ST. LOUIS — A Missouri State Representative is at odds with his own brother over legislation that seeks to make it illegal for teachers in Missouri to counsel students about gender transition.
When discussing State Rep. Jamie Gragg, his older brother Charles doesn’t mince his words.
“I’m very proud of my brother’s accomplishments,” Charles Gragg said.
However, that’s not stopping Charles from speaking out against HB2885, which was recently filed by his younger brother.
“I truthfully and honestly can’t even imagine what his motivations are,” Charles Gragg said.
HB2885 seeks to make it a felony for teachers or school counselors to provide support to a child regarding social transition and requires educators to register as sex offenders if convicted.
“It needlessly targets teachers,” Charles Gragg said. “In addition to attacking those that they don’t agree with it also attacks anyone who shows compassion or tolerance and seeks to silence them.”
“This bill is one of the very first in the nation,” PROMO director of communications Robert Fischer said. “It would be one of the most intense and harshest that we’ve seen thus far.”
“It’s just hateful and malicious,” Charles Gragg said. “This legislation will cost lives and recklessly destroy others just for the sin of being compassionate.”
5 on Your Side reached out to Rep. Gragg for comment on HB2885, and his brother’s statements, but he has yet to respond to our request.
“It’s just malicious,” Charles Gragg said. “To call it protecting children I think is just whitewash for hatred.”
HB2885 recently picked up two additional sponsors and has already had a second reading on the house floor.
The bill has yet to be assigned to a committee or scheduled on the house calendar making its future uncertain.