Iowa's Controversial Move: Removing Gender Identity Protections

Iowa has made a bold move that has stirred up a lot of controversy. The state's lawmakers have given the green light to a bill that strips away protections for gender identity from its civil rights code. This decision came despite loud protests from those who fear it could lead to more discrimination against transgender people. The bill, which was fast-tracked through the legislative process, was first approved by the state Senate and then by the House. The vote was not unanimous, with five Republicans joining all Democrats in opposition. The bill redefines gender, making it a synonym for sex and not for gender identity, experienced gender, gender expression, or gender role. This move is unprecedented in the US, marking the first time a state has taken away nondiscrimination protections based on gender identity. The bill now heads to Governor Kim Reynolds, who has a history of supporting policies that restrict transgender rights. If she signs it, the law will take effect on July 1. The protests were intense. Hundreds of LGBTQ+ advocates gathered at the Capitol, waving signs and chanting slogans like "No hate in our state! " The atmosphere was tense, with a strong police presence. Out of 167 people who signed up to testify, only 24 supported the bill. Supporters of the bill argue that the current law is flawed because it allows transgender women to access spaces like bathrooms, locker rooms, and sports teams intended for those assigned female at birth. They believe this threatens recent laws that ban transgender participation in sports and access to bathrooms. The bill's passage comes as other states are also debating similar issues. For example, the Georgia House recently backed away from removing gender protections from its hate crimes law. Iowa's current civil rights law protects against discrimination based on various factors, including gender identity and sexual orientation, which were added in 2007. Iowa state Rep. Aime Wichtendahl, a transgender woman, emotionally spoke out against the bill. She shared her personal story, emphasizing that the purpose of such bills is to erase and stigmatize transgender existence. About half of US states include gender identity in their civil rights codes, protecting against discrimination in housing and public places. The move by Iowa lawmakers is part of a broader trend. Several Republican-led legislatures are pushing to define male and female based on reproductive organs at birth. This trend follows an executive order from former President Donald Trump, who also signed orders banning transgender people from military service and keeping transgender girls and women out of girls and women's sports competitions. Most of these policies are currently being challenged in court.