Missouri lawmakers approved two bills Wednesday that ban gender- transitioning health care for minors, and prevent transgender girls and women from participating on female sports teams. But local officials in Kansas City moved to defy the state, as they heard testimony about creating a sanctuary for people seeking gender-affirming treatment.
Transgender minors in Missouri would no longer have access to puberty blockers, hormones or gender surgery under one bill passed by the Republican-led House. The ban also affects some adults — Medicaid health care won’t cover any gender-affirming care in the state, and surgery will no longer be available to prisoners and inmates.