New Law Makes State First To Axe Transgender Protections From Civil Rights Code
Republican Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed into law Friday a bill expunging transgender protections from the state’s civil rights code, making the Hawkeye State the first in the nation to do so.
The bill specifies gender will be considered in state law as synonymous with biological sex rather than gender identity. In addition, people with sexual developmental disorders — including persons with intersex traits — would be afforded legal protections that cover people with disabilities. The terms “gender” and “gender identity” were also struck out in the bill.
Distinctions in state law based on sex apply to various spaces including detention facilities, locker rooms and restrooms, and align with the state government’s “objectives of protecting the health, safety, and privacy of the persons in these contexts.” Furthermore, surgeries to remove sex organs or hormonal treatments affecting biological sex would no longer be grounds for state approval of a new birth certificate for Iowans, according to the bill.
The bill — first introduced Feb. 24, 2025 as the culmination of years-long Republican-led efforts to protect women and girls — goes into effect July 1, 2025, The Associated Press (AP) reported. A similar effort by Reynolds in 2024 did not reach the voting stage at the Iowa House or Senate.
All Iowa House and Senate Democrats voted against the bill, according to AP. Five Iowa House Republicans joined them. (Read more from “New Law Makes State First To Axe Transgender Protections From Civil Rights Code” HERE)
