Iowa Strikes Trans Discrimination Protection

Last Friday, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed a bill that struck gender identity from the state’s civil rights law. This makes Iowa the first state to remove a protected class from rights against discrimination. The bill passed along party lines both in the state House, with some republicans joining democrats in the Senate.

The new law strikes gender identity from Iowa’s legal code and enforces defining sex as a person’s anatomy at birth. What more, it removes a clause that allowed a trans person to update the sex marker on their birth certificate post-medical transition. These new hurdles make it harder for transgender individuals to present themselves as they wish to be in the eyes of the law. Additionally, it perpetuates implicit bias in institutions that require legal ID, such as getting a driver’s license, enrolling in school, and finding employment.

The rationale? “Safeguarding the rights of women and girls,”  according to Gov. Reynold’s statement on Facebook.

Reynolds asserts that “It is common sense to acknowledge the obvious biological differences between men and women. In fact, it is necessary to secure genuine equal protection for women and girls.”

However, this is not the only point of concern. This change to Iowan legislature falls in line with other conservative policies restricting abortions, banning school library books, and state-level immigration enforcement. Altogether, it follows a trend along the lines of President Donald Trump’s increasingly severe crackdown against minorities. It puts a foot in the door for fear and exclusion and may very well spark a movement in other red states towards similar measures.

Fear should never be the backbone of leadership. Yet, it has become increasingly preyed upon in political campaigns because it works. It is critical now that we do not fall into this same wellspring of despair and backlash—So what can be done?

Live.

Living your life, freely, and joyously, is the most potent act of rebellion that a person can enact, even more so when the world seems to decry one’s existence. Create brave spaces; stand together; choose happiness in a time where there is so much fear and sorrow. By keeping our heads high and supporting each other, we can weather this storm and find a sunny day down the line.

Photo courtesy of OneIowa on Instagram