Iowa Passes Law Restricting Transgender Rights
In a significant move, Iowa has become the first state in the United States to remove gender identity as a protected class from its civil rights code [1][2][5]. This change, which took effect on July 1, 2025, has raised concerns about increased vulnerability to discrimination for transgender and nonbinary Iowans [2][3].
The law, which was passed by the legislature and signed by Governor Kim Reynolds earlier in 2025, removes gender identity as a protected class under the Iowa Civil Rights Act, effectively allowing discrimination against transgender and nonbinary people at the state level in employment and housing [2]. Supporters of the law argue that it is intended to "safeguard the rights of women and girls" by recognizing biological sex differences [2].
The removal of these protections has raised serious concerns about increased vulnerability to discrimination, particularly in housing and employment [2][3]. Legal experts note that while federal protections still exist due to Supreme Court rulings such as *Bostock v. Clayton County* (2020), which extended Title VII protections against employment discrimination to include gender identity, state-level gaps increase risks, especially for housing where federal oversight may be weaker [2].
The change introduces legal uncertainty and burden on affected individuals who might now face more difficulties in proving and fighting discrimination without explicit state statutory protection [1][3]. At the federal level, the Equality Act, which would explicitly protect gender identity and sexual orientation nationwide, has stalled in Congress [4].
The rollback in Iowa could embolden other states to consider similar measures, although Iowa is currently the only state to have removed these protections entirely [1][4]. The U.S. Supreme Court ruling in *Bostock* protects against employment discrimination based on gender identity but does not cover all areas comprehensively (e.g., housing, public accommodations) [4].
This development reflects broader national tensions over transgender rights amid stalled federal legislation and attempts at rollbacks in some states. The long-term impact will depend on future legal challenges and advocacy efforts [1][2][3][4].
The law, passed by the Iowa legislature and signed by Governor Kim Reynolds, has removed gender identity as a protected class under the Iowa Civil Rights Act, leading to concerns about increased vulnerability to discrimination for transgender and nonbinary individuals in the areas of employment and housing. This change, effective from July 1, 2025, has raised questions about the comprehensive protection of gender identity and sexual orientation at the state level, especially considering the stalled Equality Act in Congress.
