Des Moines: Iowa has removed gender identity protections from its civil rights code. Governor Kim Reynolds signed the law on Friday.
The law takes effect on July 1, making Iowa the first U.S. state to repeal such protections.
Opponents argue this law increases discrimination against transgender people in daily life.
Republicans claim this change aligns civil rights laws with their views on biological definitions of gender.
The law legally defines male and female based on birth reproductive organs, rejecting gender transition.
Political Support
Reynolds supported the law, stating it protects spaces like domestic violence shelters and crisis centers.
She argued that men and women have biological differences that must be acknowledged legally.
Former President Donald Trump backed the bill and praised it on Truth Social.
Republican lawmakers have passed similar gender-definition laws in other states.
Trump’s executive order had already set a federal precedent for defining sex legally.
Opposition Speaks
Democrats and LGBTQ+ advocates strongly oppose the law, calling it discriminatory.
Iowa State Representative Aime Wichtendahl, a transgender woman, became emotional in her speech.
She argued that the bill aims to erase transgender people from public life.
Hundreds of protesters gathered at the Capitol, chanting against the legislation.
Security was tight, with state troopers monitoring the demonstration.
Historical Context
Iowa initially excluded gender identity from its 1965 Civil Rights Act.
The Democratic-led Legislature added protections in 2007 with bipartisan support.
Republican lawmakers argue they have the right to remove laws just as they added them.
Five House Republicans joined Democrats in voting against the repeal.
Despite opposition, the bill passed both chambers and was signed into law.
Future Legal Battles
Advocacy groups plan to challenge the law in court.
LGBTQ+ rights organizations argue the law is vague and difficult to enforce.
Keenan Crow of One Iowa said legal action is being considered.
Iowa’s civil rights protections now exclude gender identity but still cover sexual orientation.
Lawsuits may arise over discrimination cases related to the change.
Public Response
Activists believe this decision sets a dangerous precedent for other states.
Many fear it could lead to the rollback of more LGBTQ+ protections nationwide.
Protesters vowed to continue fighting for transgender rights.
Some legal experts predict that courts may intervene in the future.
For now, Iowa stands as the first state to remove these protections.
