DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) – A bill that would set gender definitions for a man and woman passed through both a subcommittee and the House Education committee along party lines at the state capitol Tuesday.
It would create a new code defining a person’s gender as their sex assigned at birth and would be required on documents and ID’s like driver’s licenses and birth certificates.
Molly Severn with Governor Kim Reynolds’ office called the proposal the “Women’s Bill of Rights”, telling lawmakers it recognizes biological differences while forbidding discrimination. “It defines sex as a person’s biological sex, either male or female at birth. It requires a person’s sex pursuant to that definition to be reflected on government issued identification cards and birth certificates,” Severn said.
Supporters cited transgender rights efforts to recognize gender identity, particularly when it comes to access to bathrooms and locker rooms.
That included Patty Alexander of Indianola. “It is obvious that biological sex is not a choice and cannot be changed. We can change our appearances but we can’t change our DNA. Please, protect us from the immoral will of others, “Alexander said.
Amber Williams also supports the bill. Williams says the bill is needed to protect biological women. “Women are being forced to give up their rights to share bathrooms and locker rooms with biological males with no disregard for their safety or privacy. I say it again, biological females need to be protected because from my examples I ask, is there an ongoing effort right now to replace women?,” Williams said.
Critics call the bill discriminatory. Pete McRoberts with the ACLU of Iowa argued putting birth gender on a driver’s license could reveal private medical history about someone’s gender transition. “This is what you have to show if you pick up groceries. This is what you show if you get pulled over. That personal information is there for one reason – to establish identity. The idea that a government issued Driver’s License would require somebody to display the most personal medical history is unconscionable,” McRoberts said.
United States Marine Corps veteran Eli Cade is transgender himself. He called the bill unconstitutional and vowed to fight against it. “We will not go quietly. We will not go in fear. We will not allow you to force us to hide. We will be loud. We will be proud, and honestly, if you want to put a mark on us, put a pink triangle again because some of you failed your 7th grade history class,” Cade said.
Iowa Safe Schools released a statement opposing the bill, saying it seeks to systemically erase transgender Iowans from public life.
Conner Hendricks covers state government and politics for Gray Television-owned stations in Iowa. Email him at [email protected]; and follow him on Facebook at Conner Hendricks TV or on X/Twitter @ConnerReports.
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