There has been a trend sweeping across the nation — a wave of anti-LGBT bills being filed across 26 states. In Texas, a record breaker of any state, there have been 20 anti-LGBT bills introduced by lawmakers. As is the case in Missouri, eight anti-LGBT bills have been filed by Missouri legislators.
Take a closer look at the bills that have been filed that are harmful to LGBT Missourians.
HB 104 (Rep. Haahr), SB 248 (Sen. Schaefer), SB 311 (Sen. Emery)
Would allow student organizations with “sincerely held religious beliefs” to discriminate in membership of the group without penalty from the associated university.
HB 104 forces Universities to fund discriminatory organizations on campus and exempts religious organizations from nondiscrimination policies.
This bill is the furthest along of any. The third reading of this bill in the House was today, March 19, and is now onto the Senate for consideration.
SB 555 (Sen. Emery), HB 1107 (Rep. Moon)
Would make it illegal for public employees to issue or partake in issuing a marriage license to a same-sex couple.
PROMO has sent Senator Ed Emery 228 reasons (via Missourians all across the state) why SB 555 is harmful to LGBT couples and their children.
HB 1337 (Rep. Pogue)
Allows a person authorized to solemnize marriages to refuse to solemnize a marriage which is contrary to the religious beliefs or sincerely held moral convictions of such person.
HB 1338 (Rep. Pogue)
Requires all public restrooms, other than single occupancy restrooms, to be gender-divided restrooms.
HB 1339 (Rep. Pogue)
Prohibits the appropriation or expenditure of state revenues for the purpose of creating a gender-neutral environment, unless required by a federal or state court order.
A.J. Bockelman, PROMO Executive Director, concluded, “These types of bills are happening all over the country. With all the advancement on marriage, bills trying to continue marginalization of the LGBT community are expected. Opponents are lashing out, desperate for any attempt to stop progress. It’s like the last dying breath of a wounded animal. But make no mistake, justice and equality will prevail. ”