Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds just took a bold stand for biological reality, signing a groundbreaking bill that removes “gender identity” from the state’s civil rights code. Could this signal a turning point in the national debate over sex-based protections?
At a Glance
- Gov. Kim Reynolds signed Senate Bill 418, removing gender identity protections from Iowa’s Civil Rights Act
- The law defines “sex” based on biological characteristics observed at birth, not gender identity
- Supporters praise the bill for protecting women’s spaces and rights
- Iowa becomes the first state to remove an existing civil rights protection for a previously protected group
- The law takes effect July 1, ending 18 years of transgender protections in the state
Iowa Governor Takes Stand for Biological Reality
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed Senate Bill 418 into law, officially removing gender identity from the state’s civil rights protections.
They signed reality into law! Can you believe that’s something we even have to think about these days?
The legislation, which passed with strong Republican support in both chambers, redefines “sex” based on biological characteristics observed at birth rather than self-identified gender. The bill sailed through the Iowa legislature with a 33-15 vote in the Senate and a 60-35 vote in the House, demonstrating solid conservative backing despite vocal protests from LGBTQ activists.
Reynolds defended her decision to sign the bill, calling it “the right thing to do,” and explaining that the previous language in Iowa’s civil rights code had blurred important biological distinctions. The Governor emphasized that the change actually brings Iowa’s laws in line with federal civil rights code and most other states’ practices. The bill’s supporters maintain that biological definitions of sex are crucial for protecting women’s rights, particularly in sensitive spaces like bathrooms, locker rooms, and women’s sports.
The new law firmly establishes definitions that many conservatives have long championed. It defines “female” and “male” based on reproductive biology and clarifies that “gender” is simply a synonym for biological sex, not gender identity or expression. The legislation also restricts transgender individuals from changing their birth certificate sex designation following medical treatments, upholding the reality of biological sex as immutable and determined at birth.
“The legislature of Iowa for the future of our children and our culture has a vested interest and solemn responsibility to stand up for immutable truth,” Iowa state Rep. Steven Holt said.
Additionally, the law prohibits K-6 educational materials related to “gender identity,” referring instead to “gender theory” – a move that aligns with parental rights advocates who have fought against confusing gender ideology being taught to young children. The law effectively reverses a 2007 addition to Iowa’s civil rights code that had established gender identity as a protected class in employment, housing, public accommodations, and education.
First State to Remove Protections
Iowa’s decision marks a significant milestone, as it becomes the first state to remove civil rights protections from a group that previously held protected status in state code. This contrasts with the 23 states that currently protect against discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation, according to the Human Rights Campaign. The Governor chose not to hold a public signing event or allow media coverage, possibly anticipating the controversy the bill has generated.
“Before I signed this bill, the civil rights code blurred the biological line between the sexes,” Gov. Kim Reynolds said.
And now it doesn’t.
Reynolds further explained her position, stating the bill “safeguards the rights of women and girls” and that it’s “common sense to acknowledge the obvious biological differences between men and women.” The law takes effect on July 1, ending nearly two decades of special protections based on gender identity in Iowa.
