DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa has made history as the first state to remove gender identity protections from its civil rights code. Governor Kim Reynolds signed the bill into law on Friday, a move that many believe will lead to increased discrimination against transgender individuals and others in Iowa. The law will take effect on July 1.
For years, Reynolds and Iowa Republicans have worked to limit transgender students’ rights, particularly concerning restrooms, locker rooms, and sports teams. They argue that these policies conflict with a civil rights code that includes protections for gender identity.
The new law defines male and female based solely on reproductive organs at birth, completely disregarding the ability of individuals to transition to a different gender. A similar bill was proposed last year but didn’t reach a vote.
In her video announcement, Reynolds acknowledged that this topic is sensitive for many. She emphasized the need to recognize biological differences between men and women, claiming it is essential for the protection of women and girls.
This push for defining gender at the state level follows President Trump’s executive order, issued on his first day in office, which established a federal definition of gender. Trump publicly supported the Iowa bill as it moved through the legislature.
While most Republicans supported the bill, five House Republicans joined Democrats in opposition. One of the dissenters, Rep. Aime Wichtendahl, shared her story as a transgender woman, expressing that her transition was a matter of life or death for her. She condemned the bill, stating that such legislation serves to further marginalize transgender and LGBTQ individuals.
On the day of the bill’s passing, hundreds of LGBTQ+ advocates gathered at the Capitol, voicing their opposition with signs and chants. The atmosphere was charged, with a heavy police presence ensuring order amidst the protests.
Iowa is now leading the nation in removing protections for gender identity; though not all states include these protections, no other has taken them away. The civil rights code in Iowa originally did not include sexual orientation or gender identity until those were added in 2007 with bipartisan support.
House Republicans, like Rep. Steven Holt, argue that if the legislature can add protections, it can also take them away. As of July 1, Iowa’s civil rights law will still protect against discrimination based on race, sex, sexual orientation, religion, and other factors, but gender identity will no longer be included.
The Iowa Supreme Court has previously ruled that discrimination based on sex does not encompass discrimination based on gender identity. Advocacy organizations are prepared to challenge this new law, and Keenan Crow from One Iowa indicated that they are looking into potential legal actions as they analyze the bill’s implications.
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Source linkIowa, Gender, Kim Reynolds, Donald Trump, Human rights, Civil rights, General news, IA State Wire, Politics, Health, Logan Casey, Keenan Crow, U.S. news, Steven Holt, Iowa state government
