Iowa Removes Gender Identity Protections

United States — Iowa lawmakers have approved legislation to remove gender identity protections from the state's civil rights code, making United States — Iowa the first U.S. state to do so. The bill, which explicitly defines female and male as synonyms for sex and excludes gender identity, raced through the legislative process despite massive protests from LGBTQ+ advocates. Republican Governor Kim Reynolds, who has previously signed policies limiting transgender rights, is expected to sign the bill into law. Opponents, including United States — Iowa state Representative Aime Wichtendahl, argue that the measure will expose transgender people to discrimination in housing, employment, and public places. Supporters, such as United States — Iowa state Representative Steven Holt, contend that the current law incorrectly codified gender transition and threatens spaces reserved for people assigned female at birth. The Movement Advancement Project, an LGBTQ+ rights think tank, confirmed this is the first legislative action of its kind in the U.S. The move by United States — Iowa contrasts with the Georgia House, which backed away from similar gender protection removals. The legislation follows executive orders from Donald Trump that aimed to ban transgender people from military service and sports.