In a significant shift in Iowa’s legislative approach to civil rights, Governor Kim Reynolds has signed into law a measure that removes gender identity as a protected class from the state’s civil rights legislation. This move, encapsulated in a statement from the governor, is positioned as an attempt to “acknowledge the obvious biological differences between men and women” in order to ensure “genuine equal protection for women and girls.” As Reynolds phrased it, this differentiation underscores its necessity in contexts like separate sports and restroom facilities but does not extend to professional settings such as conference rooms.
The newly signed law redefines the way Iowa constructs statutory terms related to sex and gender. It limits the understanding of an individual’s sex to what is “observed or clinically verified at birth,” strictly as male or female. Consequently, gender is to be understood as synonymous with one’s biological sex, thereby excluding interpretations related to gender identity, experienced gender, or expression. The law also specifies that female pronouns specifically denote girls and women, while male pronouns apply to boys and men. More on this legislation can be found in detail through Governor Reynolds’ office.
The legislation allows exceptions in cases of sex-segregated facilities like prisons, shelters, and locker rooms, arguing that such separations substantiate notable government objectives, among them health and safety. Additionally, the educational landscape in Iowa will be impacted by prohibiting the teaching of “gender theory” in public and charter schools. This theory, as defined by the law, includes ideas relating to the distress some individuals experience with their biological sex and the medical options available to address it.
Opponents of the bill, such as the ACLU of Iowa, have expressed significant concerns. Mark Stringer, the Executive Director, criticized the bill as “barbaric,” remarking on Iowa’s history as a leader in civil and human rights, including its early adoption of marriage equality. He pointed out the starkness of Iowa being the first state to retract protections for the LGBTQ community from its civil rights statutes. His full remarks can be accessed through the ACLU of Iowa’s statement.
To read more about the intricacies of this legislative change, you can refer to the full article detailing the legislative process and its implications.