Iowa lawmakers are set to vote on a bill that would remove gender identity protections from the state civil rights code, potentially exposing transgender individuals to discrimination in various areas such as employment, housing, education, and public accommodations. The bill, introduced recently, has quickly advanced through the legislative process despite opposition from LGBTQ+ advocates who gathered at the Capitol for rallies. A public hearing is expected to draw a large crowd to voice their opinions on the matter.
Currently, Iowa's civil rights law safeguards against discrimination based on various factors including gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, creed, sex, religion, national origin, and disability status. The protections for sexual orientation and gender identity were added in 2007 by the Democratic-controlled Legislature with some Republican support.
