Thread by @RavBogard

Live thread for Missouri's #SB14, a bill that would make it impossible for trans folk to change the gender marker on their birth certificates. #MOLeg #ProtectTransKids 🧵

The bill sponsor starts by talking about how "this bill isn't about trans people, it's about records of birth!" Senator @gregrazer isn't having it: "it's not ok for this assembly to legislate on issues that they don't understand."

Senator Cierpiot, the bill sponsor: "I'm not sure about the whole trans thing, but I think that once a Dr. looks at a baby and makes a decision, that should be how it is!"

Senator Andrew Koenig (R) talks about how this is just "biological reality", ignoring the existence of interesex and trans folk...

My Senator, @TracyMcCreery , talking about the real impact of this bill forcibly outing trans folk, particularly in a State where trans people can be fired for being trans.

The bill sponsor is now leaving without hearing testimony against the bill! These people are so disrespectful. Ps there is only ONE person testifying in favor of this bill... And he's from the Southern Baptist convention 🧐

Chair: "I know this is an emotional issue for the opposition, but please no outrage or outbursts!" Decorum is so often a tool of the powerful... #ProtectTransKids

First witness opposed to this bill is a representative from the @TrevorProject speaking powerfully about the real world impact of this cruel birth certificate bill on trans youth and adults.

The view from my seat in the Missouri Senate Hearing Room

Senator @gregrazer powerfully speaking about what it would have meant to him, as a gay man who grew up in rural Missouri, to have had the @TrevorProject when he was young 🔥🔥🔥

Wow--now hearing from a med student who is just not having it! Speaking powerful truths about the lack of biological reality to a gender-binary.

Social worker from "Youth in Need", which serves foster kids, talking about how #SB14 would hurt some of the most vulnerable kids in the State of Missouri. #ProtectTransKids

Now a rep from the awesome @aclu_mo testifying that bills which ban trans people from changing their birth certificates are fundamentally unconstitutional.

@ppact_stl_swmo is in the house! Their rep is testifying about the reality of trans people, and trans health. "SB14 is legislation driven by discrimination!" #ProtectTransKids

Planned Parenthood rep calling out the bill sponsor (who left the room without hearing testimony), for admitting to not understanding much about trans people.

The awesome Maggie of @ProChoice_MO is up now, talking about rights, and justice, and doing right by all of the citizens of Missouri. #ProtectTransKids

I just testified for the first time today, arguing that #SB14 is a violation of my religious liberty as an American Jew

Pastor @jennintheattic is up! "Being the parent of a trans child is challenging, but not how you might think..." Because, of course, the hardest part of being the parent of a trans kid in Missouri is the war that Republicans are waging against our kids and families.

@StacyCaySlays is slaying! She's quickly become an incredible advocate & veteran of these hearings, and is powerfully calling out the gross focus on "what their genitals look like" that GOPers are pushing.

Now the dad of a trans kid, speaking powerfully about supporting his daughter, and having to fight the Missouri Legislature in order to stand up for his kid.

Dad speaking on how not having correct governmental documents is deeply harmful to trans kids. I feel like he's speaking for me (I spoke as a rabbi more than a parent today).

Parent after parent is going up and sharing incredibly intimate and vulnerable things about how the @MissouriGOP 's war on trans kids and their families is harming them and their children. #ProtectTransKids

Chair announces that there will be a hard stop at noon (nine minutes)

"It's none of your business what's in my pants!"

A Dr. who is a trans man just came up to testify, and is now laying down some medical truth about sex and gender 🔥🔥🔥

Now up @CRCStLouis 's awesome Philip Deitch: "let's call these bills what they are--they are an attack against the LGBTQ community... An attack on MY community."

And we're adjourned!