Officials in Missouri’s largest city are moving to declare it a sanctuary for people seeking or providing gender-affirming care, defying state officials who are intent on banning it for minors and restricting it for adults.
A Kansas City Council committee approved such a resolution Wednesday.
The council members acted as the Republican-controlled Missouri Legislature gave final approval to a bill banning gender-affirming care for transgender minors, sending it to GOP Gov. Mike Parson, who is expected to sign it into law. At least 16 other states have enacted laws restricting or banning such care for minors. The resolution also comes as a judge considers a proposed emergency rule from Republican state Attorney General Andrew Bailey that would require adults and children to undergo more than a year of therapy and fulfill other requirements before they could receive gender-affirming treatment. The resolution, approved by the Transportation, Infrastructure and Operations Committee after being proposed by LGTBQ+ advocates, says the city will not prosecute or fine any person or organization that seeks, provides, receives, or helps someone receive gender-affirming care such as puberty blockers, hormones or surgery.
It also says if the state passes a law or resolution that imposes criminal or civil punishments, fines, or professional sanctions in such cases, personnel in Missouri’s largest city will make enforcing those requirements their lowest priority. #Trans Rights