On Friday, Iowa made history as the first U.S. state to eliminate gender identity protections from its civil rights code, following the signing of a controversial bill by Governor Kim Reynolds. This legislation, which opponents warn will lead to increased discrimination against transgender individuals and others in Iowa, is set to take effect on July 1. The law has been a culmination of efforts by Reynolds and the Iowa Republican Party to restrict the rights of transgender students in areas such as bathrooms, locker rooms, and sports teams, all in what they claim is an effort to safeguard individuals assigned female at birth.
The newly signed law swiftly passed through the legislative process after being introduced just last week. It not only removes gender identity protections but also establishes explicit legal definitions of male and female based on reproductive organs at birth. This move directly challenges the notion that individuals can transition to a different gender. Governor Reynolds had attempted to advance a similar bill the previous year, but it did not reach a full vote in the House or Senate.
In a video posted on social media, Governor Reynolds addressed the sensitive nature of the issue, stating, “It’s common sense to acknowledge the obvious biological differences between men and women. In fact, it’s necessary to secure genuine equal protection for women and girls.” She criticized the previous civil rights code for what she described as blurring the biological distinctions between sexes.
This legislative shift aligns with a broader trend initiated by former President Donald Trump, who signed an executive order on his first day in office to solidify definitions of the two sexes at the federal level. Following the Iowa bill's final approval, Trump expressed support on his Truth Social platform.
Despite the bill's passage, five House Republicans joined all Democrats in opposing the legislation. Among the dissenters, Iowa State Representative Aime Wichtendahl, a transgender woman, delivered a poignant speech before the vote, tearfully sharing her personal journey: “I transitioned to save my life.” Wichtendahl emphasized the bill's intent to erase transgender identities from public life, stating, “The purpose of this bill and the purpose of every anti-trans bill is to further erase us from public life and to stigmatize our existence.”
Hundreds of LGBTQ+ advocates gathered in the Capitol rotunda on the day of the vote, holding signs that proclaimed, “Trans rights are human rights” and chanting “No hate in our state!” A heavy police presence was noted, ensuring the protest remained orderly amidst the emotional responses from those opposing the bill.
While not every state includes gender identity in their civil rights codes, Iowa's decision to remove such protections marks a significant regression in LGBTQ+ rights. Logan Casey, director of policy research at the Movement Advancement Project, highlighted that sexual orientation and gender identity were initially excluded from Iowa’s Civil Rights Act of 1965, only to be added in 2007 by a Democratic-controlled Legislature with bipartisan support.
Rep. Steven Holt, who spearheaded the bill, argued that if the Legislature has the power to add protections, it also has the authority to remove them. As of July 1, Iowa’s civil rights law will continue to safeguard against discrimination based on race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, or disability status. However, Iowa’s Supreme Court has previously ruled that discrimination based on sex does not encompass discrimination based on gender identity.
Advocacy groups are preparing to defend transgender rights, potentially leading to legal challenges. Keenan Crow, director of policy and advocacy for One Iowa, stated that the organization is currently analyzing the bill's text, noting its vagueness makes enforcement uncertain. “We will pursue any legal options available to us,” Crow affirmed, underscoring the ongoing commitment to protect the rights of transgender individuals in Iowa.
