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The Iowa Civil Rights Act’s protections against transgender discrimination have once again been proposed for removal by Republican lawmakers in Iowa, and this time the head of a crucial committee is willing to discuss it.
In an effort to eliminate gender identity as one of the protected groups under the state’s civil rights law, GOP lawmakers with majorities in the Iowa House and Senate have filed a number of bills over the past few years. However, no hearings have been held on those bills.
Rep. Steven Holt, R-Denison, has scheduled a committee hearing on House File 2082 this month. This hearing may eliminate gender identity protections from the civil rights law and include gender dysphoria, or any condition connected to gender identity disorder, to the list of disabilities that would be covered by the law.
Holt said, “I just want to have a discussion about it.” “I want to meet with a committee and listen to discussion about it.”
In 2020, Holt killed a bill that would have eliminated gender identity protections from the civil rights law by using his role as head of the Judiciary Committee.
On Wednesday at lunchtime in room 102 of the Iowa State Capitol, a hearing will take place where the public may address lawmakers about the bill.
Holt’s stance was described as “alarming” by Keenan Crow, the policy and advocacy director for One Iowa, a group that promotes LGBTQ rights.
Crow remarked, “Whenever you have someone who is willing to discuss removing the legal rights of an entire class of people, that’s not a good conversation to be having.” “Those rights shouldn’t be up for discussion.” Like everyone else, transgender people should be able to rent homes, apply for credit cards, obtain loans, go out and buy sandwiches, and book hotel rooms.
The Iowa Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination based on gender identity, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, and ancestry. When Democrats controlled the Iowa Legislature and governor’s office in 2007, legislators expanded the rights for gender identity.
According to the civil rights law, those who belong to one of the protected classes are shielded from discrimination in the areas of employment, pay, housing, education, and credit.
Holt asserted that even if lawmakers removed gender identity from the civil rights act, trans people would still be protected under Iowa and federal laws.
He added, “I believe there are many other areas of federal and state law that would forbid discrimination.” “Because I believe we should all be against discrimination based on one’s race, gender identification, or whatever the circumstances may be.”
Holt referred to it as “an interesting concept” to consider whether gender dysphoria might be considered a disability that needs to be protected. He cited the Americans With Disabilities Act, which established that individuals with gender dysphoria are protected.
Crow argued that adding gender dysphoria as a disability might not offer any additional protections because that court decision is already on the books. However, they claimed that it might be harmful to low-income trans individuals who are unable to afford to visit a doctor in order to be diagnosed.
More: Iowa’s restrictions on gender-affirming care are forcing transgender children to leave the state in search of health care.
They claimed that because they no longer have any housing protections, a landlord can figuratively say, “No, I don’t want you in my building, you’re transgender.” There is nothing that people can do to change the situation. Therefore, this is a very harmful, very damaging bill.
Although Holt did not promise that the bill would move past the committee hearing, he feels that a discussion is necessary.
Holt said, “I still have concerns about this, but I at least want to have the talk and see where it goes.”
A flurry of regulations affecting transgender Iowans have been passed by Iowa Republicans in recent years, including a ban on the provision of gender-affirming health care for minors, restricting the use of school restrooms that align with their gender identity, and forbidding women and girls from participating in female sports.
Stephen Gruber-Miller covers politics and the Iowa Statehouse for the Register. Contact him at [email protected] or phone at 515-284-8169. You can follow him on Twitter at @sgrubermiller.
