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 public accommodations. This bill has one glaring problem. HB 2253 intentionally leaves out gender identity.

Our community is one community. We are the LGBT community, and we will not leave each other behind. Progress for some should not come at the expense of others. This bill implies that removing protections for transgender and non-binary people is the only way to see protections for part of our community, and that’s not right. We must, and we will, move forward together.

While we appreciate Rep. Stephens’ concerns for part of our community, removing gender identity has been proposed before in Missouri and at the federal level. Our community opposed it then, and our community opposes it now.  

Please take a moment to tell Rep. Stephens why he should include BOTH sexual orientation AND gender identity in his nondiscrimination bill.

• If you are lesbian, gay, or bisexual, share why you’re not willing to leave the transgender community behind.
• If you’re transgender, share why protections are important for you.
• If you’re an ally to the LGBT community, share why you support a fully inclusive bill.