Iowa Law Removes Gender Identity from Civil Rights Protections

A new law in Iowa took effect on Tuesday, eliminating “gender identity” from the state’s civil rights protections. This makes Iowa the first state to reverse such protections formally.

Signed by Republican Governor Kim Reynolds in March, the law will define gender based solely on biological sex. It also removes the possibility of changing a birth certificate’s listed sex. The change aims to align the state’s civil rights laws in a way that Reynolds claims will better protect the “health, safety, and privacy” of Iowans, particularly focusing on women’s rights, as she suggests they were “at risk” prior to this legislation.

“Today, I am signing a bill to protect the rights of women and girls,” Reynolds stated in a video accompanying the bill’s signing. “It’s common sense to recognize the obvious biological differences between men and women. We need to ensure true equal protection for women and girls. There should be no mixed groups in sports or academics.”

Legal protections for gender identity had been included in Iowa’s civil rights law as recently as 2007 when a Democratic-controlled legislature passed the measure.

This law is part of a broader legislative trend by Iowa Republicans, which also includes measures banning gender transition procedures for minors and restricting bathroom access based on biological sex.

While the law passed swiftly through Republican-led legislatures, it met considerable resistance from progressive groups. LGBT advocates warn that this could lead to greater discrimination and abuse. Every Democratic member in both the Iowa House and Senate opposed the legislation.

Interestingly, public opinion seems to lean toward the principles the law reflects. A recent AP-NORC survey found that approximately two-thirds of people believe gender is determined by biological characteristics at birth.

This change is part of a wider initiative by Republican-led states to challenge gender identity policies, particularly those impacting minors. Notably, last month, the Supreme Court upheld a ban on hormone treatments for adolescents in Tennessee.

At the federal level, former President Donald Trump enacted a Presidential Order in January halting federal funds for surgical and chemical operations on minors. He also banned men from competing in women’s sports and directed the Department of Education to investigate states like Maine and California that violate these orders.

Currently, the FBI is investigating three children’s hospitals that are accused of performing pediatric surgery related to gender transition in violation of federal law.