Researchers and business leaders warn that discriminatory laws are pushing LGBTQ+ Missourians and employers to leave, hurting the state’s economyMissouri IndependentBy: Annelise HanshawNovember 7, 2025When Rob Connoley shut down his award-winning St. Louis restaurant last year, business was thriving.Tourists and locals alike lauded Bulrush as a destination for Ozark cuisine, making its way into local and national publications as a top restaurant. Profit margins were beyond national averages, and Connoley was a newly awarded James Beard Award finalist.But it didn’t feel right.During a trip to London to represent Missouri in an international food festival, Connoley realized he couldn’t be an ambassador for a state that didn’t respect him.“It felt egregious and awkward to be promoting a state in a region that was actively working against my own personal interests,” he told The Independent.Connoley, who is gay, pointed to an onslaught of anti-LGBTQ+ laws. The final push was when the Missouri Attorney General sought out transgender kids’ medical records.
As I have said before... what is this country coming to where we don't feel safe from the police in our homes that we have to flee!
Analysis by the Movement Advancement Project estimates that around $362 million to $879 million in household income has left the state, a number that is expected to increase.The estimate is based on a survey conducted by MAP in collaboration with The Trevor Project, a mental health nonprofit for LGBTQ+ youth. Their research shows that among LGBTQ+-identifying people ages 13 to 24, around 39% have considered moving to a different state and 4% have already moved because of policies targeting gay and transgender people.“There is good reason to suspect this 4% estimate may be even higher in Missouri,” the report says.A separate study conducted by the National Center for Transgender Equality and released in 2024 found 47% of transgender people have thought about moving to a different state because of discriminatory state laws, and 5% had completed a move for that reason.Missouri is one of 10 states highlighted in the study as having a higher proportion of respondents moving away.
Now lets take a look at Illinois, the governor there just gave a speech to the legislature! NBC Ch5 Chicago reported on the governor's State of the State address in February...
Pritzker questioned what the president will do next, with uncertainly surrounding DOGE, the future of federal programs and more in the balance."After we’ve discriminated against, deported or disparaged all the immigrants and the gay and lesbian and transgender people, the developmentally disabled, the women and the minorities – once we’ve ostracized our neighbors and betrayed our friends – After that, when the problems we started with are still there staring us in the face – what comes next?" he said. "All the atrocities of human history lurk in the answer to that question. And if we don’t want to repeat history – then for God’s sake in this moment we better be strong enough to learn from it."He ended his address with another Holocaust mention."If you think I’m overreacting and sounding the alarm too soon, consider this: It took the Nazis one month, three weeks, two days, eight hours and 40 minutes to dismantle a constitutional republic," he said. "All I’m saying is when the five-alarm fire starts to burn, every good person better be ready to man a post with a bucket of water if you want to stop it from raging out of control... Tyranny requires your fear and your silence and your compliance. Democracy requires your courage. So gather your justice and humanity, Illinois, and do not let the 'tragic spirit of despair' overcome us when our country needs us the most."
People fleeing their homes, people being persecuted for who they are... this is something out of a fascist dream!
Living in the western part of a pro LGTBQ+ state, nobody seems to actively try to overturn the laws that protect the community. Sure, there is vocal trash coming from some pulpits, but the vast majority of the citizens seem not to even think about the "issue, " even if one can identify it as an issue. There was a mass migration of Black people to states that were more welcoming and afforded more opportunities for them. Why would any LGTBQ+ person remain in a place that targets them with adverse legislation and stroke hate amount the citizens?
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