Iowa can enforce previously blocked 'don't say gay' law, appeals court rules

"This ruling is a setback, but it is not the end of this fight. Iowa's SF 496 is a cruel and unconstitutional law that silences LGBTQ+ children, erases their existence from classrooms, and forces educators to expose vulnerable students to potential harm at home. We will continue to use every legal tool available to protect these young people. They deserve nothing less."

"Throughout the litigation, the State has insisted that this statute applies only to mandatory parts of the educational curriculum. Reading the plain language of the law, it is clear that its implications extend beyond that, affecting the overall educational environment for LGBTQ+ students."

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Iowa can enforce its ban on LGBTQ+-themed books and the 'don't say gay' law. This decision follows multiple lawsuits challenging the law, which had previously been blocked by federal judges. Iowa Safe Schools, supported by Lambda Legal and the ACLU, had secured an injunction against the law. However, appellate judges stated that the law can be enforced while litigation continues, indicating a flawed analysis by lower courts regarding the law's scope.

Read at Advocate.com