Iowa Strips Transgender Protections, Sparks Heated Debate

Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill on Friday, making Iowa the first state to roll back transgender protections from its civil rights code. These protections, initially added by Iowa Democrats in 2007, aimed to prevent discrimination against transgender individuals.

The new law defines gender based on reproductive organs at birth, aligning Iowa with federal standards, according to Reynolds. The civil rights code will continue to protect against discrimination based on race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, and disability status.

Reynolds defended the bill in a video posted on X, stating it "safeguards the rights of women and girls" by acknowledging biological differences. She argued this is necessary for equal protection, citing examples like separate bathrooms and sports teams. "These commonsense protections were at risk because, before I signed this bill, the civil rights code blurred the biological line between the sexes."

Trump praised the move on Truth Social, urging Iowa to follow his executive order recognizing only two genders. "Iowa, a beautiful State that I have won BIG every time, has a Bill to remove Radical Gender Ideology from their Laws," Trump wrote. "Iowa should follow the lead of my Executive Order, saying there are only two genders, and pass this Bill – AS FAST AS POSSIBLE. Thank you Iowa!"

Critics argue the law opens the door to discrimination against transgender people in various aspects of life. Democratic Iowa state Rep. Aime Wichtendahl, a transgender woman, said the bill aims to "erase us from public life and to stigmatize our existence." Protesters rallied at the state Capitol, chanting, "No hate in our state!" and holding signs advocating for transgender rights.

Keenan Crow, of the LGBTQ advocacy group One Iowa, stated the group will pursue legal action. All Democrats in the state House and Senate, along with five House Republicans, voted against the bill. The law is set to take effect on July 1.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.