Anti lgbtq bills missouri

License to Discriminate: Missouri House Advances Legislation that Would Permit Publicly Funded Student Organizations to Ban LGBTQ+ Members

by Cullen Peele •

Jefferson City, MO — Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, homosexual, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, blasted extremist members of the Missouri Dwelling for passing HB 1518, which, if signed into statute, would allow any student organization on a college campus, including publicly funded organizations, to deny membership to other students based on the group’s religious beliefs. The deadly bill opens the door to discrimination against LGBTQ+ students with taxpayer funds and is the latest attack on the community at the hands of extremist Republican legislators seeking to advance their anti-freedom, anti-equality agenda.

No student should fear being excluded from a university-funded student group based on the personal beliefs of some members. Legislation such as HB 1518 undermines nondiscrimination principles and advances the false narrative that LGBTQ+ people and people of faith are incompatible. Many people of faith support LGBTQ+ inclusion and many

Anti-LGBTQIA+ bills are at document highs in the US amid an upcoming election. Here's why
For those in the LGBTQIA+ community, Self-acceptance month is a chance to be out, raucous and proud.
But in the United States, there's been an uneasy quiet hanging over this June.
Big brands who once didn't assume twice about cashing in on the pink dollar have scaled back support.
The American offshoot of Victim reduced the number of its stores carrying Pride-themed products this year after getting backlash in 2023.
Nike, who became the subject of boycott calls last year over its marketing partnership with a non-binary influencer, has also pulled back after offering Celebration collections since 1999.
The silence too has been felt in other ways.
A Maryland council chose not to fly a pride flag outside its city office for the first occasion in five years, with its mayor citing "neutrality".
And for many queer Americans, the month of celebration and commemoration has instead been left overshadowed by a record number of legislative attacks.
Record rise in anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) says it's currently monitoring 523 anti-LGBTQIA+ bi

On March 6, 2024 the Missouri House of Representatives convened its Special Committee on Public Policy to hear testimonies relating to House Bill No. 1650. Proposed by Representative Mazzie Christensen, this bill aims to impose tighter restrictions on commercial businesses allowing drag performances that might be deemed sexual in nature. If the bill is passed, drag performers could face felony charges for performing in spaces that are open to the public or labeled as child-friendly.
Landon Patterson (she/her), one of Kansas City’s most prolific drag performers, gave testimony against H.B. 1650 that evening. Also known by her stage presence, Lana Luxx the “Taylor Swift illusionist,” she was the first transitioned woman to be voted homecoming queen in the state of Missouri. Born and raised in Missouri and a “proud Kansas Citian” her testimony emphasized drag’s ability to “bring people together.” As a “Taylor Swift illusionist,” Lana Luxx has sold out multiple all-ages Taylor Swift performances. At these events, she states, “kids complete not care about my gender or who I am under the costume. To them, I am just Taylor and bringing them joy and fun.”
Aside from serving as a form of a

2025 anti-trans bills tracker
Alabama2025 - 2025 Regular Session02/04/202505/15/2025Alaska2025-2026 - 34th Legislature01/21/202505/20/2026Arizona2025 - 57th Legislature; First Session01/13/202504/26/2025Arkansas2025 - 95th General Assembly; Regular Session01/13/202504/11/2025California2025-202612/02/202411/30/2026California2025 Spec Session 1 - X112/02/202401/31/2025Colorado2025 - 75th General Assembly; First Session01/08/202505/07/2025Connecticut202501/08/202506/04/2025Delaware2025-2026 - 153rd General Assembly01/14/202506/30/2026District of Columbia2025-2026 - 26th Council Period01/02/202512/31/2026Florida2025 - Regular Session03/04/202505/02/2025Georgia2025-2026 - 157th General Assembly01/13/202503/31/2026Hawaii202501/15/202505/01/2025Idaho2025 - 67th Legislature; First Regular Session01/06/202503/31/2025Illinois2025-2026 - 104th General Assembly01/08/202512/31/2026Indiana2025 - 124th General Assembly; First Regular Session01/06/202504/29/2025Iowa2025 - 90th General Assembly; First Session01/13/202504/30/2025

Missouri's Equality Profile
Sexual Orientation
18%
of population
fully protected
9%
of population only
partially
protected
Legend
State
Protections
County
Protections
City
Protections
No
Protections
Protections
Banned

County map only shows areas with complete protections for sexual orientation (i.e., discrimination prohibited in secret employment, housing, and public accommodations)
City and County Numbers:
1 county out of 115 has an ordinance prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation in private employment, housing, and universal accommodations (full protections).
7 cities have an ordinance prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation in personal employment, housing, and public accommodations (full protections).
12 municipalities, not including those listed above, have an ordinance prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation in confidential employment, housing, or public accommodations (only partial protections). Observe table below.
18% of the express population is protected against discrimination based on sexual orientation in private employment, housing, and universal accommodations (full protections).