, pretty bleak.  Knowing that Montana has a trans representative gives me hope.  So, thanks for the dose of hope today. >

How young is too young to transition? >

In the replies I've read so far, you sound smart and very level headed. I'm happy to see somebody like you in office and appreciate the extra weight you have to bear from being trans on top of already working in politics.
That's it, no question >

Whats it like to be in politics >

As someone who grew up in Coeur d'Alene, sincere congratulations! I moved away from that area due to the political environment; I applaud you and am so proud of your representation! I genuinely hope that area in the future will move away from the amount of discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals and PoC.
That said... pineapple on pizza? 🤨🤔 >

Hello, while I didn't grow up in Montana, I did grow up in Wyoming very close to the border. Billings was our nearest mall and I visited Missoula for Science Olympiad in high school! I graduated about 12 years ago (oof). During my time growing up in Wyoming, I would have thought and I'm sure you would agree, it would have been very difficult to get elected in either state as an openly transwoman. I've been gone since graduating high school, so my question is how much has actually changed since I've been gone? What improvements have been made to make your election possible, how did those changes come about, what are the main differences you can see between then and now? There's a long road to go, but I find it encouraging we've at least been moving in the right direction. Congratulations on your historic election! >

Two Questions:
1:   Do you believe that, with republican control of the state congress and senate, your lack of political capital, and the lack of cohesion in Montana's democratic party, you will be able to provide any more than yay or nay for the sake of governance during this session?
2:  As a Montanan, are or were you at all offended that the DNC spent 4 million dollars promoting a MAGA republican in the Gubernatorial race in Wisconsin yet provided little to no financial support to any democratic candidates running in the eastern half of the state?  Is it too much to ask, even when the last three abortion clinics between the state of Washington and the state of Wisconsin are dependent on the election of democratic officials, of democrats to run serious candidates in the eastern half of the state or will we be forever stuck with Jordan F Ophus writing Facebook speeches to challenge the Knudsen's of the state from simply talking whatever seat in Helena they want while the National Office count wins in NY and CA and leave the birthing people in Montana to have their rights stripped away? >

Hello,
A few questions, Rep. Zephyr:


What is it like working with Gov. Greg Gianforte these days? 


I noticed you have a TikTok channel.  It's an incredibly popular platform, but also has had security concerns brought up over the data it collects and how it is used (e.g., spying on journalists).  What are your thoughts about its usage on government-owned devices/devices used for official government business?


What's the most complex piece of pixel are you have created, and how long did it take you to make it?


Thank you for doing this AMA.
Regards,
Aryeh Goretsky >

You are an icon! I’m also transgender, am a physician and have been a precinct chair when I was involved with the Democratic Party in Texas.
Did you find any obstacles on your route toward being a candidate? Any naysayers that basically said your neck of the woods was not ready for someone transgender to represent them?
On a more personal level, do you feel that your presence is changing sentiments towards trans individuals and transgender health? Maybe not immediately at the legislative level, but amongst your fellow legislators and your constituents.
Thanks so much for your work! >

Not a question, but I had some classes with Zooey at the University of Montana when I was a grad student. She is incredibly intelligent and my time in seminar discussions with her framing and reframing complex issues made me believe, sincerely, that we are lucky to have her representing our district in the state legislature. Thanks for your public service, Zooey! >

You seem like a lot of fun, we share a lot of interests! If you weren't currently running the government I'd ask you for fiction-writing advice XD
As for policies: Most anti-trans sports bills focuses on trans girls playing in women's sports leagues. Do you think we'll see the same response for trans boys in male leagues? E.g. sports like gymnastics where a lighter frame could give you an assumed advantage in certain moves. Or do you think this is all tied up in machismo and really just about "protecting" girls? >

Question, how your colleagues react to you in montana? Also in your state are you having a book banning issues relating to lgbtq and other history, and if you are what are the issues you face in trying to stop the book banning in your state? >

Glad you're there to represent trans folks in the legislature. Gotta say, I've really enjoyed watching your collegues squirm when you call them out. >

Hi Zoey I I live in Montana (in zootown) and my question is
is how do I get a breast augmentation covered by Montana Medicaid if Medicare defines it not medically necessary? 
I'm on disability SSI SSDI and therefore I have Medicare as my primary and Medicaid as my secondary Medicaid will not pay for my boob job that I would like but it's covered under Montana Medicaid and because I'm on SSI SSDI I don't think I can do gofundme's to pay for it do you have any options or ideas on how I can go about doing this thank you? >

What is the role that government should play in building communities and public spaces? This question is secretly about PM. >

How did you first get involved in politics? >

I was doing community work at the local level, and then during the George Floyd protests I began working with a group of people tracking armed counter-protesters (including neo-nazis and far-right militias) at the George Floyd protests, and ensuring that they didn't harass the organizers/speakers at the protests. This involved tracking people with weapons at the protests, getting between armed, antagonistic counter-protestors and the people they were harassing, and generally making sure protesters had escape plans if things got violent.
From working with that group, I connected with people doing legislative work at the city level, which led to testifying at the legislature, which led to running for office. And now, here I am :) >

I've been a lobbyist the last two sessions here in Montana and an organizer the 2019 session, 
In one of your tweets earlier this week you expressed the frustration of lawmakers congratulationing you on your bravery for speaking up against anti trans legislation but continue to vote YES on those same bills, 
I have had similar situations and I just am so filled with anger, still having to be as kind as possible to these people who think lesser of us, who vote against our rights, 
What do you do to decompress after these interactions? >

I'm a trans man, sorry forgot to mention that!