Bulrush: A James Beard Finalist Restaurant Owner Moves His Award-Winning LGBTQ Business Out of Missouri Amid Anti-LGBTQ Laws

On November 10, 2025, a feature from The Missouri Independent and KCUR spotlighted Rob Connoley, a gay entrepreneur and chef, whose story encapsulates the profound consequences of anti-LGBTQ legislation on both individuals and local economies. Connoley’s decision to close Bulrush, his celebrated St. Louis restaurant, was not prompted by financial hardship or lack of acclaim. Instead, it was a personal and political act—a response to legislative hostility and a climate that had grown increasingly inhospitable to LGBTQ people and businesses in Missouri.

Bulrush, founded by Rob Connoley, earned national recognition for its innovative approach to Ozark cuisine. The restaurant was lauded by both tourists and locals, with profit margins surpassing national averages. In 2023, Connoley was named a James Beard Award finalist—a significant achievement in the culinary world, reflecting both critical and popular acclaim.

However, despite its success, Connoley found himself at an ethical crossroads. During an international food festival in London, where he represented Missouri, he realized he could no longer serve as an ambassador for a state that actively undermined the rights and dignity of LGBTQ residents. “It felt egregious and awkward to be promoting a state in a region that was actively working against my own personal interests,” Connoley reflected, highlighting the emotional and ideological strain faced by LGBTQ business owners under hostile policies.

Missouri has seen a significant uptick in anti-LGBTQ legislation in recent years. Lawmakers file dozens of bills annually targeting LGBTQ rights, with some, such as restrictions on gender-affirming care, becoming law. The Missouri Attorney General’s pursuit of transgender youths’ medical records was cited by Connoley as the “final push” that led to his decision to relocate.

Business leaders across the state have raised alarms about the economic repercussions of such laws. Kara Corches, president and CEO of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, testified to lawmakers that discriminatory policies jeopardize talent recruitment, business growth, and the state’s broader economic prospects. “Businesses want to ensure that people feel comfortable and safe in their workplaces,” Corches stated, echoing concerns voiced by many in the business community.

Studies referenced in the Missouri Independent and KCUR report estimate that Missouri has already lost between $362 million to $879 million in household income due to the out-migration of LGBTQ residents and their businesses. This exodus is expected to accelerate if current legislative trends continue, with further declines in tax revenue and diminished economic dynamism.

Nationally, research from organizations such as Open for Business underscores that cities and states embracing LGBTQ inclusion consistently outperform their peers in entrepreneurship, innovation, and talent retention. The 2025 Open for Business City Ratings report found that the most inclusive cities globally achieved four times stronger human capital performance and double the innovation scores compared to less inclusive counterparts.

For Connoley, the decision to leave Missouri was both personal and professional. Despite Bulrush’s success, he felt increasingly alienated in a state that failed to protect his rights. When asked about the move, he remarked, “It made more sense for me to take my entrepreneurial skills and go to a community that I think would be more supportive of what I’m trying to accomplish.”

Connoley’s experience is emblematic of a broader trend. According to the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Greater St. Louis Inc., discriminatory legislation sends a powerful negative signal to potential residents, investors, and businesses, discouraging economic activity and undermining the state’s reputation as a place of opportunity.

LGBTQ business owners and advocates stress that inclusive policies are not only a matter of social justice but also economic necessity. The departure of entrepreneurs like Connoley highlights the risks states face when they fail to create environments where diverse identities are respected and protected.

At the national level, there is growing recognition of the need to support LGBTQ communities through both policy and funding. For example, recent Canadian federal budget proposals have included dedicated funding to enhance security for LGBTQ communities and foster leadership development, underscoring the global importance of inclusion in business and society.

The story of Bulrush and Rob Connoley is a case study in the tangible consequences of policy on people’s lives and the economic health of communities. As anti-LGBTQ legislation proliferates in some regions of the United States, the migration of talent and capital to more inclusive areas is likely to intensify—further illustrating why diversity and inclusion are not just moral imperatives, but critical drivers of economic prosperity.