Greg Razer

The rally comes after the Republican-led Senate passed two bills placing limitations on health care and sports participation for trans youth. Both bills still need to pass the House.

Both bills now go to the Missouri House, where leadership says they are a priority.

The Missouri Senate gave first-round approval to a pair of bills early Tuesday morning targeting transgender minors and athletes. It needs another vote in the Senate before moving on to the Missouri House.

Another Senate committee heard testimony Tuesday on legislation that would prohibit anyone from changing their birth certificate.

The House General Laws Committee heard testimony on eight bills centered on the LGBTQ community on Tuesday. They would impose restrictions including barring transgender girls from participating in sports that align to their gender identity and from accessing gender-affirming health care.

The legislation makes several changes regarding K-12 education, including the creation of a portal that contains every school district’s curriculum and other information. It also would prohibit the teaching of critical race theory and other diversity-related concepts.

The bills the Missouri Senate advanced on Tuesday do contain an income tax cut and a series of agriculture tax credits, but do make significant changes compared to what Gov. Mike Parson initially requested.

One of the transgender bills was added to a bill containing multiple measures about Missouri elections, including the requirement that voters show a photo ID in order to cast their ballot.

The Kansas City Democrat also discussed the impending rollout of Medicaid expansion in Missouri — and an upcoming special session on redistricting.

Missouri Republicans once again will have free reign to reshape policy and politics throughout state government. Democrats? Not so much.