Des Moines, Iowa (AP) — Iowa lawmakers made history by approving a bill that eliminates gender identity protections from the state’s civil rights code, sparking widespread opposition. Despite protests from opponents who fear the bill could lead to discrimination against transgender individuals in various aspects of life, the measure swiftly moved through the legislative process after its recent introduction. The state Senate was the first to pass the bill along party lines, followed by the House shortly after. Five House Republicans broke ranks to join all Democrats in voting against the legislation.
The bill aims to remove gender identity as a protected class from Iowa’s civil rights law and provide explicit definitions for female, male, and gender. Gender is equated with sex and should not be synonymous with gender identity, experienced gender, gender expression, or gender role, according to the bill.
Described as the first of its kind in the US, this legislative action would strip nondiscrimination safeguards based on gender identity, noted Logan Casey, director of policy research at the Movement Advancement Project, an LGBTQ+ rights organization. The bill now awaits approval from Republican Governor Kim Reynolds, known for signing previous measures banning transgender students from sports participation and public bathroom access. The governor’s office declined to comment on her stance, with a decision expected before the bill’s potential implementation on July 1.
Advocates for LGBTQ+ rights flooded the Capitol rotunda with signs declaring “Trans rights are human rights” and chanting slogans like “No hate in our state!” A strong police presence was observed, with state troopers stationed around the area. During a 90-minute public hearing before a House committee, the majority of the 167 individuals who signed up to testify opposed the bill, except for 24 individuals.
The House gallery erupted in protests as lawmakers adjourned, with loud boos and cries of “Shame!” directed at Iowa state Rep. Steven Holt, who defended the bill passionately before its passage. Supporters of the bill argue that current laws inaccurately allow for gender transition and provide transgender women access to facilities like restrooms, locker rooms, and sports teams designated for those assigned female at birth. Holt emphasized that including gender identity in civil rights laws undermines recent legislation aimed at prohibiting transgender sports participation and restroom access.
The Iowa lawmakers’ decision contrasts with the Georgia House, which recently opted against eliminating gender protections in the state’s hate crimes law, enacted in 2020 following Ahmaud Arbery’s tragic death. Iowa’s current civil rights law safeguards against discrimination based on various categories, including race, color, creed, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, and disability status.
Originally absent from the state’s Civil Rights Act of 1965, sexual orientation and gender identity were later added by the Democratic-controlled Legislature.
In 2007, with the support of approximately a dozen Republicans in both chambers, a significant development took place. Iowa state Rep. Aime Wichtendahl, a Democrat, made a powerful statement against a bill aimed at removing protections, standing as the final voice of opposition on Thursday. Emotions ran high as she shared her personal journey as a transgender woman, revealing, “I transitioned to save my life.” Wichtendahl passionately expressed her belief that the underlying purpose of this bill, along with every other anti-transgender bill, is to marginalize and erase the transgender community from the public sphere, further stigmatizing their very existence. According to the Movement Advancement Project, around half of the states in the United States have included gender identity in their civil rights protections, safeguarding individuals against discrimination in various settings such as housing, stores, or restaurants. Although some states do not explicitly address discrimination based on gender identity, it is commonly understood to be covered under existing statutes. Notably, Iowa’s Supreme Court has explicitly rejected the notion that sex discrimination extends to gender identity discrimination.
Across the country, Republican-led legislatures are actively pursuing the enactment of laws that define male and female based on biological sex at birth, prompted by an executive order issued by President Donald Trump. This order also set the stage for policies aimed at barring transgender individuals from serving in the military and excluding transgender girls and women from participating in female sports competitions, among other provisions. Many of these policies are currently facing legal challenges in court.
Taking to Truth Social on Thursday evening, President Trump voiced his support for Iowa’s efforts to remove what he termed “Radical Gender Ideology” from their laws. He urged Iowa to align with his Executive Order, asserting that there are only two genders. Trump called for swift action in passing the bill, emphasizing, “AS FAST AS POSSIBLE. Thank you Iowa!” For more news updates and newsletters from CNN, visit CNN.com and create an account.
