Transgender and nonbinary Iowans will no longer be shielded by state law from discrimination in housing, employment, education and more after Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a law Friday removing gender identity as a protected class in the Iowa Civil Rights Act.

The signing makes Iowa the first state in the country to take away civil rights from a group it has previously protected in law.

“It’s common sense to acknowledge the obvious biological differences between men and women,” Reynolds said in a video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “In fact, it’s necessary to secure genuine equal protection for women and girls.”

Reynolds, a Republican, signed the fast-tracked legislation privately Friday, one day after a heated day of protests and debate in the Iowa Capitol as more than 2,000 LGBTQ rights supporters chanted, shouted and jeered in protest as House and Senate lawmakers passed the bill, sending it to Reynolds’ desk.

More:Gov. Kim Reynolds explains why she signed the Iowa law repealing transgender civil rights

The law ends 18 years of protection against discrimination based on gender identity in Iowa’s civil rights law. A Democratic-controlled Iowa Legislature and governor’s office enacted protections for gender identity and sexual orientation in 2007.

Max Mowitz, executive director of LGBTQ advocacy group One Iowa, said Reynolds has chosen to put Iowa on the wrong side of history. Mowitz said it sends a message that transgender Iowans are not worthy of the same rights, dignity and protections as their neighbors.

“Transgender Iowans are part of every community in this state — our families, our workplaces, our schools, our places of worship,” Mowitz said. “They deserve the same safety, stability and opportunity as anyone else. This law will cause real harm, making daily life harder and more uncertain for countless Iowans who simply want to live openly and authentically. History will not look kindly on this moment.”

Polk County Board of Supervisors Chair Matt McCoy released a statement reaffirming the county’s commitment to “diversity and inclusivity.”

“Our values statement is still true, especially today,” McCoy said. “All residents of Polk County should feel safe and welcome. This new law is a step backward for civil rights and does not reflect the inclusive values we hold as a community. Polk County remains dedicated to fostering an environment where diversity is celebrated and all individuals are treated with respect.”

Republican supporters said transgender Iowans would continue to be protected by federal law, court precedent and constitutional guarantees.

“Transgender individuals will be protected, like all Americans, by the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, federal law, the Iowa Constitution and Iowa law,” said Rep. Steven Holt, R-Denison.

But Republicans said the move will help other recent legislation they passed survive court challenges, including a ban on transgender youth from receiving gender-affirming medical care, restricting transgender students from using school bathrooms that align with their gender identity and banning transgender women and girls from competing in female sports.

“Unfortunately, these common-sense protections were at risk because, before I signed this bill, the Civil Rights Code blurred the biological line between the sexes,” Reynolds said in a statement. “It has also forced Iowa taxpayers to pay for gender reassignment surgeries. That is unacceptable to me, and it is unacceptable to most Iowans.”

Democrats said President Donald Trump’s hostility toward transgender people, coupled with the U.S. Supreme Court’s willingness to overturn its precedents, mean the changes of federal protections are slim.

“The majority party is removing the rights of fellow Iowans to housing, credit and jobs,” House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst, D-Windsor Heights, said Thursday. “Do not tell me the federal government will save us because they’re already attacking the communities we’re attacking today as well.”

The law takes effect July 1.

What does the law removing gender identity protections do?

The law removes gender identity as a protected class in the Iowa Civil Rights Act, which shields Iowans from discrimination in employment, housing, education, public accommodations and more.

The law, which was first enacted in 1965, prohibits discrimination based on race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, religion and disability.

Until July 1, when the law takes effect, the Iowa Civil Rights Act also forbids discrimination based on gender identity.

More:These Iowa lawmakers cast the historic vote to repeal transgender civil rights protection

Birth certificates will have to reflect Iowans’ sex at birth, as either male or female

The law also requires birth certificates to reflect an Iowan’s sex at birth as either male or female.

The bill says if the child’s sex cannot be determined at birth, the parents would be allowed up to six months to file the child’s birth certificate, “to allow parents to obtain any diagnosis or testing from a health care provider.”

And it would strike a section from current law allowing a transgender person who transitions to receive a new birth certificate if they receive a notarized affidavit from a doctor stating their sex has been changed.

Any government in Iowa that gathers health data, including state agencies, cities, counties and schools would have to identify a person as either male or female.

New definitions of ‘male,’ ‘female’ and ‘sex’ added to Iowa law

The legislation adds new definitions for “male,” “female” and “sex” in state law.

• It redefines “sex” to mean “the state of being either male or female as observed or clinically verified at birth.”
• It defines “female” as an individual who has or will have “a reproductive system that at some point produces ova.”
• It defines “male” as a person who has or will have “a reproductive system that at some point produces sperm.”
• It defines “mother” as “a parent who is female” and “father” as “a parent who is male.”
• It also says “the term ‘equal’ does not mean ‘same’ or ‘identical.'”
• And it says “separate accommodations are not inherently unequal.”

Civil rights groups tell Reynolds: Transgender Iowans ‘will always exist’

Civil rights groups, LGBTQ advocacy organizations, several small businesses and LGBTQ-affirming faith leaders opposed the bill out of fear it would make Iowa a less competitive and welcoming place to live. Several critics warned it would open the door to all Iowans to be discriminated against for appearing too feminine or masculine.

“This isn’t just politics — it’s personal,” said Bethany Snyder, board chair of One Iowa Action, the LGBTQ group’s advocacy arm. “No one should have to leave their home to feel safe, but that is the reality for too many of us. Iowa should be a place where all families, including mine, can thrive without fear.”

Becky Tayler, executive director of Iowa Safe Schools, said in a statement that Iowa leaders have yet to address annual school funding, the cost of living, workforce shortages, healthcare access and other critical issues while rushing to “rip civil rights away from an entire class of Iowans.”

“Iowa is now in the history books for being the first state to actively roll back civil rights,” Tayler said. “This isn’t leadership; it’s a shameful display of power used to crush the most vulnerable Iowans. Governor Reynolds has made it clear — her version of ‘freedom to flourish’ is only for those who fit her narrow, outdated vision. If there is one message to send to Governor Reynolds, it is this: transgender Iowans have always existed and will always exist.” 

After the bill passed both chambers, ACLU of Iowa Executive Director Mark Stringer said in a statement it is “unacceptable” for Iowa to single out transgender people to strip their legal rights under state antidiscrimination law. 

“Iowa has been a trailblazer in advancing civil and basic human rights — from banning slavery all the way to ensuring marriage equality,” Stringer said. “In many instances, our laws have helped advance the causes of freedom and equality in our nation.”

(This story was updated to add new information.)

Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on X at @sgrubermiller.

Marissa Payne covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. Reach her by email at[email protected]. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @marissajpayne. 

Sabine Martin covers politics for the Register. She can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at (515) 284-8132. Follow her on X at @sabinefmartin.