Transgender Health

An internal investigation found areas of improvement, says center treats patients "according to the currently accepted standard of care."

Clinics in Missouri that provide medical gender-affirming care to transgender and nonbinary people are rushing to book patients before an emergency rule limiting such care starts next week. Under the rule, some restrictions don’t apply to providers treating people who already have begun receiving hormones, undergone surgeries or begun other medical procedures.

The bill now goes to the Missouri Senate, which has already passed its own bill on the same topic. It’s unclear if the Senate will consider the House bill. Senate leadership said Thursday they would prefer the House pass the Senate version.

Temporary emergency regulations that prohibit doctors from providing gender-affirming care to transgender people unless they meet stringent requirements are slated to take effect April 27. Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey says the rules are meant to protect minors from hasty and risky medical procedures. Transgender patients say the rules go against the recommendations of medical professionals.

The Republican-led House gave first-round approval to legislation barring transgender athletes from participating on sport teams that align with their gender identity. Both bills need another vote before moving to the Senate.

The Missouri legislative session is more than halfway finished, and many bills affecting schools are making their way through the Capitol.

As the campaign against gender-affirming care expands across the nation, often lost is an explanation of what it entails. Here are some basics.

The rally comes after the Republican-led Senate passed two bills placing limitations on health care and sports participation for trans youth. Both bills still need to pass the House.

Three trans boys and their parents describe growing up amid a wave of anti-trans legislation.

Both bills now go to the Missouri House, where leadership says they are a priority.