Planned Parenthood Responds to Missouri Legislature’s Transphobic Ban on Care
Contact: Julie Lynn, [email protected]
For Immediate Release: May 10, 2023 (Updated: May 10, 2023, 5:02 p.m.)
Read more about the ban's impact on patients
Learn moreJEFFERSON CITY, MO — In response to the Missouri Legislature passing a ban on gender-affirming care for Missouri youth, Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri released the following statement.
Statement from Yamelsie Rodríguez, president and CEO, Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri:
“Just like we saw with abortion access, state politicians are inserting themselves in our exam rooms, this time attacking the trans community. This anti-science ideological crusade is straight out of the anti-abortion playbook — sham investigations, character assassination hit pieces, and inflammatory disinformation to impose cruel and insurmountable bans on lifesaving care and continue legislating our freedoms out of existence. Transgender and gender-expansive youth are terrified because Missouri politicians have waged a harmful, fanatical war on their existence. The Missouri Legislature’s ignorant, transphobic legislation furthers the attorney general’s rule banning gender-affirming care that was blocked in the court just last month — these attacks on the trans youth’s ability to access health care, play sports, and live their lives authentically are an embarrassment to the Show-Me state.
“We will continue to do everything in our power to ensure all patients are supported, seen, and cared for. Any patient wanting to continue their gender-affirming care in a state that welcomes people of all identities: our Fairview Heights, Illinois, health center is open to you and we are here to help you make plans to get care.”
Bans on health care harm people’s mental health and well-being. In fact, nearly half of transgender youth have attempted suicide and an overwhelming majority have contemplated it.