DES MOINES, Iowa — Gov. Kim Reynolds has introduced a bill to the Iowa House of Representatives that would strictly define terms such as "man", "woman" and "sex," with local LGBTQ+ leaders saying the bill is an attack on transgender Iowans.
HSB 649 would require state officials to identify people's gender based solely on their sex assigned at birth.
"Notwithstanding any provision of state law to the contrary, distinctions based on sex in various contexts where health, safety, or privacy are implicated resulting in separate accommodations, are substantially related to the important government objectives of protecting the health, safety, and privacy of the persons in these contexts," the bill reads in part.
The proposed legislation would also require those who legally change their gender to put both gender markers on their birth certificates and driver's licenses.
Reynolds issued a statement on the proposal, saying she introduced it to "recognize biological differences" between men and women.
"It's unfortunate that defining a woman in code has become necessary to protect spaces where women’s health, safety, and privacy are being threatened like domestic violence shelters and rape crisis centers," Reynolds said in her statement.
Local LGBTQ+ organizations decried the bill, saying HSB 649 will harm transgender Iowans.
Opponents of the proposed legislation also argue this provision will effectively "out", or reveal the identity of, transgender people, which could open them up to discrimination or further danger.
“This bill is an affront to everything we’re about as Iowans," said Becky Tayler, executive director of Iowa Safe Schools. "Governor Reynolds has made it crystal clear that transgender Iowans are not welcome in their own state."
The bill was introduced just a day after a House subcommittee declined to advance another gender identity-related bill that would have stripped gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act.
"Over and over again, the focus at the statehouse seems to be on relegating LGBTQ Iowans to second-class status. We have had enough," said Courtney Reyes, executive director of One Iowa Action. "We showed up in massive numbers to stop the attack on our trans siblings, and we will show up again if this harmful legislation moves a single step forward."
The bill was referred to the House Education Subcommittee on Thursday. Several lobbyists have officially declared their opposition to the bill, including representatives from the ACLU of Iowa, Iowa Safe Schools and One Iowa.
As a study bill, the subcommittee can schedule a hearing with public comments before deciding the next steps.