Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the U.S. state of Missouri may experience some legal challenges that non-LGBTQ residents do not.

On June 26, 2015, the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in Obergefell v. Hodges invalidated the denial of marriage rights to same-sex couples, including Missouri's.

[4] When the U.S. Supreme Court's 2003 decision in Lawrence v. Texas rendered laws banning consensual sexual activity unenforceable, Missouri was one of only 4 states that criminalized only homosexual sodomy.

[9][10] A lawsuit aiming to reverse his order, Messer v. Nixon, was filed in Cole County Circuit Court on January 8, 2014.

[13] On October 3, Judge J. Dale Youngs ruled that Missouri's refusal to recognize same-sex marriages from other jurisdictions violated the plaintiffs' right to equal protection under both the state and federal constitutions.

[15] Kelly Glossip sued the state for survivor benefits after the death of his husband, a highway patrol officer.

[17] The Missouri Supreme Court ruled 5–2 against Glossip in October 2013, saying his claim was denied on the basis of his marital status, not his sexual orientation.

[24] St. Louis County, where an official said "We believe it's a county-by-county decision",[23] began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples the next day.

[27] Despite the stay, Jackson County began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples immediately following the decision.

[42] After being proposed for nine years, a bill to add "sexual orientation" to Missouri's non-discrimination statute had its first committee hearing in March 2010.

[43] On May 17, 2013, the Senate passed legislation banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in employment, housing, and public accommodations by a 19–11.

"[45] A September 2011 Public Policy Polling survey found that 32% of Missouri voters supported the legalization of same-sex marriage, while 59% were opposed and 9% were not sure.

[46] A May 2012 Public Policy Polling survey found that 36% of Missouri voters supported the legalization of same-sex marriage, while 52% were opposed and 12% were not sure.

[47] A 2017 Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) poll found that 58% of Missouri residents supported same-sex marriage, while 35% opposed.

Additionally, the same poll found that 65% of Missouri residents supported an anti-discrimination law covering sexual orientation and gender identity, while only 28% opposed.

[48] In May 2023, a bill (SB39) formally passed the Missouri Legislature to legally ban all transgender individuals in any female sports and/or athletics.

It was implemented after a review of state policies marked the department with a 'F' score for human rights and LGBT acceptance.

[57] In November 2024, a court order allowing the Missouri legislation to go into effect immediately - thats implementing an explicit ban on any gender-affirming healthcare for children and minors.

[66] In addition, the house debated HB 1669, proposed by Brian Seitz whose second clause states that "No pupil in any public school shall be required to engage in any form of mandatory gender or sexual diversity training or counseling.

[69] Pollock also added a companion bill, HB 2399, which would extend the window for medical malpractice suites for trans healthcare from 2 years to until the age of 28.

The bill would also mandate that before anyone of any age can get trans healthcare, they must be presented with detransition statistics and "information on potential therapeutic, nonmedical approaches.

In August 2024, the court denied their request for a preliminary injunction to block the ban from taking effect while the case was pending.

[76] Prior to that, in March 2023, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey issued an emergency order[77] — to remain in effect for no less than 30 legislative days or 180 calendar days, whichever is longer — declaring gender-affirming healthcare for trans youth experimental, referring to it as "mutilating children for the sake of a woke, leftist agenda", and implementing the following restrictions:[78] In April 2023, the AG issued an order expanding this directive, mandating that additionally: The attorney general withdrew this order on May 16 after the state legislature passed two bills restricting gender-affirming care for trans youth.

[79] In April 2023, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey issued an emergency order[80] (set to expire in February 2024)[81] that would have limited gender-affirming care for adults.

[85][86][87] The state of Missouri currently operates a tipline for citizens to anonymously report any suspected violations of the above orders, as well as general complaints and concerns about a "gender transition intervention" they know of taking place.