A Missouri court upheld a law banning certain gender-affirming healthcare for minors, marking the first successful defense of such legislation at the trial court level. Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey, who defended the law, praised the ruling, saying, “We will never stop fighting to ensure Missouri is the safest state in the nation for children.” The law, which restricts puberty blockers, hormones, and surgeries for minors under 18, remains in effect until August 2027.
The plaintiffs, represented by Lambda Legal and the ACLU of Missouri, argue the law discriminates against transgender minors, denying them necessary medical treatments while permitting similar care for other conditions. They plan to appeal the decision.
Wright County Judge Craig Carter, in his ruling, cited “severe disagreement” on the ethics of gender dysphoria treatments for adolescents. Major medical organizations, including the American Medical Association, maintain these treatments are evidence-based and medically necessary.
Missouri joins 25 other states with similar bans, though federal judges have struck down or temporarily blocked such laws in Arkansas, Florida, and Montana.
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