Iowa lawmakers are preparing to vote on a bill that would eliminate gender identity from the state’s civil rights code, a move that could lead to increased discrimination against transgender people in employment, housing, education, and public spaces.
The vote is expected on Thursday, following a fast-tracked legislative process that sparked protests from LGBTQ+ advocates at the state Capitol.
Currently, Iowa’s civil rights law protects individuals from discrimination based on race, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity. The latter was added in 2007 by a Democratic-led legislature with support from some Republicans. However, supporters of the new bill argue that including gender identity was a mistake, claiming it improperly validated gender transitions and granted transgender women access to spaces designated for those assigned female at birth.
If passed, the bill would remove gender identity as a protected class and redefine gender strictly based on biological sex. The Republican-controlled House and Senate are expected to approve the measure, which would then go to Governor Kim Reynolds for final approval.
The bill is part of a broader trend in Republican-led states pushing for stricter definitions of male and female in law, as well as restrictions on transgender rights in sports and public facilities. LGBTQ+ advocacy groups warn that if Iowa enacts this change, it could set a precedent for other states to follow.