Transgender Health

The federal lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri alleges barring gender-affirming care to minors is discriminatory.

After Missouri's new ban took effect on Aug. 28, MU Health stopped providing gender-affirming care for minors, citing “significant legal liability." Washington University in St. Louis also ceased care for transgender youth, even those who were still eligible under the law.

The claim against Southampton Community Healthcare is the result of testimony provided during a hearing in a lawsuit challenging the state’s limits on gender-affirming care for minors.

Officials on Monday announced Washington University's Transgender Center at St. Louis Children's Hospital would no longer offer puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones or surgeries to minors, even those who are exempt from a newly enacted ban on treatment for transgender youth.

The ruling from St. Louis-based Judge Steven Ohmer means the new Missouri law restricting puberty blockers, hormone therapy and gender transition surgery for minors will go into effect on Monday.

Opponents of the ban on most transgender minors receiving hormone therapy or puberty blockers say it runs afoul of Missouri's state constitutional equal protection guarantees.

PrideFest 2023 will include hundreds of vendors, a large parade and a performance by Idina Menzel. It’s also a chance for LGBTQ people to come together after a wave of legislation targeting them.

Gov. Mike Parson’s closed-door ceremony left out advocates and critics of controversial legislation.

One bill restricts transgender youth under 18 from accessing certain forms of gender-affirming health care, while the other bill stops transgender athletes from participating in sport teams that align with their gender identity.

The executive order is in response to legislation that limits gender-affirming health care and participation in sports for transgender youth and young adults.