April 24 – May 2
We’re now in the final 10 days of Missouri’s legislative session and we want to give you a clear-eyed update.
This past week has been heavy. We saw one of the most aggressive attacks on gender-affirming care advance in the Missouri Capitol, just as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a baseless, politically motivated report attacking the evidence-based Standards of Care for transgender youth.
But here’s where we stand today: of the 70+ anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced this year, four remain critical threats. We’ve fought hard to hold the line, and your advocacy has mattered.
TL;DR — Actions You Need to Take
Thank Senate Legislative Staff: There are senators who are championing our rights in the fight against HJR 73, and they couldn’t do it without the staffers that run their offices. These individuals organize piles of policy research, listen to every constituent, and make space for each person who visits. However, before all that, they are first and foremost people whose rights are being threatened too. We’re asking you to write or call the legislative staff in these offices and thank them for their hard work and leading their parts in this fight:
- Peter Coyne and Madi Knobbe, Senator Lewis’ staff
- Emily O’Laughlin and Hannah Dolan, Senator McCreery’s staff
- Taylee Soukup and Dylan Powers-Cody, Senator Nurrenbern’s staff
- Karlee Resler-Seek and Houston Roberts, Senator Webber’s staff
Make Calls to Stop HJR 73: As HJR 73 — a threat to abortion rights and transgender healthcare — continues to move forward, we want your voices to be heard by calling Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin and Senate Majority Floor Leader Tony Luetkemeyer.
A Deeper Look: HJR 73
As you read at the start of this post, HJR 73 is the legislature’s most aggressive attempt to overturn the newly enshrined right to abortion by attempting to re-ban it through a statewide vote. Legislators claim they have to do this because people of this state are not smart enough to know what they voted for. (yea, we’re not kidding.)
That’s why legislators are taking it upon themselves to use manipulative and dishonest ways to overturn the will of the people — all in hopes of giving politicians back control of our bodies. Their tactic? Attempting to ban medical treatment for transgender youth within the same bill.
On Wednesday of this week, HJR 73 was heard in the Senate Families, Seniors, and Health Committee. Immediately following the public hearing, the bill was voted out of committee. It is now referred to the Senate Fiscal Oversight Committee where, if voted out, can be referred to the Senate calendar for debate.
What We’re Watching
Again, we only have 10 days left in the legislative session and out of the 70+ anti-LGBTQ+ bills that were filed this year, four remain that we are watching with critical eyes. HJR 73 is one of those and the remaining three are SB 160, SB 10, and HB 567.
SB 160
SB 160 has become a bill with a loaded threat. The version that advanced out of the Senate regulated college student campus groups, noting that they will not be able to become an official student campus group if they discriminate against or harm other students. This bill has passed out of the House Committees, and is currently awaiting a debate on the House floor.
While in committee, it was amended to have three other educational topics on it: the CROWN Act, antisemitism discrimination protections, and a bathroom ban for transgender students in private schools.
SB 10
SB 10 was voted out of the House Government Efficiency Committee as an amended substitute bill. It is likely to pass out of the House Legislative Rules committee next week and be taken up for debate on the House floor.
It will have to return to the Senate for a final floor vote before reaching the Governor’s desk. Currently, this bill still has amendment language that would make the current bans on gender-affirming healthcare and trans athletes permanent.
HB 567
The Missouri Legislature is trying every trick they can to overturn what voters explicitly said they wanted last November. Aside from HJR 73, lawmakers are attempting to get rid of Prop A’s earned paid sick leave for workers to care for themselves and their families with HB 567.
You may have seen the great win in the Missouri Supreme Court this past Tuesday where corporate interest groups lost their bid to repeal Prop A. Alongside that win, on Thursday, May 1, the new paid sick leave requirement became the law of the land in Missouri, meaning workers will finally get the earned paid sick time they deserve. We hope the Senate follows the will of the people and stops HB 567 during this final sprint of legislative session.
The National Backdrop
Amid Missouri’s local battles, we’re seeing a coordinated national push against trans youth. The recent HHS “report” — like Missouri Attorney General Bailey’s past actions — ignores science and promotes dangerous myths, including conversion therapy narratives long discredited by every major medical body that therapists have been pushing on gay youth for decades.
Rather than give more attention to the HHS document, we encourage you to read the statement issued by the leading medical and scientific organizations: American Osteopathic Association; American Academy of Family Physicians; American Academy of Pediatrics; American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; American College of Physicians; and American Psychiatric Association.
The science is clear: medical care is essential for transgender youth. We want all kids to thrive and that means ensuring they have access to the care they need.
