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Discrimination

12 Unforgettable Moments in Missouri LGBT History

Before we begin, did you know LGBT History Month was founded by a Missourian? Rodney Wilson, a Missouri history teacher, started LGBT History Month in 1994. ...

A Look at the Harmful Anti-LGBT Bills Filed So Far

There have been nine anti-LGBT bills filed thus far in the Missouri Legislature. We wanted to give you a glance at these bills and where ...

A Look At What Mayor Slay Has Done for the LGBT Community

In his sixteen years as mayor, Mayor Francis Slay has shown his true love for St. Louis’ LGBT community. From actively passing pro-LGBT ordinances and ...

A Time to Listen, A Time to Speak

It has been six weeks since that fateful day in August when Michael Brown was shot dead by Officer Darren Wilson. Since that day, the ...

ADL and PROMO Express Deep Concern With Murder of Transgender Missouri Teen

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and PROMO, Missouri’s Statewide LGBT advocacy organization, today expressed deep concern regarding the murder of Ally Lee Steinfeld. Both PROMO ...

Another Filibuster Staged By Our LGBT Champions

For only the second time in history, the Missouri Nondiscrimination Act (MONA) was debated on the Senate floor last night. Over the last two days, ...

Anti-LGBT Proposed Constitutional Amendment SJR 39 Passes Out of Missouri’s Senate

Dear Friend, In case you haven’t been tuning in, the Senate Democrats just finished a 39 hour filibuster of the anti-LGBT bill SJR 39. We are ...

As Marriage Equality Advances, LGBT Advocates Press to End Discrimination in the Workplace, Housing, and Public Accommodations

On January 26th, PROMO, alongside 30 state-wide lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) groups from Georgia Equality to Basic Rights Oregon and beyond, will launched #DiscriminationExists, ...

Bad News from DC, Good News from MO

Happy LGBT Health Awareness Week! Several things are happening at the federal level that impact the health of LGBT Missourians, including religious refusals, healthcare, and ...

Beginning of Session

It is that time of year … again. That time after the the start of winter, after the holidays, after the new year, and after everyone ...

Capitol Confessions

“Remember you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” – Harriet Tubman My friends, ...

Columbia Adds Gender Identity to Nondiscrimination Ordinance

This evening, the Columbia City Council passed legislation to include gender identity in the city's nondiscrimination ordinance protecting the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community ...

Conversion Therapy

Practices to “cure” individuals of their same-sex sexual orientations and transgender identities include a number of techniques ranging from shaming to hypnosis to inducing vomiting ...

Creve Coeur becomes the 5th City in St. Louis County to Protect All of Its Citizens from Discrimination

This evening, the Creve Coeur City Council unanimously passed an ordinance that includes nondiscrimination protections for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community in employment, ...

Department of Justice Issues Sweeping License to Discriminate Against LGBT People

In response PROMO calls on Missouri’s legisture to pass the Missouri Nondiscrimination Act in 2018. Today, the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued guidance to administrative ...

Difficult Two Weeks

Dear Friend, Early Tuesday morning, Kiwi Herring was killed by Saint Louis Metro Police Officers. Kiwi was a transgender woman of color and is survived ...

Discriminatory Senate Bill 43 Is Now The Law

Get the facts about Senate Bill 43: What is SB 43? SB 43 is a bill that was signed into law on June 30, 2017 and went into effect on ...

Equality at Missouri’s Supreme Court

Two LGBT discrimination cases are going to the Missouri Supreme Court. Lampley v. Missouri Commission on Human Rights Involves Harold Lampley, a gay man who ...

Ferguson becomes the 6th City in St. Louis County to Stand Against Discrimination

Following a unanimous vote this evening from the Ferguson City Council, Ferguson became the sixth city in St. Louis County that has remedied the exclusion ...

Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson Not Indicted

Tonight, the grand jury announced that Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson will not be indicted for the shooting death of Michael Brown.…

Governor Jay Nixon Issues Strong LGBT Focused State of the State Address

This evening, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon delivered his State of the State address to Missourians.…

Harmful Anti-LGBT Bill To Have Hearing

A report was released on January 26, 2016 stating that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act cost the city of Indianapolis up to 60 million dollars and up to 12 ...

Have You Been Discriminated Against?

Have you been discriminated at work, asked to leave a public accommodation, or denied housing because you are LGBT? Take the following steps. 1. Report discrimination ...

How the Department of Justice’s Guidance is a License to Discriminate

You are beautiful. Let’s just start with that. Take a minute and remember how beautiful you are. How perfect you are, exactly how you ...

HUD Announces Guidance for the LGBT Inclusive Equal Access Rule

Living and aging in our communities without fear of discrimination became closer to reality on July 13, 2015.…

It Is Critical for PROMO to Have a Presence at the Capitol

“Investigate, Agitate, Legislate” -National Consumer’s League founded in 1899 This is based on the philosophy that if people are aware of the social inequalities and ...

Jackson County Nondiscrimination Protections Extended to Housing and Public Accommodations

Today, the Jackson County Legislature unanimously voted to update the County Codes to protect the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community (LGBT) from discrimination in ...

Jeff Pogue Files Two Discriminatory “Bathroom” Bills

On March 12, Representative Jeff Pogue filed two bills that are harmful to the transgender and gender non-conforming community. These bills are demeaning and are being ...

Kansas City Sends Strong Message to End LGBT Discrimination

Today the City Council of Kansas City voted unanimously to approve Resolution 140201 introduced by Councilman-at-Large Scott Wagner (District 1) that calls to end statewide discrimination in ...

Kirksville, MO Passes Fully Inclusive Nondiscrimination Protections

On July 1st the Kirksville City Council voted down the Human Rights ordinance that would have protected the LGBT community from discrimination -- doing an ...

Kirkwood Includes Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in Nondiscrimination Policy

Following a unanimous vote on December 20, 2012 from the Kirkwood City Council, Kirkwood became the tenth municipality in Saint Louis County to add sexual orientation and ...

Legally Married Same-Sex Couples in Missouri Receive Huge News

Today the IRS, Treasury Department, and the Department of Health and Human Services released two big announcements for same-sex couples in Missouri. Each entity affirmed ...

Legislators

PROMO works to build and maintain strong, productive relationships with elected and appointed officials, in particular those in the State House, State Senate, and other ...

Legislators and LGBT Advocates Speak at Equality Day

PROMO’s annual Equality Day, on February 20, started off with a rally. Check out what LGBT advocates and legislators had to say about LGBT rights ...

LGBT Friendly Wedding Vendors

As of June 2015, the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage is legal. If you encounter any obstacles when applying for a marriage license or accessing ...

LGBT Health and the Missouri Nondiscrimination Act

This week, the Progress and Development committee of the Missouri Senate opened its 2 p.m. hearing with SB 653 or the Missouri Nondiscrimination Act. Through the ...

LGBTQ Students: Making the Best of the School Year

This is the first year that I will not be returning back to school, and I can finally say that I am envious of all ...

Maryland Heights Amends Housing Bill to Include Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Protections

Following a unanimous vote this evening from the Maryland Heights City Council, Maryland Heights approved an amendment to the city’s housing laws. This amendment, ...

MasterCard Writes Letter To Governor Nixon Thanking Him For Opposing SJR 39

Today, MasterCard joined other Fortune 500 company Monsanto in publicly opposing SJR 39. The letter, from President Rob Reeg of MasterCard, thanks Governor Nixon for opposing SJR 39 ...

Masterpiece Case Is Being Heard By the Supreme Court Today

Today, the United States Supreme Court will begin oral arguments in the Masterpiece Cakeshop case, a landmark case for LGBT nondiscrimination. We’ll be live-tweeting ...

Missouri Bills We Are Tracking

Missouri’s legislative session is in full effect until May of 2018. Take a look closer at the bills we are tracking in Missouri. Wanting to ...

Missouri Businesses, Faith Leaders, and Organizations Tell Missouri General Assembly to Reject Anti-LGBT Legislation

Businesses, faith leaders, organizations, and residents of Missouri have joined together to tell Missouri General Assembly to reject anti-LGBT legislation. The letter reads in part: ...

Missouri House of Representatives Advance the Missouri Nondiscrimination Act for the First Time in Years

Tonight the General Laws Committee in the Missouri House voted in favor of the Missouri Nondiscrimination Act (MONA), HB 2100 and HB 3160. All members of General ...

Missouri Is Not Kansas

We are seeing anti-LGBT policies and laws implemented in states that are all too close to home. As you may already know, Kansas shamefully removed ...

Missouri Representatives File HB 2051, the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, to silence LGBT Youth and Communities

Missouri has it's own "Don't Say Gay" bill, and it was just referred to committee this week. This bill would eliminate discussions of lesbian, gay, ...

Missouri Unites

We are horrified and heartbroken by the tragedy in Orlando. Our hearts go out to the victims, their families, and the entire LGBTQ community in ...

Missouri Western Court of Appeals Ruling Step Forward for Protecting LGBT People

In an historic decision on Tuesday, October 24, 2017, a Missouri Court of Appeals Western District three-judge panel (Karen King Mitchell, Presiding Judge, Gary D. Witt, Judge, ...

MO Love for MONA

As I sit here this morning reflecting on last night’s hearing, I am feeling immense joy, and my heart is overflowing with gratitude. We ...

MONA Has A Hearing

On May 9, 2018, the Missouri Nondiscrimination Act (MONA) has a hearing in the General Laws Committee in the Missouri House of Representatives. You can follow along ...

Notes From the Field: Equality Federation Leadership Summit Edition

Have you ever had that euphoric moment when you feel that you are exactly where you are supposed to be, and you are surrounded by ...

Offensive

Each week since the legislative session has started, I’ve tried to keep you up to date with what PROMO has been doing in Jefferson ...

One Year Ago Today

One year ago today, we all woke up to the horrific news about the Pulse massacre. That same day was our annual SAGE Summer Celebration. ...

Over 350 Missouri Businesses Support the Missouri Nondiscrimination Act

This week, the LGBT community celebrates the support of over 350 Missouri-based companies ranging from the small business to the Fortune 500 now voicing their support for ...

President Trump Attacks Transgender People

This morning, President Donald Trump put out a stream of tweets directed at transgender Americans, calling for a renewal of the ban on transgender servicemembers. ...

PROMO Celebrates No Anti-LGBT Bills Moving or Passing in Missouri

For the first time in recent years, the Missouri General Assembly ended regular session without a single anti-LGBT bill moving. That means there wasn’t ...

PROMO Commends Springfield City Council for Removal of Unconstitutional City Ordinance

PROMO applauds Springfield City Council members for voting to remove city ordinance 78-224.…

PROMO Disappointed in CA Prop 8 Decision

PROMO expressed disappointment at today's decision by the California Supreme Court to uphold Proposition 8 and to deny marriage equality to same-sex couples.…

PROMO Launches OkToSayGay.org to Combat the “Don’t Say Gay” bill

Let us get right to the point. We are asking you to continue taking action against House Bill 2051, which we are calling the “Don’t ...

PROMO Stands With Charleston

The murder of nine people inside their historic African-American church this past Wednesday still has us in shock. The shooting victims at the Emanuel African ...

Rep. Stephens Blatantly Leaves Gender Identity Out of HB 2253

This week, Rep. Mike Stephens filed HB 2253, a bill very similar to the Missouri Nondiscrimination Act, including protections for sexual orientation in employment, housing, and ...

Reproductive Justice Is An LGBTQ Issue

On June 29th, I had the opportunity to stand by other supporters of reproductive justice at Reproaction’s Show Me Accountability Campaign Kick-Off, where activists, ...

Sage of PROMO Fund

SAGE of PROMO Fund strives to enhance the quality of life of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender older adults through service, advocacy and community awareness. ...

Saint Louis Board of Aldermen Pass Gender Identity Protections

Saint Louis City now joins Kansas City and University City in offering basic protections in housing, public accommodations and employment.…

Same Sex Couple Denied Access To Wedding Venue in Sedalia

Missourians, discrimination is present in many ways in Missouri, and here is just one. Beverly and Rachel, from Raymore, Missouri drove to Sedalia over the ...

School Guide for Parents, Students, and Teachers

As a student, you have the right to attend school, take part in class, and be involved in extracurricular activities without fear of discrimination from ...

SCOTUS Nomination – What’s At Stake

The Supreme Court has been critical to achieving legal protections for LGBTQ Americans, and the Supreme Court is critical to our movement forward.…

Sen. Ed Emery’s Unfortunate Guide to Being an Ally

This past Friday, Sen. Ed Emery spoke at a meeting where he spent much of his time spreading false information and hateful messaging about lesbian, ...

Senate Advances MONA for the First Time

On Friday, May 17, 2013 the Missouri Senate advanced the Missouri Nondiscrimination Act for the first time ever. This is the furthest the bill has ever come.&...

Show Your Support With a “No Hate In My State” T-Shirt

“No Hate In My State” shirts are still available for purchase. All funds raised will go towards PROMO’s efforts in achieving equality in Missouri. ...

Springfield Missouri Votes to Repeal Protections for LGBT People

On April 7, 2015, Springfield residents voted to repeal the nondiscrimination ordinance which was made law by the Springfield City Council in October of 2014. This comprehensive nondiscrimination ...

Springfield MO: A Pyrrhic Victory for Discrimination

In the third century BCE, a Greek general named Pyrrhus fought to conquer and maintain rule over various territories around the Adriatic Sea. Over time, ...

St. Louis City Ordinance

PROMO applauds the St. Louis City Board of Aldermen and Mayor Francis Slay for passing an ordinance that would require LGBT-inclusive non-discrimination policies for contractors ...

Starting A Family?

Starting a family as an LGBT couple can be a daunting task. To learn more about your options, check this out. Looking to be a ...

State Based LGBTQ Groups Respond to Michael Brown

Over the last several days, our country has been on edge as events have unfolded in the aftermath of the death of 18 year-old Michael Brown ...

Tell Elected Officials Hate Has No Place in this State

Tell local and state elected officials in Missouri: 1. Pass Nondiscrimination Protections 2. Ban Conversion Therapy 3. Stop Anti-LGBT Bills…

Tell Missouri Legislators to Pass MONA!

The Missouri Nondiscrimination Act (MONA) would add sexual orientation and gender identity to Missouri’s Human Rights Act, which currently prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, ...

Thank you to Gov. Nixon for Vetoing HB1219

Thank you, Governor Nixon, for vetoing HB1219, a dangerous bill that would make it easier to discriminate in Missouri.…

The Call of the Champions

“Who are your champions?” Is a question that I have heard a lot lately as I spend more time on the Hill (that’s industry ...

The Country Is Watching

Missouri. The country is watching. Following the the longest filibuster in Missouri’s history at 40 hours, thanks to eight passionate Missouri Democrats, the Missouri Senate ...

The Four Powerful Things You Need to Know About Joining Us at Equality Day in April

This February, over 100 Missourians joined us in Jefferson City for our first lobby day of the 2018 session. Together, we rallied, we spoke to our legislators, ...

The House Has Three Chances To Get It Right Starting Tomorrow

Dear Equality Supporter; The Emerging Issues Committee hearing on SJR 39 is scheduled for tomorrow between 4-6pm (after adjournment).  We need your help in stopping ...

The Missouri Nondiscrimination Act is Introduced In the House & Senate for the 19th Year in a Row

For the 19th year in a row the Missouri Nondiscrimination Act (MONA) has been filed in the Missouri House and  Senate. This legislation was first ...

The More You Know, Parents

As a parent or caregiver it’s instinctual to protect your loved ones. When sending your kids back to school, you are putting a significant ...

The Privilege of Living in a Bubble

Living in the city limits of St. Louis, a community full of diversity, I often feel that I live in a bubble. Like in a ...

The Supreme Court Votes in Favor of the Baker in the Masterpiece Case, Reaffirms Need for Nondiscrimination

This morning, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Colorado baker in the Masterpiece Case, 7-2. The Court, however, did recognize the harm of ...

Top 5 Missouri Legislative Updates

The latest Missouri Legislative update from our Manager of Public Policy at PROMO, Elizabeth Fuchs. Watch the whole video so you can find out for ...

Top 9 Moments of 2016

The year 2016 was yet another historic year. Here were the top LGBT moments in 2016, in no particular order. 1. Missouri Democrats staged a historic filibuster in ...

Transgender Military Policy Could Be Implemented in 6 Months

A new transgender military policy from the White House will be issued to the Defense Department soon as first reported by the Wall Street Journal. ...

Transgender Missourians Know Your Rights

Trans-inclusion has always been a focus of PROMO’s work, and all of our work will continue to be trans-inclusive, from ensuring that gender identity ...

Victories This Legislative Session

The expression, “It gets worse before it gets better” could not more accurately describe the events at the Capitol during the last week of session.   ...

Visiting A Healthcare Provider? Know Your Rights

When LGBT Missourians visit their healthcare provider they often do not know or understand their rights as patients. Knowing your rights makes it easier for ...

Webster Groves Amends Fair Housing Code to Include Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Protections

Following a unanimous vote this evening (Feb. 5, 2013), the Webster Groves City Council approved an amendment to the city’s Fair Housing Code. The amendment would ...

Welcome Back to School 2016: Your Rights

Welcome Back to School! This time of year can be a very exciting time for many students. For many LGBTQ students, the start of the ...

What Indiana Means for Missouri

Over the last few days since the internet erupted around all things RFRA and Indiana, we have had a lot of calls to the PROMO ...

What To Do If You Or Someone You Know Is A Victim of violence?

Is your life or someone else’s life in immediate danger, contact 911 right away. If this is NOT an emergency you should take the following ...

Why Come Out for Equality Day in Two Weeks

Sometimes we need to retreat. In the interest of self-care and self-preservation, sometimes we need to stay home, get lost in a book, or let ...

Why I Am Asking You to #StandWithJake

Everyone has heard of Westboro Baptist Church based out of Topeka, Kansas, right? Well if you have not, I will not be linking to their ...

Your Rights In Your Community Missourians

Many cities and counties in Missouri have protections in place for LGBT people. Check out where your community stands.   Don’t see your community on ...