by Ann E. Wallace
The swift punishment brought down on Zooey Zephyr, a transgender lawmaker in Montana, began over words that others in American politics have used without hesitation or consequence: saying opponents have “blood” on their hands. The governor of Texas. A GOP congressman in Florida. A city councilwoman in Denver. Just in the past few years, they are among the elected officials who have chastised colleagues in government with the same pointed rhetoric almost word for word — accusing them of bearing responsibility for deaths — over everything from immigration policy to gun laws. None faced blowback, let alone retribution. But not Zephyr, who on Thursday began legislative exile after Montana Republicans barred her from the state House floor a week after saying those who voted to support a ban on gender-affirming care would have blood on their hands. —AP, April 27, 2023
This was her warning,
the cost of the ban
on affirming healthcare
for trans kids.
They would have blood
on their hands,
she said.
The words, or her body, labeled
a breach of decorum,
they removed her,
silenced her voice
with a majority, 68 to 32.
She may watch,
voiceless, may cast
her singular vote
out of sight and from afar.
Hers is a body they do not want
to see. And they do not want
to hear about their own hand
in doing harm, about the toll
of bloody-handed legislation
on kids, or on the adults
like her who once were kids
in need of votes and affirmation.
They removed her from their sight.
They will wash their hands
with blood.
And her voice,
it will grow stronger.
Ann E. Wallace is the Poet Laureate of Jersey City, New Jersey. Follow her on Twitter @annwlace409 or on Instagram @annwallace409.