Gender Equality

Drag Queen “Manic High” applying makeup.

Drag Queens Persevere in Face of anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation in Kansas and Missouri

The Kansas City and Lawrence drag community is persevering in the face of a wave of anti-LGBTQ legislation in Kansas and Missouri. Here’s how.

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an older man in a cap, jeans and a plaid shirt props a basket of lavender up against a fence. on the fence, a sign reads "Lavender Hill Farm"

Lavender Farm Supports Organization Battling Sex Trafficking 

“Joe never gives up on a plant,” Jenny Steineger said as her husband parted a seemingly dead lavender bush to reveal new growth at its core.   An unseasonably early winter cold snap resulted in a rather puny harvest for the Steinegers at Lavender Hill Farm in Kansas City, Kansas.   “That’s farming,” she said with a…

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Kansas Citians protesting anti-transgender legislation in Missouri and Kansas.

Pondering KC’s Quest to Become a Transgender ‘Safe Haven’

Kansas City’s quest to become a “safe haven” in the wake of anti-transgender legislation in Missouri turns on raw politics and vexing legal questions.

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A collage of five people, with a transgender flag and a pride flag.

In Their Own Words: Testimonies from Trans Kansas Citians 

Kansas Citians share their stories of life in the trans community and the pursuit of gender-affirming care.

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Person in glasses with boxing gloves in dark room

Gender-Affirming Care in Kansas City

Transgender rights continue to dominate headlines as legislatures across the country push restrictive laws. Those most directly affected by these measures must look at how they will access gender-affirming care, who will legally provide it and where they can find sanctuary. This month, “Flatland In Focus” examines these issues with members of the trans community…

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Folks hold up pink white and blue signs that read "We Are Still Here" at a transgender rights protest in Kansas City.

‘Transas City’: KC Offers Sanctuary Amid Anti-Trans Push 

A loud clatter of skateboards, abandoned by riders grinning at a near wipeout, interrupts conversations among friends and new acquaintances.   It’s the first time Late-Nite Bite, a monthly sober and queer event, has set up shop at Goofball Sk8boards in the Waldo neighborhood of Kansas City, and it’s clearly a success.   Late-Nite Bite…

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Nick Haines

Nick’s Picks | Missouri’s Transgender Restrictions and KC’s Charter Changes

Top stories this week include new Missouri transgender restrictions, possible changes to Kansas City’s charter and graduation for many local students.

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Dozens marched down Broadway for Kansas City's first trans pride march in June 2019.

Kansas City Considers Becoming a Transgender ‘Safe Haven’ in Defiance of Missouri Laws

The LGBTQ Commission has asked Kansas City to become a sanctuary city for the transgender community. Missouri is about to restrict gender-affirming care.

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A group of high schoolers stand together, one holding a trans pride flag up in the air and a megaphone linked to their belt, another has a pride flat wrapped around their back with phrases such as "Love is Love" printed in white letters.

Students, Advocates and Counselors Battle Legislation Targeting LGBTQ Rights in Classrooms

New bills complicate existing protections for school employees and LGBTQ students. Here is what folks are doing to respond.

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A collage of black and white photos of folks in Kansas City's community, many of whom were impacted by HIV. This image promotes a new documentary by Sandy Woodson "AIDS in KC" as well as Flatland Show's latest episode covering health inequities that emerged.

curiousKC | What Questions Do You Have Since HIV/AIDS First Emerged 40 Years Ago?

This month, Flatland reporters focus on the implications the HIV epidemic has had on health equity. What questions should we cover?

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