Transgender Health

Advocates for transgender people say they can’t completely celebrate Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey's withdrawal of a rule limiting gender-affirming care because Gov. Mike Parson is expected to sign a bill that limits such care for minors into law.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey terminated a rule that would have placed restrictions on which transgender patients could obtain hormones and other gender-affirming treatment. Bailey said the rule is no longer necessary because the Republican-controlled legislature has passed its own restrictions.

Lawmakers spent less than an hour discussing both bills, with Republicans voting to end debate twice.

St. Louis County Circuit Judge Ellen Ribaudo on Thursday extended the pause on Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey's rule limiting transgender care.

While the Missouri House and Senate have both passed their own versions of bills restricting access for gender-affirming health care and sports participation for transgender youth, no bill has passed both chambers. With two weeks remaining in session, Parson said he’s prepared to call lawmakers back to pass the bills.

The decision by St. Louis County Circuit Judge Ellen Ribaudo came after an unsuccessful attempt from Andrew Bailey’s office to move the case to federal court. Ribaudo is expected to rule on the temporary restraining order on Monday.

Transgender people in Missouri brace for sweeping restrictions to take effect April 27.

The form had asked people to report concerns about “gender transition intervention” in Missouri. The attorney general’s office says it was hacked and is being investigated.

Transgender advocates say the rules are unprecedented restrictions on adults’ ability to get hormone therapy and gender transition surgery.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s emergency rules are sparking nationwide alarm, as they're some of the first health care restrictions on transgender adults that advocates can recall.