Latest news with #LoganCasey
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Maine banned transgender discrimination 20 years ago. Few noticed -- until now.
Apr. 20—Maine first adopted protections for transgender individuals 20 years ago, helping earn the state a reputation as a leader in passing antidiscrimination laws. And trans students in Maine have been allowed to play high school sports consistent with their gender identities for more than a decade. But now, after evolving over the years without much controversy, those laws and policies are suddenly at the center of a national debate over transgender athletes and a lawsuit by the Trump administration that could cost the state millions of dollars in federal funding. So, how did we get here? Critics argue that transgender rights were pushed too far and too fast in recent years, inviting a backlash. Others say gender politics became the chosen wedge issue of the moment for social conservatives, who lost their battle against same-sex marriage a decade ago. Conservatives in Maine and across the country first targeted LGBTQ-themed books in school libraries, age-appropriate gender-affirming care and counseling, and access to bathrooms. But it is participation in sports that has become the most potent and divisive front in the new culture war, one that has divided Democrats. "It was basically a case where the far right was throwing anti-trans attacks at the wall and seeing what stuck," said Logan Casey, the director of policy research for the Movement Advancement Project, an independent nonprofit think tank that tracks equal rights laws. "Sports bans was one of the ones that really stuck and have now set the groundwork for all of these broader anti-trans attacks in other settings that we're seeing today." MAINE IS A LEADER, BUT NOT AN OUTLIER The Movement Advancement Project ranks Maine's laws as the fifth strongest in the country in prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity in public accommodations and the sixth to prohibit discrimination in housing and employment. But Maine is one of 22 states that explicitly prohibits discrimination based on gender identity and one of 23 states that has laws or policies allowing transgender athletes to participate in sports consistent with their gender identities, according to MAP. In Maine, the policy for high school sports participation is set by the Maine Principals' Association, which cites the state's antidiscrimination law as the basis for allowing access. Twenty-five states have laws preventing transgender participation in sports consistent with their gender identities, while two others have policies for the same. Notably, New Hampshire is one of the states with a law restricting transgender athletes, despite having another state law, like Maine's, prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity. A temporary injunction is allowing two plaintiffs to play sports consistent with their gender identities while the courts consider a legal challenge, according to MAP. The prohibition against discrimination based on gender identity initially gained its foothold in Maine law in 2005. That year, the state became one of only a handful to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation. The law, which was sponsored by Democratic Gov. John Baldacci and survived a people's veto effort, included a definitions clause that also effectively outlawed discrimination based on gender identity. Maine became one of the first three states in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage in 2012. The U.S. Supreme Court made same-sex marriage legal in all 50 states three years later. In 2013, the Maine Principals' Association developed a process allowing transgender high school students to compete on sports teams that align with their gender identities. That process, which remained in place for more than a decade, consisted of filing an application for a waiver and participating in a hearing before a Gender Identity Equity Committee — a process that equal rights advocates said was unnecessarily invasive. Between 2013 and 2023, there were 57 hearings, and all the transgender students who asked for waivers got them. While the sports policy initially did not generate significant controversy, trans rights made news in Maine in 2014 amid an emerging national debate about bathroom access. The Maine Supreme Judicial Court ruled that a school district in Orono violated the rights of a transgender student, Nicole Maines, by prohibiting her from using the women's bathroom. The court cited Maine's Human Rights Act as the basis of its ruling. In 2016, North Carolina became the first state to pass a law requiring transgender individuals to use a restroom consistent with their sex assigned at birth. However, that policy caused swift and fierce backlash, generating widespread calls to boycott the state. That restriction was removed the following year. HUMAN RIGHTS ACT EVOLVES Maine lawmakers returned to the Human Rights Act in 2019 with a number of updates, including giving gender identity more prominence in the law. Gender identity was defined as "the gender-related identity, appearance, mannerisms or other gender-related characteristics of an individual, regardless of the individual's assigned sex at birth." Lawmakers argued about how the 2019 updates would change what constituted harassment and who could file claims. Gender identity was never mentioned in any floor debates, however, and the bill passed on partisan lines. That same year, lawmakers took up a separate bill to specifically include gender identity in the policy statement of the Human Rights Act, giving it even more prominence by explicitly listing trans citizens as a protected class. Two Republicans raised concerns about the bill during the floor debate in the Senate, including the potential that trans girls could play in girls sports and have an unfair advantage. "We must see the truth that God created us male and female and the fact that genetic males have an unfair advantage in competition with genetic females in women sports competition," said Sen. Stacey Guerin, R-Glenburn. "This equal opportunity requirement is fundamentally unfair to girls who participate in sports and can be further spread to other areas that affect women specifically," said Sen. Lisa Keim, R-Dixfield. "We must stand up for women. We cannot create laws that will force them to accept vulnerable situations where they can be mistreated." Democrats dismissed concerns that the bill represented a major expansion of rights, noting that discrimination based on gender identity had been prohibited by the Human Rights Act since 2005. Sen. Michael Carpenter, D-Houlton, said the change would have no impact on the Maine Principals' Association or high school sports. "As far as the athletic issue, there is nothing in this law that's new," Carpenter said. "There's nothing in this law that suggests that it will overturn the carefully crafted policy put together by the Maine Principals' Association with regard to single-sex sports. Their rules are there. They have been there for a number of years." Then-Sen. Shenna Bellows, D-Manchester, agreed at the time, noting that transgender protections had been in state law since 2005. She described the bill as mostly "an errors and omissions bill," except for adding stronger protections for pregnant women. "But the rest of the bill is simply to clean up and (include a) restatement of existing law that was upheld by the voters and has not been subject to undue litigation in the last 15 years," said Bellows, who is now Maine's secretary of state and a declared candidate for governor. The bill was carried over to the 2020 session, but it died in the House when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and disrupted legislative activity. CULTURAL SHIFTS Around that same time, several other states considered restricting transgender participation in sports. Casey, of the Movement Advancement Project, said Iowa was the first to move forward and enact a ban. Now, about two dozen states have trans athlete bans. It was also around this time that progressive activists ramped up their focus on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts — a movement sparked by the police killing of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, in Minnesota, which set off massive protests and national calls for racial reckoning. While systemic oppression of Black Americans was the clarion call, the movement also pressed for greater understanding and acceptance of other systemically marginalized groups, including people who are transgender. In 2021, the Maine bill to explicitly add gender identity to the policy statement of the Human Rights Act was reintroduced at the request of the Maine Human Rights Commission. The commission — a five-member, bipartisan panel appointed by the governor — routinely seeks updates to the act and is responsible for investigating alleged discrimination and issuing rulings in cases that cannot be settled. The 2021 update proposal specifically acknowledged that every student had a civil right to participate in "all extracurricular activities" regardless of gender identity, color, religion or other characteristics. But the bill was presented as a way to correct inconsistencies within the law, not to expand protections. "(This bill) attempts to update the balance of the MHRA's protections across areas of application so the Act is internally consistent, and more understandable and user-friendly for the public," Amy Sneirson, who was the commission's executive director at the time, said in written testimony. The bill sailed through committee hearings and both chambers of the Legislature, with little focus paid to gender identity. It passed the House without debate and without a roll call vote count, which is typically called for when deciding controversial issues. Although there was a roll call vote in the Senate, there was no floor debate on the bill before it was approved in a 22-13 party line vote, with Democrats in support and Republicans opposed. House Speaker Ryan Fecteau, D-Biddeford, presided over the lower chamber in 2021 but declined an interview request through a spokesperson and did not respond to written questions. Joel Stetkis, a Republican who served as assistant House minority leader, said he couldn't recall what sort of conversations, if any, his caucus had about that 2021 change. Current House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham, R-Winter Harbor, was a rank-and-file member in 2021. He said he didn't recall any major objections about the bill. But Faulkingham said transgender issues have since become more visible and more controversial. "I'd say the reason why is the accelerated speed (and) progression of this stuff changing. (It) has happened rapidly," Faulkingham said. "Even four years ago, we weren't at a point where the conversation is where it is now." Conservative political action groups were beginning to bring attention to the issues nationally. Once such group, American Principles Project, tried to interject transgender issues into Maine's 2022 gubernatorial race to help former Gov. Paul LePage in his bid to unseat Gov. Janet Mills. APP launched a text message campaign that directed people to a YouTube page that contained ads attacking Mills and Democrats over their LGBTQ policies. It had limited effect, if any, at the time. Democrats were energized by the loss of federal abortion rights, and Mills went on to win the election handily. In 2024, the Maine Principals' Association changed its sports participation rules to no longer require transgender students to go through a formal application and hearing process. The updated rule allows transgender athletes to declare with their local district if they want to join teams consistent with their gender identities, and local school administrations make the final decision on participation. The MPA no longer keeps track of which districts have trans athletes. Two southern Maine students have attracted the attention of conservative critics who have posted photos of them on social media, but officials say they don't know if there are other trans students competing in Maine, or how many. SUDDENLY CONSUMING Now, although dozens of trans students have participated in Maine high school sports over the past decade, the emotionally charged debate over trans rights and fairness in sports is suddenly consuming Maine politics and government and creating financial uncertainty in schools and nonprofits statewide. The Trump administration has sued the state and threatened to cut off and recoup millions of dollars in federal funding if the state does not ban their participation. Mills continues to push back against the threats and legal challenges, saying Maine is following state and federal laws and that Trump cannot simply change those laws through an executive order. One preliminary court decision this month backed up Mills' argument, but the legal battle is far from over. Meanwhile, lawmakers in Augusta are gearing up for hearings on a slate of bills to address the issue and potentially change the Maine Human Rights Act once again. Republicans are presenting a range of proposals, from passing laws that prohibit transgender girls from girls sports and locker rooms to removing gender identity from the Maine Human Rights Act. Some, including Faulkingham, argue the problem can be solved by changing the policy of the MPA. The problem isn't necessarily the Maine Human Rights Act, he said — it's the interpretation of the law by state officials and the MPA. "It's really their interpretation of gender identity that's the problem," he said. "If they hadn't created a problem with their interpretation of it, I don't think there would be any issue with it." MPA officials, who have cited the Human Rights Act as the basis for the policy, are not talking about it. "MPA will not be making further comments on this issue while the pending litigation makes its way through the court system," policy adviser Jaren Bornstein said in an email. Copy the Story Link We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others. We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion. You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. 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Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Iowa gives final approval to a bill removing gender identity protections despite protests
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa lawmakers became the first in the nation to approve legislation removing gender identity protections from the state's civil rights code Thursday, despite massive protests by opponents who say it could expose transgender people to discrimination in numerous areas of life. The measure raced through the legislative process after first being introduced last week. The state Senate was first to approve the bill on Thursday, on party lines, followed by the House less than an hour later. Five House Republicans joined all Democrats in voting against it. The bill would remove gender identity as a protected class from the state's civil rights law and explicitly define female and male, as well as gender, which would be considered a synonym for sex and 'shall not be considered a synonym or shorthand expression for gender identity, experienced gender, gender expression, or gender role.' See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. The measure would be the first legislative action in the U.S. to remove nondiscrimination protections based on gender identity, said Logan Casey, director of policy research at the Movement Advancement Project, an LGBTQ+ rights think tank. The bill now goes to Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds, who signed earlier policies banning sports participation and public bathroom access for transgender students. A spokesperson for Reynolds declined to comment on whether she would sign the bill. If she does, it will go into effect on July 1. Hundreds of LGBTQ+ advocates streamed into the Capitol rotunda on Thursday waving signs reading 'Trans rights are human rights' and chanting slogans including 'No hate in our state!' There was a heavy police presence, with state troopers stationed around the rotunda. Of the 167 people who signed up to testify at a 90-minute public hearing before a House committee, all but 24 were opposed to the bill. Protesters who watched the vote from the House gallery loudly booed and shouted 'Shame!' as the chamber adjourned. Many admonished Iowa state Rep. Steven Holt, who floor managed the bill and delivered a fierce defense of it before it passed. Supporters of the change say the current law incorrectly codified the idea that people can transition to another gender and granted transgender women access to spaces such as bathrooms, locker rooms and sports teams that should be protected for people who were assigned female at birth. Holt said the inclusion of gender identity in the civil rights codes threatens recent 'commonsense' laws to ban transgender participation in sports and access to bathrooms. 'The legislature of Iowa for the future of our children and our culture has a vested interest and solemn responsibility to stand up for immutable truth,' Holt said. The Iowa lawmakers' actions came as the Georgia House backed away from removing gender protections from the state's hate crimes law, which was passed in 2020 after the death of Ahmaud Arbery. Iowa's current civil rights law protects against discrimination based on race, color, creed, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin or disability status. Sexual orientation and gender identity were not originally included in the state's Civil Rights Act of 1965. They were added by the Democratic-controlled Legislature in 2007, also with the support of about a dozen Republicans across the two chambers. Iowa state Rep. Aime Wichtendahl was the last Democrat to speak out Thursday against the bill removing those protections, becoming emotional as she offered her personal story as a transgender woman, saying: "I transitioned to save my life.' 'The purpose of this bill and the purpose of every anti-trans bill is to further erase us from public life and to stigmatize our existence,' Wichtendahl said. 'The sum total of every anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ bill is to make our existence illegal.' About half of U.S. states include gender identity in their civil rights code to protect against discrimination in housing and public places, such as stores or restaurants, according to the Movement Advancement Project. Some additional states do not explicitly protect against such discrimination but it is included in legal interpretations of statutes. Iowa's Supreme Court has expressly rejected the argument that discrimination based on sex includes discrimination based on gender identity. Several Republican-led legislatures are pushing to enact more laws this year creating legal definitions of male and female based on the reproductive organs at birth following an executive order from President Donald Trump. Trump also signed orders laying the groundwork for banning transgender people from military service and keeping transgender girls and women out of girls and women's sports competitions, among other things. Most of the policies are being challenged in court. On Thursday night, Trump wrote on his Truth Social site: 'Iowa, a beautiful State that I have won BIG every time, has a Bill to remove Radical Gender Ideology from their Laws. 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!' ___ Associated Press writer Jeff Amy in Atlanta contributed to this report.
CBS News
28-02-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Transgender rights protections ended under bill hastily OK'd by Iowa lawmakers despite large, intense protests
Des Moines, Iowa — Iowa lawmakers became the first in the nation to approve legislation removing gender identity protections from the state's civil rights code Thursday, despite massive protests by opponents who say it could expose transgender people to discrimination in numerous areas of life. The measure raced through the legislative process after first being introduced last week. The state Senate was first to approve the bill on Thursday, on party lines, followed by the House less than an hour later. Five House Republicans joined all Democrats in voting against it. The bill would remove gender identity as a protected class from the state's civil rights law and explicitly define female and male, as well as gender, which would be considered a synonym for sex and "shall not be considered a synonym or shorthand expression for gender identity, experienced gender, gender expression, or gender role." The measure would be the first legislative action in the U.S. to remove nondiscrimination protections based on gender identity, said Logan Casey, director of policy research at the Movement Advancement Project, an LGBTQ+ rights think tank. The bill now goes to Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds, who signed earlier policies banning sports participation and public bathroom access for transgender students. A spokesperson for Reynolds declined to comment on whether she would sign the bill. If she does, it will go into effect on July 1. Hundreds of LGBTQ+ advocates streamed into the Capitol rotunda on Thursday waving signs reading "Trans rights are human rights" and chanting slogans including "No hate in our state!" There was a heavy police presence, with state troopers stationed around the rotunda. Of the 167 people who signed up to testify at a 90-minute public hearing before a House committee, all but 24 were opposed to the bill. Protesters who watched the vote from the House gallery loudly booed and shouted "Shame!" as the chamber adjourned. Many admonished Iowa state Rep. Steven Holt, who floor managed the bill and fiercely defended it before it passed. Supporters of the change say the current law incorrectly codified the idea that people can transition to another gender and granted transgender women access to spaces such as bathrooms, locker rooms and sports teams that should be protected for people who were assigned female at birth. Holt said the inclusion of gender identity in the civil rights codes threatens recent "commonsense" laws to ban transgender participation in sports and access to bathrooms. "The legislature of Iowa for the future of our children and our culture has a vested interest and solemn responsibility to stand up for immutable truth," Holt said. The Iowa lawmakers' actions came as the Georgia House backed away from removing gender protections from the state's hate crimes law, which was passed in 2020 after the death of Ahmaud Arbery. Iowa's current civil rights law protects against discrimination based on race, color, creed, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin or disability status. Sexual orientation and gender identity were not originally included in the state's Civil Rights Act of 1965. They were added by the Democratic-controlled Legislature in 2007, also with the support of about a dozen Republicans across the two chambers. Iowa state Rep. Aime Wichtendahl was the last Democrat to speak out Thursday against the bill removing those protections, becoming emotional as she offered her personal story as a transgender woman, saying: "I transitioned to save my life." "The purpose of this bill and the purpose of every anti-trans bill is to further erase us from public life and to stigmatize our existence," Wichtendahl said. "The sum total of every anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ bill is to make our existence illegal." When she finished speaking, she got a standing ovation from many legislators and onlookers in the gallery, reports CBS Des Moines affiliate KCCI-TV. The station said that after the Senate passed the bill, a man started yelling from the gallery, calling lawmakers "facists" and asking "Who's next?" Threee state troopers carried him out. Others who were yelling were also removed About half of U.S. states include gender identity in their civil rights code to protect against discrimination in housing and public places, such as stores or restaurants, according to the Movement Advancement Project. Some additional states do not explicitly protect against such discrimination but it is included in legal interpretations of statutes. Iowa's Supreme Court has expressly rejected the argument that discrimination based on sex includes discrimination based on gender identity. Several Republican-led legislatures are pushing to enact more laws this year creating legal definitions of male and female based on the reproductive organs at birth following an executive order from President Trump. He also signed orders laying the groundwork for banning transgender people from military service and keeping transgender girls and women out of girls and women's sports competitions, among other things. Most of the policies are being challenged in court. On Thursday night, Mr. Trump wrote on his Truth Social site: "Iowa, a beautiful State that I have won BIG every time, has a Bill to remove Radical Gender Ideology from their Laws. 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!"
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Iowa gives final approval to a bill removing gender identity protections despite massive protests
Des Moines, Iowa (AP) — Iowa lawmakers became the first in the nation to approve legislation removing gender identity protections from the state's civil rights code Thursday, despite massive protests by opponents who say it could expose transgender people to discrimination in numerous areas of life. The measure raced through the legislative process after first being introduced last week. The state Senate was first to approve the bill on Thursday, on party lines, followed by the House less than an hour later. Five House Republicans joined all Democrats in voting against it. The bill would remove gender identity as a protected class from the state's civil rights law and explicitly define female and male, as well as gender, which would be considered a synonym for sex and 'shall not be considered a synonym or shorthand expression for gender identity, experienced gender, gender expression, or gender role.' The measure would be the first legislative action in the US to remove nondiscrimination protections based on gender identity, said Logan Casey, director of policy research at the Movement Advancement Project, an LGBTQ+ rights think tank. The bill now goes to Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds, who signed earlier policies banning sports participation and public bathroom access for transgender students. A spokesperson for Reynolds declined to comment on whether she would sign the bill. If she does, it will go into effect on July 1. Hundreds of LGBTQ+ advocates streamed into the Capitol rotunda on Thursday waving signs reading 'Trans rights are human rights' and chanting slogans including 'No hate in our state!' There was a heavy police presence, with state troopers stationed around the rotunda. Of the 167 people who signed up to testify at a 90-minute public hearing before a House committee, all but 24 were opposed to the bill. Protesters who watched the vote from the House gallery loudly booed and shouted 'Shame!' as the chamber adjourned. Many admonished Iowa state Rep. Steven Holt, who floor managed the bill and delivered a fierce defense of it before it passed. Supporters of the change say the current law incorrectly codified the idea that people can transition to another gender and granted transgender women access to spaces such as bathrooms, locker rooms and sports teams that should be protected for people who were assigned female at birth. Holt said the inclusion of gender identity in the civil rights codes threatens recent 'commonsense' laws to ban transgender participation in sports and access to bathrooms. 'The legislature of Iowa for the future of our children and our culture has a vested interest and solemn responsibility to stand up for immutable truth,' Holt said. The Iowa lawmakers' actions came as the Georgia House backed away from removing gender protections from the state's hate crimes law, which was passed in 2020 after the death of Ahmaud Arbery. Iowa's current civil rights law protects against discrimination based on race, color, creed, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin or disability status. Sexual orientation and gender identity were not originally included in the state's Civil Rights Act of 1965. They were added by the Democratic-controlled Legislature in 2007, also with the support of about a dozen Republicans across the two chambers. Iowa state Rep. Aime Wichtendahl was the last Democrat to speak out Thursday against the bill removing those protections, becoming emotional as she offered her personal story as a transgender woman, saying: 'I transitioned to save my life.' 'The purpose of this bill and the purpose of every anti-trans bill is to further erase us from public life and to stigmatize our existence,' Wichtendahl said. 'The sum total of every anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ bill is to make our existence illegal.' About half of U.S. states include gender identity in their civil rights code to protect against discrimination in housing and public places, such as stores or restaurants, according to the Movement Advancement Project. Some additional states do not explicitly protect against such discrimination but it is included in legal interpretations of statutes. Iowa's Supreme Court has expressly rejected the argument that discrimination based on sex includes discrimination based on gender identity. Several Republican-led legislatures are pushing to enact more laws this year creating legal definitions of male and female based on the reproductive organs at birth following an executive order from President Donald Trump. Trump also signed orders laying the groundwork for banning transgender people from military service and keeping transgender girls and women out of girls and women's sports competitions, among other things. Most of the policies are being challenged in court.
CNN
28-02-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Iowa gives final approval to a bill removing gender identity protections despite massive protests
Des Moines, Iowa (AP) — Iowa lawmakers became the first in the nation to approve legislation removing gender identity protections from the state's civil rights code Thursday, despite massive protests by opponents who say it could expose transgender people to discrimination in numerous areas of life. The measure raced through the legislative process after first being introduced last week. The state Senate was first to approve the bill on Thursday, on party lines, followed by the House less than an hour later. Five House Republicans joined all Democrats in voting against it. The bill would remove gender identity as a protected class from the state's civil rights law and explicitly define female and male, as well as gender, which would be considered a synonym for sex and 'shall not be considered a synonym or shorthand expression for gender identity, experienced gender, gender expression, or gender role.' The measure would be the first legislative action in the US to remove nondiscrimination protections based on gender identity, said Logan Casey, director of policy research at the Movement Advancement Project, an LGBTQ+ rights think tank. The bill now goes to Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds, who signed earlier policies banning sports participation and public bathroom access for transgender students. A spokesperson for Reynolds declined to comment on whether she would sign the bill. If she does, it will go into effect on July 1. Hundreds of LGBTQ+ advocates streamed into the Capitol rotunda on Thursday waving signs reading 'Trans rights are human rights' and chanting slogans including 'No hate in our state!' There was a heavy police presence, with state troopers stationed around the rotunda. Of the 167 people who signed up to testify at a 90-minute public hearing before a House committee, all but 24 were opposed to the bill. Protesters who watched the vote from the House gallery loudly booed and shouted 'Shame!' as the chamber adjourned. Many admonished Iowa state Rep. Steven Holt, who floor managed the bill and delivered a fierce defense of it before it passed. Supporters of the change say the current law incorrectly codified the idea that people can transition to another gender and granted transgender women access to spaces such as bathrooms, locker rooms and sports teams that should be protected for people who were assigned female at birth. Holt said the inclusion of gender identity in the civil rights codes threatens recent 'commonsense' laws to ban transgender participation in sports and access to bathrooms. 'The legislature of Iowa for the future of our children and our culture has a vested interest and solemn responsibility to stand up for immutable truth,' Holt said. The Iowa lawmakers' actions came as the Georgia House backed away from removing gender protections from the state's hate crimes law, which was passed in 2020 after the death of Ahmaud Arbery. Iowa's current civil rights law protects against discrimination based on race, color, creed, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin or disability status. Sexual orientation and gender identity were not originally included in the state's Civil Rights Act of 1965. They were added by the Democratic-controlled Legislature in 2007, also with the support of about a dozen Republicans across the two chambers. Iowa state Rep. Aime Wichtendahl was the last Democrat to speak out Thursday against the bill removing those protections, becoming emotional as she offered her personal story as a transgender woman, saying: 'I transitioned to save my life.' 'The purpose of this bill and the purpose of every anti-trans bill is to further erase us from public life and to stigmatize our existence,' Wichtendahl said. 'The sum total of every anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ bill is to make our existence illegal.' About half of U.S. states include gender identity in their civil rights code to protect against discrimination in housing and public places, such as stores or restaurants, according to the Movement Advancement Project. Some additional states do not explicitly protect against such discrimination but it is included in legal interpretations of statutes. Iowa's Supreme Court has expressly rejected the argument that discrimination based on sex includes discrimination based on gender identity. Several Republican-led legislatures are pushing to enact more laws this year creating legal definitions of male and female based on the reproductive organs at birth following an executive order from President Donald Trump. Trump also signed orders laying the groundwork for banning transgender people from military service and keeping transgender girls and women out of girls and women's sports competitions, among other things. Most of the policies are being challenged in court.
