Iowa Governor Signs Bill Removing Transgender Protections from Civil Rights Code

Image credits: Rachel Mummey/The New York Times/Redux

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has signed a bill into law that removes protections for transgender people from the state's civil rights code, making it the first state in the US to do so. The new law, which goes into effect on July 1, defines male and female based on reproductive organs at birth and removes gender identity as a protected class. This move has been met with widespread criticism and protests from LGBTQ+ advocates, who argue that it will expose transgender people to discrimination in all aspects of daily life. The bill's supporters, including Governor Reynolds, claim that it is necessary to protect the rights of women and girls, citing biological differences between men and women.

The law has been condemned by LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, who say that it will have a devastating impact on the transgender community. Iowa state Rep. Aime Wichtendahl, a transgender woman, said that the purpose of the bill is to "further erase us from public life and to stigmatize our existence." The bill's passage has also been met with opposition from businesses in Des Moines, who have expressed their support for LGBTQ+ Iowans and urged their customers to attend protests at the Iowa State Capitol. The Slow Down Coffee Co., a locally owned coffee shop, posted a message on social media saying that it is "unjust to rollback their civil rights as a protected class" and that they will continue to be a welcoming space for all.

The controversy surrounding the bill has sparked a national debate about transgender rights and the role of government in protecting the rights of marginalized communities. President Donald Trump has signaled his support for the law, saying that it is necessary to protect the rights of women and girls. However, LGBTQ+ advocates argue that the law is a step backwards for equality and will only serve to further marginalize and discriminate against transgender people. The law's impact will be closely watched in the coming months, as LGBTQ+ advocates and businesses vow to continue fighting for the rights of transgender Iowans. The legislative move has also raised questions about the potential consequences for businesses and individuals who support LGBTQ+ rights, and how they will respond to the new law.

As the law goes into effect, LGBTQ+ advocacy groups are promising to defend transgender rights, which may lead to court challenges. Keenan Crow, director of policy and advocacy for One Iowa, said that the organization is still analyzing the text of the bill and that its vagueness makes it "hard to determine where the enforcement is going to come from." The organization has vowed to pursue any legal options available to them to protect the rights of transgender Iowans. The situation is being closely monitored by LGBTQ+ advocates and businesses across the country, who are watching to see how the law will be enforced and what impact it will have on the transgender community.

The timeline of events surrounding the bill's passage is as follows: * The bill was introduced in the Iowa legislature earlier this year * It passed the Iowa House and Senate with opposition from all Democrats and five House Republicans * Governor Reynolds signed the bill into law on Friday * The law goes into effect on July 1 * LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and businesses have vowed to continue fighting for the rights of transgender Iowans * The situation is being closely monitored by LGBTQ+ advocates and businesses across the country. Some of the key stakeholders involved in the issue include: * Governor Kim Reynolds * Iowa state Rep. Aime Wichtendahl * LGBTQ+ advocacy groups such as One Iowa * Businesses in Des Moines who have expressed their support for LGBTQ+ Iowans * President Donald Trump, who has signaled his support for the law.