Brian Kaylor is actively engaged in advocacy and in teaching others how to advocate more effectively. In addition to leading the Advocacy Studies concentration at James Madison University, he has also led workshops on advocacy for several churches and organizations.
As a faith-based advocate, Brian has participated in national lobby efforts with Bread for the World, ONE, and Malaria No More. He has also engaged in state and local efforts, including:
Missouri State Legislature
- In 2021, Brian testified against nine bills (none of which passed):
- in the Senate Health and Pensions Committee and the House Special Committee on Government Accountability against seven bills pushing for special religious exemptions to COVID public health rules
- in the Senate Education Committee and the House Elementary & Secondary Education Committee against a bill pushing Bible classes in public schools
- in the House General Laws Committee against a bill pushing guns in houses of worship
- In 2020, Brian testified against two bills (neither passed):
- in the House Special Committee on Career Readiness against a bill giving special rights to collegiate religious student associations.
- in the House Elementary & Secondary Education Committee against a bill pushing Bible classes in public schools.
- In 2019, Brian testified against four bills (only 1 passed):
- in the House Special Committee on Student Accountability against a bill and a resolution pushing Bible classes in public schools; also testified against the bill in the Senate Education Committee.
- in the House Elementary & Secondary Education Committee against a bill mandating public schools post “In God We Trust.”
- in the Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee against a bill banning anonymity in lawsuits challenging violations of the Establishment Clause.
- in 2016, Brian testified against one bill (didn’t pass):
- in the House Emerging Issues Committee against a bill allowing businesses to invoke a religious exemption to not serve same-sex marriages.
City Council for Jefferson City, Missouri
- in 2020, Brian testified in support of removing the city’s monument honoring a Confederate general and enslaver. Brian testified before the Historic Preservation Commission, the Public Works and Planning Committee, and the full City Council. The resolution passed and the monument was removed.
- in 2015, Brian testified before the City Council in opposition to a proposed fare hike to public transportation. The price increase failed.
- in 2014, Brian testified before the City Council in support of the creation of a Public Transit Advisory Committee to help improve the city’s public transportation system. The bill passed.