Protesters flooded the Iowa Capitol building to oppose Senate File 418, which aims to strip gender identity as a protected class from Iowa's civil rights act. Despite bipartisan pushback, the bill passed in both the House and Senate, reflecting significant partisan divisions. The proposed legislation not only removes gender identity protections but also mandates birth certificates to indicate sex assigned at birth. Activists express outrage, foreshadowing consequences for lawmakers endorsing the bill, with Governor Kim Reynolds expected to sign it, thereby affecting transgender rights in Iowa after 18 years of legal protections.
Hundreds of Iowa residents have filled the Iowa Capitol building waving Pride flags to protest an anti-trans bill that seeks to remove gender identity as a protected class in the state's civil rights act.
The civil rights law was first enacted in 1965 and, after lawmakers added sexual orientation and gender identity in 2007, prohibits discrimination based on race, creed, colour, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, disability, and gender identity.
The bill is now in the hands of Governor Kim Reynolds, who is expected to sign it into law, ending 18 years of state law protection for transgender Iowans.
Following the votes in the House and Senate, people in the public gallery erupted into boos and shouts of 'shame!' in protest over the bill, while some shouted 'fascist scumbags' at those voting in favour of the legislation.
Collection
[
|
...
]