[1][7] She subsequently returned to her home state to pursue graduate studies at the University of Montana (UM), earning master's degrees in creative writing and literary criticism.
She testified before the Montana state legislature in defense of LGBT rights and then also met with Republican Governor Greg Gianforte, but felt her words were not heard.
Over time, Zephyr came to believe that she needed to "get into the room where the laws are being written," leading her to decide to run for a seat in the Montana House of Representatives in the 2022 midterm elections.
In an interview with Out, she noted that she was working with "various groups to brainstorm policy proposals for the next legislative session," and added that she was traveling across Montana, and the country, to build coalitions and to ensure that "the good folks who want to get into office have the support they need in order to succeed.
[17][18][19] During a floor debate on April 18, 2023, Zephyr admonished those who supported Senate Bill 99, which prohibits gender-affirming medical and surgical care for minors.
"[20] When this remark triggered an objection from Republican majority leader Sue Vinton, Zephyr replied, "The only thing I will say is if you vote 'yes' on this bill and 'yes' on these amendments, I hope the next time there's an invocation when you bow your heads in prayer, you see the blood on your hands.
[22][23] Zephyr stood by her words, and House Minority Leader Kim Abbott defended her, describing the statement as "blatantly disrespectful and the farthest thing imaginable from the 'commitment to civil discourse' that these letter writers demand".
[26][27][28] Afterwards, members of the conservative Montana Freedom Caucus, in a letter that once again misgendered Zephyr, accused her of "standing in the middle of the floor encouraging an insurrection.
[30][31][32][33] On April 27, Zephyr set up her laptop and assorted paperwork on a bench situated just outside the House Chambers in a hall open to the public.
[35] On May 1, the bench from which she had been working at just off the House floor was occupied by a group of women, among them Regier's mother,[36] and the wife of Republican senator Steve Hinebauch, in order to prevent Zephyr from sitting.
[41] On May 5, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) announced that it intended to defend the protesters who were arrested at the Capitol on April 24.
[42] Four days after having been barred from the House floor, Zephyr and several of her constituents sued the state and Regier in state court,[29][43][44] alleging that the legislative action violated the Montana Constitution, specifically Zephyr's right to freedom of speech and equal protection under the law, and her constituents' rights to be represented by a member of their choice.
[45][46] The ACLU of Montana, along with several private law firms, represented Zephyr in the suit; state Attorney General Austin Knudsen defended the House.
[43][48] Because the decision was issued the day after the state legislative session adjourned for the year, the suit and the denial of injunctive relief had little immediate effect.