The author, using the pseudonym Claude Hartland, wrote about his mental health and experiences with doctors related to sexuality and gender identity as well as descriptions of homosexual social life in downtown St. Louis medical textbook publisher released The Story of a Life, the first recognized American homosexual autobiography in 1901. Despite the Indian Removal Act and other attempts to displace indigenous people, members of the Osage nation continue to reside in the area and are working to preserve Sugarloaf Mound.
While much ancestral knowledge has been lost through colonization and forced assimilation, it is known that the Osage recognized Mixu'ga, one of the identities under the modern two-spirit umbrella. Understandings of gender and sexuality differ among indigenous cultures. Prior to European colonization, the region was inhabited by members of the Mississippian, Illini, Missouria, and Osage peoples. The officer agreed to a $10.25 million settlement in 2020. Louis County argued against the case on the basis that discrimination against sexual minorities is not illegal in Missouri. Shortly thereafter he was transferred to another precinct and assigned to night shift. Louis County Police Department filed an EEOC discrimination lawsuit alleging that he was told to "tone down your gayness" in order to be eligible for promotion. Louis County also has anti-discrimination protections for LGBT residents. The Civil Rights Enforcement Agency (CREA) is responsible for processing claims. 67119 extends the city anti-discrimination policy to protect individuals on the basis of gender identity and sexuality.
The statewide laws and policies identified as beneficial for LGBTQ populations are hate crime laws, a non-discrimination law specific to college and universities, non-discrimination policy for state employees on the basis of sexual orientation, an anti-cyber bullying law, transgender inclusion in sports, and changes for name and gender marker on drivers licenses. In 2019, Missouri was ranked in the lowest category of the HRC state equality index “High Priority to Achieve Basic Equality” with 28 other states. Charles, Missouri and Metro East PrideFest in Belleville, Illinois. Other pride festivals in the metro area include Pride St.
The first Trans & Gender-Free Pride March preceded the PrideFest and Tower Grove celebrations in June 2019.
Louis Black Pride takes place in August, and is believed to be the second oldest Black pride in the country. Neighborhood residents established Tower Grove Pride to continue the neighborhood festivities, which annually occurs on the Saturday of the same weekend. PrideFest previously took place in Tower Grove Park with a parade on South Grand Avenue until 2013. Louis PrideFest takes place at Soldiers' Memorial downtown over two days in the last weekend of June. There are three different LGBT Pride festivals every year in St.