A Bunch Of Anti-LGBTQ+ Candidates Are Running In This State. And They Have Trump’s Support.
As Missouri prepares for its primary elections on Tuesday, a constellation of Republican candidates vying for the state’s highest offices have secured endorsements from former President Donald Trump. This powerful backing comes as these candidates commit to advancing restrictive policies that target the LGBTQ+ community, particularly transgender individuals. In a state that has already enacted stringent laws against transgender youth—including prohibition on participation in sports aligned with their gender identity and restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors—these candidates could enact even more severe measures if elected in November.
Trump’s Endorsement: A Double-Edged Sword
The endorsement from Trump carries considerable weight in Missouri, a deep-red state where he has maintained a stronghold, winning over 56% of the vote in both the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections. Trump's support extends to three front-runners in the gubernatorial race—state Sen. Bill Eigel, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, and Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe—who each embrace an "America First" agenda, which Trump praised via a post on his conservative social media platform, Truth Social.
On the attorney general front, Trump has also endorsed incumbent state Attorney General Andrew Bailey and challenger Will Scharf, both of whom have histories of advocating for anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. The significance of Trump’s backing cannot be overstated; it not only legitimizes their policies in the eyes of the Republican base but also galvanizes support from conservative voters eager to see a rollback of LGBTQ+ rights.
The Landscape of Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation in Missouri
Currently, Missouri is marked by several laws that specifically hinder the rights and well-being of transgender individuals. For example, the law banning trans youth from participating in sports aligning with their gender identity has already taken effect, and the recent ban on gender-affirming care has expanded the limitations faced by minors, incarcerated individuals, and those on Medicaid. These legislative actions signal a broader trend of hostility toward the LGBTQ+ community that the current Republican candidates appear eager to perpetuate.
The State Attorney General Race
Among the candidates in the attorney general race, Bailey stands out as a prominent figure in the fight against transgender rights. His controversial emergency rule, enacted in April 2023, imposed burdensome and vague requirements on both transgender youth and adults seeking gender-affirming care. Although this rule was withdrawn following the passage of a more restrictive law, the ramifications for transgender individuals seeking medical assistance were immediate and significant, resulting in many medical professionals stepping back from offering necessary treatments.
Bailey’s aggressive tactics do not end there; he has spearheaded investigations against hospitals and health centers providing gender-affirming care, notably launching a probe into the Washington University Pediatric Transgender Center. Critics argue that these inquiries have created an oppressive atmosphere for healthcare providers and left many transgender individuals with limited options for care.
Challenger Will Scharf shares Bailey’s anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric but has thus far been unable to put forth any significant policies. His support for banning gender-affirming care for minors puts him firmly in line with Bailey, and he has positioned himself as a loyal Trump ally.
Against this backdrop, Democratic candidate Elad Gross aims to shift the narrative by promoting the establishment of a civil rights division within the attorney general’s office, dedicated to protecting LGBTQ+ residents from discrimination.
The Gubernatorial Race
In the heated gubernatorial race, candidates Eigel, Ashcroft, and Kehoe each present a unique brand of anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment. Eigel has drawn headlines for equating "transgender ideology" with "child abuse," asserting that gender-affirming surgeries pose dangers not only to minors but adults as well. His calls for law enforcement intervention against "woke liberals" further showcase his hardline approach.
While Kehoe has been somewhat more moderate—supporting certain anti-discrimination measures—he has also indicated opposition to gender-affirming care, making his stance on LGBTQ+ rights unclear. Ashcroft’s position exhibits a blend of support for restrictive policies, while also expressing reservations about Bailey’s emergency order, arguing it complicates access to care for adults.
Interestingly, some Democratic candidates are capitalizing on the state's current climate by promoting their commitment to reproductive health care, indicating that Missouri’s electorate may move toward a more progressive stance in the face of stringent GOP policies.
Conclusion: The Stakes Are High
The upcoming primary elections in Missouri are a pivotal moment that could shape the future for LGBTQ+ residents in the state. With Trump-backed candidates openly advocating for an expansion of anti-trans policies and against broader LGBTQ+ rights, the implications of their potential victories could reverberate far beyond state lines. As advocates and allies mobilize to contest these positions, the battle for the rights of transgender individuals in Missouri has become emblematic of a much larger national struggle—one that will resonate with voters across the country as they consider the implications of their choices at the ballot box in November.