Overview

• A new bill in Missouri aims to criminalize educators for supporting transgender students' social transitions, including the use of preferred pronouns and gender expressions.
• The legislation, introduced by Republican state Rep. Jamie Gragg, would require educators found guilty to register as sex offenders, effectively ending their careers.
• Critics argue the bill infringes on free speech and poses a significant threat to the mental health and safety of transgender students.
• The bill is part of a broader wave of anti-transgender legislation in Missouri, including bans on gender-transition surgical procedures for minors and restrictions on transgender athletes.
• Advocates warn that such legislation could exacerbate the risk of suicide among LGBTQ youth and create a hostile school environment.