transgender athletes

Both Missouri and Kansas have banned hormone therapy and other gender-affirming care for transgender youth under age 18. A conservative majority of the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a similar law on Wednesday, which local advocates say is "devastating."

It's the first time in more than 70 years that the House has adjourned early. The session had been scheduled to end on Friday.

With just days remaining in the 2025 legislative session, unfinished Republican priorities include overturning voter-approved initiatives on abortion rights and paid sick leave.

The demonstration celebrated Trans Day of Visibility, but many people were also there to send a message to lawmakers. President Trump has signed multiple executive orders restricting the rights of transgender people to get health care, passports and participate in school sports.

Kansas City’s transgender community is sandwiched between two states where Republican-controlled legislatures have made limiting transgender health care and other rights a top priority. Families say the restrictions put their safety at risk.

Senate Floor Leader Tony Luetkemeyer, R-Parkville, said that the legislation permanently barring transgender minors from accessing health care is a priority for the Republican caucus this year.

Missouri lawmakers banned transgender student athletes from playing on sports teams that align with their gender identity, and restricted transgender minors from accessing gender-affirming health care like hormone treatments. But the current laws expire in August 2027.

For the first time since 2018, Missouri lawmakers will work with a new governor. While outgoing Gov. Mike Parson pushed a more budget-focused agenda, Gov.-elect Mike Kehoe already has established policy goals — and a Republican supermajority to accomplish them with.

Schuyler Bailar became the first openly trans person to compete for a men's D1 team in the NCAA. He'll speak at the Kansas City Public Library on Thursday about his recent book "He/She/They: How We Talk About Gender and Why It Matters."

After a judge last week upheld a 2023 state law banning some gender-affirming medical care for minors, Republican lawmakers signaled that they aren’t done pushing for laws restricting the rights of transgender Missourians.

A 74-page ruling backs state’s argument defending law that has blocked transgender Missourians from accessing gender-affirming health care,

With Donald Trump headed back to the White House, and Republicans cementing power in Missouri, transgender residents in Kansas City fear losing access to hormone treatments and living under an administration that campaigned on making them pariahs.