LGBTQ

Last week, the Missouri State Senate passed legislation to prevent medical professionals from providing gender-affirming care to minors — but what is "gender-affirming care" and how will its absence affect trans youth?

Up To Date spoke with Jackson County Executive Frank White and Legislators Jalen Anderson and Jeanie Lauer about their commitment to reintroduce an ordinance that would ban anti-gay "conversion therapy" on minors.

A nonbinary student teacher was told by an employee of the Fort Osage District that using gender-neutral pronouns was “too personal” and “too political.” Now, Olivia Jackson alleges that the school district discriminated by refusing to hire them because of their gender identity.

The parents of a trans, non-binary teen tell their story as lawmakers in Jefferson City work to pass a slew of anti-trans bills.

The Missouri Senate is advancing a pair of bills banning transgender athletes from participating in sports that align with their gender identity, and transgender minors from health care that affirms their gender identity. Plus: Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas talks about the possibility of a downtown baseball stadium and a park above I-670.

The Missouri Senate gave first-round approval to a pair of bills early Tuesday morning targeting transgender minors and athletes. It needs another vote in the Senate before moving on to the Missouri House.

Mayor Quinton Lucas touts Kansas City's ability to attract big events like the NFL Draft and the 2026 World Cup. But he worries that the "hateful rhetoric" and anti-LGBTQ policies coming out of statehouses in Missouri and Kansas could drive some residents and major gatherings away.

The legislation, which includes blocking transgender minors from accessing gender-affirming health care like hormones or puberty blockers, has been held up with a filibuster over several days. Another bill would bar transgender athletes in schools from participating in sports that align with their gender identity.

It’s already illegal for health care providers to practice so-called conversion therapy in parts of Jackson County, but the failed ordinance would have outlawed use of the discredited practice on minors across the county and made it easier to report abuse.

The emergency regulations will require healthcare providers to tell patients about what Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey claims are health risks of gender affirming care — even though the treatments have been endorsed by dozens of leading U.S. medical groups. The rules will also prohibit providers from administering care to children with untreated mental health problems.

Missouri Senators left for spring break a day early because of a Democratic filibuster on legislation that would bar transgender minors from receiving gender-affirming health care. That bill is expected to be debated this week.

While it’s already illegal for health care providers to practice "conversion therapy" on minors in Kansas City and Independence, Ordinance 5711 would make it against the law across all of Jackson County. It’d also make it easier for survivors to seek justice by providing a clear way to report abuse.