The Missouri Nondiscrimination Act (MONA) has been filed for the 22nd consecutive year. As legislative pre-filing began today, Representative Greg Razer (D – 25) took the opportunity to help protect LGBTQ Missourians from discrimination.
MONA would add sexual orientation and gender identity to Missouri’s Human Rights Statute, which currently prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations for other protected categories, including race, sex, and national origin. According to the Williams Institute, more than 160,000 LGBTQ adults in Missouri would benefit from an expanded state nondiscrimination law that includes sexual orientation and gender identity.
Rep. Razer, “Missouri will enter the year 2020 with laws still in place allowing for the legal discrimination of its LGBTQ citizens. It is beyond time for our state to finally step up and protect all Missourians. With growing support from both sides of the aisle, it’s time for leadership in Jefferson CIty to care enough to act.”
Rep. Razer’s bill (HB 1527) is the first version of this bill filed in the second half of the 100th legislative session, and we expect Rep. Hannegan (R – 65) to file a similar version later this month. Both represent the Missouri LGBT caucus and draw attention to this bipartisan issue. For the second consecutive year, MONA had a hearing in the House General Laws Committee, featuring favorable, compelling testimony, paving a huge step forward for this bill, which hasn’t passed out of a full chamber vote since 2013.
Steph Perkins, PROMO’s Executive Director, adds, “In a year where protections for LGBTQ people will be debated by candidates all across the country, it is ever more important for this critical legislation to be filed. This year, PROMO will again be in the Capitol every single day, working with legislators to create an environment where elected officials on both sides of the aisle are ready to vote YES on the Missouri Nondiscrimination Act.”
Our efforts in the Capitol and in the community, along with your tireless and generous support, is making a difference. Please consider showing your support today with an end of the year gift, dedicated to PROMO’s mission.
