Missouri rabbi says anti-trans policies threaten his children
Last month, the office of Republican Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey temporarily removed its online form for members of the public to lodge “a complaint or concern about gender transition intervention” they may have “experienced or observed.” Bailey had just issued an emergency rule proscribing gender affirming care in the state for minors as well as adults in Missouri, the most extreme restrictions on healthcare for transgender people in any state.
Rabbi Daniel Bogard hesitated, at first, when the Washington Blade called for his reaction. “I never know what language to use.” As a faith leader with multi-generational ties to St.
Louis and its tight-knit Jewish community who is living in the home built by his grandfather, Bogard never imagined having to consider fleeing the state. “My parents are here.
My brother is here. We desperately, desperately want to stay here,” he told the Blade. Bogard said because his trans son is just nine, the only gender affirming care he needs is haircuts and boys’ clothes.
