As Republicans in Missouri push forward with anti-transgender legislation, Rabbi Daniel Bogard of the Central Reform Congregation in St. Louis is not only defending his own family against death threats, but also fighting for transgender rights. This year, Missouri has filed the most anti-LGBTQ+ bills of any state, making this session the “most dangerous” for the LGBTQ+ community in years, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.
Rabbi Bogard has testified against these bills for the past few years, and this week was no exception. Along with other Jewish and Christian clergy, Bogard spoke out against the legislation and even had his 11-year-old son testify in support of transgender children. The young man told lawmakers, “Kids just want to have fun, playing sports, not being stressed having to come here to tell you to let them play.”
Despite the opposition and death threats, Rabbi Bogard remains committed to advocating for transgender rights. He has started Camp Indigo Point, a summer camp for trans youth, in Missouri and his own 9-year-old child attends a school that sends representatives to testify against anti-trans bills. The rabbi’s child is embraced and supported by family, friends, and teachers and lives the life “every trans kid deserves.”