Missouri - Keshet

Keshet is mobilizing our Jewish communities to advance LGBTQ+ rights across Missouri. We are committed to working with local synagogues, Jewish organizations, and LGBTQ+ rights groups like PROMO Missouri.

From legislative advocacy, to community education and support, to getting out the vote, we heed our tradition’s sacred call by raising our voices together fortzedek, justice. Sign up here to get involved!

The 2026 state legislative session in Missouri concluded on May 15th, ending with the defeat of all 58 proposed anti-LGBTQ+ pieces of legislation. This victory is a testament to the hard work of pro-equality advocates on the ground, and proof that the persistence and action of our communities can result in real, tangible wins.

RESOURCES

Take Action by Writing Postcards to your Missouri Legislators
Talking About Anti-Trans Legislation Through a Jewish Lens – Keshet
It’s a Mitzvah! Fight for LGBTQ+ Rights – Keshet
The Role of Jewish Community Spaces Amid Hostile Legislation for LGBTQ+ Youth

2026 Bills to Watch

Amendment 3 (-) (Ballot Measure)

Missouri Amendment 3 is a legislatively referred constitutional amendment that will appear on the ballot in Missouri on November 3, 2026. If passed, the amendment would ban abortion in the state and prohibit medical professionals from providing gender-affirming healthcare to youth.

Stopped: HB 2536 (-)

This bill attempts to restrict where trans and gender-expansive Missourians can exist in everyday spaces, including bathrooms, shelters, and correctional facilities. It also seeks to make Missouri's existing trans athlete ban permanent by removing the sunset, and it institutes a rigid binary male/female definition of "sex."

Stopped: HB 1663 (-)

Prohibits transgender students from participating in athletic contests organized by sex -- this bill is designed to make Missouri's trans athlete ban permanent.

Stopped: HB 2033 (-)

A bill aiming to remove the sunset provision on Missouri's existing healthcare ban for trans young people.

Stopped: SB 1085 (-)

This bill forces teachers to out students to their parents, whether their parents are affirming or not, threatens teachers who affirm students using their desired names/pronouns with termination, opens up schools to lawsuits, and takes away parental rights from supportive parents who want to support and affirm their trans child.

Pro-LGBTQ+ Laws

Nondiscrimination protections on the basis of sexual orientation for parents in adoption and foster care
Nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people in housing and public accommodations
Nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ state employees
- However, state law explicitly excludes transition-related healthcare in their state employee health benefits
Protections against discrimination for LGBTQ+ youth in the child welfare system
Hate crime law covers LGBTQ people
Change process for gender marker on driver’s licenses

Anti-LGBTQ+ Laws

Youth & Families

No nondiscrimination protections on the basis of gender identity for parents in adoption and foster care
No second-parent adoption for unmarried couples, confirmatory adoption, or Voluntary Acknowledgement of Parentage (VAP)
No recognition for parents using assisted reproduction
No conversion therapy ban covering LGBTQ+ youth
Ban on best practice medical care for transgender youth

Discrimination

Nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people in employment or credit/lending
Broad religious exemption law that weaponizes religion as a justification for LGBTQ+ discrimination
State Medicaid Policy does not cover transgender people
There is no ban on the gay/trans panic defense
No nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people in jury service
State criminalizes the transmission of HIV

Education

Laws that ban local schools and districts from passing nondiscrimination or anti-bullying laws covering LGBTQ+ students
State curriculum is not required to be LGBTQ+ inclusive
State law prevents transgender students from participating in sports consistent with their gender identity

Legal & Documentation

No gender-neutral option on driver’s licenses or birth certificates
No change process for gender markers on birth certificates
No name change process