To Montana Lawmaker Zooey Zephyr

34 year old Montana State Representative Zooey Zephyr told her Republican colleagues that if they passed a proposed bill banning gender affirming healthcare for minors in the state, they would "have blood on their hands." Her colleagues passed the bill, then voted to ban her from the statehouse for the remainder of the legislative session. Their stated reason: “using inappropriate and uncalled-for language during a floor debate.”

Dear Zooey,

there's this picture of you

with your fingers curled around

a silent mic,

fist in the air,

and something in your eyes

that looks like horror

with love on its doorstep.

There is no one else in the shot.

I hope you felt the rest of us

in that moment,

the silent chorus

of people standing with you

on history's proud side.

I don't blow smoke up anyone's skirt,

Rep. Zephyr, which is to say

I promise nothing about the books

and what they will eventually say,

or what pedestrian street

might come to bear your name.

Instead, I offer a softer, surer truth:

we are here. we see you.

In the moment you feel most alone,

close your eyes and picture us

behind you.

elbows locked.

chins high.

eyes wide.

loud.

and so very,

very proud.

love,

the biggest us