Power couple Zooey Zephyr and Erin Reed are spreading hope to fellow transgender people

By DREW COSTLEY, HANNAH SCHOENBAUM and AMY BETH HANSON
Associated Press

MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) — Montana state Rep. Zooey Zephyr and legislative researcher Erin Reed have emerged as a power couple spreading hope to fellow transgender people. Their prominence and engagement to be married have been a bright spot for many transgender people amid a year in which hundreds of statehouse bills were proposed or passed to restrict their rights. They say their romantic and long-distance relationship has augmented their political activism from the start. They have experienced swatting attempts and other harassment. But they say the attention they get from opponents is now being overshadowed by overwhelming support. Reed says that “our joy is our resistance.”