Governor’s office: ‘Special Session is likely not necessary’ after two anti-transgender bills pass legislature

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri legislature sent two bills to the governor's desk Wednesday that would restrict transgender children.

One of the bills would prevent transgender students from participating in women's sports, and the other would ban gender transition care for minors.

Gov. Mike Parson previously said he'd call lawmakers back for a special legislative session if these bills were not passed. When ABC 17 News asked his office about the bill, his office replied, "since both bills have been truly passed, a Special Session is likely not necessary."

The sponsor of one of the bills, Sen. Mike Moon (R-Ash Grove) said on Twitter, "This bill prohibits the chemical mutilation and physical castration of minors. It is now headed to the Governor’s desk."

This vote was so controversial in the house, that one republican said he's now considering switching parties. Rep. Chris Sander (R-Jackson County) is one of three republicans who voted against these bills. He's openly gay, and joined Democratic representatives for a news conference where he said he's questioning his party affiliation.

"That's party politics," Sander said. "I'm LGBTQ, questioning my party at the moment. I'm not questioning me being a gay Republican, I'm questioning if I'm a Republican."

According to Ballotpedia, only three Missouri lawmakers have changed political parties in the past.

Democratic Kansas City Rep. Richard Brown is concerned about how FIFA will react if theses bills are signed.

"When the World Cup, FIFA, was here, some of the language in their contract said that this type of law against transgender people is something that they oppose and could possibly keep us from getting the world cup," Brown said.