Iowa House Republicans pass a bill that will make the lives of transgender residents worse

"It diminishes our ability to attract new workers. This bill before us today makes a mockery of our state's most sacred values. The bill makes LGBTQ+ residents feel less safe in Iowa, pushing them toward friendlier homes in neighboring states."

"In Idaho, GOP lawmakers have advanced legislation that would block cities and counties from enforcing LGBTQ-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinances that go beyond state law, effectively wiping out protections in more than a dozen municipalities that currently prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity."

"We're not going to have everybody, and their mom decides they're going to have this civil rights code. It's unworkable for businesses, and it's just a crazy idea."

Iowa's House of Delegates approved legislation that prevents local governments from adding gender identity protections to non-discrimination policies. Rep. Amie Wichtendahl, Iowa's first out trans state legislator, opposed the bill, arguing it makes LGBTQ+ residents feel unsafe and encourages them to relocate to neighboring states while diminishing Iowa's ability to attract workers. Similar measures are advancing in other Republican-led states like Idaho, where GOP lawmakers seek to block cities and counties from enforcing LGBTQ-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinances beyond state law. Republican supporters argue such local protections create inconsistency and burden businesses. For years, blue-leaning communities in Republican-majority states have adopted local ordinances to protect LGBTQ+ residents from discrimination.

Read at Advocate.com