Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe has recently signed HB 2009, a bill that makes changes to the Missouri Department of Corrections, including prohibiting the use of state funds for gender-affirming hormone therapy and gender transition surgeries for incarcerated individuals. The law has drawn the ire of many Missouri residents, who believe it is a cruel measure aimed at the state’s transgender population.
As reported by LGBTQNation, the new law states that “No funds shall be expended for any cross-sex hormones, or gender transition surgery undertaken for the purpose of any gender transition.” In practice, critics argue that the law prevents transgender inmates from continuing hormone treatment while incarcerated, requiring them to stop it abruptly.
The law was also criticized by the medical experts interviewed by the outlet, who argued that there would be widespread outrage if the same happened to women undergoing testosterone replacement therapy after menopause, for example. According to those experts, the policy could endanger the lives of affected inmates.
Missouri Residents React to Bills that Force Trans Inmates to Detransition
The signing of the law left some people on Reddit’s r/Missouri furious with Governor Kehoe. One user wrote: “More trans hysteria. They’re such a tiny minority, yet they occupy the minds of Republicans 24/7.”
Another seemingly furious commenter said: “They’ll tell you it’s fiscal responsibility, not wanting tax dollars to go to criminals. But yeah, the whole penal system is an example of tax dollars spent to make people suffer instead of trying to reform them into productive members of society.”
Others criticized the Republican Party, arguing that “Prisoners have a Constitutional right to healthcare.” Others added that, in their opinion, “The cruelty is the point with these people.”
Some residents were also alarmed by what they saw as the GOP’s focus on “issues” involving transgender people while failing to address problems affecting many Missourians: “I’m glad this is tackling the real issues. Not the housing crisis, affordability crisis, inflation, food insecurity, or rising political tensions.”
Overall, users were unhappy with the changes, and some even questioned which groups could be targeted next: “Who will they set their sights on next? (…) Women are already under attack, but not to this extent. Maybe someday women will be forced to quit their jobs, turn over their credit cards, and not be allowed to vote.”
