Hundreds gathered in the rotunda of the Iowa State Capitol Feb. 27, 2025, protesting legislation to remove gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act that lawmakers are expected to debate on the floor Thursday. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)
Lawmakers in both chambers are considering legislation Thursday that would remove protections from discrimination on the basis of gender identity from Iowa civil rights code.
Hundreds of Iowans filled the rotunda of the Iowa State Capitol, chanting and holding signs that called for lawmakers to reject a measure that would remove gender identity as a protected class from the Iowa Civil Rights Act. House File 583 would amend parts of Iowa law providing protections against discrimination in areas like employment, housing, public accommodations and education, to no longer include “gender identity” from these civil rights sections.
The bill would also change language defining “sex” and “gender” in Iowa law and would remove the ability for a transgender person to change the sex designated on their birth certificate after receiving gender-affirming surgery or other related treatment from a licensed medical provider.
The Iowa Senate began debate Thursday afternoon on a companion bill, Senate File 418, with Republicans passing a measure that will cut off debate and force a vote by 3:30 p.m.
The House Judiciary Committee heard from Iowans about the measure in a public hearing Thursday morning. The large crowd gathered outside — and many of the speakers at the hearing — said the measure will give legal coverage for more discrimination, harassment of transgender people in the state. Supporters of the bill said this change was necessary to ensure laws passed by Republican lawmakers on issues like transgender women competing in women’s sports and the ability of transgender people to use school bathrooms corresponding with their gender identity can survive court challenges.
Danny Carroll with the Family Leader, said the measure was necessary because of the “unintended consequences” caused by the addition of gender identity to the civil rights code in 2007. He highlighted cases like court decisions on overriding a state law prohibiting Medicaid coverage for gender-confirmation surgery or allowing transgender women to be allowed in women’s shelters or correctional facilities.
“They probably did not anticipate the legal complaints that would be filed against businesses because they believe sex is limited to a man and a woman and they act accordingly,” Carroll said. “And finally, anticipating level of legal complaints filed against an employer because they want to conduct their business according to the traditional understanding of male or female. There’s still many rights that are retained, all the rights and freedoms that we’ve already had.”
Opponents of the bill said that the removal of these civil rights protections would lead to real discrimination against transgender Iowans.
Devin Kelly, civil rights attorney, shared a story about representing a transgender man in a rural community who faced employment discrimination because he was transgender. The client, who Kelly referred to as Steven, applied for a vacant position, and after checking on his application, was called by the incorrect name and told the position was filled. When he had friends call back to ask about the position, they were told the position was still open.
“This is the type of thing that gender identity in the Civil Rights Court protects,” Kelly said. “It protects people working hard across the state, in rural communities — some of you might not even know — but are just trying to make a life for themselves and their families and serve their communities.”
Ray Simmons of Red Oak, pastor of the Ascension Reformed Church, said Iowa’s current civil rights code “does not fit” Iowa.
“Based on recent election, Iowa and (those) like in my county would want you to pass this bill, because our current vote does not fit the election mandate,” Simmons said. “… I would recommend listening to your constituents. Secondly, our code is not fit, our current code does not fit with the rest of the code. God would have us to make codes that are consistent and protecting children, upholding religious freedom, are those types of things.”
He and several other supporters of the bill also said that their opposition to gender identity being protected under Iowa Code was rooted in their religious beliefs, that God made two sexes. But several religious leaders spoke against the measure, saying that removing protections from a group of people who already face significant hardships and hate is not in line with their religious beliefs.
Rt. Rev. Betsey Monnot, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa, said Jesus taught to treat others how you would want to be treated, saying this means “if you would not want the government to remove your civil rights, do not remove the civil rights of others.”
“Transgender Iowans are members of my congregations and members of communities across the state of Iowa,” Monnot said. “They are your neighbors and my neighbors. Jesus calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves. It is unthinkable to remove civil rights and legal protections from people that we love.”
The Iowa House is expected to take up the bill later Thursday afternoon.
This story is developing and will be updated.