Protests Break Out As Iowa Bill Threatens Gender Identity Protections

By Chinasaokwu Helen Okoro

Iowa lawmakers are considering a bill to remove gender identity protections from the state’s civil rights code, sparking protests at the Capitol.

Hundreds of demonstrators rallied against the bill, facing a heavy police presence.

The bill moved quickly through the legislature despite opposition from LGBTQ+ advocates.

If passed, Iowa would be the first state to reverse such protections.

This move follows Republican-led efforts to restrict transgender rights, aligning with similar laws in other states and past Trump-era policies, many of which face legal challenges.

Iowa is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is bordered by Minnesota to the north, Wisconsin to the northeast, Illinois to the east, Missouri to the south, Nebraska to the west, and South Dakota to the northwest. The capital and largest city is Des Moines.