Iowa Strips Gender Identity Protections from Civil Rights Code

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed into law a controversial bill on Friday that removes gender identity from the state’s civil rights code. The law, effective July 1, eliminates anti-discrimination protections for transgender individuals in key areas including housing, employment, and public accommodations.

In a video statement released following her signature, Reynolds argued the measure is necessary to prevent the courts from overturning existing laws that restrict transgender rights, particularly regarding bathroom access and participation in sports. “These commonsense protections were at risk because, before I signed this bill, the civil rights code blurred the biological line between the sexes,” she said. “It has also forced Iowa taxpayers to pay for gender reassignment surgeries, and that’s unacceptable to me, and to most Iowans.”

The bill passed swiftly after being introduced, drawing significant attention during legislative sessions last week. On Thursday, as protesters voiced strong opposition, Iowa lawmakers approved the measure in a party-line vote, with both chambers of the legislature demonstrating a clear divide.

Max Mowitz, executive director of the LGBTQ rights organization One Iowa, condemned the legislation, stating that Iowa has now become the first state to revoke civil rights protections for an entire demographic group. “By signing this bill, she has made it legal to discriminate against transgender Iowans in nearly every aspect of life — where they live, where they work, and where they go to school,” he said. “This law sends a devastating message that transgender Iowans are not worthy of the same rights, dignity, and protections as their neighbors.”

The passage of this bill is the latest in a series of measures by Iowa Republicans aimed at rolling back protections for transgender individuals. Reynolds and other Republican lawmakers have previously enacted restrictions on transgender students’ access to facilities that align with their gender identity and their participation in sports teams designated for females.

During the floor debate, Rep. Aime Wichtendahl, Iowa’s first openly transgender state representative, shared her personal story, emphasizing the potential impact of the bill. “The sum total of every anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ bill is to make our existence illegal,” Wichtendahl said, wiping away tears as she spoke. “If we want jobs or a place to live, we have to go back, is what they are telling us.”

Supporters of the bill defended their stance by asserting that the removal of gender identity from the civil rights code is necessary to protect women and girls and to ensure that existing laws targeting transgender rights are not undermined by the courts. Rep. Steven Holt, who championed the bill, stated, “The hyperbolic argument that taking this step will cause discrimination does not hold up to scrutiny or common sense.”

Despite the swift passage of the legislation, protests erupted among those opposed to the bill, echoing cries for equality and human rights for all citizens. Hundreds gathered at the Iowa Capitol on Thursday, chanting slogans such as “No hate in our state!” and “Trans rights are human rights!” Many demonstrators voiced concerns over the long-term implications of the bill on the lives of the transgender community in Iowa.

Mark Stringer, executive director of the ACLU of Iowa, voiced his fears about the repercussions of this legislation. “If Reynolds signs the bill, Iowa will be the first state in the country to repeal protections for transgender people from its civil rights law. That is unacceptable,” he stated. Stringer noted Iowa’s historical reputation as a leader in civil rights advancements, questioning the consistency of this new direction.

The bill has stirred significant discussion and disagreement among lawmakers and constituents alike, with ongoing debates about the balance of rights and protections for different groups. The legislation defines “sex” solely based on biological attributes assigned at birth, denying recognition of transgender individuals’ gender identities in state law.

As Iowa prepares to enact this law, advocates for transgender rights are strategizing to confront potential discrimination and advocate for the rights of marginalized communities in light of this recent legislative change.