Iowa removes gender identity protections from civil rights code

Iowa has taken a significant step by becoming the first state in the United States to eliminate gender identity from its civil rights code as of July 1, 2025. This change means that transgender and nonbinary individuals in the state no longer have legal protections against discrimination related to employment, housing, and other essential areas of life. The new law was signed by Governor Kim Reynolds and aligns with the recent trend among some Republican-led states, influenced by the political rhetoric of the Trump administration. Reynolds defended the decision by asserting that acknowledging biological differences between men and women is necessary to ensure genuine equal protection for women and girls. In making this legislative change, Iowa has aligned itself with similar policies in other states that have sought to impose restrictions on transgender individuals, particularly concerning their participation in sports and usage of facilities. Iowa Republicans argued this new law is crucial for limiting gender identity protections in a civil rights context that they deem incompatible with recent laws aimed at regulating the participation of transgender students in schools. This push has generated a significant amount of controversy and has resulted in ongoing legal challenges regarding various related issues. Public opinion remains divided on this matter. A poll found that around two-thirds of U.S. adults believe that gender is determined largely by biological characteristics at birth. However, there is less consensus on the treatment and policies governing transgender and nonbinary individuals. Many activists and supporters of transgender rights have expressed concerns that these types of laws serve to increase discrimination and undermine the existence and rights of transgender individuals. Many transgender people argue that such policies are rooted in prejudice and that they reflect a growing trend of utilizing anti-transgender sentiment for political gain. In response to the new law, advocates have encouraged affected individuals to file complaints regarding discrimination based on gender identity that occurred prior to the law's enactment. They have until April 27, 2026, to report such cases. Iowa's civil rights landscape is further complicated by a history of legal rulings from the Iowa Supreme Court, which has previously stated that discrimination based on sex does not encompass discrimination based on gender identity. The new law has instigated fears among advocates and lawmakers, particularly representatives such as Aime Wichtendahl, Iowa's first openly transgender lawmaker, who believes that this development could engender an increase in discrimination against transgender citizens in Iowa.