Missouri Republicans introduced 58 anti-LGBTQ+ bills. One anti-trans measure became law

For years, Missouri has been one of the country’s most aggressive testing grounds for anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. It’s a Republican-controlled state where lawmakers have repeatedly introduced bills targeting transgender youth, drag performers, school policies, and gender expression as part of the broader national culture war over LGBTQ+ rights. This year was no exception.Missouri Republicans introduced 58 anti-LGBTQ+ bills during the 2026 legislative session, according to PROMO, the state’s leading LGBTQ+ advocacy organization. But despite the wave of proposals, advocates say only one anti-trans measure ultimately became law before lawmakers adjourned Friday.The outcome marked a significant slowdown in a state that has routinely ranked among the nation’s leaders in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.The victory comes amid an unprecedented national wave of legislation targeting LGBTQ+ people, especially transgender Americans. The American Civil Liberties Union is currently tracking 529 anti-LGBTQ+ bills in state legislatures this year, including measures restricting gender-affirming healthcare, bathroom access, drag performances, transgender student participation in sports, and LGBTQ+ visibility in schools and public life.Related: Mississippi Republicans fail to pass trans bathroom ban and law defining sexThe proposals introduced in Missouri reflected nearly every major front in that broader legislative campaign.One bill mirrored Kansas’s controversial anti-trans restroom restrictions. Other measures sought to remove sunset provisions from Missouri’s existing bans on gender-affirming healthcare for transgender minors and trans student athlete participation. Additional proposals targeted drag performers, classroom discussions on gender expression and diversity, and spending on diversity, equity, and inclusion.Several of the measures were advanced through the legislature during the session. But PROMO said the overwhelming majority failed to ultimately become law after mo