Drag Queens Speak Against Missouri Bills on Transgender Kids

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) Dozens of advocates, including drag queens in full makeup, rallied Tuesday at Missouri's Capitol against bills banning transgender athletes from participating on girls sports teams, gender-affirming treatment for transgender kids and public drag shows.

Jordan Braxton, who is in leadership at the advocacy group TransParent and performs in drag as Dieta Pepsi, told a group of about 100 advocates that the legislation up for debate is hurting our trans kids.

As a trans woman I will not be erased, she said. As a drag queen I will not be erased. As a human being I will not be erased.

Doctors, along with many parents and educators, say legislation targeting LGBTQ people, and in particular youths, helps foster a climate of homophobia and transphobia.

Bills considered during a House committee hearing included restrictions on which teams transgender athletes play on particularly girls from K-12 through college. Transgender girls could only play on boys' teams under several proposals.