Iowa's New Law: A Step Back for Trans Rights

Iowa's Republican governor has signed a controversial bill. This bill removes gender identity from the state's civil rights protections. This makes Iowa the first state to strip away civil rights from a previously protected group. The bill sailed through the Republican-controlled Senate and House, with only a few Republicans joining Democrats in opposition. The governor defended the bill. She claimed it protects women and girls. She argued that the previous protections blurred the lines between biological sexes. She also mentioned that the state should not fund gender-reassignment surgeries. The governor also believes that everyone in Iowa deserves respect and dignity. She thinks this bill strengthens protections for women and girls. The Iowa Civil Rights Act used to protect many areas of life. This includes employment, housing, education, and credit. In 2007, the state added sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of protected classes. Now, the new law removes gender identity from the code. It also requires birth certificates to reflect the sex assigned at birth. This change removes a clause that allowed trans people to update their sex marker on their birth certificate. The law also changes a measure signed in 2023. This measure prohibits teaching about sexual orientation or gender identity in kindergarten through sixth grade. The change replaces "gender identity" with "gender theory. " Critics have dubbed this measure a "don't say gay" law. A Democratic state representative, the first trans person elected to the state's General Assembly, spoke out against the bill. She said it revokes protections for homes and credit access. She also mentioned that transitioning saved her life. She believes the bill aims to make trans existence illegal and force them back into the closet. A Republican state senator introduced the bill. He noted that the state's civil rights code has been used in lawsuits favoring trans rights. He also said that the code's protections for trans people could challenge other state laws. These laws include prohibiting trans student athletes from participating in school sports and barring transition-related care for minors. More than 2, 000 people protested the Senate vote. They held signs reading "Trans rights are human rights. " The crowd also booed and yelled at senators after the vote. Before signing the bill, the governor said it aligns Iowa with federal law and most states. However, federal law prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. This is due to the Supreme Court's 2020 decision in Bostock v. Clayton County. State and local protections from discrimination based on gender identity vary widely. After the bill was signed, the Democratic representative said it felt like a "gut punch. " She has heard from trans constituents who are scared for their lives. She urged them to stand together and live their lives unafraid. She believes this is the greatest act of rebellion in these challenging times. The bill's passage has sparked debate and protest. It has also raised questions about the future of trans rights in Iowa. The bill's critics argue that it rolls back hard-won protections. They also believe it sends a message of exclusion and intolerance. Supporters, however, argue that it clarifies the law and protects women and girls. The bill's impact on trans people in Iowa remains to be seen. It is clear that the fight for trans rights is far from over. The bill's passage has galvanized the community. It has also sparked a renewed push for federal protections. The future of trans rights in Iowa and beyond hangs in the balance.