1. United States
2. Mo.
3. Letter

I am writing to respectfully urge you to oppose and vote "No" on HB1893 (Hausman), HB2075 (Phelps), SB1389 (Schroer), SB1558 (Henderson), HB2314 (Self), and HB2536 (Laubinger). These bills are a coordinated attack on transgender and gender non-conforming Missourians, framed as privacy or safety measures, but their core purpose is to mandate discrimination. They will not protect anyone; they will only create a hostile, dangerous, and stigmatizing environment for some of our most vulnerable community members. These bills attempt to erase the identities of transgender people by rigidly defining "sex" based on original birth certificates. This forces a young trans girl to use the boys’ restroom. It tells a transgender man he must enter a women’s facility. These are profound acts of humiliation. This legislation sends a clear message that trans people do not belong in public life, in our schools, or in our communities. For students, this policy puts them at a higher risk of bullying and emotional distress. Being forced into a facility that does not match their identity can cause severe anxiety and trauma, forcing them to "out" themselves and become targets for discrimination. For many, it means avoiding the restroom entirely, creating serious health and hygiene risks. The stated goal of these bills is to address a problem that does not exist. We have no evidence that nondiscriminatory policies have led to safety incidents. We have ample evidence that policies like these are deeply harmful. The bills force teachers, government employees, and business owners to act as the "gender police," opening the door to invasive questioning and creating an impossible, hostile environment for everyone. The vague promise of "alternative accommodations" is not a solution; it is a system of segregation that tells trans citizens they must accept separate and unequal facilities. This stigma causes profound psychological harm, especially to young people. These bills also have severe economic and legal consequences. By mandating discrimination, the state invites costly lawsuits, the loss of federal funding, and a flood of litigation. They send a clear message that Missouri is unwelcoming, driving away businesses, conventions, and talented workers. The inclusion of emergency clauses to fast-track this change is a pretext; the real emergency is the mental health crisis these bills would create for transgender youth across the state. I urge you to reject these bills. Do not let Missouri lead the way in policies that harm children and vulnerable citizens. Let us commit to creating a state where every person, regardless of their gender identity, can live, learn, and participate in public life with safety, dignity, and respect. Vote no on this harmful legislation.