What specific protections will be removed from Iowa's civil rights code under this bill?

The bill removes gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act, which previously protected against discrimination in areas such as housing, employment, and public accommodations.

What are the main arguments presented by supporters of the bill?

Supporters argue that the bill is necessary to prevent other state laws targeting transgender Iowans from being struck down by courts and to keep women and girls from encountering transgender women in spaces like bathrooms or changing rooms.

How have LGBTQ+ advocates and the public responded to this legislation?

LGBTQ+ advocates and the public have responded with significant protests at the Iowa Capitol, expressing concerns that the bill could lead to increased discrimination against transgender individuals.

What is the current status of the bill, and when might it take effect?

The bill has received final legislative approval and is now awaiting the governor's signature. If signed, it could take effect as early as July 1.

3 sources·Politics

Iowa Becomes First State to Remove Gender Identity Protections Amid Protests

Iowa lawmakers have approved a bill eliminating gender identity protections from the civil rights code, facing heavy protests from LGBTQ+ advocates.

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Supporters of the change say the current law incorrectly codified the idea that people can transition to another gender and granted transgender women access to spaces such as bathrooms, locker rooms and sports teams that should be protected for people who were assigned female at birth.
Iowa gives final approval to a bill to remove gender identity protections despite massive protests
NBC News·21d
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The bill would remove gender identity as a protected class from the state’s civil rights law and explicitly define female and male, as well as gender, which would be considered a synonym for sex and “shall not be considered a synonym or shorthand expression for gender identity, experienced gender, gender expression, or gender role.”
Iowa gives final approval to a bill removing gender identity protections despite massive protests
ABC News·21d
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The measure would be the first legislative action removing nondiscrimination protections based on gender identity, said Logan Casey, director of policy research at the Movement Advancement Project, an LGBTQ+ rights think tank.
Iowa approves bill removing gender identity protections despite massive protests
PBS NewsHour·21d
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Feb 27th, 2025, 9:25 PM ET

Summary

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In a historic move, Iowa lawmakers have approved legislation to remove gender identity protections from the state’s civil rights code despite significant backlash from LGBTQ+ advocates. Protests erupted at the state Capitol as the legislation passed along party lines, with opponents arguing that it could lead to increased discrimination against transgender individuals. Supporters of the bill claim it preserves traditional definitions of gender. The governor's decision on whether to sign the bill is pending, with the potential for it to take effect July 1. This marks the first instance of a U.S. state retracting such protections.

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Iowa becomes the first state to approve legislation removing gender identity protections from civil rights codes, despite significant public opposition and protests.
The bill aims to explicitly define gender and undermine existing nondiscrimination protections, reflecting a national trend among Republican-led legislatures to restrict transgender rights.
Supporters argue it is essential to delineate biological sex from gender identity to protect spaces designated for women, while critics claim it stigmatizes and further marginalizes transgender individuals.

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