Today, Governor Kim Reynolds signed into law a bill removing gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act, officially stripping transgender and non-binary Iowans of critical protections against discrimination in housing, employment, education, public accommodations, credit practices, and more.
With this decision, Iowa became the first state in the nation to rescind civil rights protections from an entire protected class—erasing decades of progress and tarnishing Iowa’s legacy as a leader in civil rights.
Advocates warned that this law would have devastating consequences—not just for transgender Iowans, but for the state’s workforce, economy, and reputation. Civil rights groups, faith leaders, small business owners, and community organizations spoke out against the legislation, emphasizing that it would make Iowa a less competitive, less welcoming place to live and work.
One Iowa Executive Director, Max Mowitz, condemned the Governor’s decision:
“Governor Reynolds has chosen to put Iowa on the wrong side of history. By signing this bill into law, she has made it legal to discriminate against transgender Iowans in nearly every aspect of life—where they live, where they work, and where they go to school. This law sends a devastating message: that transgender Iowans are not worthy of the same rights, dignity, and protections as their neighbors.
No one should have to live in fear of being denied housing, fired from their job, or excluded from public life simply because of who they are. Transgender Iowans are part of every community in this state—our families, our workplaces, our schools, our places of worship. 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.”
Statement from Bethany Snyder, Board Chair of One Iowa Action:
“Iowa is our home. Our community is here, our work is here, and we want to stay. But my family is scared. With every new law stripping away rights, Iowa feels less like a place where we can safely build our future. Families are making plans to leave because they no longer feel protected. We may have to do the same.
This isn’t just politics—it’s personal. 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.”
We are profoundly grateful to the coalition of organizations, advocates, and everyday Iowans who stood against this injustice. Many spent their time, energy, and resources fighting for fairness, speaking out against this law, and supporting transgender Iowans in a moment of crisis. Their commitment to justice has not gone unnoticed, and it will not be in vain.
One Iowa and One Iowa Action will not give up on this fight. We will continue working to restore civil rights protections for transgender Iowans, and we will not stop until Iowa is a state that upholds fairness, dignity, and equality for all.
