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Iowa Strips Gender Identity Protections from Civil Rights Code
Iowa has made a significant change to its civil rights framework, becoming the first state in the United States to revoke protections based on gender identity. This shift came after Governor Kim Reynolds signed a law on Friday that critics argue will open the door to discrimination against transgender individuals and others across various facets of daily life.
The law is set to take effect on July 1, and follows a series of legislative efforts by Reynolds and other Iowa Republicans aimed at limiting the rights of transgender students, particularly concerning access to bathrooms, locker rooms, and sports teams. These actions have been framed by supporters as a measure to protect individuals assigned female at birth. The Republicans contend that a civil rights framework that includes gender identity protections is incompatible with their policies.
The legislative process for this new law was notably swift, with the bill introduced only last week. In addition to removing gender identity from the civil rights code, it establishes clear legal definitions of “female” and “male” based on biological reproductive characteristics at birth, dismissing the notion that individuals can transition to a different gender. A similar bill proposed by Reynolds last year did not proceed to a vote in either legislative chamber.
In a video shared on social media, Reynolds addressed the complexity of the issue, acknowledging the sensitivity surrounding it. She stated, “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,” asserting that the existing civil rights framework had obscured these distinctions.
The new law aligns with a broader national trend following an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump on his first day in office, which sought to clarify the definition of biological sex at the federal level. After the bill’s final approval in Iowa, Trump voiced support for it on his Truth Social platform.
During the voting process, five House Republicans joined all Democrats in opposing the bill. Iowa state Representative Aime Wichtendahl, a transgender woman, delivered a poignant speech before the vote, expressing her personal experience and the life-saving impact of her transition. She asserted, “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,” emphasizing the negative consequences of anti-trans legislation.
Community Response and Future Actions
Many LGBTQ+ activists rallied at the Capitol ahead of the bill’s passage, brandishing signs that proclaimed “Trans rights are human rights” and chanting against the legislation. The atmosphere was charged, with a significant police presence in light of the demonstrations.
While not all states include gender identity in their civil rights codes, Iowa’s change marks it as the first state to eliminate existing protections. Logan Casey, director of policy research at the Movement Advancement Project, pointed out that sexual orientation and gender identity were only added to Iowa’s Civil Rights Act in 2007 through bipartisan support, and their removal represents a significant regression.
Representative Steven Holt, who spearheaded the bill, articulated that if the Legislature has the power to create protections, it equally has the authority to remove them. This law will still uphold protections against discrimination based on race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, or disability status effective July 1.
The Iowa Supreme Court has previously ruled that discrimination based on sex does not encompass gender identity, casting doubt on the ability of transgender individuals to claim protection under the revised civil rights code. Advocacy groups are gearing up to challenge this decision, with Keenan Crow from One Iowa stating that they are evaluating the bill’s language to identify legal recourse. Crow noted, “We will pursue any legal options available to us.”
As the situation unfolds, the implications of Iowa’s new law will likely resonate beyond the state’s borders, reflecting ongoing debates surrounding LGBTQ+ rights and protections nationwide.
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globalnews.ca