Dear Equality Supporter,

This past week was tough. On Wednesday, the Missouri legislature heard a slate of anti-LGBTQ bills moving forward attacking the rights of LGBTQ Missourians. We’re grateful to the support of our community — to those who have lifted our issues on social media, made calls to legislators, and to the group of passionate young advocates and their families who came in-person and virtually to speak with legislators.

This Wednesday, HB 1282 (Schnelting R-104), a bill that would turn all existing and future marriages into domestic unions, had a hearing in the Downsizing State Government House Committee. Marriage equality is the law of the land. Rep. Schnelting and his colleagues are so threatened by our marriages that they are attempting to take away Missouri’s ability to recognize ALL marriages. As a country, we agree that all couples should have the ability to celebrate their love, declare their commitment, and affirm their equality under the law. This bill would create unnecessary legal problems for all married couples in the state.

This bill did move last year. We need the support of our entire community to help us keep marriage equality. Support PROMO with $25 now.

Wednesday was a tremendously emotional and profoundly personal day for our community, PROMO staff, and most notably, the transgender children and their families who came to share their stories. We testified on HJR 53, in which the legislators in the Emerging Issues Committee heard whether or not transgender students should be able to participate in sports. 

• Trans kids asked their elected officials to be seen and treated as kids. Our laws should protect transgender youth, not encourage discrimination against them. We still need you to call committee members to help stop this dangerous athlete ban!
  

• We also witnessed the emotional toll our elected officials put these kids and families through when HB 33 (a bill criminalizing life-saving necessary health care for transgender youth), scheduled for 9:00 am, was abruptly pulled as the hearing began. While this is a WIN for protecting the rights of our trans kids, we know how deeply disrespected they felt after making the trek to the Capitol. 
  

HB 33 (Pollock R-123) is rescheduled for this Wednesday, March 10th, at 8:00 am. Sign up to provide remote video testimony or to join us in-person at the Capitol. If you cannot attend, your advocacy is still critical — sign this petition to make calls to your elected officials!

These committee hearings can be hard. They are meant solely to hear whether or not LGBTQ people are deserving of protections in our marriages, in schools, and in health care. PROMO and our partners bring together dozens of trans kiddos and their parents, doctors, attorneys, supportive legislators, and advocates to share their stories, personal experiences, and pleas for dignity. Your support to PROMO, and participation in these conversations is crucial to our success. 

We need you to join us – children’s lives are at risk. This session, Missouri House lawmakers are finding opportunities to hear from constituents digitally and in-person. This Wednesday, we need your support again. 

 In Equality,
Stephen Eisele, Executive Director