The transgender community in Missouri

[2legit]

I want to buy a house with some acreage in Missouri but I have concerns due to their overall discriminatory laws & conservative views. Although there are human right's groups advocating for us.

I heard cities like Springfield & Kansas City are more open to the LGBT community but is this true? Anyone live there?

Are these areas safe to start transitioning in?

[Ayden]

I would recommend doing some searching and check out information on any towns that you are thinking about moving to. A lot of my family is southern (Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, ect) and even in the city my father lives in, which is much more progressive than most, is not a place I would personally want to live. I've only been to Missouri twice, but I was left with a very neutral impression.

[Frank]

Columbia, Missouri has been an excellent place to transition for me. I had three or four sessions with a therapist before being recommended to a doctor, who drew blood and immediately put me on T. I believe Columbia, probably due to it's university and colleges, is fairly modern and tolerant. Cities on I-70 seem to be safe. Not sure about the rest of the state.

[2legit]

Thanks for the tips bros & yes I'm definitely doing my research first. Frank, I heard about how Columbia is pretty open, which is awesome. Are Springfield & Kansas City on I-70?

[Frank]

Kansas City, Columbia and St Louis are on I-70. Springfield is way down south.

[Bimmer Guy]

I want to buy a house with some acreage in Missouri but I have concerns due to their overall discriminatory laws & conservative views. Although there are human right's groups advocating for us.

I heard cities like Springfield & Kansas City are more open to the LGBT community but is this true? Anyone live there?

Are these areas safe to start transitioning in?

Can you start transitioning (or even just name change if you pass at all) before you move?  Then you will have a choice about telling people you are trans.

Living in a place that has a LGBT community may also be a consideration for you when looking(?).

[2legit]

Thanks Frank, appreciate the local perspective :-)

And Bimmer Guy, yup I thought about that too but I'm pre-T & don't pass at all. It would probably take 2 years before the T kicked in so I want to move now. The land is calling my name lol

[Ayden]

I just talked to my gay brother today and he said that he went to Columbia. His friend was from there and he went to visit on an off weekend. He said it seemed pretty lgbt friendly and he saw a lot of gay clubs and bars. I asked him about trans spaces and he said he hadn't noticed many. Makes sense since he's a gay man and not "in the know" so to speak. He did say it seems like a very open place. My brother went to an lgbt bar and he said he met a trans woman. In his words, "if only I was straight". Not sexist, just that she was gorgeous. So I'm assuming that there is some community down there. He said it was more open than where our family lives.

[ainsley]

I am near Columbia: 30 miles north in h8r land, but work in LGBT friendly Columbia.  Here is a MO resource site:

http://www.transgenderhealthnetwork.org

Working together to improve health care services to the Mid-Missouri Transgender* Community.
What is the Transgender Health Network (T-Net)?

In February 2011, three psychologists began meeting with the intention of forming a network of health care professionals specifically focused on increasing and improving health care services to trans-identified and gender expansive individuals in our community.  The first open meeting of the Transgender Health Network (T-Net) occurred in August 2011 and since that time, T-Net has grown to include physicians, psychiatrists, social workers, a nurse, and additional psychologists, many from numerous health care settings.  This website is designed to share the most recent list of trans-friendly providers in our network.  We hope you find it useful.

Missouri Resources
The Center Project (TCP), Columbia
http://www.thecenterproject.org/

TRANS at Mizzou
http://trans.missouri.edu/

MU LGBTQ Resource Center, Columbia
http://lgbtq.missouri.edu/

Kansas City Resources, PROMO
http://promoonline.org/resources/kansas-city-region.html#Health

TransParent, St. Louis
http://www.transparentstl.org/#

TransParent Podcasts: Transgender & Gender Independent Youth
http://www.mohec.org/Podcast

LGBTQIA Healthcare Guild of Kansas City
http://healthcareguild.com/kansascity.html

SAGE Metro STL
http://www.sagemetrostl.org/Pages/SAGE-Care-Partner.aspx

Metro Trans Umbrella Group (MTUG)
http://www.stlmetrotrans.com/

Outside of St. Louis, St. Joseph, Springfield, Columbia, or Kansas City you will find yourself in fairly conservative country.  But, in the cities mentioned, I have been respected and well received.

I found my Primary Physician, LCSW, and Psychologist on that site (http://www.transgenderhealthnetwork.org/trans-friendly-health-provider-list.html).  They are great and it is a good place to start for mid-MO.  KC & St. L have plenty of resources.

[2legit]

Ayden, I heard the same recently bro, Columbia seems to be the 'it' place to go for the awesome & open-minded lol

Ainsley, thanks so much for all that incredible info & resources, wow! I will dive deeper with those resources :-)

Based on what I heard from others, they say Springfield is quite conservative/religious & not as LGBT friendly. I saw some nice homes with acreage in Springfield & Independence & it's more in my price range than Columbia. KC too had some nice properties. What's your opinion on Springfield & Independence?  Transition friendly overall?

My main concern is I'm still in girl form physically & I was planning on starting T once I was moved & settled. It's one thing to arrive somewhere new in male stealth form & another to arrive in girl form then transition. This is why the area is important.