Missouri’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors is in effect

This blog originally appeared at Pink News.

A ban on gender-affirming care for minors has officially come into effect in the state of Missouri.

The recently enacted legislation, referred to as the Missouri Save Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act, places restrictions on healthcare providers regarding the provision of gender-affirming care to minors for gender transition purposes. This law, effective immediately, prohibits healthcare providers from administering evidence-based treatments such as puberty blockers or hormones to minors unless they had already started such treatment prior to August 28, 2023. Furthermore, the legislation also forbids minors from undergoing gender-affirming surgeries, although it’s important to note that such procedures are typically not offered to children by healthcare providers.

Under this law, which is set to expire in August 2027, healthcare providers found in violation will face the revocation of their professional licenses. It’s worth noting that gender-affirming healthcare encompasses age-appropriate treatments aimed at alleviating the symptoms of gender dysphoria or distress in transgender and non-binary individuals. This type of care is endorsed by all major medical associations in the United States.

There exists a wealth of compelling evidence affirming the medical safety of this care, as well as its positive impact on the mental well-being of eligible individuals who undergo it.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), a civil rights organization, had initiated a legal challenge aimed at overturning the new healthcare ban in an effort to halt its implementation. However, their hopes were dashed last week when a judge ruled against them, permitting the law to take effect as originally planned.

The judge’s decision was based on the belief that there wasn’t sufficient evidence to warrant a preliminary injunction, which the ACLU had requested. The medical and scientific evidence presented in court was deemed “conflicting and unclear.”

It’s important to note that while individuals aged 18 and older can still access gender-affirming care in Missouri, this care is not covered by Medicaid. Additionally, those in correctional facilities face significant restrictions in receiving such treatment.

Tom Bastian, representing the ACLU, commented on the judge’s ruling, stating, “Although we are disappointed with the court’s decision, we remain committed to defending the rights of transgender individuals in Missouri and will continue our efforts to do so.”

In the midst of these developments, Yamelsie Rodriguez, the CEO of Planned Parenthood in Southwest Missouri, expressed her concerns, stating, “Transgender and gender-expansive youth in Missouri are facing the distressing prospect of having their rights stripped away, unless a higher court steps in to intervene. They are grappling with fear and anger over Missouri politicians employing ideology and unsubstantiated science to deny them essential healthcare and to invalidate their very existence. We stand in solidarity with them.”

Rodriguez firmly asserted that politicians should not be delving into or dictating the scope of care provided within medical examination rooms.

Additionally, another law has been enacted in Missouri this week, significantly restricting transgender student-athletes by mandating their participation on sports teams that align with the sex assigned to them at birth.

Missouri now joins the ranks of over 20 states that have implemented policies prohibiting gender-affirming care for minors. According to the Human Rights Campaign, at least seven more states are contemplating the introduction of similar laws or policies.