Metro Voice News Celebrating Faith, Family & Community
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has filed a federal lawsuit challenging Jackson County’s controversial gender counseling ordinance, arguing it violates religious freedom and First Amendment rights. The legal action targets both a Kansas City counseling ban and Jackson County restrictions, which regulate how licensed counselors can discuss gender identity with clients.
Bailey seeks relief through an injunction to halt the enforcement of these ordinances, citing violations of both the First and Fourteenth Amendments. The lawsuit contends that these ordinances force counselors to affirm specific viewpoints about gender and sexuality, regardless of their religious beliefs or professional judgment.
“These ordinances represent an unconstitutional overreach that compromises both free speech and religious liberty,” Bailey stated. “We’re fighting to protect the right of counselors and their clients to have honest, unrestricted conversations without government interference.”
The challenged regulations specifically restrict counselors from providing certain types of therapy related to gender identity and sexual orientation. Religious freedom advocates argue this creates a one-sided approach that prevents counselors from fully addressing their clients’ needs according to their professional expertise and religious convictions.
The lawsuit seeks immediate court intervention to stop the enforcement of these ordinances. This legal challenge joins similar cases nationwide, reflecting an ongoing debate about the balance between religious freedom and gender identity counseling regulations.
Legal experts anticipate this case could have significant implications for similar ordinances across the country, potentially setting a precedent for how municipalities can regulate counseling practices while respecting religious liberty and professional discretion.
–Alan Goforth
