Thu Feb 27 22:30:00 UTC 2025: **Iowa Lawmakers Approve Bill Stripping Gender Identity Protections from Civil Rights Code**

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s legislature passed a controversial bill Thursday that removes gender identity as a protected characteristic from the state’s civil rights code. The swift passage, following a week of intense debate and massive protests, sparked outrage from LGBTQ+ advocates who fear widespread discrimination.

The bill, which defines male and female based on sex assigned at birth, passed the Senate and House after a contentious public hearing where overwhelmingly negative testimony was ignored. Hundreds of protestors gathered at the state Capitol, chanting slogans like “Trans rights are human rights” and booing lawmakers as the bill was approved. One transgender state representative, Aime Wichtendahl, emotionally testified about the life-saving impact of her transition and the bill’s intent to erase transgender people from public life.

Supporters of the bill argue it clarifies existing law and protects what they consider “immutable truths,” particularly concerning access to sex-segregated spaces like bathrooms and sports teams. State Representative Steven Holt, a key sponsor, defended the legislation, emphasizing the legislature’s responsibility to “stand up for immutable truth.”

The measure marks a significant shift in Iowa’s civil rights protections, reversing the 2007 addition of gender identity protections under a previous Democratic-controlled legislature. This action mirrors a national trend of legislative efforts to restrict LGBTQ+ rights. While Georgia’s House chose not to remove similar protections from their hate crimes law on the same day, Iowa’s decision stands in stark contrast. The bill now heads to Republican Governor Kim Reynolds, who has previously supported similar measures restricting transgender rights, though she hasn’t yet commented on whether she will sign it. The bill’s impact could significantly impact transgender Iowans’ access to employment, housing, public accommodations, and education. Legal challenges are anticipated.

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