The ACLU of Missouri along with Lambda Legal and Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP have a lawsuit against Missouri Governor Mike Parson. The lawsuit hopes to block Senate Bill 49, effective Aug. 28, 2023, which banned access to gender-affirming care for children under 18 years old. This includes puberty blockers and hormones. The bill also stops Missouri's Medicaid program, MO HealthNet, from providing payment for gender-affirming treatments of any age. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the families of three transgender people, Southampton Community Healthcare and two of its medical providers, and two organizations representing hundreds of families and health professionals across the state, PFLAG National and GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality. The plaintiffs argue against the bill for multiple reasons. This includes that the bill discriminates based on sex and transgender status, that there is no factual justification for the act, and that the bill will cause mental and emotional harm to families and transgender individuals. |