Meeting Public Comments

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SF 418

A bill for an act relating to sex and gender, including those and related terms for purposes of statutory construction, indications of a person’s sex on certain vital records, gender identity under the Iowa civil rights Act, and school curricula related to gender theory. Effective date: 07/01/2025.

Agenda

Subcommittee members: Schultz-CH, Blake, Dawson

Date: Tuesday, February 25, 2025

Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Location: Room G15

Comments Submitted:

The purpose of comments is to provide information to members of the subcommittee.

Names and comments are public records. Remaining information is considered a confidential record.

02-24-2025

Shana C

Iowa was once known as a friendly and welcoming state. This legislation, if passed will harm real Iowans who live, work, raise their families, pay taxes and vote here. Their friends and family are also watching these unjustified attempts to erase or force their loved ones out of Iowa. There is no obvious benefit to anyone by removing basic civil rights from an entire class of your own citizens. It will not earn you votes or boost our states economy. Even if it could that would not be worth the enormous costs it will extract on the very soul. Please consider the real harm this could do to real people in your own community. Protect your Trans neighbors by allowing them to continue to live fully and work and contribute the same way you freely can. Please do the right thing.

02-24-2025

Elisabeth Ross

I urge all senators to say no to this bill. How does taking away people's rights make Iowa better or safer? All people deserve to be able to work and have housing without worrying about being discriminated against. How does this bill fulfill our motto of "Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain" when it is literally trying to strip away basic human rights from a subgroup of people? Trans Iowans are Iowans and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.

02-24-2025

Nicole Kressin

I strongly oppose SF 418. There is no valid reason to roll back civil rights protections for trans and nonbinary Iowans. It's not based in facts or science, and will cause untold harm to transgender Iowans and those who love them. Our elected representatives are supposed to work to better the lives of ALL Iowans not targeting an innocent group of people and removing their civil rights. Trans people pay taxes and strengthen our communities the same as everyone else, and they deserve the same respect and the same protections from their representatives. This bill is nothing more than meanspirited bullying, based on ignorance and unfounded fear of a group of people who have done no harm to anyone and who just want to exist in peace. There are so many better things our elected officials could be doing on our tax dollars.

02-24-2025

Danny Wagener

I have worked as a civil rights professional for more than 16 years, including 8 years as a Civil Rights Specialist with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, and can attest to the fact that nonbinary & transgender people are unjustly discriminated against and therefore the current protections afforded them by the Iowa Civil Rights Act are indeed necessary and should not be eliminated. In addition, there is not evidence that current protections have harmed any innocent Iowans, so there is no rationale justification to remove gender orientation protections from the Iowa Civil Rights Act because hatred & bigotry will NEVER be a reason to strip awy the civil rights of Iowans.

02-24-2025

Claire Feeney

Representative ,My name is Claire Feeney and I am writing to you today to ask you to reject HSB242, a bill that would remove basic protections for transgender Iowans and create complications for other Iowans who do not fall neatly into the bills narrow definitions. All hardworking peopleincluding those who are transgendershould be treated fairly and equally by the laws of our state, and should have the opportunity to earn a living and provide for themselves and their families. If someone cant rent an apartment or get a credit card simply because of who they are, we cant expect them to be able to compete on a level playing field with their peers. These basic antidiscrimination protections are an important part of any meritbased system, allowing people to access opportunities regardless of who they are or how they are perceived. Further, the bill jeopardizes sex stereotyping protections for nontransgender women that arent included in Iowas sex discrimination statute. Transgender people are our friends, neighbors, family and coworkers. When it comes to being able to earn a living, having a place to live, or being served by a business or government office, they should be treated like anyone else and not be discriminated against. Please vote against HSB242.

02-24-2025

Emily L

I'm the mom of a transgender daughter.I was born and raised in Iowa by lifelong conservative Republicans. I actually went to high school with Joni Ernsts former step daughters. I also went to high school with Brian Thompson, the United Healthcare CEO that was murdered recently. I moved out of Iowa for a few years in my 20s, but moved back to Ames in my early 30s so that my kids could be close to both sets of grandparents. Both of my parents have lived in the same Iowa county for over 70 years, and all of my mom's grandparents and her parents lived in the same Iowa county all their lives, too. I have very deep roots in Iowa.I have an engineering degree. Then I became a stayathome mom to my 4 children for 9 years. I went back to school and graduated with a Masters in Social Work when I was in my 40s. I am telling you all of this because I wanted to let you know that I made the conscious effort to put my career on pause and stay home with my 4 kids. I put a tremendous amount of love and care into my kids. I also mention these facts because I value education. I am also a therapist and I just started my own private practice last year. These reasons are why I am writing.I feel that the most important thing that I have ever done is be a mom and like most people, I would do anything for my kids. Up until 3 years ago, I had never called or written one of my state representatives. That all changed when my oldest child came out as transgender in early 2021. Of course I think all parents worry about their childs safety to some degree, but ever since my child came out as trans, I have constantly feared for her safety. She would never hurt anyone, she is not attracted to children, she was simply born into the wrong body. I dont know why there is so much fear and hate related to the transgender community. Of course, politicians recently spent $220 million on antiLGBTQ+ ads during the previous election season. I suppose since some politicians can bully and hate, that seems to give more people permission to bully and hate (and to perpetuate false fears and disinformation like kids having gender reassignment surgeries while they were at school). While at school, my child did not have the opportunity for a genderreassignment surgery since this is absurd, but she did experience verbal bullying 4 out of 5 days a week for over 3 years while she attended inperson school. She didn't have access to a bathroom that she felt comfortable using (for fear of making others uncomfortable), so she simply did not use the bathroom. Because of this, she didn't eat or drink all day while she was at school and developed an eating disorder. The eating disorder got so bad that she had to be put in residential treatment for 2+ months in 2023 and again in 2024. Unfortunately, Iowa doesn't have any residential treatment centers for eating disorders so she had to go out of state for care. It was gutwrenching to have to drive my teen out of state, drop her off, and leave her there, over 6 hours away from me for several weeks at a time. I would love it if our legislators could help create resources in Iowa for eating disorder treatment, but that is for another day. My daughter did NOT feel safe at school after she came out as trans and this has negatively impacted her education and future education plans. When she was younger, she was in the gifted program (ELP). Her dad and I both have college degrees, so do our parents. I have a Master's degree and her dad's dad was a professor at Iowa State. Our daughter did not have a "felt sense" of safety while at school and not feeling safe at school makes learning more difficult. As a result, she has no interest in attending college, so she is the first generation of many in our family who is NOT going to college...because of chronic bullying because she is trans. I know there are concerns about locker room and bathroom safety. According to a UCLA study from 2019, "Legislation, regulations, litigation, and ballot propositions affecting public restroom access for transgender people increased drastically in the last three years. Opponents of gender identity inclusive public accommodations nondiscrimination laws often cite fear of safety and privacy violations in public restrooms if such laws are passed, while proponents argue that such laws are needed to protect transgender people and concerns regarding safety and privacy violations are unfounded. No empirical evidence has been gathered to test such laws effects." It goes on to state, "Data come from public record requests of criminal incident reports related to assault, sex crimes, and voyeurism in public restrooms, locker rooms, and dressing rooms to measure safety and privacy violations in these spaces. This study finds that the passage of such laws is not related to the number or frequency of criminal incidents in these spaces. Additionally, the study finds that reports of privacy and safety violations in public restrooms, locker rooms, and changing rooms are exceedingly rare. This study provides evidence that fears of increased safety and privacy violations as a result of nondiscrimination laws are not empirically grounded."Another research study from 2019 states, "Transgender and gendernonbinary teens face greater risk of sexual assault in schools that prevent them from using bathrooms or locker rooms consistent with their gender identity, according to a recent study. Researchers looked at data from a survey of nearly 3,700 U.S. teens aged 1317. The study found that 36% of transgender or gendernonbinary students with restricted bathroom or locker room access reported being sexually assaulted in the last 12 months, according to a May 6, 2019 CNN article. Of all students surveyed, 1 out of every 4, or 25.9%, reported being a victim of sexual assault in the past year."These studies show that transgender people are not victimizing others in bathrooms and locker rooms, but rather, they are being victimized by others when they are forced to use the nonpreferred bathrooms and locker rooms.As a therapist, I have taken several training courses including Compassion Cultivation Training and a Mindfulness and Compassion Educator course. My instructor told us that we werent actually being trained on how to have compassion, but she believed that all of us were born with an innate sense of compassion. Id like to believe that is true. Cultivating compassion isnt about learning how to be compassionate, but rather REMEMBERING how to be compassionate, remembering our true Christlike, loving nature. This brings to mind one of my favorite Rumi quotes, Your task is not to seek for love, but rather to seek and find all the barriers within yourself which you have built against it.I would like to know what has happened to those of you that support the antiLGBTQ+ bills to make you so interested in the further dehumanization of an already marginalized community. Id welcome the opportunity to talk on the phone or meet in person if you would be open to that. I am also hopeful that you would take the time to respond to this message.Please know that my message is coming from a deep love and concern for my child. Additionally, I serve several transgender clients and I care deeply about the basic human rights of everyone, including transgender people.I am very hopeful that you can look into your heart and be guided by the NASW code of ethics that state, The primary mission of the social work profession is to enhance human wellbeing and help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty. The code of ethics goes on to state, The mission of the social work profession is rooted in a set of core values. These core values, embraced by social workers throughout the professions history, are the foundation of social works unique purpose and perspective: service, social justice, dignity and worth of each person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence.Thank you for your time. Thank you for your service to Iowa and your community.I hope that you will carefully consider the farreaching negative impacts of HSB 242 on the already incredibly marginalized transgender community which includes my child.Emily L., Huxley resident

02-24-2025

Lennon Schriever

This bill would greatly impact myself and my loved ones who have faced discrimination due to our identities. We want to be able to live a normal life, like anyone else in this country, but that has not been possible simply because of identity. I am all too familiar with the ugly face of discrimination. I have been called the most vile things, Ive had glass thrown at me, Ive had my family and Is lives destroyed by discrimination because of my gender identity and sexuality. This introduction of this bill is not going to make life easier for anyone. Its going to invite in more hate, violence, and misunderstanding and now there will be no protections for myself and others. I hope that we all want the same thing, a world where we dont have to consider all of these safety measures for people to live their lives, but we are not yet living in that world. As long as hate, intolerance, and violence exist, there is not yet equality.

02-24-2025

Joseph Bleeker

This witch hunt against trans people has to stop. Trans women are women. Nothing about this bill will "protect women's rights". It will only restrict and impede the lives and safety of Iowa's 32,000 trans citizens; thereby propping open the door for discrimination against other marginalized groups. (Including women in general.)

02-24-2025

Dallas Tuttle

Bills such as these pose a very real risk to my transgender friends.Transgender people are human beings. They deserve protection and rights under the law. They deserve to not be discriminated against for simply existing. Trans people exist. That is not a threat to anyone. Its just another facet of humanity. We should be able to acknowledge the existence of trans and other lgbt people in education and we should protect them from discrimination.Bills like these only exist to allow and enable discrimination and hate against our lgbt neighbors.

02-24-2025

April Pope

I am writing to ask you to uphold the rights of all people in our community. Iowans love everyone and help everyone. Do not do something that goes against loving all our people. We also believe in education. Keep educating our children that people are all wonderfully different. Gender/sex is not something to be censored or ashamed of.

02-24-2025

Greg Jameson

I am writing to strongly urge you to oppose SF418, which removes gender identity protections across Iowa. This legislation is not only harmful to our LGBTQ+ community but also threatens Iowas economic future, environmental health, and moral standing as a state.Iowa is already struggling with a workforce crisis, with young professionals leaving for more inclusive states. Rolling back protections will make it even harder to attract and retain skilled workers, educators, and business leaders. Companies increasingly prioritize diversity and inclusion, and policies like SF418 send the wrong message about Iowas future.You are ignoring our real challenges water pollution & cancer rates. Instead of pushing divisive legislation, our lawmakers should be focusing on Iowas urgent issues that impact everyone, not the 1%. Our severe water pollution crisis, with agricultural runoff contaminating drinking water and fueling the Gulf of Mexicos dead zone. Cancer rates among the highest in the nation, worsened by environmental factors like pesticide exposure and high radon levels. Iowa should be leading efforts to improve public health, not passing laws that harm vulnerable communities. We were the only state to have cancer rates going up in the nation!At its core, this bill contradicts one of Christianitys most fundamental teachings: Love thy neighbor as thyself (Mark 12:31). Removing protections for gender identity legalizes discrimination against fellow Iowans, pushing them into hardship and fear. We should be a state that values and uplifts every person, not one that ostracizes and marginalizes. Why are you being unchristian?I urge you to reject SF418 and focus on real policies that support economic growth, protect public health, and uphold Iowas values of kindness and fairness. This is not Iowa nice, rather Iowa hate. Please stand on the right side of history and vote NO.

02-24-2025

Xandra Schmidt

This bill is frankly terrifying to me. There is no good that can possibly come from opening up certain people to facing discrimination. What is the possible motivator for this other than hate? Please reconsider your stance on this bill before you support something that will do nothing but make this state a hostile place for many of it's own citizens.

02-24-2025

Megan Schroder

I do not support this bill that seeks to strip transgender Iowans of protections under the Iowa Civil Rights Act. I want Iowans to continue to have the ability to update gender markers on their birth certificates and exist as their authentic self. This law would also weaken protections for intersex and cisgender Iowans who dont fit rigid gender norms. It is shameful for Iowa to seek to strip civil rights away from transgender Iowans. As a scientist and a Christian I am opposed to this bill.

02-24-2025

Grace Shipley

The notion of ousting vulnerable Iowans from protection against discrimination is morally disgusting and embarrassing for the state as a whole. Coming from a cisgender woman, I have never once felt threatened by the presence or legislative protections of my transgender and gender nonconforming neighbors; to suggest otherwise is absurd. Removing the status of 'protected class' from our state's Civil Rights Act for a demographic that has been under attack by hundreds upon hundreds of bills in the last couple years alone will make Iowa go down on the wrong side of history. Love your neighbors, respect your constituents, and vote NO on SF 418.

02-24-2025

Jordan Gongora

Ive always been proud to call Iowa home, even choosing West Branch over my actual hometown of El Paso, TX. To me, Iowans were the kindest, most compassionate people I had ever met. Ive fiercely defended the states reputation to nonIowans, believing that Iowa stood as a beacon of humanity and kindness, setting an example for others to follow.But with these proposed bills, I can no longer defend Iowa. I love my neighbors, no matter their background or beliefs. Whether they wear a MAGA hat or proudly support progressive causes, I believe everyone deserves respect and the right to live authentically. Ive never and will never support stripping anyone of their rights. The beauty of being human, in this advanced era, is that we have the freedom to express ourselves without fear of punishment for our differences.Please, protect Iowans. Show us that Iowa is still a place where kindness, freedom, and humanity come first. Give us a reason to continue loving this state.

02-24-2025

Amber Gale

To administer justice according to law equally to all peopleNo part of our states constitutional mission is in agreement with removing protections against discrimination for any reason. Removing these protections could lead to unfair treatment in jobs, schools, healthcare, and housing, causing greater inequality and hardship. Civil rights laws are meant to protect vulnerable groups, and excluding gender identity would go against this purpose. Keeping these protections ensures fair and equal treatment for everyone, regardless of gender identity.In addition, removing gender identity from civil rights protections could unintentionally weaken broader protections against sex discrimination. Even if you dont agree with the concept of gender identity yourself, narrowing these laws is likely to lead to legal confusion, costly lawsuits, and unintended consequences for everyone, including nontransgender individuals. Aside from protecting a minority population, maintaining consistent civil rights protections prevents unnecessary complications for employers, schools, and healthcare providers who otherwise face unclear guidelines. Additionally, upholding current protections aligns with the Fourteenth Amendments goal of equal treatment, protecting everyones rights equally. Keeping gender identity protections intact is beneficial for maintaining clear, stable, and effective laws for ALL individuals.

02-24-2025

Laura Webber

Vote NO on SF 418! Trans rights are civil rights are human rights, and as Iowans our liberties we prize and our rights we WILL maintain.This bill does nothing to protect women as claimed and does everything to undermine our collective humanity. Removing rights is NEVER progress and is NEVER a good use of our time.Spend more time helping our economy, public schools, and public lands, and less time worrying about public bathrooms.

02-24-2025

Mandi King

I am writing to urge this committee to vote no on HSB 242 and SF 418. These bills contradict the principles enshrined in Iowas state motto: Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain. Liberty and rights belong to all Iowans: LGBTQIA Iowans as well as, and most specifically, our transgender neighbors, friends, and family members, against whom these bills discriminate.HSB 242 and SF 418 would further marginalize LGBTQIA citizens, and specifically transgender Iowans, by restricting their rights and eroding their dignity. Such legislation does not promote fairness or equality but instead signals that some Iowans are less deserving of the freedoms our state claims to uphold. Every person, regardless of gender identityno matter how different they are to you, the subcommitteedeserves the ability to live authentically, access the same opportunities, and participate fully in public life without government interference.As legislators, you have the powerand the responsibilityto ensure that Iowa remains a place where all people are treated with dignity and respect. I implore you to consider the real impact of these bills on transgender individuals and their families. Instead of advancing legislation that divides and discriminates, we should work together to foster a state where all people can thrive.Please reject HSB 242 and SF 418. Stand for the values of liberty and equality that Iowa has long claimed to cherish.

02-24-2025

Jordan Gongora

02-24-2025

Shelley Ellerston

My name is Shelley Ellerston, I live in Pella, and I am writing to you today to ask you to reject SF 418 , a bill that would remove basic protections for transgender Iowans and create complications for other Iowans who do not fall neatly into the bills narrow definitions. Again I feel this is a misguided and highly discriminatory piece of legislation. All hardworking peopleincluding those who are transgendershould be treated fairly and equally by the laws of our state, and should have the opportunity to earn a living and provide for themselves and their families. If someone cant rent an apartment or get a credit card simply because of who they are, we cant expect them to be able to compete on a level playing field with their peers. These basic antidiscrimination protections are an important part of any meritbased system, allowing people to access opportunities regardless of who they are or how they are perceived. Further, the bill jeopardizes sex stereotyping protections for nontransgender women that arent included in Iowas sex discrimination statute. All anyone wants is to be able to live authentically, and not be legislated out of existence by some queerphobic, unreasonable, or discriminatory piece of legislation. Transgender Iowans are not sexual predators, they are people who have different perceptions of their gender identity, who are living their lives in a state that once was accepting of them. This bill would not fix anything, it could cause an Exodus of people who could not be able to function genuinely in their home state. Each of us is a part of creation, wonderfully made and unique. We dont need to erase people because they dont fit neatly into a defined box of majority or perceived normality. Who are they hurting?Transgender people are our friends, neighbors, family and coworkers. When it comes to being able to earn a living, having a place to live, or being served by a business or government office, they should be treated like anyone else and not be discriminated against. Please vote against HSB242. Should you wish to discuss this further with me, feel free to contact me via text, email or telephone. If you call, please leave a message with a callback number, as my phone will send you to my voice mail.Sincerely,Shelley Ellerston (515)5702031

02-24-2025

Jacob Barrick

This bill is discriminatory and is only intended to cause harm to the trans community, an already heavily marginalized group. This has nothing to do with defending anyones rights. It is legislative cowardice and the stain of your bigotry will forever tarnish Iowas history. Shameful.

02-24-2025

Larry Ervin [Constituent ]

Please take NO action that would intentionally remove peoples civil rights & liberties to anyone, including an entire segment of people. Peoples civil rights & protections apply to people ALL people. Efforts should always be to stand up for peoples rights not remove them!

02-24-2025

Bridget Edwards

Please vote NO to this hateful, discriminatory bill. Transgender and nonbinary people are people and deserve to have their basic civil rights protected. When you look at this amended language that removes gender identity, where does it end? Once trans people are erased from legislation, will sexual orientation be next? Then race? Then religion? There is no reason to move this bill forward other than to show you are in favor of fostering a hatefilled state that prioritizes discrimination of minority populations above all else. And at the end of the day, you will not erase these people you cannot erase these people. Trans people are here to stay and deserve their rights. Vote no to this hateful legislation.

02-24-2025

Victoria Aden

I strongly oppose this legislation and urge you to NO. You should know you are on the wrong side of history when you are using language that harkens back to the disgraceful Plessy v Ferguson case. Removing protections for trans Iowans legalizes discrimination and hate. As a woman, I do not feel that allowing protections for people based on gender identity in any way takes away my rights, and for you to argue that it does and this legislation would "protect" women is absolute nonsense. Stop the hateful legislation and just let people live their lives without allowing people and the state to discriminate against them because of they are. Vote NO on this legislation and get back to work solving some actual problems to help all Iowans.

02-24-2025

Deidre Wahlin

I vehemently oppose this morally and intellectually indefensible bill which will strip basic human rights from Transgender Iowans. Transgender people exist, have always existed and will continue to exist whether you want them to or not. It's time to stop pushing the unscientific beliefs, values and ideologies of some politicians over the lives of their fellow Iowans.Stop attacking Transgender people

02-24-2025

Amanda Gallant

Please do not move forward with this bill. I have family and friends I love and their gender identity must be protected. Every person, myself included, doesnt fit in a black and white dichotomy or a binary system of this or that. People are different from another by a degree. The societal notions of feminine and masculine are on such a wide range. A person can be feminine or masculine or neither or both. They should still be protected. No matter what. This bill is taking away the protections of a group of people by deleting the words Gender Identity and adding in explicit language that prevents people from accessing medical care. Language that prevents people from changing their birth certificate and undoing what protections previous generations worked hard to pass. This bill explicitly discriminates against an entire population of people that deserves happiness, compassion and love. They are protected by the constitution because the pursuit of happiness applies to all of us. All transgender and nonbinary Iowans, children and adults, deserve protections under Iowa law. Thank you.

02-24-2025

K B

Please do not write discrimination into our state laws. Please dont do it it does not represent the goodness that we as Iowans strive for as compassionate, kindhearted empathetic people. This is a very small minority of people who are already terribly discriminated against. Their protection should be included in our civil rights laws. Going backwards into discrimination is landing on the wrong side of history, and is not what your constituents want or need. Thank you.!

02-24-2025

Julia Franklin-Jones

I am adamantly opposed to SF 418 and I urge you to vote no. Stripping rights and protections from less than 1% of our states population is cruel and harmful. Trans Iowans matter and deserve to maintain their rights and protections. Do not let hateful discrimination prevail because this is a slippery slope and leaves other Iowans vulnerable. And please spend time and resources on things that matter to all Iowans such as safe bridges. Reexamine priorities and support the worth of all Iowans.

02-24-2025

Sara Richmond

Please reject SF 418, which would remove protections for Iowans. Everyday Iowans who just want to work and love and live their lives in peace.All hardworking people should be treated fairly and equally by the laws of our state and should have the opportunity to earn a living and provide for themselves and their families.What is the point of preventing someone from renting and apartment or getting a credit card because they identify as something different? How are they hurting anyone?These basic antidiscrimination protections are an important part of any meritbased system, allowing people to access opportunities regardless of who they are or how they are perceived.Transgender people are my friends. Your neighbors. Our family. Our coworkers. PLEASE vote against SF 418.

02-24-2025

Catherine Schubert

Please vote no on HSB42. This will disadvantage those who where forced to fight for basic human rights and allows discrimination towards them. This is not okay, and as an Iowan, I am not okay with this. We cannot stand by as people lose their rights. This is unconstitutional and goes against all the ideals held dear to our state and nation.

02-24-2025

Danetta Dobre

I strongly oppose SF 418. The house counterpart of this bill, now HF 583, had no business passing subcommittee and committee considering the overwhelming majority of comments opposing and the massive showing at the capitol in support of CIVIL RIGHTS. There is no scenario in which your constituents actually want this. The people funneling money into conservative PACs, maybe, but the people you serve? Absolutely not. This bills targets trans people, politicizes our existence, violently shoves us out of public life, and gives banks, landlords, employers, and more the green light to discriminate against us. There is no scenario in which voting for the passage of this bill does not stain your soul or the soul of America. Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain. Please consider our state motto while voting, and please vote NO on SF 418.

02-24-2025

Marcia Morales

Please reject SF418 on the grounds of civil rights violations and dehumanizing individuals. Each transgender person has been subjected to cruelty for being someone who is different from the standard male or female sex. In passing this legislation, it furthers the dehumanization of a group of people who struggle with mental health issues, and who are marginalized and oppressed. Now as a society, we command them to fit into a standard box, and be unseen for the person they are. I ask for this legislation to be killed on the Senate floor, and to allow for these individuals to have dignity, respect, autonomy and the right to self determination.

02-24-2025

Sara Phillips

No bill should make life harder for any Iowans. Trans Iowans just want to live as authentically as possible and pose no threat to anybody. There are far more pressing issues the legislature should be considering to make life better for all Iowans.

02-24-2025

Meredith Henderson

If the cruelty is not the point of this bill, then what is? When in history do you recall a government body stripping an entire class of people of their CIVIL RIGHTS and still be considered the good guys? Who are you serving? You are supposed to be serving the people, and we are the people.It is never too late to do better. It is never too late to stand up for what is right and just, and you have the unique opportunity to shock the world today by scraping this cruel bill. History will remember you for one of two reasons. One, they will remember you as a hateful politician who played the puppet to a harmful regime, OR they will remember you as a person with courage and bravery enough to stand up against it and encourage your counterparts to follow. The courage to say enough with the hate. This is wrong. We can do better for our fellow Iowans. For our fellow Americans.So, I ask you one more time: If cruelty is not the point, what is? To quote a line from the musical Hamilton, in the role of George Washington History has its eyes on you.Believe me, the people will remember what you choose. We oppose this bill, and so should you.

02-24-2025

Kendra Sparby

Iowa has prided itself on being a champion of civil rights since before they were formally enshrined in the federal constitution. That precedent has had long lasting effects on the stateone of those being this portion of the Iowa Constitution. This bill not only erodes away at the history of Iowas civil rights protections, it forever changes the state and the way it treats its citizens. We should be moving forward as a state, not backwards. There is nothing this portion of the State Constitution has done to harm individuals but removing it will harm many individuals. The legislature has an important decision in front of them: are you going to treat those different from yourself with dignity, respect, and compassion or are you going to chip away at Iowas longstanding legacy surrounding civil rights and remove vital protections for many citizens due to personal biases and viewpoints?

02-24-2025

Bobbye Schubert

Please vote AGAINST HSB242. This bill is discriminatory. ALL hardworking people, including transgender people, should be treated fairly & equally by the laws of our state.Please be brave and vote against this discriminatory legislation.

02-24-2025

Libby Hennings

From a white cisgender mother (with white cisgender children) I implore you to do better for our community. There are many things our vulnerable populations need protecting from, and I can assure you they are not transgender or other noncisgender individuals. My family in no way feels threatened by an individual that may feel unsafe or marginalized because they do not fit in a box. We must not take this giant step backward. I am sad and embarrassed that this is even a debate we are having. I hope with my whole heart that you never feel ashamed, unseen or unprotected due to your identify. But if you ever do, know I will fight for you like I am fighting for the other millions of Americans who are disgusted by this bill.Thank you for your time.

02-24-2025

Kristen Beech

I asked the women. The normal ones said trans people are fine and to leave them alone. The Trumpies clutched their pearls while their two brain cells fought for second place. I cant imagine spending my life with hate and fear as my driving force. But thats all republicans have hate and fear. Leave trans people alone.

02-24-2025

Kellie Kramer

This bill is shameful and an embarrassment to the state of Iowa. All people deserve equal respect and dignity. Ive been proud of Iowas progressive stance on equality and gender issues in the past. To strip anyone of their rights is unAmerican and spits in the face of freedom.

02-24-2025

Jennifer Christiason

As the parent of a Transgender child and also a nurse working directly with this population, it is my hope that all the voices in these comments and those spoken by the courageous individuals at the Capital will shake your center. May Christs words in Matthew 25:40 Whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did for me, reverberate as a mantra as you make a decision. Transgender folks ARE your neighbors.They may be your children. They are students. Support them. They are of all ages, races and cultural backgrounds who deserve safety and shelter. Protect them. They have medical needs. Allow them. Transgender Iowans deserve civil protections. Keep them. This bill is evil. It is hateful. It is unconstitutional. Please VOTE AGAINST this dark, evil, despicable bill. We who love: parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, teachers, health care staff, business owners relying on them we love our Transgender family members. We are literally begging you ON OUR KNEES *BEGGING* you to vote against this bill. We beg you to allow our Transgender loved ones to live, to thrive, & to make a living in Iowa. This bill will harm someone you love. It is us who are cisgender heterosexuals bringing these amazing humans into the world after all. VOTE NO on SF418.

02-24-2025

Jason Daniels

I do not support SF 418. There are so many more things that this legislature could be doing with its time than stripping rights from people. This benefits no one in our state. Please fix our bridges and roads and improve our water quality, and please stop spending so much time thinking about other peoples genitals.

02-24-2025

Olivia Hockey

VOTE NO ON SF 418! Thousands of Iowans voiced their opposition of HSB 242. Listen to those voices! Iowa's motto is "Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain." This bill is a direct contradiction of our state's core belief and hurts the citizens our government claims to care for.I remember growing up feeling excited that Iowa was one of the first states to legalize gay marriage. Now the government wants to continue being a trailblazer by being the first state to strip a protected class of their rights! This is a horrible bill that hurts thousands of Iowans, whether they identify as trans or not. How are citizens supposed to pay their taxes if they are denied employment? How are students expected to get a quality education if they are harassed by the people around them? What are you supposed to do if you don't feel safe? Where are you supposed to go when the government legalizes your suffering? This bill will ruins people's lives. This bill will kill people, whether by their own hand or someone else's. This bill will kill children. This type of legislation has ALREADY killed children. Their blood is on your hands. Don't add more. Oppose SF 418. Never bring it back.

02-24-2025

Lisa Martincik

I very much oppose bill SF 418. Ive been married a little over 30 years, about the same length of time Ive been an Iowan. When we moved here we appreciated and believed the Iowa motto. Weve enjoyed living and growing here. For my wife that includes transitioning.I think wed all agree that it is the sacred and unending journey of every person to discover and live as our truest, best selves. Id like to know where in that journey you think my friend and partner of over 30 years, the most beautiful person I know, became undeserving of human rights. I want to know when it became acceptable in Iowa to declare a person undeserving of human rights, because less than a lifetime ago we sent people, Iowans, all over the globe to stop that. This world, the neverceasing wonder that reveals itself to us every day, is great because reality doesnt need legislative help. Plenty of Iowa citizens, however, struggling with unfair wages, with cancer, do need help from the state to which theyve dedicated their labor and their lives. It only requires you do your job and listen to Iowans. Be your best self, and not an ideologue or a literal Nazi.

02-24-2025

Leah Bergman

Do not pass this bill. To take civil rights away from people goes against the constitution. Taking these rights away from trans people is an act of hatred and deep injustice. This bill makes me ashamed to call Iowa home. On behalf of my friends and family I implore you to get rid of this bill, vote no, do not pass it through!

02-24-2025

Deb Ketcham

Iowa should be proud to protect all citizens of any sex or gender identity. Human biology is complicated and we are ALL on a range of sexual context. Dont punish the few who had a developmental path different than what you perceive as normal. Diversity is a strength. Keep Iowa proudly diverse.

02-24-2025

Sarah Herman

Trans people, just as any other humans in the state of Iowa, deserve to be judged on their merit and not on their identity. I strongly disagree with this bill. Please focus your legislative power on making lives better for everyone, not making life harder for already marginalized people.

02-24-2025

Kayla Oconnor

This bill is a prime example of discrimination and hate. Its disgusting that this even has to be something the community fights for. Trans rights are human rights. What does it matter to anyone how a person chooses to dress, display, be referred to or identifies as. It has no affect on anyones lives so leave trans, nonbinary and the the LGBTQ community alone. We have real issues to worry about such as why the so called governor wont allow Ron Sand, the elected auditor, do his job. Whats Kimmy hiding?

02-24-2025

Josh PeterSmith

Dear Sen. Schultz, Sen. Blake, and Sen. Dawson,I am writing to express my strong opposition to Iowa Senate File 418. This bill, which seeks to redefine legal understandings of sex while dismissing the complexities of gender identity, is a direct attack on the rights and dignity of transgender and nonbinary individuals in our state. It is discriminatory, unnecessary, and deeply harmfulparticularly to Iowas youth.Senate File 418 attempts to enshrine a rigid, exclusionary definition of sex that fails to recognize the reality of intersex individuals and ignores the wellestablished medical and psychological understanding of gender as distinct from biological sex. This bill will cause irreparable harm by invalidating the identities of transgender individuals, restricting their access to necessary accommodations, and further marginalizing an already vulnerable community.The impact of this bill on LGBTQ+ youth cannot be overstated. Numerous studies show that affirming a young persons gender identity significantly reduces the risk of depression, anxiety, and suicide. Conversely, policies that invalidate their existence increase these risks and send a dangerous message that they are unwelcome or undeserving of rights and protections. As a state that values fairness, inclusion, and the wellbeing of its citizens, we must reject legislation that would make life harder for transgender youth and their families.Furthermore, this bill appears to be part of a broader effort to undermine the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals under the guise of socalled clarity in legal definitions. But clarity that comes at the expense of people's dignity and safety is not clarity at allit is discrimination.I urge you to stand on the right side of history and oppose SF 418. We should be working toward a more inclusive Iowa, where every residentregardless of gender identitycan live authentically and with dignity. I ask you to consider the real harm this legislation will cause and instead focus on policies that uplift and protect all Iowans.Thank you for your time and consideration.Sincerely,Josh PeterSmith

02-24-2025

Meredith Klatt

Trans rights are human rights. All Iowans deserve the same rights regardless of their pronouns and gender now vs what they were assigned at birth. Let everyone live!! Lets put this energy to feeding hungry kids or helping the unhoused!

02-24-2025

Megan Riley

I honestly have nothing respectful or contributing to say, so from the bottom of my heart, this is sick and twisted. What a waste of government time and energy and taxpayers money. Let them live their damn lives. This will only cause more confusion and chaos when trans men and women that dont look trans walk into the bathroom aligning with their biological sex. This bill is evil.

02-24-2025

Kym Jones

Pass this bill. Every person voicing opposition and screaming maniacally in the hall hates you and would never ever vote for you. Do not give in to them. Your majority was extended this election in order to make votes like this. Do you job. Restore and maintain sanity in our great stateThank you for service

02-24-2025

Stephanie Trongtruk

Iowas Senate File 418 is an extreme and harmful bill that seeks to erase legal recognition of transgender and nonbinary people, strip antidiscrimination protections, and censor discussions of gender and identity in schools. This bill is not about fairness or safetyit is about government overreach and the suppression of fundamental rights.Why This Matters: Discrimination Hurts Communities Removing protections will make it easier for LGBTQ+ Iowans to be denied jobs, housing, and healthcare. Government Shouldnt Control Identity. Everyone deserves the right to be recognized for who they are. This bill forces people into a false legal identity. Education should be about truth and inclusion, not erasing identities to fit a political agenda. Trans and LGBTQ+ Youth Deserve Support, Not Erasure Studies show that affirming identities saves lives. This bill puts vulnerable kids at greater risk.

02-24-2025

Kelly Danilson

I strongly oppose SF 418. For those in favor of the bill, where is the data to back this bill? I have yet to see any data on the table for all of us to see. If the data existed, STRONG data, those in favor would be shouting it from the rooftops. The fact that no data is being shared makes me wonder if favor for this bill is rooted in subjective thoughts and opinions. Or perhaps it is rooted in the fear of the unknown which if that is the case, have open communication with our transgender loved ones, friends, and neighbors. Get to know them, learn from them, and you will see, they are not a threat, and they certainly arent infringing on my rights as a woman. Whether it be subjectivity or fear, neither is justified reasoning for passing a bill that will hurt our fellow Iowans. Jesus says to let the little children come to Him. Jesus never said anything about gender identity barring which children could come to Him. We are ALL children of God. We are ALL made in Gods image. Judiciary Committee Members, you have the means to strike down this bill. If you do not, you are sending a loud message to people across America and the world that they are not welcome in our state. You would be sending a loud message to citizens already living here, some who have lived here their whole lives, that they are no longer welcome in our state. Are you wanting to open the doors for discrimination against our transgender loved ones, friends, and neighbors? Because that is what will happen, it is naive to think otherwise. As an Iowa citizen, I am embarrassed and disheartened that state leaders would ever consider this bill. Please vote NO.

02-24-2025

Liz Cooney

I vehemently oppose this bill. Not only is it blatantly discriminatory, this bill goes completely against our values and Iowa motto "Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain." Removing language, and protections, from our laws and codes will not erase LGBTQ+ existence, especially transgender and nonbinary people. We are here, always have been, and always will be. What it will do is cause more suffering, harm, lawsuits, suicides, bigotry, and acts of violence. Do not take away civil rights from Iowans just because they may be different than you. They are not the ones causing harm, our "leaders" pushing for this legislation are the ones abusing Iowans.

02-24-2025

E W

Don't pass this. It's unnecessary. Anybody intelligent enough to work in politics understands that this proposal targets an extremely small population solely to cater to hatred to gain support. Continuing with this action will cause harm, nothing is made or protected through this, it is malicious. Think critically of where this road leads, and what this does for those who come after.

02-24-2025

Jessica LInk

Please vote NO on SF 418. Removing the rights of human beings is shameful and hurtful and unnecessary. Iowans deserve better. To take away the lawful rights of any Iowan is to jeopardize and undermine the rights of all Iowans.

02-24-2025

River Wise

This bill is the most harmful and unconstitutional idea Ive ever seen from the Iowa Senate. I am a proud transgender Iowan whos has been lucky enough to receive Hormone Replacement Therapy through Iowa Medicaid. I was able to change my first name to something that makes me feel safe enough to move through the world. Without the hope that I could receive these necessary services one day, I would have committed suicide a long time ago. My new name on a diploma is what motivated me to finish high school. The changes Ive experienced on Testosterone have made me love myself more than I have in my entire life. If you truly care about the children of Iowa, you will give them something to hope for and vote NO on this bill.

02-24-2025

Tara Abbott

I am writing to express my opposition to SF 418I am a mother of 4 children and I live in Des Moines, Iowa with my husband and children. As a lifelong resident, I am very concerned about the direction of our state government.In the past, I always felt proud to call this state my home. Our strong hard working communities who helped lift one another up and always had a kind word (or a wave while passing on the highway) is being overtaken by emotionally reactive ignorance. Our state had a long history of making decisions based on logic, fairness, and careful consideration. This bill does not reflect Iowas values.The unintended consequences of much of the language in this bill is also deeply concerning. The bill would create huge changes to other areas of the civils rights code and weaken protections for all protected classes.It has been stated that this bill is intended to protect (cisgender) women. As a cisgender woman who has lived in this state for 46 years I attest that I experienced no negative or harmful effects to my safety or freedom since gender identity was added to our civil rights code in 2007. In fact, our care and consideration for our fellow citizens made me feel SAFER and proud of our state! Those who feel discomfort in sharing facilities with trans people are merely experiencing the effects of their personal prejudices and lack of knowledge. They are not experiencing a violation of rights.All people, including those who are transgender, should be treated fairly and equally by the laws of our state.

02-25-2025

Robin Luckey

I have been honored to count several trans people among my family members and friends. It sickens me to think our state is even considering the removal of their civil rights. Be courageous, dear legislators, and educate yourselves about the reality of our neighbors who are transgender. They are our friends, family members, coworkers, and we are all better for their existence. I know I am. Please stand for equal rights for all people.

02-25-2025

Suzanne M. Young

Why are you trying to erase humanity? There is nothing to indicate that by removing civil rights, you can dismantle either sexual orientation or gender identity. It seems a precursor for what you are about to encourage; violence. You have a problem with pronouns. You have a problem with bathrooms. Now you have a problem with people. What's next, experimentation on people against their will? Waiting for Elon to dictate how humanity should follow in his image? Or more of Trump's brand of particular name calling, bullying, and all around thuggery? Whatever happened to TREAT PEOPLE HOW YOU WANT TO BE TREATED? The right wing of this state and this country had better be ready for what they are about to unleash by pretending we no longer have civil rights. The young people are not going to stand for it, you have to know this. And I'm with them! Good day.

02-25-2025

Amy Dutton

I strongly oppose the bill to remove gender identity from the Iowa civil rights act. This shift endangers many Iowans, putting them at risk of losing their housing, their jobs, and other opportunities. I have many friends and colleagues who would be negatively affected by this change, and each is a contributing member of our community, state and the world at large. Not only that, they are human beings who do not deserve to be stripped of these rights which Iowa was early to award, making it a state I was proud to have adopted as my home. Now, the daily headlines make me embarrassed to see how our state leadership treats their fellow Iowans. I urge you to stop this bill.

02-25-2025

Becca Kurtz

This is inhumane. A blatant attempt to infringe upon the rights of Iowans and interfere with their unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Why would you seek to infringe upon the rights of upstanding citizens? Trans and nonbinary people work in our hospitals, restaurants, local businesses, serve in public service roles, are parents, volunteers, and active participants in our society. They exist all across Iowa, and they will continue to exist if this cruel and ridiculous bill passes.There are so many bigger issues you all should focus on rather than trying to take away the rights of Iowans. Instead focus on expanding public programs like Medicaid, appropriately funding our public schools, and restoring our rights to bodily autonomy. Instead of trying to find ways to support Iowans, you all are instead going out of your way to harm them. Thats not your job. Im not trans, but I do know and work with wonderful trans people here in Iowa that dont deserve this. How many trans people do you know? Id honestly love to hear your answer. Do better. Choose love. And remember your oath to uphold the constitution and serve the people.

02-25-2025

Cristiana Jarrell

As the self proclaimed pro family party, your actions with this piece of legislation once again confirm your utter hypocrisy and antiChristian values. You are erasing an entire group of HUMANS. PEOPLE. And all because they identify as LGBTQ? How is that hurting you personally? Why is it any of your business? This bill is a slippery slope to more vile discrimination and exclusion of people you dont like. I urge you to rethink this very bad move. Let people be. Im sure there is other very important legislation you could be working like ensuring all poor Iowans dont lose SNAP or Medicaid which your orange cult leader & his oligarch side kick are doing. We the people are not going to stand by and let you get away with your inexcusable actions WE WILL VOTE YOU OUT.

02-25-2025

Lesley Wright

Do not vote to deny civil rights to transgender Iowans. To do so goes against every standard of fairness and decency represented by Iowa. I am a cisgender white woman and the proud employer, friend and mentor to trans Iowans. They deserve our respect not our hate. This Bill will drive peoplenot just trans peopleaway from Iowa. Why would anyone of us want to live amidst such blatant discrimination?

02-25-2025

Amy Bruner

Transgender Iowans deserve the same fundamental rights, dignity and respect as anyone else. Any bill up for consideration that proposes to take away a person's rights will not improve the life of a single Iowan and will make the lives of transgender Iowans worse. Is that what Iowa stands for now? A cruel House and Senate punishing its own citizens? HSB 242 (and any companion Senate bill) subverts the constitutional guarantees of equality under the law. I am asking you to reject any attempt to strip Iowans of their civil rights. Thank you for representing all the people of Iowa.

02-25-2025

Caylon Schwiebert

Removing LGBTQ conversation from schools is telling these students they dont exist, they dont belong, and that adults and the government in their lives dont care about them. This is not right! ALL Iowan students should feel seen, supported and valued. Iowa was one of the first states to support and recognized same sex marriage in 2009 lets continue to support our LGBTQ community! Please dont take our state back in history! We dont want this bill to pass!!! Talking about sexual identity and gender identity is not going to hurt these kids, in fact it will save many lives!!!!!

02-25-2025

Nicholas Kane

This bill is unnecessary and harmful to a population that is hurting no one and is already at a disadvantage in society. Why is it important to the law to be of a specific gender? Please do not submit this bill into law. You will be on the wrong side of history if you do, and Iowa will be a worse place for it.

02-25-2025

Isaac Sloan [None]

My work at church is reading and singing in front of children in the pews. It is not anyones business to tell my church who gets to read the Bible or be in church choir, but the way the law is written, some of my congregation would become felons. Is this your idea of small government? Getting to arrest my trans church family for participating in worship? Vote NO to SF 418. Then he will answer them, Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me. Matthew 25:45

02-25-2025

Jeremiah Kats

I would like to voice my strong opposition to SF 418. It is unconscionable to remove civil rights protections from a marginalized group. As a licensed mental health counselor, I have seen firsthand the negative impact that bigoted policies and discrimination have on the mental health and suicidal ideation of transgender and gender nonconforming individuals. Make no mistake, if this bill becomes law, suicide rates in this group will rise. Please join me in protecting this marginalized group by opposing SF 418.

02-25-2025

Tina Finn

When I moved back to Iowa 10 years ago, one thing I valued was our leading civil rights stance. Please dont push people away. Dont we have bigger issues to address?? I am extremely disappointed in those who support this change and know many others who agree with me. Please listen to your constituents.

02-25-2025

M Clark

I am beyond disappointed and frustrated that you are supporting this when the vast majority of your constituents do not want this. This does not affect you either way, but it will negatively affect so many people. I implore you to change your minds and vote no.

02-25-2025

Suzanne Young

02-25-2025

Luna Frith

This hateful legislature needs too stop. Its politicized to a polarizing and disturbing rate. Only 1.6% of the TOTAL POPULATION of the US identifies as transgender or nonbinary. There are much more serious issues such as education, jobs, food resources, climate warming, that require your undivided attention. I am so disappointed you are wasting taxpayer dollars trying to limits 1.6% of the population. Please work on addressing housing and education.

02-25-2025

Alexandra Volker

As I said in my comments on the house bill yesterday, I am a Christian and thus commanded by Christ to love all of my neighbors. Transgender people are my neighbors. Those on this committee who profess to be Christian are also commanded to love all of their neighbors. Removing civil rights protections based on gender identity is not loving our neighbors, nor is it living up to the motto of the state of Iowa. Allowing discrimination based on gender identity sends this state backwards, not forwards. Trans people in Iowa are good citizens and this bill is immoral.

02-25-2025

KD Waltz

I strongly disagree with this bill. PLEASE DO NOT PASS THIS. Iowa should be an accepting state for everyone to thrive. Never roll back civil rights because of minor differences. Its disgraceful to create a bill to regulate others bodies or personal identities. Teaching the simple difference between sex and gender is crucial for our states education. I hope our future of education prioritizes facts and not opinions like this bill.

02-25-2025

Greg LoRang

This is an embarrassment. Anyone supporting this bill should be ashamed of themselves but I realize the GOP is heartless and adrift, without a single shred of morality to be found in the entire organization. You've sold yourselves to a fucking charlatan and have put our country on a dark and likely violent path. Shame. Shame. Shame.

02-25-2025

Lindsey Kaib

As a proud Iowan, I believe in the fundamental American values of freedom, fairness, and limited government overreach. Our state mottoOur Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We Will Maintainreflects the belief that all Iowans should have the opportunity to work hard, provide for their families, and contribute to their communities without unnecessary government interference.Thats why I have serious concerns about SF 418. This bill would create new government mandates that open the door for discrimination, putting the state in the business of deciding who gets access to opportunities based on personal characteristics rather than merit. Iowa has long been a leader in civil rights, and we should be ensuring that our laws protect personal freedom, not restrict it.Furthermore, while this bill is being presented as a measure to protect women, it could have unintended consequences. It may encourage invasive policing of peoples identities, which risks harming women and girls by subjecting them to scrutiny, harassment, and public humiliation simply based on appearances. Government should not be in the business of policing personal identityit should be protecting individual rights.I urge you to oppose SF 418 and uphold Iowas legacy as a state that values freedom, fairness, and equal opportunity for all its citizens.

02-25-2025

Ryann Harm

Good morning members of this committee,I was extremely disappointed to hear this bill had managed to progress even this far. Fast tracking such a thoughtless piece of legislation is not only ignorant, its reckless. Being the first state EVER to remove protections for a group from our states Civil Rights Act, is a mark of shame I sincerely hope none of you are willing to bear. No part of this bill protects any Iowan, no matter how much the truth is stretched to try to fit a narrative. I am a 34 year old trans woman, but that may well be the least interesting thing about me. Ive lived in Iowa my entire life. Im a loving spouse and active supporter of local businesses. I have incredible support and love from family and friends alike. Ive long been a proud member of my community. I work for a nonprofit that benefits children in this state, something that is actually helping my fellow Iowans. This bill does not. Im disgusted and disappointed that it is being given serious consideration.It may be MY civil protections some seek to remove today, but should this bill pass it sets a truly dangerous precedent for what looks to be a very bleak future for the state of Iowa.I STRONGLY urge you to vote NO on bill SF 418. It holds no bearing with Iowa values. Its morally repugnant, and not at all consistent with what the people want and expect from its leadership.Thank you for your time.

02-25-2025

Jodi Smith

This bill is grossly uninformed and dangerous. Sex (biology) is not inherently the same thing as gender (psychosocial). This attempt to keep Iowans in the dark about gender is ludicrous. This bill only protects the patriarchy. It harms all women (cis and trans) and attempts to erase an entire population of Iowans. I implore you to broaden your education and stop following the formulas laid out by a single (hateful) perspective.

02-25-2025

Sara Dahlstrom

This bill is too broad. Discussing parental rights over what their children are taught it how they are treated in school is one thing. Trying to erase a whole class of people by taking away their civil rights is another thing altogether. At a bare minimum, this bill should be killed in its current form to allow each of those topics to be considered separately.

02-25-2025

Jana Madsen

If this bill passes, Iowa would be the first state in the U.S. to remove protections from a minority group. Thats not exactly an example of Iowa nice. Quite the opposite.Civil rights are human rights. And every human deserves their rights protected. Please reject SF418. Transgender people are disproportionately targeted by discrimination, harassment, and violence. By stripping gender identity from protected classes, legislators are making these individuals even more vulnerable.Iowans overwhelmingly do not support legislating hate.

02-25-2025

Jennifer Walter

"Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain," is not an exclusionary statement. This bill completely contradicts our state's core belief and only hurts the citizens our government claims to protect. Vote no to SF418!

02-25-2025

Kristin Clark Olivier

The hateful attacks on Iowans civil rights must stop. I am ashamed that our state is choosing to target a marginalized population for reasons that are based in fear and ignorance. Please use your authority as elected officials responsibly, and reject this dangerous piece of legislation.

02-25-2025

Sean McRoberts

This bill does not serve any good purpose, and invites discrimination against transgender Iowans. Everyone in Iowa deserves fair treatment, and the chance to earn a living and provide for themselves and their families. If someone is denied a place to live, a job, or an education based on who they are, how can they even get by, let alone contribute to our communities? Further, this bill actually engangers Iowas children. Trans youth are already at dramatically higher risk for assault, homelessness and suicide. This great risk is directly related to laws and public speech that does not recognize trans youth as valid human beings, and to religious teachings that call them sinful and deny their sacred worth. This proposed legislation will further elevate the risk to young people, especially trans youth, but also nonbinary and gender nonconforming children.

02-25-2025

Anita Dinakar

As an Iowan who has transgender loved ones and as a believer of American freedom, I oppose SF418, a bill that would remove basic protections for transgender Iowans and create complications for other Iowans who do not fit neatly into the bills narrow definitions. This legislation would make Iowa a place where anyone can discriminate against people for how they look or just for living their lives without impacting anyone else, making transgender people second class citizens and even harming cisgender people who will be subjected to the same discrimination if they do not look or behave a certain way. This act is deadly to trans people and provide a way to indirectly discriminate against other minorities, including cis women, as well.

02-25-2025

Crystal Coder

Please reject SF 418, the transgender attack bill. I dont need to go into how damaging this bill is for trans individuals; you already know that. Removing gender identity as a protected class from the Iowa Civil Rights Act does NOT serve the interests of the vast majority of your constituents, it serves a minute population who think they can dictate who can have protections in Iowa and who cannot. I assure you, there is no reason to even contemplate the merits of this bill. It will irrefutably result in discrimination and unsafe actions towards trans individuals. That fact itself should stop you all in your tracks because I am sure you would not want that blood on your hands. And without doubt, if this bill passes and these hateful, unsafe situations do harm trans individuals, the blame and judgment will land squarely on those who passed it.Thank you for stopping this bill from moving forward. Please keep these heinous bills from being reintroduced each year and wasting the precious time of Iowa legislators and constituents. Use these sessions for the good of Iowans and what you were elected for: to HELP Iowans, NOT tear them down.

02-25-2025

Tanner Cutler

Why? Why are you spending precious time revoking something that has protected people for years? To what end? Is this a moral judgement you are making? Perhaps. Perhaps you feel comfortable pointing fingers at those who are different than you. Thats called prejudice, by the way. Leave alone what is working. Let Iowa continue to be a leader in human rights (remember, these are fellow humans you are judging). Please, dont take us back to the days of shaming our youth and segregating those who are different.

02-25-2025

Sarah Hutchison

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. Martin Luther King, JrPassing laws on basis of your personal political belief that trudges over someone else's personal rights should be in itself illegal. To pass this in the shadow of Martin Luther King Jr Day is just sad. Once our great grandfather passed codes and laws they claimed where protecting their children from harm. We should know better. Vote no.

02-25-2025

Nicholas Kreimeyer

I find it ridiculous this is the focus of your time. This is a hard and fast NO!Seriously what are you doing wasting your time with this? And you all fast track it? Do better!!Do something about corporate greed! Do something about our ridiculously polluted waterways! Stop banning books and stripping rights from people and actually do something you can be proud of. Born and lived 36 of my 38 years in Iowa and for the first time Im embarrassed to claim this as my home state.Stop with this nonsense and actually help the people you represent!!!

02-25-2025

Christina Brandon

Its absolutely abhorrent that the Senate is using its limited session time to supposedly help Iowans to actually strip away rights from a group of people. Whatever your personal beliefs, you must recognize that every Iowan deserves the same rights and legal protections. If you dont then everyones safety is at risk. What happens when women are perceived as trans, regardless if they are or not? For all the talk of protecting women, bills like this do the opposite, they open the door for harassment and discrimination for all.

02-25-2025

Amelia Keyes

I vehemently oppose this bill why is it at all considered a reasonable discussion to strip civil rights from anyone? Why is the Iowa Legislature wasting time on this harmful bill when they could be doing literally anything else to ACTUALLY improve Iowan's lives? Please vote no on SF418.

02-25-2025

Sherry Ross

I am completely against this horrible bill. This gives people the right to discriminate. Since when is that ok or the right thing to do? You should be ashamed for even suggesting this be a bill. Human beings deserve human rights. Passing this bill would have a negative impact on so many innocent people, and it has no reason for existing.

02-25-2025

Allison Pin

I am strongly against this bill. It is so ridiculous that we're wasting time and tax payers' dollars on something so unnecessary and deliberately against a marginalized group's rights. Trans and nonbinary people exist and should live freely as any other person does. This bill highlights a lot of insecurities coming from people who honestly don't truly care about YOUR wellbeing or making sure your taxes are lower or that you're being supported at a local and state level through tax funded programs that ACTUALLY help people. These people only care about shareholders, lobbyists that work in their favor, or really anyone that pays them good money because at the end of the day, their morals have left the day they ran for office. It is shocking, disappointing, and leaves an awful impression on the rest of the constituents in the state. If you want your constituents to take you seriously, start bringing in bills that actually can support even the most financially fragile and vulnerable people in our state. That is your job, right?

02-25-2025

Kimberly Greiner

Please vote no on HSB 242 . This is not Iowa Nice and this is not the state I want to live in. No one asked for this and we need our legislators to work on issues we care about like:Education HealthcareWater QualityAffordable HousingThank you.Kim

02-25-2025

Bobbi Newman

Public Comment Opposing SF 418I strongly oppose SF 418, a bill that seeks to erase legal protections for transgender and nonbinary individuals, restrict the rights of Iowa residents, and impose governmentmandated definitions of sex and gender that are outdated, scientifically flawed, and harmful to many Iowans.This Bill is a Direct Attack on Individual Rights and Equal ProtectionsSF 418 removes "gender identity" from Iowa's Civil Rights Act, stripping legal protections from transgender and nonbinary individuals in employment, housing, education, healthcare, public accommodations, and credit practices. This is discriminatory, unconstitutional, and unacceptable.Furthermore, this bill would allow for increased discrimination by defining gender and sex in an overly rigid, governmentimposed manner that does not reflect modern science, medical best practices, or the lived realities of many Iowans. It actively undermines the rights of people to exist and be recognized under the law.Threat to Schools and EducationSF 418 goes further by restricting what schools can teach about gender and identity, limiting discussions on essential topics that help students understand themselves and the world around them. It replaces gender identity with gender theory, a term designed to delegitimize the identities of transgender and nonbinary individuals. This bill is an attempt to impose political ideology on the education system and erase LGBTQ+ people from classrooms.Denying students access to accurate, ageappropriate education on gender identity harms their mental health, fosters discrimination, and contributes to bullying and violence against LGBTQ+ youth. Schools should provide safe and inclusive environments where all students can learn and thrivethis bill does the opposite.Legal and Practical ConcernsThis bill conflicts with federal antidiscrimination protections under Title IX and other federal civil rights laws, which recognize gender identity as a protected class.Similar laws in other states have been struck down by courts as unconstitutional. Iowa should not waste taxpayer dollars defending legislation that is legally indefensible and destined for legal challenges.The bills rigid definitions of sex and gender ignore medical reality, particularly for intersex individuals, whose existence is erased under this proposed law.Conclusion: SF 418 is Discriminatory, Unnecessary, and HarmfulThis bill is not about protecting Iowansit is about legislating discrimination and erasing the rights of transgender and nonbinary people. It places government control over personal identity, medical science, and education.I urge the legislature to reject SF 418 and instead focus on policies that promote inclusion, protect civil rights, and support all Iowansregardless of gender identity.Discrimination has no place in Iowa. Vote NO on SF 418.

02-25-2025

Korianne Gevaert

Please vote no on SF 418. Transgender people just want to live their lives and this bill will do nothing to protect anyone. It will just make transgender people worse and it will make non feminine cisgender women worse. I grew up in small town Iowa in the 90s and this destruction of human rights is the first time I've truly been disappointed in this state.

02-25-2025

Anthony Fridley [Questing Queers]

You are reenacting Nazi propaganda. "To combat fears of the prevalence of homosexual behavior, Nazi propaganda projected the image of gay men as corruptors of youth who would lure normal young men into depravity and thus spread the epidemic of homosexuality.Carmichael cites Stefan Micheler, writing for the Journal of the History of Sexuality, 2002.You are fully transparent about that, and seem to have no qualms with Elon acting as Trump's right hand, which is being held at 45.Not just for your ongoing carreer, I enthusiastically encourage research into how this went in the 40s.

02-25-2025

Jean Swenson

As a person of faith, I strongly object to removing gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act. Iowa is supposed to maintain rights we even have that on our flag!I am also very tired of men suggesting they want to do this to protect women. As a 70 year old woman, I want you to know that I am fully capable of protecting myself. Do not hide behind this false rhetoric.Vote NO on this hateful hatefilled bill.Thank you for your consideration.

02-25-2025

Sean Krall

Scientifically, theres more than just male and female sex. Theres all sorts of weird possibilities that can happen to less than 1% of people. Making a law to make these people nonexistent in the eyes of the law is insane. Do not pass this bill.

02-25-2025

Melanie Mackey

Please consider the value of every person, the safety of every person, the right of EVERY PERSON to live, work, and play in our beautiful state, regardless of gender identity, sexuality, or how well they conform to your comfort level of existence. Please vote against stripping anyone of their rights to be here, just as they are. We are better and stronger as a community when we are safe. When we are safe, we can contribute and give more back to our community. We can work harder, live longer, and if you want to make it about capitalism, safe people spend more money and are better equipped to support local businesses and help us thrive. Please lift up, support, and protect Trans Iowans. They belong here, and they always will.

02-25-2025

Christa Lautner

You should be ashamed of yourselves trying to take rights away from an already marginalized group of people.This is a waste of time and taxpayer money. By even introducing this Bill Iowa has put their hatred, ignorance, and homophobia on full display for the world to see. Embarassing.

02-25-2025

Leanne Williams

I vehemently oppose SF 418. Historically and statistically, the only people women, daughters, transwomen, and sons have needed protection from are cisgender men. As a white, cisgender, Christian female, this bill goes against everything I believe about Gods love and moral justice.

02-25-2025

Phoebe McNeece

I am opposed to this bill like any kind, compassionate person should be. Stripping people from their civil rights guaranteed by our state constitution is not only unethical it is inhumane. Trans people make up such a small percentage of the wonderful people who live in this state and singling them out like this instead of doing your actual jobs as senators and representatives of us suggests you choose to govern more by fear and disgust and bigotry than by actually being a true representative of the people. It is not too late to get a conscience. It is not weak or cowardice to admit you were wrong and stand up for the few.

02-25-2025

Rev. Katie Dawson

I am a United Methodist and a member of United Women in faith. And because you will see comments cheering this legislation on from a faith perspective, I urge you to oppose this legislation from my faith perspective. The Jesus that I follow taught me to look out for the last, the least, and the lost (Luke 15 and Matthew 25) and to cross the road to care for the stranger (Luke 10:2537). The Jesus I follow taught me to welcome little ones and do nothing to prevent them from flourishing (Matthew 18:6). Those that continued to share his message after his death and resurrection taught me there is no difference between ethnicities or genders or status (Galatians 3). I am deeply troubled by these efforts that would undermine the protections of our neighbors and siblings. Every individual, regardless of their status, gender, class, religion, or sexuality is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and deserves basic human rights. I have young people and adults in my church and in my family that are nonbinary or transgender and they have a right to the same basic rights as any other member of the human family. I think my understanding of gender identities being far more complicated than a simple binary came when my high school friend first came out to me. But in recent years, I was moved by the story of an eightyyearold maternity nurse who was a member of my church. She has helped to deliver thousands of babies during her career and she shared with us that at the time of birth, not all decisions about what gender an infant is are clear. Biologically speaking, we are not all xx or xy. There are a great diversity of genetic combinations that can present in numerous ways. And to me that is the beauty of Gods diversity of creation. In Genesis, God separated the light from the darkness binary opposites! but also gave us dawns and dusks. God separated the dry land from the waters binary opposites!... but also created the marshes and the bogs and the delta. The beauty of what God has made is so much bigger than two categories. This legislation makes my friends, my neighbors, and my family members less safe. It weakens their civil protections. It legalizes discrimination against them. They have jobs, homes, and families and should be valued rather than demonized in our state.Please stand against this legislation. Please stand up for the basic human rights of our neighbors. Please vote no.You are in my prayers as you discern your vote.

02-25-2025

Dr. Henry Villareal [US Citizen, Iowa Resident ]

Civil Rights legislation was passed to ensure every American equal rights. The Transgender community deserves equal rights protections like any other American. Please do not support this blatantly discriminatory legislation.

02-25-2025

Brian C

Do yall have any idea how much we could accomplish as a society if you republican perverts stopped obsessing over genitals? For all the fear mongering yall do about pedophiles, you certainly behave like one. Transgender people exist, and no law is ever going to change that. If you republicans are tired of being perceived as the scum of the earth, vote against this bill. Because Jesus would vote against it too.

02-25-2025

Devin Brown

Please do not support this bill. Trans people do not deserve to be discriminated against. If this bill passes, trans people will be discriminated against in trying to rent, get a job, and probably just getting groceries. It also opens the door for people that arent trans to be discriminated against because they dont fit the traditional mold of their gender. A woman with short hair and broad shoulders could be denied use of a bathroom. A man with long hair and a slim build could be denied a job. Do not pass a law that allows Iowans to be discriminated against.

02-25-2025

Justen Ahmad

As a physician, biologist, and parent I am deeply opposed to this bill. This tries to undo our understanding of human biology and psychology in a dangerous way. As a family physician, I have seen the impact on patients and my community with other bills that have targeted LGBTQ+ community, and this will only further target and hurt a group of people that we should be protecting and guiding to health. As a parent, I have strived to teach my children the realities of biology and it's place in culture. These children are empathetic and compassionate children who care for their gender diverse friends, family and neighbors. I will continue to serve patients through Medicare/Medicaid and my children will be educated in Iowa public schools. Bills like this subvert truth and go against standards of care and current educational practices. The bill will at best create friction in these systems and worst will taint the open and accepting culture I was raised in, leading to harms for Iowans.

02-25-2025

Renee Harper

This bill WILL NOT make me safer, nor help my daughter follow her dreams or make her safer. That argument is a blatant lie. Representatives arguing for this bill have demonstrated they are clearly uneducated and ignorant. This bill will make our female bodies even more controlled by the state, will make life in Iowa more dangerous for us. There are people who want to harm, who will discriminate against us and our loved ones and neighbors. Legislators should be protecting us. Voting yes on this bill means YOU are who we need protection from. Please, do your duty, please find your conscience. Vote no.

02-25-2025

tricia bird

I cannot believe we are even debating such a bill. Iowa used to be a state that was viewed as progressive, educated and decent. Bills such as this are an insult to the good people of this state. Please stop wasting your/our time and start working on important matters such as the high cancer rate in Iowa, the poor water quality and the improvement of our public schools.

02-25-2025

Geri Buelow

It is none of anyone's business what choices people make on their personal records! People should be allowed toi make a choice on what their insides tell them who they are. I am a nurse and used to work in; obstetrics. Babies can be born with ambiguous sex organs or both. Parents are forced to make a choice in birth certificate and sometimes it is the wrong choice. Let people be who they are and stay out of their very personal business!!!!

02-25-2025

Katherine Nydam Olivier

Good morning: I write to voice my opposition SF 418. As a mental health professional, as a queer person, and as the parent of a gender nonconforming child, I can see the immediate harm that legislation like this would cause to my clients, my family, and myself. I know you have heard compelling information from people who are far more credentialed than I am, and your refusal to listen to it tells me that you are attached to a bigoted, hateful agenda that serves no one except your own narrow purposes. Nonetheless, I am attempting to do my civic duty by letting you know that passing this legislation will negatively affect your constituency. Please have mercy on marginalized populations and do not advance this legislation.Sincerely,Katherine Nydam Olivier

02-25-2025

Lynne Zinnel

Hello, I encourage everyone to vote no to this bill. Rights aren't pie. More rights for one doesn't mean fewer for others. All Iowans deserve to be treated as equals and we know that separate isn't equal. Why become the first state to take away rights?! You need not understand what it means to be transgender, to realize all Iowans are people period. As such all Iowans deserve equal protection. Anything else is making Iowa no better than the racists that flourished from the Civil War to the 1960s. Nazis also targeted people of the LGTBQU+ org in addition to the Jewish population. Be better than Nazis. Vote no!

02-25-2025

Erika Hotchkin

How is the country of freedom when our elected officials are considering removing rights for thousands of Iowans? Not just Iowans, Americans! This is a disgusting, prejudiced, violating distraction from the real issues that matter. History will remember how you decide and who you hurt.

02-25-2025

Rachel Fredericksen

Do not remove civil rights protections for trans Iowans, or any other people. Even considering it is shameful and backwards. Please focus your energy on protecting Iowans and telling Republican federal leadership to stop supporting Trump and Putins agenda to destroy our country.

02-25-2025

Charlie Fisette

This is the most backwards progress piece of legislation. Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain. Gender ideology, is not a new fad, and this push to remove and revoke rights of people that do not fit neatly into gender box 1 or 2, is detrimental to hundreds of Iowans. A brief study of history shows that pink used to be for boys, blue used to be for girls, and every man woman and child wore dresses and robes before pants became widely available. What sort of free country are we if we outlaw certain people from wearing certain types of fabric to cover our nakedness? My existence is not debatable, my human need to access food, clothing, shelter, employment and housing, should not be able to be taken away from me because I have one of many intersex/gender incongruence conditions. Im part of a generation that grew up under Bugs Bunny, Mulan, Mrs. Doubtfire, Tootsie, drag entertainment shows in the military for over 100 years before republicans got their panties in a knot. As part of a purportedly Christian nation, that says come as you are, and judge not lest ye be judged, I hope history judges harshly those who would discriminate and encourage gender based discrimination by dismantling these rights and protections that should not be revocable, but inalienable upon birth. I am baffled, that the leader of our country would disregard any and all medical evidence to the contrary, and presume that binary gender is remotely medically accurate or enforceable. People that are born with mixed genitalia, unclear genitalia, chromosomal or hormonal intersex conditions, are real and more numerous than most would think this day and age, and those people deserve the same inalienable rights that everyone else enjoys. None of us chose the body we were born into, and heaven forbid the law also reject us after already being born into bodies that have conditions which make us marginalized and dehumanized. I hope the legislators today will choose on the basis of love for our fellow Iowans and for the freedom from Tyranny that our country broke free from the monarchy to enjoy some 249 years ago.

03-04-2025

K Kittredge

There are far more issues, many of them much more important to the public, than dealing with than one's personal life. If you do not recognize there are more critical issues to deal with, such as homelessness, health care, education....than you are simply being irresponsible. Rather than choose an issue which is not hurting the public, while avoiding the responsibility to improve life in Iowa, you are not doing the job you were elected to do. We are not, at this time, United states, rather a divided nation. This bill should be cancelled and more critical issues addressed.

02-25-2025

Austin Scott

I write to you all in opposition of SF 418, this bill is unlawful, unconstitutional, disgusting, and disgraceful. I am ashamed to call myself an Iowan with this bill even being in consideration. Let alone being moved through the motions as fast as it is going. You think passing all of these bills will lead to a better state/nation. However the amount of havoc being caused is going to wake more people up to your intolerance, incompetence, and complicity to the far right agenda. This bill shows your true colors as a human being, lack of compassion, empathy, and humanity. It emphasizes your ability as a person of power to have a spine and stand up for the under represented, and the marginalized. The populace doesnt stand with you, even if this is how the party wants you to vote, dont forget they arent the ones that vote you in.

02-25-2025

Jose Jimenez

The idea that we would be legislating hate instead of trying to protect people is worrying. Is that your focus now as legislators? I vehemently oppose the idea of removing protection that is currently in our laws. I also oppose the other aspects of this bill and do not want any of these clauses to be removed in order to pass the broader bill. Do not legislate for hate.Spend your time working to protect farmers who are losing the monies promised them by the federal government for improvement projects now considered unfunded due to cuts to programs they were counting on.Do not pass this bill.

02-25-2025

Leah Cole

The removal of civil rights protections for any group of Iowans is a danger to the civil rights of all Iowans. The stated intent of this bill may be to protect the rights of women in sports, women in prisons, and women in shelters. However, the impact of the bill can only be rooted in cruelty. If the supporters of this bill truly wanted to protect women, they would support gun control measures. They would advocate for teaching young girls and boys about consent. They would invest in affordable housing. They would encourage social support measures for women and girls at risk rather than waiting for the same women and girls to be imprisoned. Transgender and nonbinary Iowans do not seek to cause harm to others. The same cannot be said of supporters of this bill.

02-25-2025

Ian Schwarz

I STRONGLY OPPOSE SB 418. This bill is a blatant, disgusting attack on the smallest marginalized group of Americans, it's an abysmal attack on civil rights as a whole, and a horrific waste of our Legislation's time, as well as Iowan tax payer dollars. Any person with even a sense of empathy would oppose this bill

02-25-2025

Emily Harsch

I oppose this bill. A study by Lee et al in 2024 called "Statelevel antitransgender laws increase pastyear suicide attempts among transgender and nonbinary young people in the USA" published in Nature Human Behaviour found that states that passed laws reducing protections on the basis of gender identity had up to 72% more suicides. We know how this bill will negatively impact our community members and increase the likelihood of suicide. Do not support this bill.

02-25-2025

Jennifer Kirkman

I strongly oppose this bill. The purpose of this legislation is to deny basic civil rights protections for transgender Iowans. The claim that this bill is necessary to protect women is a red herring. If the concern is abuse/assault on women then lets have a meaningful conversation on that. This is not it. Iowa was once a beacon of forward thinking and common sense protections for all its citizens. We were the first state to bar a female attorney. We were one of the first states to recognize same sex marriage.This bill would make us first in the nation to ratify transgender discrimination. We have real problems and a real need for our leaders to address the rising cancer rates and gutting of our educational systems. Please spend my tax dollars to do things for Iowans, not to undo our protective laws and hurt Iowans.

02-25-2025

Rachel Yoder

More than ever, trans people need our love and protection. Stripping them of civil rights protections is evil, unjust, and cruel. If you vote to take away their protection, your legacy will be one of shame and hate and will go down in the history books as one of many regressive, hateful acts during a regressive and hateful era. Trans people will not go away, ever, no matter what laws you pass. Its your duty to protect the people you serve, including trans people.

02-25-2025

Andrea Reser

I oppose this bill. It helps no one, it doesnt make things better or easier. It doesnt solve a problem. It only serves to dehumanize a small number of people who are just trying to exist and live their lives. Please reject this bill.

02-25-2025

Sheila Newman

I do not support. SF 418People are people and all must have civil rights Who are you to act as God and determine who is and isnt eligible? Please stop and listen to your constituents wants and needs, not just your own.

02-25-2025

Janey Hecht Schmaus

This bill cannot be passed. It should not even be considered. To legalize hatred and discrimination is an atrocity. There is no excuse. There is no other perspective. To vote this bill in is to vote for harm and death on all citizens of the state of Iowa. You must not let this continue. It is your duty to protect all citizens, and this bill is not doing that.

02-25-2025

Elsworth Carman

The people of Iowa are speaking out in opposition to this bill. Removing gender identity from Iowas Civil Rights Act doesnt eliminate special rightsit strips transgender Iowans of the same protections everyone else has. This change would allow discrimination in jobs, housing, and public life, making trans people secondclass citizens. Equal rights belong to all of us, and Iowa must uphold them. Vote NO on SF 418.

02-25-2025

Brenda Kliethermes

Please stop this and all legislation that codifies hate in our state. Nothing in this bill is for the good of Iowans. It is not protecting anyone and it is making our state less attractive to investors and new and current residents. You are fueling misinformation, conspiracy theories, and discrimination. Start working on legislation that supports our schools, shows respect for all residents, and makes Iowa a better place to live and work.

02-25-2025

Kaitlyn Munro

Removing Trans Americans civil rights is appalling. Gender is a spectrum and gender presentation/expression is a First Amendment right. Targeting Trans individuals is inhumane and cowardly, as well as unpatriotic. If you dont understand something about a group of people, make a concerned effort to change that. Dont just decide to target them and strip away their rights. Also, the protect girls in the bathroom Transpanic was fabricated specifically to induce this kind of emotional reaction and behavior. https://www.thepinknews.com/2018/12/07/antitransgroupbathroompredatormyth/

02-25-2025

Erica Finken

This bill removes civil rights protections from marginalized groups and legalizes discrimination. This is one piece of a discriminatory campaign from your party leaders to deny the existence of trans and nongender conforming people. Please reject this bill. Say no to hate in our state. Would Jesus Christ vote for this kind of hate? I believe he would welcome all people with no hesitation or hate, because we are all humans worthy of love and respect.

02-25-2025

Jayden Shurston [None]

This is all corrupt. You can deny our existence, you can deny our gender, you can not accept us, because we don't need the government to gender us correctly but take our rights away? This is to much. My rights should not be taken away because I was put in the wrong body. None of us are ok with this because all of us are about one another.

02-25-2025

Julia DiGiacomo

Reject this cruel and unjust bill. If this bill becomes successful, Iowa would be the first and only state in the country to repeal broad legislation protecting the rights of women and transgender people. I firmly believe that the role of the state government should not be to take away its people's rights and infringe on their personal freedoms. SF418 will hurt innocent, everyday Iowans in countless ways, simply in reaction to who they are and how they express themselves. Further, the bill jeopardizes sex stereotyping protections for nontransgender women that arent included in Iowas sex discrimination statute and will create complications for other Iowans who do not fall neatly into the bills narrow definitions.I am horrified to learn that Iowa's legislators, whose job is to protect and serve us, may use their resources specifically to hurt individuals who are differ from them. Scapegoating trans people is unjust and must stop. I am urgently asking you to reflect on this issue. I reiterate that the state's role should not be to infringe on its people's rights and freedoms. It is never too late to consider the real ramifications for innocent, everyday people in Iowa. Without action, SF418 will have dangerous consequences.

02-25-2025

Amy Saylor

Imagine as a parent, having your child wake up every morning terrified they will face discrimination and hate. This bill will enable this happen to children and adults all across the state of Iowa. Is this really the state we want to foster ? I strongly oppose this bill and shame it will bring to the state as the only one in the country to revoke this protected status to transgendered people.

02-25-2025

Jane Miller

My father, Laurence D. Miller, was a WWII veteran, a businessman called to be a United Church of Christ minister, and a son of Ringgold County. I am writing to this committee in his memory, because this cruel, spiteful, ignorant, wasteful bill stands against everything he fought (and nearly died) for. I am proud to be a gay Iowan, proud to contribute to our economy and my community, and this bill makes me ashamed. If passed, it would make Iowa the first state in the country to target a specific class for removal from civil rights protections. Acts like this benefit no one they dont save money or improve our collective quality of life. What they do is institutionalize cruelty, exclusion, and violate every Christian principle I learned from my father, in his words and his witness. Do not vote for this bill. It only weakens us economically, socially, and morally.

02-25-2025

Chris Kiefer

This bill is a travesty. I would implore the members of the legislature to consider that there is no case in which history has looked upon trying to remove the rights of others with anything but utter contempt. Is this the legacy we want for the state of Iowa? To be known as a state so full of hateful and ignorant people that our elected representatives consider it a good use of their time to dream up bills to harass a tiny minority of people for existing?Beyond that, the very basics of this bill are absurd. Are the legislators unfamiliar with Plessy v. Ferguson? 'The term equal does not mean same or identical and 'Separate accommodations are not inherently unequal' being up front in the bill implies they are familiar, but hoping that no one will call them on their blatant attempt to disregard the 14th Amendment. Is the inevitable series of court challenges, should this bill pass, a good use of taxpayer dollars?I hear the GOP is all about cutting costs, this seems like a woefully irresponsible choice to make if that is their goal.

02-25-2025

Archer Trip

I want to use my public comment as a place to respond to the email I received from Samuel Vannatta, a clerk for Representative Craig Williams. When I emailed my representatives against this proposed bill, I stated, There is nothing American or on the basis of freedom in the bill HSB242, so I ask that you reject this bill. This bill is narrow, vague, and will be used against you and many other Americans if you choose to pass on this bill. This will remove foundational protections against transgender Iowans like me.In response, I only received an email that stated amongst many myths and gaslighting statements, Every Iowan deserves their human rights to be protected and to be treated with dignity and respect. This bill does not strip away the basic rights of transgender individuals. However, whilst looking further into Craig Williams, his website promotes the idea of real family values, which he does not specify except with a small blurb with the disturbing last line, I will fight to protect real, tangible family values and pray for the restoration of faith, family, and community. This language again is vague, narrow, and yet the will not fool Iowans. This idea of family does nothing to include all families and all Iowans. This is simply only for Christian families.I want to be a firm believer in freedom in America. In freedom to make personal and autonomous decisions, freedom to speak, freedom to all religions. That is what America was founded on. Nothing in this bill is set to truly protect women as Vannatta was adamant about in the response to my first email. He states, However, the current code is infringing on the rights of many other Iowans, especially women. In the name of gender identity, women have lost their right to privacy, to participate in womens sports, and to access femaleonly spaces. Additionally, the current code undermines the rights of anyone who questions or disagrees with this gender identity framework. This is a myth. All of this is a myth, and there are plenty of organizations that would love to help you, Samuel Vannatta, Craig Williams, and all the other people worried about that situation to better understand. Please reach out to OneIowa or the Cedar Valley LGBTQ+ Coalition for more information to truly understand and work WITH your constituents. Know that Iowans will not be fooled by these bills and the harm you cause towards transgender folks under the guise of protecting women, which you do not do to begin with.

02-25-2025

Beth Koons

This cruel legislation aims to erase the basic rights and protections of transgender Iowans. It strips away critical antidiscrimination safeguards, imposes harsh restrictions on birth certificates and restrooms, and redefines sex in a way that legally erases the existence of transgender individuals. This bill sets a dangerous precedent and creates unnecessary complications for many Iowans. All people deserve to be treated fairly and equally under the law, regardless of their gender identity or expression. Transgender Iowans are our neighbors, colleagues, and community members who should have the same opportunities to earn a living, access housing, and participate in society without facing discrimination. Removing these basic protections not only harms transgender individuals but also jeopardizes broader sex discrimination protections for women. I urge you to reject SF 418 and uphold the principles of equality and nondiscrimination that should be extended to all Iowans. This harmful legislation promotes intolerance and undermines the values of inclusivity and respect that our state should embody. Please stand on the right side of history and ensure that the rights and dignity of all Iowans, including the transgender community, are protected.

02-25-2025

Melissa Hammell

Trans people exist and deserve protections like everyone. Stop wasting time fighting against a group of people who simply want to live their lives without violence, hate, and discrimination and start focusing on the many real problems our state is facing.

02-25-2025

Ann Tigges

I am formally submitting my opposition to this bill and requesting lawmakers do the same. I dont understand why people care so much about how a person identifies that they need to create laws against it and strip an individuals rights away. Also, dont republicans realize that by using separate but equal language puts you on the wrong side of history. I was once proud of how open and accepting Iowa was, not anymore. Please vote against this.

02-25-2025

Amy Pilcher

I do not approve of this legislation. We should never take civil rights away from any group. I am frustrated that this legislative body seems more focused on bullying .05% of the population instead of focusing on things that will actually benefit Iowans.

02-25-2025

Erin Atchison

Please vote no on this bill! This will strongly harm people who you are supposed to be representing within the state on Iowa. Queer and transgender people do not deserve to have to justify their existence just because they are different than yourselves. This bill makes me ashamed to be an Iowan and if you let this pass you will be on the wrong side of history.

02-25-2025

Willa Colville

To whom it may concern:This bill along with the others introduced the last two weeks are absolutely appalling. My greatest friend in the world is a transgender WOMAN. She was born and raised in Iowa to a family that does not accept her TRUE gender identity. She does not have the same support systems in place that you and I have as cisgender people. Now, you are going to take away the few protections she does have. After this week, she has decided to leave Iowa. I hope you are happy because I sure as hell am NOT. She shouldnt have to upend her entire life, leave her friends and community, and spend all of her savings to be in a safer place. Not all trans people have the ability to leave. And this bill perpetuates violence against them. Iowa deserves young, bright, talented TRANSGENDER people like my friend. You would be so lucky to have a friend like her. And now I wont be able to see her because of you. Please find some grace in your heart and vote against this bill. Know that if you pass this bill, trans blood will be on your hands.

02-25-2025

Tambi Heiter

I am the grandmother of an adult trans grandson. It is absolutely disgusting that this legislature wants to take away his rights to simply exist. That is literally all he wants to do: exist in the world. He should have that right and it sickens me what this state is becoming.

02-25-2025

Deidre Ackelson

How can any lawmaker in good conscience vote to erase a persons existence? Trans people are people. They live and work and raise families in Iowa. Its wrong and shameful for our elected officials to use their power to discriminate against any part of our population. Please dont support this cruel and hateful legislation.

02-25-2025

Denise Hagerla

I urge all senate members to reject SF 418 and any bills in its likeness as it represents a dangerous precedent of removing civil rights from a protected class of citizens and further perpetuating falsehoods about gender identity. Not only is this dehumanizing, terrorizing, and downright cruel to so many Iowans and the people who work for them, love and support them, and rely on their services and goods it is also a reactionary, ignorant, and hateful move that is NOT supported by your constituents. I am a life long Iowan and am truly ashamed that our state legislature would even continue to entertain such a hurtful use of your currently unchecked powers. Remember, our liberties we prize, and our rights we maintain.

02-25-2025

Julia Baker

I am adding my name to the very long list of people who have come here to comment in opposition to this bill. Lawmakers, who are public servants, must spend their time protecting and upholding rights for all Iowans. Stop making bills with seemingly minor tweaks and changes to definitions and rules that have outsized impacts on peoples lives and opportunities to succeed in our communities. Vote no on this bill.

02-25-2025

Madison Atwood

People in the state of Iowa who are trans do not deserve this unfair and harmful rhetoric. I am saddened by our legislator's attempts to hurt an incredibly vulnerable population. Continuing to pass these types of laws will harm many Iowans who need protection and love, rather than hate and discrimination. Where is this coming from? There is no evidence of trans people having civil rights protections causing harm to the public. There are way too many examples of trans people who are not safe emotionally or physically in our communities. We should be working to protect and care for the trans community, not cause further harm for no reason. Please listen to the Iowans speaking up against these laws, and do the right thing. Do not continue to strip away the civil rights of our loved ones who are trans.

02-25-2025

Denise Cummins

At the most basic level, all people deserve to be treated and respected as people. It isn't right to take away someone's basic human rights. Please oppose this as it feels like an opening to taking away the rights of other groups of people also.

02-25-2025

Gail Brashers-Krug

This bill is a travesty. I can't believe the Iowa legislature is focused on taking away civil rights instead of making IOwans' lives better. I am disgusted by this hateful scapegoating of trans people. Please vote no on this bill.

02-25-2025

Kristina Colson

I am vehemently opposed to this bill. I don't see any benefit, it is only cruel, and serves to erase people I care about very much. Instead of putting forth this bigoted, ridiculous legislation you should focus on opposing the trump administration gutting our services and rights, not aiding in their destruction of the United States and its citizens.

02-25-2025

Megan FW

As an Iowan, born and raised Christian; I find this bill deeply shameful to what it means to be American and Christian. As an American, you do not tell people to love their lives. And a Christian, you do not discriminate. I am also a business woman. I am concerned about the economic influence a bill like this will do to the prospects of employers wanting to move to Iowa and the environment of discrimination and hate this will create in the state.Please consider these statements, and the harm youare committing with this bill.

02-25-2025

Claire Smick-Kuhn

I am angered and disgusted at our legislators attempts to marginalize the LGBTQ community in Iowa. Instead of spending your time working on bills that would actually improve the lives of ordinary Iowans you choose to spend your time vilifying one small minority in our state and you do so in the name of "Christianity". There are more than enough real problems facing Iowans shift your focus to those.

02-25-2025

Gloria Stefani [InnerFaith Alliance supporter]

Stop and consider all the people in the past who were in pain and confused and had no opportunity or hope or chance to be able to be themselves their true selves. I cant imagine going through life and not being the best version of myselfto myself, let alone to the public (my family, friends, people who are acquaintancesetc etc). It is a confusing time anymore. Why make it more difficult? What ever happened to decent human dignity? I hope this doesnt fall on deaf ears. I will continue try to be my authentic self and say prayers for everyone, including those who do not think or feel the way I do. AMEN

02-25-2025

Phoebe Nishimoto

I am strongly opposed to this bill. The government should be protecting rights, not stripping them from people. And these ARE people whose lives you're affecting. Humans, many of them born and raised in Iowa. People may die if this bill is passed, and that blood will be on the hands of the Iowa government. Please hear the people who stand for hours at the capitol opposing this bill. At the vast majority of comments opposing this bill. You are supposed to represent the people. And if you vote yes, you will not be doing your job, and there will be blood on your hands. Plain and simple.

02-25-2025

Allison Thorenhill

Strongly opposed. Transgender Iowans are still Iowans, and they deserve equal treatment. There is no world in which reducing rights for humans is the way forward in our world. As someone who works in the healthcare field, I have significant concerns about the implications of this bill. We must protect the safety of Iowans at all costs including transgender Iowans.

02-25-2025

Heather Coombs

Please do not vote for this bill. Transgender people are amazing people. Why is this even an issue? Human rights should be a priority for all people! I am a mother of a LGBTQ child. This will cause a rise in suicides, bulling, and mental health issues. If the Republican Party is prolife, why aren't you prolife for all?

02-25-2025

Denise Turner

Don't waste your time and tax payers money on figuring out what somebody's sex is for statutory. Information.That money would be better spent. Making sure students in iowa, public schools have a good education, food, health care.

02-25-2025

Laura Johnston

This bill will harm Iowans. Jesus taught us to love one another. This bill does not reflect love. Members of my family, my friends, and my congregation will be negatively impacted by this hateful bill. I URGE the committee to not advance this bill. Jesus created us in His image. ALL of us. Even transgendered people. Please don't carry though with this bill. It will result in violence, heartache, and creates an unjust environment in Iowa. Iowa is a place of welcoming this bill does not reflect that.

02-25-2025

Emma Denney

I OPPOSE HSB 242. This is the most regressive and hateful bill i have ever seen in Iowa, and i am horrified that this idea has made it this far. Trans people already face increased violence and discrimination with these existing protections, to remove them would open the floodgates to segregation, mistreatment, and violent marginalization. Trans people already face higher rates of sexual violence, but this bill would make it impossible for us to access most care and support services. Trans people already face high unemployment due to discrimination, but this bill would take away what little recourse we already have. This bill would force trans women into men's prisons, where they are subjected to "vcoding," documented systemic rape and sexual violence. This bill wants to exclude trans people from public life and state services entirely, going so far as to seemingly promote the vile language of Plessy v. Ferguson "separate accommodations are not inherently unequal." Vote NO on HSB 242. have some decency in your soul and empathy in your hearts.

02-25-2025

Chris Dusek

To the members of the Iowa Senate Committee, I write in opposition of this bill. As a veteran, teacher and Iowan, I am just mystified for even having to do this and that this bill is brought up again and again.There are so many more important things to be dealing with and you want to remove a category from the civil rights code that protects everyone. This will have so many unintended consequences and yes will lead to an uptick in discrimination of transIowans, but also men and women who do not align with how some folks view one should be.People cant easily go after the LGB of the group, so you continue targeting the T, again and again.While there is much needed discussion and debate on these issues, this most certainly is not the way. When I read each version of the bill as it came up over and over again the past few years, I think of the amount of our tax money and time that will be spent on this whole changing the law, changing people IDs, birth certificates and other paperwork if this becomes law will probably go into hundreds of thousands if not millions, all because you worried about laws you already passed and because a small number of adult Iowans are getting medical support through Medicaid for what some disagree with. It is wrong to have Iowans pay for an ideological game.Gender Identity is a neutral category and can be someone who is not transgender. It protects men and women who do not fit the mold of society and prevents them from having to clearly and specifically prove that they were discriminated against because of their biological sex, which can be a tall order.You talk about federal protections for transpeople under only employment and housing, so now they have to prove according to a federal level in very narrow ways.You think that transIowans and other Iowans who do not fit the mold of what a man or women will not be discriminated against more, when you have removed state civil protections that cover them? They will, and then when people abuse them, hurt them or deny them care, they will have a tall order to prove it was wrong because you can then discriminate based on gender identity.Most important is the increase in bullying that will occur across of Iowa of students, not just LGBT kids but especially them.In this you write basically, separate but equal going back to the days of Jim Crow. Does that not sound disturbing to you? We know that when we have taken this path, it is always separate and unequal.Let this die and stop wasting my tax dollars of this culture war stuff.

02-25-2025

Joy Carty

My response to Iowa Bill SF 418 Removing Civil Rights from Transgender Individuals in IowaI am writing to express my strong opposition to Iowa Senate File 418. This bill presents significant concerns regarding human rights, discrimination, and the promotion of hate and oppression, while also contradicting the values expressed in Iowas state code and motto, Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain.1. Violation of Human Rights:SF 418 undermines the rights of transgender and nonbinary individuals by enforcing a narrow, biologically based definition of sex and gender. This restrictive approach disregards established medical and psychological understandings of gender identity, denying individuals the right to selfidentify and live authentically. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantees the right to equality and freedom from discrimination, rights that this bill infringes upon.2. Open to Discrimination:By removing gender identity as a protected class under the Iowa Civil Rights Act, the bill creates a pathway for discrimination in employment, education, housing, and public accommodations. This exclusion leaves transgender and nonbinary individuals vulnerable to unfair treatment without legal recourse. It undermines the progress Iowa has made toward ensuring equality for all citizens.3. Promotion of Hate and Oppression:The bills language not only invalidates the identities of marginalized communities but also emboldens those who seek to marginalize and oppress. By codifying exclusionary definitions, SF 418 fosters an environment where prejudice can thrive, contradicting the inclusive spirit that should define our schools, workplaces, and public spaces.4. Contradiction of Iowa Code and Motto:The Iowa Civil Rights Act was designed to protect all citizens from discrimination, ensuring that every individual can participate fully in society. By stripping protections from genderdiverse individuals, SF 418 violates the intent of the states civil rights framework. Furthermore, the bill stands in direct opposition to Iowas proud motto: Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain. Liberty and rights cannot be selectively applied; they must extend to all Iowans, regardless of gender identity.In conclusion, SF 418 is not only a step backward for civil rights in Iowa but also a direct affront to the values of equality and dignity that our state and nation hold dear. I urge legislators to reject this harmful bill and instead focus on policies that promote inclusivity, understanding, and respect for all citizens.

02-25-2025

David House

I strongly reject HSB 242 and the idea that gender identity should be the basis for discrimination in our state. Civil rights are the foundation of our democracy and society. Do not let hatred and ignorance disparage, or perhaps endanger, the lives of our fellow Iowans. Do not let Iowa's legacy of kindness and tolerance become a thing of the past.

02-25-2025

Seeta Mangra-Stubbs

God is perfect. God doesn't make mistakes. God makes us who we are from the getgo.God made us with penises and vaginas. Specifically, God made us with all sorts of penises and vaginas. Some people were born with penises that are more than 10 inches long. Some penises are one inch. God made dark penises, pale ones, textured, and smooth, thick and thin. God did the same with vaginas and vulvas. I don't mean to get graphic though. In brief, God gave genitals variety.God also made genitals that, from the getgo, aren't 100 percent clearly penis or vagina. Iowa law and HSB 242 acknowledge this reality. It states, "If the sex of the child cannot be determined at birth, the time period for filing a certificate of birth shall be extended for a period of no more than six months to allow the parents to obtain any diagnosis or testing from a health care provider as defined in section 144.29A, subsection 7, paragraph 'a,' that is necessary to determine the child's sex." God perfectly made genitalia that does not fit the binary, but human law questions and challenges God's perfect creation.Is it humanity's place to change how God made us? Is it possible? After all, God is perfect and does not make mistakes.If this legislature decides that, no, we cannot change how God made us, then we must acknowledge that God perfectly made more than two sexes.If this legislature decides that, yes, we can change how God made us, then we must admit that God is not perfect. God does make mistakes.Iowa Republicans, by your own faith and logic, you have either defied God by legislating binary sexes, or you have looked God in His eyes and told Him that He is wrong. I do not envy the spiritual conundrum you must face from here on out. Whatever you decide is personal. It is not, however, do though, it's time to stop using your religion to justify harmful, hateful legislation.

02-25-2025

Katrina Brown

Every individual has the right to a safe life every day. They need to have access to education, health care, housing, and employment. The language put in place to clarify LBGTQ+ individuals were covered under basic civil liberties was done to adjust language as our state grew, adapted, and modernized. Revoking that clarifying language puts individuals at risk and promotes hate. Nobody should be discriminated against for things that are outside their control; such as race, gender, or sexuality.Iowa needs population to increase. We will not survive as talent leaves the state because they can not survive or be themselves. College enrollment will go down; or those brilliant individuals will leave because the state outside their campus isn't safe for them.Iowa is for everyone and we need to protect our population; not make them targets.Everyone deserves to see themselves reflected in government, occupations, and education in order to have examples of excellence to strive toward. Schools need to teach beyond straight/white examples and thoughts. If children believe there is something wrong with them; suicide rates increase. Mental health needs increase. And the state is already cutting funding there. Removing these protections and access to education will increase the need for those services.Protect Iowans!!

02-25-2025

Eric Sickler

Removing gender identity protections from Iowa's civil rights act will have devastating consequences, codifying discrimination and sending a clear message that transgender and gender nonconforming Iowans are not worthy of equal treatment under the law. This shortsighted move will not only harm vulnerable individuals by denying them basic protections in housing, employment, and public accommodations, but it will also damage Iowa's reputation as a welcoming and inclusive state, hindering our ability to attract and retain talent and businesses. True equality means ensuring that all Iowans, regardless of their gender identity, have the opportunity to thrive and contribute to our communities. I stand in strongest opposition to this discriminatory legislation and urge Iowa legislators and other leaders in our state to uphold the fundamental principle that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.

02-25-2025

Hayley Rauzi

As a lifelong Iowan, who chose to go to college and establish my career in this state, I ardently urge opposition to SF 418. Stripping hardworking, beautiful Iowans of their basic rights just should not be the Iowa way. It didn't used to be, at least I thought. Like almost all Iowans, I have a number of friends and acquaintances that will be seriously hurt by this bill. I urge humanity, love, and decency from our lawmakers who were voted in to represent ALL Iowans, not just the ones that look and think like them. Please, vote no to SF 418!

02-25-2025

Randy Richardson

Please defeat this bill. These types of laws allow you to single out people who are different from you. It shows a lack of appreciation for the differences that have always existed, and always will, between people. The world is not a black and white place and passing a law to make it that way will not change that. Instead it will simply tell a small minority of Iowans that we do not respect their differences.

02-25-2025

Stacy Grooms

This is an abomination and targets specific groups of marginalized communities. Shame on our government for violating our rights to bow down to MAGA fools. This bill is going to hurt so many people and it feels like the state of Iowa doesn't care. Again, shame on you for targeting a group of people who have done nothing but exsist.

02-25-2025

Shay Lilienthal

I oppose this bill and I am writing to say that you should reject this bill. This is yet again a blatant attempt to other and ostracize trans people in Iowa. This bill is not based on science,nor does the pseudoscience it push actually benefit anyone. This is erasure plain and simple. Stop this bill and please actually focus on the issue that Iowans need your help with. This bill against trans people is not it!

02-25-2025

Yamini Bhagwat

I am writing to ask you to reject SF418.All Iowans should be treated fairly and equally by the laws of our state. Basic antidiscrimination protections are an important part of any meritbased system, allowing people to access opportunities and services and live their lives regardless of who they are or how they are perceived. Stripping people of civil rights protections is wrong. Please dont let this happen in our state. Please vote against SF418.

02-25-2025

Ana Jimenez

I strongly oppose SF418. This state already suffers from brain drain and such a hateful bill will drive away more people from living here. We need neighbors from all backgrounds to thrive. I'm ashamed that in 2025, this state is considering taking rights away based on gender identity. Vote NO on SF418. I lost sleep over this last night. We can't have hate and discrimination in our legislation. Transgender Iowans deserve the same rights as everyone else.

02-25-2025

Daniel Pierson

My name is Daniel Pierson and I am writing to you today to ask you to reject SF418.I am a heterosexual, cisgender man. I am not a member of the transgender community, but I am an American and an Iowan. I was raised in this great state to hold sacred the ideals of individual rights and personal liberty. HSB242 attacks those ideals by allowing discrimination against an already vulnerable group of people.This bill, if made law, would allow businesses and housing providers to reject an applicant simply for being transgender. As someone who values living in a meritbased society, and a state that allows individuals to freely pursue their happiness, I find the concepts and guidelines in this bill to be disgusting and unAmerican.I'm simply asking you to uphold the values of our state's motto, "Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain." Please vote against SF418.

02-25-2025

Emily Guenther

Please vote no on this horrible bill. This bill does nothing to help Iowans and only serves to legalize discrimination against a vulnerable, tiny minority. Trans Iowans are my friends, neighbors, and coworkers. They are not harming me. As a woman, I am horrified this legislation is being advanced in my name. You are not protecting me. You are harming not only trans people, but anyone who a landlord or employer think doesn't look enough like what they imagine a man or woman to look like. I am ashamed to live in the one state considering *removing* civil rights protections from our state's legal code.

02-25-2025

Ginny Colville

This proposal is absolutely abhorrent! The state of Iowa is already losing highly productive citizens moving to better states and this bill will, without any doubt, push more descent, hardworking, wonderful people to find States that include and respect everyone.

02-25-2025

Ryder Edgington

I am a born and raised Iowan. I am a home owner, husband and father. This bill does no good to me or my fellow trans men living in Iowa. We do not want special treatment we just want equal treatment. I am a law abiding citizen, I pay my taxes I work hard for my family and community and this bill would cause more harm then good. Facts matter and factually speaking your wives and daughters are in more harm from a straight cis man than any member of the trans community. We just want to live our lives peacefully and not have to be fighting to exist.

02-25-2025

Sheri Deal-Tyne

I oppose this cruel and discriminatory bill for obvious reasons already stated by many, many others. I do not believe that this bill reflects the will of the majority of Iowans. I beseech you to search your hearts and take the right and just and ethical and moral action. Vote no on SF 418. Please.

02-25-2025

Megan Martin

Please reject SF418, a bill that would remove basic protections for transgender Iowans and create complications for other Iowans who do not fall neatly into the bills narrow definitions.All hardworking peopleincluding those who are transgendershould be treated fairly and equally by the laws of our state and should have the opportunity to earn a living and provide for themselves and their families. If someone cant rent an apartment or get a credit card simply because of who they are, we cant expect them to be able to compete on a level playing field with their peers. These basic antidiscrimination protections are an important part of any meritbased system, allowing people to access opportunities regardless of who they are or how they are perceived. Further, the bill jeopardizes sex stereotyping protections for nontransgender women that arent included in Iowas sex discrimination statute.Transgender people are our friends, neighbors, family and coworkers. When it comes to being able to earn a living, having a place to live, or being served by a business or government office, they should be treated like anyone else and not be discriminated against. Please consider how cruel and inhumane this would be and vote against SF418.

02-25-2025

Carol Kress [United Methodist Clergy]

Please, let us stand on the side of Jesus and his allinclusive love. I have walked at the side of Iowans who have dealt with this issue personally. We do not live in a world of two genders. And no law will bend human experience into compliance with something that is not true. You are breeding hate, oppression and trouble. My prayer is for a state that upholds all people with justice and truth.

02-25-2025

Jessica Margrave Schirm

My name is Rev. Jessica Margrave Schirm. I am writing to you today as a concerned Iowan, as a mom, as a straight, cisgender, married for almost 22 years wife and an ordained Christian Minister with the United Church of Christ. I am writing to ask you to vote AGAINST this bill.Saturday as my middle son and I were driving to his basketball game we were talking about this bill and I said, Im worried about a bill thats currently in our Iowa legislature. It would remove trans people from Iowas civil rights protections and let folks deny them jobs or housing simply because they are trans. He said, you mean like we did to Black people, except now just because theyre trans? Are you serious? Have we not learned anything? Hes a white, straight, cisgender, 12 year old kid in rural Iowa and he gets that this is wrong. Our children are watching. They see what we are doing. Please do not vote for this bill.Please do not vote for this bill because This is a moral issue. No one should have their rights taken away from them. People who are transgender should be treated like anyone else and not be discriminated against. Our transgender neighbors should have equal access to housing and credit in Iowa. Keeping gender identity in the Iowa Civil Rights Act protects them from discrimination. We CANNOT be the first state in the nation to REMOVE civil liberties from our citizens. It's wrong. Even our children know that.Please do not vote for this bill because This is about our neighbors and family. Transgender Iowans are our neighbors and family. When it comes to earning a living, finding a place to live, or being served by a business or government office, I want our neighbors and family to succeed just like the rest of us.Please do not vote for this bill because as a follower of the way of Jesus Christ this is the most important part for me Protecting people who are transgender from discrimination means treating others as we want to be treated. It is as simple as that. We cannot legislate hate or discrimination and say we love our neighbor. Thank you for being brave and standing for what you know is right. Taking away rights and protections for things such as housing and credit from anyone is wrong. Please vote no.

02-25-2025

Jillian Steelberg

Oppose this bill. You are spending time doing irreparable harm to your citizens instead of protecting them. You are targeting a small population of children and adults that pose NO threat to anybody at all. The language of this bill sets a dangerous precedent and I dont believe you will stop at trans people, but even if you were this is disgraceful. Why are you attacking trans people? There are no moral, ethical, legal, economic, or logical reasons. VOTE NO.

02-25-2025

Leland Roberts

Since when did hate become the focus of Iowa, or our representatives? How does this bill help Iowans at all? Raising costs on everything, silence from you all. A voucher scam stealing money from our schools, met with encouragement! This is not how Iowa is meant to be. I have lived here most of my life, I grew up here. Iowa Nice use to MEAN something, it was how we treated our neighbors and visitors. This is NOT Iowa nice, this is Iowa malice.

02-25-2025

Doug Staudt

Please vote no on this horrible piece of legislation. Dont send Iowa backwards. It would be an embarrassment to have our state be the first to enact legislation to actively remove people from civil rights protections. Discrimination in any form is a crime and cannot be tolerated here.

02-25-2025

Eva Bacon [N/A]

I am writing you today in solidarity with my friends and loved ones in the trans community. No one should have to worry about being fired, denied housing or educational opportunities because of their gender identity. As a proud Iowan, I am dismayed that my state, the state that I love whose motto is 'Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We will Maintain, this HF242 is contrary to the values we hold most sacred as Iowans, I ask of you, do not make Iowa the first state in the nation to repeal civil rights protections for its citizens. Finally, in closing, I want to state that while this bill is being pitched as a bill that protects women, it will do the opposite. 'Transvestigating' is a phenomenon in which women are harassed, intimidated, and threatened under the suspicion for being trans. Passing this bill will only increase this phenomenon.In closing, I ask you to not support HSB 242. Preserve Iowa's long tradition as a beacon for Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity.

02-25-2025

Rebecca McOmber

This bill is inappropriate. I am opposed. Transgender people have not invaded the privacy of women, men, or children. Our nation believes in innocent until proven guilty. This is a full community of mothers,fathers, children, who are as innocent as any other population. Additionally, taking gender identity out of the civil rights code provides a path for discrimination that, due to our social climate, will be taken by employers and landlords. The results would be an enormous strain on state funds as our homeless population skyrockets.This is bad for all Iowans. Thank you.

02-25-2025

Monica Price

What happened to the Golden Rule? Are you treating your fellow citizens as you would wish to be treated? All people deserve equal rights and protections. No one should be denied the right to housing, financial services, credit, education, or any service simply because of their existence. If this legislation passes, it will strip these protections and fly in the face of what Iowa supposedly stands for in our motto. It will do irreparable harm to countless Iowans. Iowa already has a negative reputation. This will further damage our beloved state, sending the message that we are a state where fear, hatred and bigotry rule. Passing this would be sending us down a dark and twisted path. If our government is willing to strip rights from one currently protected group, who is next? People of color? Women? Will these same rights be stripped from other groups? Where does this end? You may be saying to yourself just one group, it won't impact me.' What happens when radical groups use this as a precedent to take away your daughter's right to drive? Your wife's right to bank? What happens if they decide Catholics shouldn't vote? Or pregnant women shouldn't be able to work? This violates basic human needs and rights. All people deserve equal rights and protections. No individual should be denied the right to housing, banking, education, or any other service simply because of their age, gender, religion, or identity. Isn't this why we left England in the first place? So we can make our own decisions? If this legislation passes, it send a clear message to the Nation whatever you do, don't move to Iowa. It's full of hatred, bigots and racists. It will do irreparable harm to countless Iowans.. Legislation such as this would set a dangerous precedent. If our government is willing to strip rights from one currently protected group, who is next? Will these same rights be stripped from other groups in the future? It is a bill supporting endorsing discrimination.

02-25-2025

Ellen Colville

This is absolutely disgusting and evil. The fact that you are so threatened by Trans people existing is shameful. Trans people will always exist and they deserve to do so in peace. They are not harming anyone, yet you small minded people want to harm them. And this bill definitely harms them. It opens them up to hate crimes and discrimination. Youll get what you deserve someday. Stop trying to turn Iowa into a mini facist MAGA cult. We used to be a great state but now due to people like you, we have been going backward. May you never live in peace again.

02-25-2025

Carissa Gehl

I am a lifelong Iowan and mental healthcare provider. I vehemently oppose this bill. Our trans neighbors are important and valued members of our diverse community. They must not lose their right to exist without fear of retribution or loss of their homes, jobs, or safety.

02-25-2025

Kelli Hunter

Vote NO on this bill. This is legalizing discrimination! Where is the proof that there has been a large scale problem that justifies taking away their rights? To take away their protections for housing and a job is despicable! I would really like you to start focusing on ACTUAL problems in our state instead of these manufactured cultural wars!

02-25-2025

Adam Lyons

It is extremely disheartening to see this bill work its way through Iowa. Why are we focusing on such a small part of population while the state itself continually to slips and slides down in education and healthcare? And it honestly shouldnt even matter what size of the population trans individuals represent. They are people, they matter. They have the right to exist and have access to what they need to be thrive, just as our conservative, Christian lawmakers do.

02-25-2025

Alex Stanbrough

Your proposed legislation will hurt Iowans. Nobody with a modicum of human decency and intelligence would support this ideology. History has been unkind to those who bring down groups of people politically, and it will be unkind to you.

02-25-2025

Danielle Farrell

This bill is dehumanizing and dangerous. Research readily affirms the importance of access for the LGBTQ+ population. This bill will threaten their access to key resources (such as housing), financial security, employment, educational opportunities, etc. This bill is blatant attack on individual liberties.

02-25-2025

Laura Moser

I urge you to reject this bill, which does not reflect your constituents' interests and threatens all of our civil rights. This bill helps no one and harms many. The people targeted by this bill are real people, adults and children who deserve to live their lives fully, safely, and without fear. Please vote NO to protect all Iowans' rights, as you have been elected to do.

02-25-2025

Tylor Fowler

The fact that we are here even entertaining this disgusting bill tells me all I need to know about what our so called leaders feel about their fellow Iowans. You should be ashamed. Cant wait to vote you idiots out next cycle.

02-25-2025

Athena Moad

This senate file works to remove rights from citizens. Whether anybody likes it or not, trans rights are human rights because trans people are people. They are Iowans. They contribute to our society, bring joy, feel joy, and, just plainly, exist. Their, OUR, existence should be enough. Do you really want to be the legislature to remove inalienable rights from your states constituents? Do you want to be immoral? Inhuman? I oppose SF 418 and you should, too. You should be working to improve the rights and liberties of Iowans, not remove them.

02-25-2025

Gary Johansen

This legislation is designed to advance a radical immoral agenda that targets and marginalizes Iowa citizens who have done nothing more than express themselves honestly. Denying truth through legislation requires enforcement. A free expression of personal identity is a constitutional issue that should be respected and accommodated as we have successfully done for the last few years. Why!?! Ask Why is this necessary and who gets hurt. Love your neighbors, all of em.

02-25-2025

Kim Tweedy

Why are you focusing on this very small population of people to destroy them? There are so many other issues that the administration can concentrate on that will help Americans. The LGBTQ population is the very least of worries. Do your job. Take action, stand and fight for constituents that put you in office. FAFO midterms are around the corner.

02-25-2025

Brett DeVore [DeVore Properties, LLC]

I am not sure why you are focusing on changing the Civil Rights Act that has been in its current from since early 2000s. This makes no sense to common Iowans, unless it is truly a bigoted racist hate filled move. This will do nothing to promote Iowa values and drive economic growth. You are well on your way to make Iowa a State of Hate.Why doesnt the Senate and House, for that matter, focus on real issues affecting Iowans HousingCost of Living/InflationFailing InfrastructureFully funding PUBLIC SCHOOlS and ditch the vouchers for private schools Things that make sense, but everyone in Des Moines has seemed to have lost common sense.

02-25-2025

Jane Behrens

Vote "NO." This bill is a poorlywritten solution in search of a problem. It sounds as though "school curricula" was simply thrown in for extra measure, with no thought to how carefully teachers work to make EVERY STUDENT feel safe and acknowledged in their classroom. What we REALLY need is legislation that would actually attract people to move to Iowa; not turn them away. How about reining in ag chemicals that cause Iowa to be the 2nd most cancerprone state in the union? How about NOT giving public dollars to private schools? How about making sure our most vulnerable citizens are cared for with nutrition, housing, and education? In Jesus' own words "Whatever you do to the least of these, you do to me." He's looking at you.

02-25-2025

Emerson Craig

I would like to express as best as I can how deeply I am in opposition to SF418 and implore you to vote against it. As many others have expressed, this bill strips not only the right of transgendered Iowans across the state, but also denies them the dignity and respect they inherently deserve. As a transgender Iowan myself, I came to this state with such hope and promise that it would heal a part of me that I was ashamed ofand it did. So to see our government attempt to harm its trans community in such an egregious way is heartbreaking. Its unlawful. Its unconstitutional. It denies trans Iowans the same rights and protections held by our cisgender neighbors. Listen to your constituents that are being affected by this bill. We are here and unashamed; we will not be silent.

02-25-2025

Jessie Liebenguth

The idea that the Iowa legislature would strip away protections for Iowans is abhorrent. Our fellow Iowans who identify as trans represents a small number of citizens but those folks report discrimination in all aspects of life including housing and homelessness, public accomodations, education, and employment. Iowa's population is not limited to rural areas; removing civil rights protections will have a much broader impact than the bigoted tropes I see parroted on social media. Refusing to protect trans Iowans will have a chilling effect on our state's ability to recruit young people to attend our universities and colleges as well as welcoming young talent for job recruitment. Even if people interested in moving to our state are not trans, they will see the legislature's transphobia as a indicator of the wider culture of our state and correctly assume that Iowa is no longer a welcoming place. As a woman, I NEVER worry about "trans people in my bathroom" but I do worry about our economy, our refusal to protect our people and our environment from the dangers of unregulated Big Ag, and our inability to mind our own business and stand up for the rights of our vulnerable fellow Iowans. This bill is disgusting and embarrassing and I ask all Iowa legislators to consider what it would look like for our state to be the first and only state to REMOVE civil protections.

02-25-2025

Craig Olson

I am writing to urge all involved NOT to support SF 418.Removing or limiting existing rights, would be turning the clock and calendar BACKWARD.Please use legislation to tackle real issues that Iowans are dealing with. There is a very long list, and removing the rights of Iowans reflects poorly on the state of Iowa, and all Iowa Legislators. Yours,Craig OlsonWest Des Moines, IA

02-25-2025

De Foster

This bill is is disgusting and its only purpose is hate. The marker on someone's identifying documents helps and hurts only the person carrying it. To say that it's important to match their gender assigned at birth shows your ignorance and fear of something you do not even remotely understand. This isn't really about equality or equity or preferred treatment; this is about hurting people and if required to meet the 14th amendment challenge, it would fail. You are elected officials grow up and act like it.

02-25-2025

Shelley Bradfield

Everyone develops a gender identity as a child including pronouns and gender performances. Gender identities are important to our self concept and self esteem in a gender conscious society. What is probably most important for this bill is that you cannot tell or legislate another person's gender identity. You can try, but it won't succeed. Instead, as you attempt to erase other people's gender identities so they conform to your experiences and values, you dehumanize their right to openly be who they are, and you dehumanize yourself and your children by treating and interacting with others as less than valued. This is the danger in the bill ... seeing people who aren't like you as not fully human and valuable contributing members of society.

02-25-2025

Gary Johansen

How and Why do we have to do this. We are accommodating and cheering on our brave neighbors expressing the truth of their physical being while you, and you all know who you are, seem to want your neighbors in closets and coffins. Check in with your soul and turn back this horrible unconstitutional murderous legislation.

02-25-2025

Michelle Holt

Please vote no to taking away rights to a group of humans just like the rest of us who want to live our lives, go to work, and be happy. Transgender people have not caused any harm its only a perceived harm of a few homophobic irrational people! Human rights belong to everyone. Dont be draconian in your lawmaking; focus on real issues.

02-25-2025

Ian Black

This bill should be voted down. Trans people are 1% of the population and don't cause problems. This is a totally tonedeaf bill. Please focus on actual issues, like rising cancer, abysmal mental health systems, and suicide rates amongst farmers.

02-25-2025

Emily Brown

History has already shown us what happens when we start removing the rights of citizens. Today it's people who identify as transgender. Tomorrow it's those who identify as gay, those with disabilities, etc. This is dangerous and is making our democracy, which you claim to love, weaker by the day. This is not good governance. This is not moral. Please stop this insanity.

02-25-2025

Christian Cartano

The idea that the Sponsors feel that it is important to change the CIVIL RIGHTS ACT to their personal ideology is offensive and should be shit down at every opportunity. This does not reflect the views of most Iowans and is a manipulation of our Constitution for the advancement of dangerous ideology.

02-25-2025

Chris Aday

I implore the Iowa legislature to put down this insanity, and commit itself to moving forward to bettering the lives of ALL Iowans, instead of this insecure, cowardly legislation targeting a minority population. Regardless of how you agree, or disagree with the existence of the Trans community, or Trans people in general, they are HUMAN BEINGS, who deserve the same courtesy, respect, rights and protections afforded to all American citizens. To actually REMOVE them as a protected class, sends a message that ANYONE can have their rights and protections rescinded, be that for age, or sex, or race, or religion. I hope sincerely, that if this bill passes, that Iowans look to their legislature and agree en masse, to remove THEM as a protected class, and deny service at every business, restaurant, or event. Let those who cast the first stones, suffer the first blows.....anything else is cowardice...just like this legislation.

02-25-2025

Katie Peno

WHY? WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PARTY OF SMALL GOVERNMENT? WHY ARE YOU GOING OUT OF YOUR WAY TO FIND WAYS TO UNNECESSARILY INVALIDATE PEOPLE WHO CAUSE NO HARM, NO PAIN, NO INTRUSION ON YOUR LIFE? WHAT IS YOUR OBSESSION WITH THE LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY, AND WHY ARE YOU TRYING TO PASS LAWS BASED ON YOUR PERSONAL OPINIONS? WHY ARE YOU BEING AN INTRUSION ON THEIR LIVES? WHY CAN'T YOU ACTUALLY BE CHRISTIAN AND ACTUALLY LISTEN TO JESUS CHRIST?! YOU'RE VILE. SAD. AND ON THE WRONG SIDE OF FREEDOM AND HISTORY.

02-25-2025

Janice Binder

Please vote against this unnecessary and cruel bill. Trans and nonbinary people need our protection from discrimination, not measures that will forcibly out them and subject them to further acts of hate. As someone with family members who survived the Holocaust, I know what othering, scapegoating and labelling people as undeserving of the same rights as others can do. Even in Iowa, my children have been bullied for being different. My oldest son was beaten up by members of his own team after the basketball coach, a social studies teacher at his school, Christian prayers with the team before games. Having an official other my son gave the team the impression that it was ok to bully my team as they said, "Jews cannot play basketball as they threw water bottles at him in the showers." This went on for a year and a half before I found out. Officially removing protections for transgender people announces that it is fine to bully, harass, and discriminate against them, just as it was done to my children. All the research I have read, and it has been a lot, shows that transgender adults and children encounter discrimination, intolerance orprejudice in nearly every aspect of daily life in Iowa and across the U.S. Please let Iowa remain a state that welcomes and cares about its neighbors and community.

02-25-2025

Rachel Hurley

I strongly oppose Iowa Senate Bill SF 418 as it poses a serious threat to the educational integrity and intellectual freedom of our schools. This bill places unnecessary restrictions on classroom discussions and instructional materials, ultimately limiting educators' ability to provide students with a wellrounded and factbased education.Education should prepare students to think critically, engage in meaningful discussions, and develop a broad understanding of history, literature, and social issues. By restricting certain topics, SF 418 undermines academic freedom and the professional judgment of teachers, creating an environment where fear and censorship take precedence over learning.Furthermore, this bill could negatively impact students by removing diverse perspectives from the classroom, preventing them from engaging with important historical and social realities. Instead of promoting inclusivity and understanding, SF 418 risks fostering ignorance and division.I urge lawmakers to reject SF 418 in favor of policies that support educators, protect students rights to a comprehensive education, and uphold the values of free thought and open discussion in Iowas schools.

02-25-2025

Danica Stoll

You don't have to understand someone to love them. A person's identity is not up to anyone besides that person.Why is Iowa now a state trying to eliminate diversity and public institutions? What is happening to freedom? What role are you playing? Choose wisely.

02-25-2025

Kristin Dietzel

I am urging you to reject this bill (SF418) and kill this cruel, unnecessary legislation. We heard loud and clear from Iowans yesterday that removing protections from the Iowa Civil Rights Act is unpopular and unwanted in Iowa. We do not want our state to be known for this first in the country status nor for adding separate but equal style language to Iowa code. This bill does not solve any identifiable problem faced by everyday Iowans and their families. By contrast, Iowa does in fact have the 4th highest rate of brain drain in the countryan actual problem that makes it difficult for employers to find workers and for our economy to thrive. I am a small business owner and also involved economic development in Dubuque, and I can tell you firsthand that potential newcomers and existing residents of the state are scared off by Iowa's draconian scale back of protections and freedoms for hardworking Iowans, paired with lack of support for education and workforce training. All hardworking peopleincluding those who are transgendershould be treated equally by the laws of our state. We should be encouraging Iowans to live and work here, not forcing family dinner table discussions about leaving this statewhich frankly is happening all across my age demographic (I am 42, work full time, and have children in school).Civil rights protections are a basic human right. They are not a problem that is affecting every day Iowans. Please do the job you were elected for and put your efforts towards actual issues faced by Iowans, like workforce recruitment and retention, educational decline, and land and water degradation.

02-25-2025

Mckenna Oleson

McKenna Oleson (CF)I believe in the state of Iowa we have more important legislation to focus our time and effort on rather than stripping people of rights theyve previously been given. EQUAL RIGHTS FOR EVERYONE HUMAN BEING ON THIS EARTH. Offering civil rights to people in this state should be something we take pride in. If you dont understand someone, thats why we have empathy.

02-25-2025

Sarah Greim

This bill is an infringement on the rights of a group of people who are doing nothing to harm others. This bill should be thrown away. Lets look at some real issues like how public funds are being used for private schools.

02-25-2025

Gianfranco Berardi

In 1897, Indiana infamously tried to pass a law to establish the value of the number pi to something other than what it was. Math is math regardless of what some wrongheaded law would say. It was ridiculous then, and while it never became an actual law, we are right to ridicule them for trying to make it one.Today, people argue about basic biology, but real biologists say that human life is richer than the simplified grade level education that some people seemed to be happy to stop with would say. Gender identity IS separate from sex. This is basic science. This is basic reality.Today we're seeing attempts to pass laws to legislate LGBTQ+ people out of existence, much the same way that Indiana tried to square the circle through legislation. It can't be done, and if this law passes, it will be a lot more damaging and dangerous to our friends and family. It can be very dangerous for my transgender daughter, whose life only seems to get worse each time the Iowa Republicans pass one of their laws.In the 1930s, the Nazis burned books that were seen as subversive or representing ideologies opposed to Nazism. Not well known by many is that the initial target for these book burnings was the Institute of Sex Research, and many of the thousands of books burned involved research, biographies, and more, much of which was the state of the art in our understanding of sex and gender. Anyone on the right side of history looks upon these book burnings with contempt.Recently we learned, thanks to a tip off from an Iowa State student, that there was a neoNazi group grooming minors worldwide, including here in Iowa. Last week actual white supremacists marched in front of the Iowa Capitol building.Why are Iowa Republicans continuously trying to make Iowa less safe for families and more safe for Nazis?

02-25-2025

Cadence Finch

I strongly oppose this bill, SF 418. Removing protections for transgender Iowans, or any Iowans, will only lead to increased discrimination and a lower quality of life for those people. Transgender people are our friends, neighbors, coworkers and community members. They deserve all the same protections from discrimination as any one else.

02-25-2025

Marcella Fank

This bill aims to make Iowa the first in the nation in a bigotry which unfairly targets a small percentage of the population. There is no need in our communities for this bill. It serves no purpose but hate. Please let this bill die. It will hurt people. It will protect no one. You were elected to solve the problems of our communities and help Iowans. This bill does neither of those things. It should not be a priority. Please focus on life threatening issues like maternal health, or education issues like access to daycare.

02-25-2025

Linda Schreiber

SF 418 & HF 583 (formerly HSB 242 Gender Erasure)HSB 242 addresses the rights of transgender persons. What it does not do is define transgender. As a young person, I worked at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, now the University of Iowa Health Care. My primary function was to schedule outpatient appointments with numerous hospital department staff for indigent, county and clinical pay patients. Sometimes, diagnoses challenged my organizational and administrative skills and I would ask department staff (doctors and administrative) for additional information to better understand a patients situation. The more common diagnoses were frequently encountered, diabetic, cardiac, and pulmonary. In the Pediatrics Department, where my young son was seen in the Well Baby Clinic, a trans diagnosis would appear. So I asked Kathy, the department outpatient secretary at the time, what that involved. To this day, I recall her response. Well, Linda, sometimes babies are born and the sex isnt determined. My young Mothers mind raced. That happens? What do the parents do? What do they tell family and friends? What if they get it wrong? Kathys response was direct, Those are the infants we see in the clinic. When an infant is born, their blood is tested for rare genetic, hormonerelated, and metabolic conditions that can cause serious health problems. Maybe legislators do not know that infants are not tested to determine gender.Fast forward to the 21st century and the issues that surround transgendered individuals. The legislature is not fully informing Iowans about issues and individuals who are different born differently. If that is the case, lawmakers need more information and education. Those Nerdy Girls website explains how sex chromosomes determine our reproductive body parts. https://thosenerdygirls.org/sexchromosomes/ They answer Biologic sex is much less straightforward than most of us have been taught. Humans come in a variety of combinations of body parts (anatomy), hormones, and X and Y chromosomes. Most people either have XY chromosomes and develop typical male anatomy or have XX chromosomes and develop typical female anatomy. But this isnt true for everyone. Some people are XXY or XO and have slightly different anatomy and hormone levels than their typical XY or XX counterparts. Even when the sex chromosomes themselves are XX or XY, body parts dont always develop into strictly female or male anatomy. For example, some XX individuals are born with testes, penis, and scrotum and some XY individuals are born with a vulva and vagina but no uterus. Other times, the external anatomy looks like something in between a penis and vulva and is called ambiguous genitalia.This variety is possible because of how our body parts form in the first place. For the first 6 weeks after sperm meets the egg, all embryos have the same anatomy, regardless of whether they will later develop male or female parts. We all start exactly the same! Externally, we have what looks like a tiny penis with folds of skin on either side. As the embryo develops, the tiny penis may become either clitoris or a penis. The folds of skin may become the vulva or the scrotum. Internally, we all start with two sets of tubes. One set of tubes can turn into a uterus and fallopian tubes, and the other set can turn into the vas deferens (tube that carries sperm) and other maletypical structures. How those parts develop depends on a complicated dance between many different genes and hormones. If a certain gene is altered, a receptor is missing, or a hormone level is too high or too low, you can end up with different combinations or slightly altered body parts. This happens in about 12% of humans. Some variations are obvious at birth, such as ambiguous genitalia. But others can be subtle, so not everyone who has a difference may even be aware of it.So, even at the level of chromosomes and body parts, things are not always black and white or pink and blue! Humans exist on a spectrum of biological sex, not binary. This is the reality of human bodies, even though its not commonly taught or recognized.Legislators may not personally know a transgendered person, or like many folks, may not have learned to understand differences because this science is not commonly taught or recognized but it is reality. https://thosenerdygirls.org/sexchromosomes/ Now you know. This bill will unnecessarily impact the lives of those individuals and their families and those they love. Do not advance this discriminatory bill. Linda Schreiber

02-25-2025

Ashley Ramirez

I disagree with this bill. It does nothing but strip protections from Iowans. This bill does nothing but hurt when you should be fighting to protect Iowans. This bill also seems to open up opportunities to remove and roll back other groups civil rights.

02-25-2025

Jenna McCarthy

I am opposed to SF214. Your job is to listen to your constituency, JUST DO YOUR JOB listen to the people. This is a harmful bill that will make life harder for so many Iowans. I am so ashamed to live here, and I am appalled our elected officials would happily sell human rights to a fascist dictator.

02-25-2025

Shannon Schott

Oppose SF418 and protect ALL Iowans. I am deeply disturbed by the legislation put forth in both the house and the senate targeting trans and gender diverse Iowans. Removing nondiscrimination protections for a group of citizens is immoral, and it does nothing to make our state safer. As a mental health provider, I can attest that this legislation would dramatically endanger the mental health of my own clients, friends, and neighbors. It would also threaten their physical safety and their ability to provide for themselves and their families due to employment discrimination and disenfranchisement from financial institutions. No one deserves to have their rights removed, and these discriminatory bills are a disgusting misuse of our legislative resources. Listen to our input as legislators who represent all of us, and oppose SF418 and any legislation targeting trans Iowans.

02-25-2025

Ana Filippone

I am female, born female, identify female. Aside from the horrific allowances and consequences of dividing people into human versus subhuman categories, what is this good for??? How does this not strip away my rights as someone who "identifies female"? When does it stop? When does it end?Transgender folks are human. I expect my employees(yes you elected officials) to treat them as such.

02-25-2025

Neva Wagner

I am writing to you today as a proud graduate of the University of Iowa College of Law and a transgender American. I chose to attend the University of Iowa, because of Iowas long history of being a state where any American of any background, race, gender, class, sexual orientation, and yes, even gender identity, is given the same protections and opportunities to succeed. Iowa was a leader in desegregation. Iowa was the first state to let a woman practice law. Iowa was also one of the first states to permit a black man attend their law school and eventually become a lawyer. Iowas state legislature drove those changes. Iowa has same sex marriage, not because of the U.S. government, but because the Constitution of the State of Iowa recognizing the rights of all Iowans to have the same rights under the law.This bill is a leap backwards, and its not supported by statistics or facts. Transgender people have always been here, and we will always be here. I have attended schools, used bathrooms, read books in libraries, volunteered in the community, and more while I lived in Iowa. My family and friends remain in Iowa, and I return to the state regularly.I should not be less simply because my life isnt the same as yours. It should not be lawful to fire me, refuse to hire me, kick me out of my home, deny me services being offered to others, etc. simply because I am transgender. My existence doesnt derogate from the existence or rights of others.I beg you to please listen to our voices. See our faces. Get to know us instead of believing in this boogeyman that does not exist. We are real, every day people just trying to live our lives in peace. Please let us just have that.

02-25-2025

AJ Cecil-Starlin

Oppose SF418 Protect the Rights of LGBTQA IowansDear Members of the Iowa State Senate,I am writing to express my strong opposition to SF418, which threatens the rights and protections of LGBTQA individuals in Iowa. This bill not only undermines fundamental freedoms but also sends a harmful message that some Iowans are less deserving of dignity, respect, and legal protections.Iowa has long been a place where fairness and equality matter. Stripping away protections for LGBTQA individualswhether in education, healthcare, employment, or public lifeharms real people, including youth, families, and community members who contribute to our state every day. Policies that target marginalized groups lead to increased discrimination, poorer mental health outcomes, and an unwelcoming environment for businesses and workers who value diversity and inclusion.As your constituent, I urge you to oppose this harmful legislation. Instead, I ask that you focus on policies that uphold the rights of all Iowans, ensuring our state remains a place of fairness, freedom, and opportunity for everyone.

02-25-2025

Eric Gaby

I am highly against this bill for the following reasons: the bill is a waste of taxpayer money, as it focuses on divisive social issues rather than addressing more pressing needs such as education and infrastructure. the bill will lead to legal challenges and potential violations of federal civil rights laws, which could be costly for the state taxpayers. the bill's provisions regarding school curricula related to gender theory will limit educational freedom and potentially harm the learning environment for all students. the bill will discriminate against transgender individuals by restricting their rights under the Iowa Civil Rights Act and limiting their ability to have their gender identity recognized on vital records1. there is significant public opposition to the bill, with many expressing concerns about its potential negative impacts on the lives of fellow Iowans.Best regards,Eric Gaby

02-26-2025

Jessica Culotta

VOTE NO on SF 418 !!!!!!The Seal of Iowa states: "Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain". Please reread that. Read it again. Once more. If you advance this bill, IOWA COULD BECOME THE FIRST STATE TO REMOVE A PROTECTED CLASS FROM CIVIL RIGHTS LAW. Is that the legacy you want to leave? If the United States prides itself on selfdetermination and liberty, it is your OBLIGATION as law makers to legally recognize the civil liberties of your constituents, rather than misusing the law to discriminate against them. This bill is a misappropriation of power. I demand you wield the power WE HAVE GIVEN YOU for the betterment of ALL IOWANS and VOTE NO on SF 418 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

02-26-2025

Diana Buter

Please vote NO on the bill to eliminate the rights of transgender individuals. I have lived in this state for 79 years, and never I witnessed an Iowa legislature so disrespect the citizens of this state. I will be praying for God to grant you the wisdom to recognize that every individual is precious and valued in His eyes.Diana ButerGrinnell Iowa

02-26-2025

Connie Sullivan

I know about intersex human beings who are absolutely wonderful and productive people. They could be either female or male (or both) and at some point have decided what sex fits them mentally. PLEASE give them the opportunity to live their lives in peace and please treat them with dignity!! Some of these people are extremely afraid and have considered suicide. Jesus never condemned LGBTs!!!

02-26-2025

Kristen Tripp

As a teacher, I have had students come out to me as trans, gay, bi, lgbtq+. I do not try to convince them to be any of these things. They just feel safe to tell me. Just like if a parent is abusive or someone is bullying them, they feel safe to tell me. I dont try to convince them they are being abused or bullied. I am just there for them if they need to talk to me. My main goal is to help them feel safe in my classroom and to try to keep bullying from happening. Having a safe environment allows for people to feel safer to learn and grow, contribute productively, etc. However, this bill is causing Iowa, the entire state to feel unsafe. Why? Do you want to intentionally make people, an entire group of people, feel unsafe? To contribute towards others thinking it is okay to threaten these people? They are human beings. You are supposed to represent ALL of the population. There are trans people and others part of the LGBTQ+ community, whether you like it or not. You cannot erase their presence. By promoting these bills and negative feelings towards these people, you contribute to attempting to erase some of those you represent. Do they not have a right To Life? To Liberty? To The Pursuit of Happiness? The correct answer, no matter how you feel, is yes, they do have those rights. You do not have the right to take their rights to these away. This bill infringes upon their rights. Their safety. Their happiness.

02-26-2025

Bethany Fast [The Little Book]

All hardworking peopleincluding those who are transgendershould be treated fairly and equally by the laws of our state, and should have the opportunity to earn a living and provide for themselves and their families. If someone cant rent an apartment or get a credit card simply because of who they are, we cant expect them to be able to compete on a level playing field with their peers. These basic antidiscrimination protections are an important part of any meritbased system, allowing people to access opportunities regardless of who they are or how they are perceived. Further, the bill jeopardizes sex stereotyping protections for nontransgender women that arent included in Iowas sex discrimination statute. Transgender people are our friends, neighbors, family and coworkers. When it comes to being able to earn a living, having a place to live, or being served by a business or government office, they should be treated like anyone else and not be discriminated against. Please vote against HSB242. The eyes of history are on Iowa in this moment. We have to be able to look our descendants in the eye and say, we said NO to bigotry and cruelty.

02-26-2025

Aaron Grimm

Oppose. This goes against our state flag and Motto. "Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain." SF418 only removes rights and liberties. How about we work on something that actually helps people in the state of Iowa.

02-26-2025

Aaron Shier

I am very disappointed in my vote at this point. I cant buy eggs. Why are you focusing on trans people? Who cares? I cant eat. Half the people in my town cant find work. What is going on here? Make a difference for the American people instead of spending your time taking away the rights of people you dont like or agree with. This support for these kinds of things, you party aligning with Russia and North Korea on the invasion of Ukraine. None of this is American. I will never vote for a republican again if you are going to focus on taking away rights instead of living up to your promises of fixing the economy.

02-26-2025

Lydia Olson-Kelley

I do not believe that we will experience any benefit from removing transgender Iowans from protected class in our state constitution. Transgender people are more likely than other classes of people to experience discrimination due to who they are. Hate crimes are leading cause of death for young Trans gender adults and Trans gender children are highly at risk for bullying and selfharm due to lack of acceptance. Please reconsider going down this path. To do so sends the message that you do not believe they have worth as citizens of Iowa. Please do not send that message.

02-26-2025

McKenzie Liechti

Do not pass this bill everyone deserves equal rights. This would set us back as a state, that is quite honestly already suffering. If you are reading this and impacted by the proposed bill I see you. I support you. I stand with you.

02-26-2025

Stephanie Petrillo

There are not strong enough words to convey how utterly disgusting this is. This bill is absolutely despicable. To remove civil rights protection for a group of people who are so often discriminated against is nothing but pure bigotry. The law ensures they are treated the same as everyone else, and by removing them from this protection you are saying you belive them to be less than other Iowans. There are so many other issues that Iowans actually want you to focus on. This bill will be subject to drawnout and costly litigation and I do not support my tax dollars going to defending such hateful laws.

02-26-2025

Lindsey Piper

This bill is cruel and unnecessary. It is not about protecting girls and women. As a mental health therapist who worked for years with survivors of sexual abuse, I can absolutely and confidently say that it is not trans people whom women and girls need protection from. The majority of perpetrators are, in fact, cis men. As far as sports go, there are already bills to address this.I also know there have been stated concerns about taxpayer money going to trans health care. Why is this an issue? My taxpayer money goes to lung cancer patients to get health care treatment even if they smoked a pack a day since they were 14. Why is lifesaving trans health care any different?This bill absolutely makes it easier to discriminate against trans Iowans, and those supporting the bill should be ashamed at this transparent attempt to roll back civil rights protections.

02-26-2025

Mike Frisch

I am the parent of a transgender male who currently lives in Des Moines. I am very concerned with such legislation as it appears to be discriminatory against transgender individuals. Because of that, I would hope that such legislation is struck down. Transgender individuals ought to have the same rights and be subject to the same laws as any other person regardless of gender identity. My son has lived in Iowa for 10 years and enjoys the state and living there. If such legislation is passed discriminating against transgender individuals, he will more than likely be forced to uproot his life and that of his wife's and relocate to a more transgender friendly state. Is driving people from the state really what Iowans want their legislation to do?

02-26-2025

Jessica Freel

My name is Jessica Freel. My husband and I live in Pleasantville, Iowa within Marion county. We are hardworking Iowans that truly believe in life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as coined by our forefathers in the Declaration of Independence. It is not up to us to determine what makes someone happy and as our forefathers stated we ALL have a right to pursue what makes us happy as long as it does not impose on another's life, liberty, and pursuit of their own happiness (generally by lying, cheating, &/or stealing which are often punishable by law). Thus, I implore you to reject HSB8242, a bill that would remove basic protections for transgender Iowans and create complications for other Iowans who do not fall neatly into the bill's narrow definitions as they are living their lives in their pursuit of happiness without impacting anyone else's lives. All hardworking people including those that are transgender should be treated fairly and equally by the laws of our state, and should have the opportunity to earn a living and provide for themselves and their families. If someone cant rent an apartment or get a credit card simply because of who they are, we cant expect them to be able to compete on a level playing field with their peers. These basic antidiscrimination protections are an important part of any meritbased system, allowing people to access opportunities regardless of who they are or how they are perceived. Further, the bill jeopardizes sex stereotyping protections for nontransgender women that arent included in Iowas sex discrimination statute. Transgender people are our friends, neighbors, family and coworkers. When it comes to being able to earn a living, having a place to live, or being served by a business or government office, they should be treated like anyone else and not be discriminated against. Please vote against HSB242.

02-26-2025

Linda Harris

I strongly disagree with this bill and feel it severely and unfairly targets a small group of people for just being who they are. Why are you so afraid of those that are not like you?. Stop creating a problem that does not exist. Our state has actual problems that need to be addressednot imaginary ones.

02-26-2025

Kristine Davis

I oppose SF 418 and request that you vote against it. It is attempting to solve problems that do not exist. Taking away civil rights that have been granted by law will put Iowa in a negative light and cause Iowa families to flee the state.The concerns about bathroom safety are based on misinformation. Men transitioning to female take testosterone blockers and estrogen products. An individual taking these hormones will not be attacking women. Please oppose this cruel attempt to make life harder for a small number of individuals,

02-26-2025

Chelsea Cozad

I am vehemently against this bill, and am ashamed to call myself an Iowan due to this bill and other similar ones (HSB 242) that are being proposed and seriously considered by our legislators. Why are our legislators wasting their time (and our tax money) on taking rights away from Iowa's citizens? This does nothing useful for the state other than to satisfy bigots who feel threatened by the mere existence of the LGBT+ community. We can and must be better than this. I urge you to please oppose this bill and focus on some real problems.

02-26-2025

Olivia Hughes

I grew up in Iowa and moved away 6 years ago always thinking I may go back. Legislation like this, that targets gender minorities or makes them to be treated differently, makes me not want to come back to Iowa. I remember Iowa being a strong, supportive communityminded state and this does not represent that. Please do better and think about ALL constituents you serve.

02-26-2025

Jill Beebout [Blue Gate Farm]

Iowa's history as a welcoming place for ALL people is well documented and this legislation, is nothing but antagonistic, bigoted and unsupported by science. As a voter, tax payer and business owner I firmly counsel against supporting this. This is NOT what the majority of Iowans want in our state.

02-26-2025

Emily Howes-Vonstein

Iowans deserve the space to be beautiful, complex and ever evolving. To exist beyond binaries and hierarchies. To thrive without the fear of violence and hate. Please vote NO on SF 418. Stop attacking trans people. Stop emboldening hate. Stop proposing discrimination and the striping of civil rights. Our LGBTQIA+ neighbors are worthy of love. Theyre worthy of the freedom to flourish. Their lives are sacred too.

02-25-2025

Kaitlyn Putnam

Iowa has more important legislation to focus on rather than stripping people of rights they were previously given. I am a cisgender female with 2 kids, someone whom this bill is supposedly trying to protect. Trans people are not a threat and are just trying to live in peace like everyone else. I believe it is their right to be able to change genders on legal documents as they wish. Please do not pass this hateful bill!

02-25-2025

Lindsay Budde

I strongly oppose SF 418. This bill does not improve the lives of any of my family, friends, or neighbors. This bill does not represent the values or goals or most Iowans. There are so many issues in our state, taking away rights shouldn't be the focus.

02-25-2025

Marcia Korb

Have some humanity with all people! If you think that sexual identity is a choice, think it through. Who would choose to get ridiculed and subjected to cruelty by choice? That's what happens already. To enact SF 418 will only legitimize harassment and bullying.

02-25-2025

Madelyn Ostendorf

If you decide to push this through, go ahead and change the state motto to "Our liberties we are ok with and our rights will change at the whim of whoever is in office."Trans Iowans are Iowans, and our job is to fight for them and represent them. Consider this your annual review: you are doing a bad job. You are proving, once again, that you do not care about Iowans. If you did, you would be working on boosting the economy with small business incentives, working on road maintenance and investing in crime intervention. But you don't because your allegiance is to a political party that has NEVER cared about us. Really take a minute and think about what you are doing. This isn't the kind of history to be proud of. The first state to remove a protected class is shameful. From a born and raised farm kid, please hear me when I say: Just leave them alone. These trans folks are not hurting you.

02-25-2025

Jivani Rodriguez

I urge you to OPPOSE SF418. You claim to be protecting women, but seem not to understand that transgender people do NOT pose a threat to women. Straight, white, cisgender men are the ones who pose the biggest threat to women, and actually, all people. They're more likely to be perpetrators of violence towards women, children, transgender folks, and their fellow man. Taking away transgender people's rights is not going to magically make women's lives better. As I see it, this law is discriminatory, unconstitutional, and just a way for Iowan lawmakers to cover their asses from being sued due to conflicting language in the law. Remember that "separate but equal" was both racist and DID NOT WORK. In practice, the facilities/services/opportunities provided to Black Americans were not equal, or did not exist at all.Do not punish transgender people because you don't understand them. Transgender Iowans are NORMAL and should be allowed to live as naturally and comfortably as cisgender Iowans. YOUR CONSTITUENTS DO NOT WANT THESE BILLS PASSED! LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE YOU PURPORT TO REPRESENT!

02-25-2025

Jivani Rodriguez

02-25-2025

Jivani Rodriguez

02-25-2025

Jivani Rodriguez

02-25-2025

Jivani Rodriguez

02-25-2025

Sarena Ramirez

As a fellow Iowan, I full heartedly disagree with Bill SF 418. I've heard people say the Iowa government is just trying to remove what other states don't have in their Civil Right Act. However, I believe this addition makes Iowa's Civil Rights Act even greater. Iowa has been a leader in LGBTQ+ protections. Please don't make us go backwards. Every Iowan should feel safe, wanted, and at home in Iowa. I believe if this bill Sf 418 passes, it would open for discriminatory acts against Trans and NonBinary Iowans. Separate but equal does not exist. It should not exist in our state. This type of terminology is dangerous. Our Iowan Civil Rights Act should be all inclusive and protect all Iowans. As our flag states, "Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We Will Maintain" Such a powerful statement, please uphold our state moto. Vote against bill Sf 418.

02-25-2025

Samantha Ferm

Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintainTHIS is our state motto. Have you forgotten it? Do you value the liberties and rights of Iowans? If so, this bill is null in void. If, however, whatever moral values you have claim to take AWAY rights for Iowans then you do not, and have never, prized our liberties or truly promised to retain our rights. An Iowan is an Iowan, whatever gender they are. Codifying abuse is against not only our constitution but our states motto as well. Do the right thing, vote NO

02-25-2025

Zoë Frey

When you are alone, and there is no one surrounding you; not media, not politics, not your job ask yourself "Who does this help? What does this do for people?", and genuinely, please think critically about this. Think about a time that you really needed people to be there and show up for you. Remember what it felt like to be supported and surrounded by compassion and care. People need you to show up for them. Voting against bills like these doesn't harm anyone at all at the end of the day. But voting for it certainly will have people's lives destroyed or even worse, completely ended. Please be a good human. Show up for your community. Maybe you have never felt supported and that's why you choose to see this bill through, and for that, I'm sorry. But you have all of the power right now to make a difference. That is on you and your conscience. The choice is now in your hands.

02-25-2025

Jim Young

This legislation as with any that targets LGBTQ persons in Iowa is hateful and will harm people. The Republicans focus on taking rights away from individuals is going against the will of the majority of Iowans who value a persons human and civil rights. Our state motto boasts the rights and freedoms we maintain as citizens. This action will promote hate, discrimination, and the fear of violence against LGBTQ. Please stop all of this hate and pass legislation that helps Iowans rather than hurts them.

02-25-2025

Forrest Behrens

This jurisdiction is discrimination and unconstitutional. Peoples identities do not need to be regulated by the government. Transgender people are people too and we cannot make them out to be boogeymen. There are more important things for our government to focus on then forcing people into boxes.

02-25-2025

Cora Miller

Peoples identities do not need to be regulated. Someones gender is not for the government to dictate. As Iowans, we do not want this, and we have never wanted this. We have bigger fish to fry than the letter on someones ID.

02-25-2025

Jamilyn Ver Steegh

I have lived in Iowa my whole life, and up until recently, it was a place I was proud to call home. We were highly ranked in the nation in education, and one of the first states to legalize gay marriage. But now, our beloved state is under attack, from career politicians like you, who forget your place. You exist, to represent the people. You are a public servant. By attacking trans people in this egregious bill, full of purposefully ambiguous language, you set us up for a dangerous precedent. By removing the civil rights from one group, whats to stop you from targeting other groups in the future? Other members of the LGBTQ, people of color, women, who will be next on the chopping block I wonder? I ask you to consider the words of Pastor Martin Niemller, holocaust survivor. First they came for the CommunistsAnd I did not speak outBecause I was not a CommunistThen they came for the SocialistsAnd I did not speak outBecause I was not a SocialistThen they came for the trade unionistsAnd I did not speak outBecause I was not a trade unionistThen they came for the JewsAnd I did not speak outBecause I was not a JewThen they came for meAnd there was no one leftTo speak out for meI refuse to be silent while my fellow Iowans are targeted and attacked for merely existing. Trans people account for less than 1% of the population, and we can all clearly see this for what it is: a distraction. You are pointing a finger, creating an other, a common enemy to distract and divide us. We are standing together, united against our real enemy. We will not let hate win. We will not yield.

02-25-2025

Shirley Vermace

This legislation is bigoted and hateful. It is also UNCONSTITUTIONAL, as it discriminates against people. This fact that you have even drafted this bill says more about your flawed character and lack of empathy and knowledge.

02-25-2025

Ryan Rohlf

Im appalled by this bill and others trying to take away the rights of fellow Iowans. I dont know what youre trying to protect here. Iowa was first in the nation to legalize same sex marriage. Now we may be first in the nation for removing a protected class? Thats a big 360. Why dont you spend your time and efforts on something that actually matters to Iowans, like healthcare, public education, farming. Stop wasting your time trying to make it okay to discriminate. Id much rather share a bathroom with a trans person than most of you all. Furthermore, lets take a lesson from our colleagues in the UK. When was studying there we had a shared coed bathroom. Everyone used the same multi stall and multi shower bathroom. No one caused any problems. And we were young adults. So do the right thing and drop this bill in favor of focusing on things Iowans actually care about.

02-25-2025

Ashley Shewmaker

Iowa lawmakers must leave the Iowa Civil Rights Act as it is. What an absolute disgrace and horror it would be if Iowa became the first and only state in the country to repeal broad legislation protecting the rights of transgender people if lawmakers passed a bill to modify the Iowa Civil Rights Act. EQUALITY under the LAW is for EVERYONE. If you dont care for or believe in transgender as an identity, then dont take it upon yourself to identify that way. But you should not get to tell others how they can identify. Just as you get to choose how you identify, others should have the same choice. This bill hurts people. Good people, who simply want to live their lives how they choose. Theyre not trying to take away your rights, so why are you trying to take away theirs? Out of fear and cowardice, thats why. This bill would remove the right of transgender Iowans to get government documents that accurately describe who they are. It is also severely discriminatory, allowing for a person to be fired, denied work, a place to live, or even a hotel room simply for being transgender. For more than 15 years, the IOwa Civil Rights Act has protected transgender Iowans from discrimination. The Iowa Legislature MUST REJECT this CRUEL, UNJUST proposal. Thank you.

02-25-2025

Dana Thomas

I am writing to encourage you to vote NO to any bill that would discriminate against an Iowan for being their authentic self. These are human beings with jobs, families, and bills to pay. They just want to live their life. Attacking a marginalized group based on gender identity is hateful. Taking away the rights of one group does not give more rights to another group. Do not do this to protect women or because you are against trans athletes. Less than 1% of competitive athletes are trans. What you are really doing is discriminating against a small group of Iowans. Playing partisan politics to please the governor because republicans have the majority and can do anything you want. This is not a game. Human beings will suffer if you take away their rights. Whos next on the list!? As a lifelong Iowan, I urge you to vote no to the discrimination and intimidation that this bill represents.

02-25-2025

Teresa Rader

Oppose SF 418. Why? IT'S THE RIGHT, DECENT, THING TO DO. No one protected class should then have these protections stripped away? What has happened to Iowa Nice, and Christian values of "LOVE THY NEIGHBOR"...I guess that only applies if that neighbor looks like you, talks like you and dresses like YOU think they should. Transgender people are not the vilons. They are simply HUMAN beings that want to be able to live their life. As a Cis gendered woman I have no fear of being in a public restroom with a transgender woman...she just wants to pee, she is not there to cause trouble and I can almost guarantee she is more uncomfortable and afraid than any other person. Transgender people always have to watch out for those wishing to cause trouble...they do not start the trouble.They just want to live as themselves. I am the PROUD parent of a nonbinary adult. I used to also be a proud Iowan, right now I am NOT. The transgender community is marginalized, and deserves protections from others, not the other way around. Iowa DO better. It is SO OBVIOUSLY clear that there is MUCH opposition. Legislators listen to what the people are telling you..luckily I am Independent as Republicans turned me away years ago. I promise anyone that votes in favor will not get my vote next time.

02-25-2025

Elizabeth Estling

I oppose this. I am not trans but in Iowa we believe in rights for everyone. This is a blatant attempt to discriminate. The ONLY reason to remove this is because people want to discriminate and based on comments from republicans on social media that is exactly the reason for this. There is NO desire to make things even for cis. This is purely to discriminate. We know your playbook. Stop lying to Iowans You. Want. To. Erase. Trans. People. Maybe not today maybe not tomorrow but Iowas WILL hold you all responsible..History will hold you responsible.

02-25-2025

Molly McDonald

Please dont go forward with this cruel and unnecessary measure. I have many trans friends and community members who work hard make our society better. To needlessly target them is to make their lives infinitely harder for no greater good to our state.

02-25-2025

Megan Redhead

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding bill SF 418, which seeks to strip civil rights from transgender individuals in Iowa. As we navigate an increasingly polarized political landscape, it is crucial that we pause and reflect on the implications of such legislationnot just for the transgender community, but for all of us.At its core, this bill undermines the fundamental principle of equality that our society is built upon. Transgender individuals, like all people, deserve the right to live authentically and without fear of discrimination. Stripping away their civil rights sends a message that their humanity is less valued, which is a dangerous precedent to set.Consider the domino effect of this decision. When we allow the rights of one group to be diminished, we open the door for further erosion of rights for others. History has shown us that civil rights are not just a privilege for some; they are a safeguard for all. When we stand by and watch as rights are stripped away, we risk normalizing discrimination and intolerance, which can lead to a society where fear and division thrive.I urge you to consider the impact of your decision on the lives of countless individuals and families. Imagine the fear and uncertainty that transgender individuals face daily, knowing that their rights could be taken away. We have a responsibility to protect the most vulnerable among us and to foster a society that values diversity, inclusion, and respect for all.Let us choose compassion over division, understanding over fear. I implore you to reject bill SF 418 and stand firmly in support of civil rights for every Iowan. Together, we can create a future where everyone is treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their identity.

02-25-2025

Abigail Scheppmann

I, and an obvious majority of Iowans, strongly oppose this bill. Does our state legislature need to be reminded that they represent the peoples will? Stripping people of their civil rights wont accomplish anything. Trans people will continue to exist, the state will continue to ignore the real problems we face, and more and more people will be blamed until theres no one left to take the blame but the ones who are in charge.

02-25-2025

Janice Arthur

I am the parent of children who are part of the LGBTQ community. I strongly urge you to maintain Iowas protection of their civil rights by rejecting this bill. Do not further marginalize one community by purporting to protect another.

02-25-2025

John Glab

The only purpose of this bill and removing the civil rights protections is to threaten trans people. No right or just bill should actively seek to destroy a group of people who make up our communities. This bill that targets trans people, and allows for discrimination for all forms is evil. The intent of the bill, how fast they are trying to make it a law to not draw attention, and the deliberate ignoring of constituents is fascism. No bill like this should exists, and no lawmaker should support it if they actually believe in democracy.

02-25-2025

Dawnye Sturtz

I strongly encourage you to OPPOSE SF 41. We should be supporting all of our Iowa Civil Rights, not removing them. As a Christian, I know that Jesus tells me to love my neighbors. This is NOT LOVE. This is a hateful bill stripping rights away from people our coworkers, friends, and family. This bill encourages others to discriminate and hate others who are different. It also makes things even more difficult for our schools placing another unfunded mandate on them. Our public schools need your support.

02-25-2025

Kate Matson

This bill is shockingly cruel and also terrifying. If our government has no issue removing the civil rights protections for one group, what is to stop someone from creating a bill next session that goes farther? Let's remove the protection for the disabled, it costs so much to make accommodations for them. Let's remove protections for the aged, they don't contribute enough to society and also cost a lot of money in Medicare/Medicaid. Let's remove protections for women, they shouldn't be trying to get jobs or housing without a man anyway. Let's remove protections for different religions, those people worship the wrong God. Let's remove protections for people from other countries, this country doesn't want immigrants. We are already 29th in the country for population growth, why are our politicians so focused on chasing more people out? Why are we pouring money into bills that hurt our citizens? Why are these politicians so focused on harming a group that makes up less than 3% of the population? And don't feed us the lies that you are protecting women, because THIS BILL WILL HARM WOMEN. Leaving gender identity as a protected class hurts no one, removing it will hurt us all.

02-25-2025

Dawnye Sturtz

02-25-2025

Marcia Chadly

Passing SF 418 would make Iowa an unsafe place to live for trans people, their families, their friends, and their allies. These are vital people in every community around the state. Losing these people would be detrimental to Iowa, reducing economic impact, innovation, and growth. Please do not pass this out of the committee.

02-25-2025

kathranne knight

Please vote against SF418 as it erases from statutory language all trans people, intersex, and nonbinary people. The inclusion of Gender Identity in our Civil Rights Act was inserted because of a REAL NEED to ensure that one cannot discriminate based on the inherent quality of oneself or the expression of this quality of oneself. This explicit protection is necessary as we see a renewed and vicious attack on the rights of those who are not inherently part of a binary system of gender identity. There is an atmosphere of hatred, violence, and desire to erase nonbinary people from society rather than working with people to solve issues. This is profoundly UnAmerican and UnConstitutional.All Iowans are guaranteed equal protection under the law according to the Iowa Constitution, regardless of whether one personally believes in the way another experiences and expresses themself. This is a core tenet that must be applied to all, not just a few, if we are to remain a true Democracy in name and deed.There is a tragic and dangerous misunderstanding regarding trans and nonbinary people, and this misunderstanding has led to horrible violence and harassment in the past and again today. If the goal is to have a healthy society in which we all work toward the betterment of ourselves and our state/country, then we must lead with the strength of just laws. SF418 is exclusionary, unjust, and dangerous. It really leaves a group of people at terrible risk for violence.It is imperative that lawmakers take the whole of the current landscape of discrimination and stand up for the group of people so clearly in need of protection. Vote NO.

02-25-2025

Megan Casebolt

The Civil Rights Act is not about granting special privileges to certain groups. It is about taking a stand against discrimination. House Study Bill 242 gives cover to bosses who want to fire employees for being trans, or to immediately exclude trans candidates from a hiring pool. The bill allows landlords to discriminate against trans prospective renters.This is not right! How is freedom taking away the rights of others?

02-25-2025

Shirley Vermace

02-25-2025

Monique Cottman

Human rights cannot be subverted by state law. The Declaration of Independence reminds us that we have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. When those words were written, they did not pertain to me in my identity as an African American descendant of chattel slavery. Neither did it pertain to my transgender and non binary friends, family and loved ones. However, we are not in 1776, so I can have a reasonable expectation of progress within the state of Iowa that says in 2025, no citizens rights shall be infringed upon because of their gender identity. More conversation about this, not less, will help future generations to not make the same mistakes as the past. All Iowans should see themselves reflected in our state laws. It is discriminatory and unacceptable for some Iowans to declare that they have more rights than any other just because of the way they were born. Do not support SF 418 and let's show our fellow citizens that legal protections belong to everyone!

02-25-2025

Emily Roupe

Please vote No on behalf of Iowans. The Midwest culture is about being nice and loving thy neighbor. This bill accomplishes neither. Do the right thing for the PEOPLE who live here which includes those who are transgendered.

02-25-2025

Fred Heinz [- Select -]

With ALL the land use, water quality, social issues, revenue decreases, mismgmt of state agencies via budget restrictions I am embarrassed to be a citizen while you make such petty issues that affect NO one a priority.

02-25-2025

Kristin Teig Torres

Trans rights are human rights. Please listen to your constituents, a reminder, you work for us. You are not in office to push your own personal agendas. Have courage and stand for what is right. Care about all people.

02-25-2025

Jessica Corkrean

Not once have I ever been worried that I was sharing a restroom with a transgender person. I do however, have serious issues with stripping this group of their civil rights. Whos rights are next? Mine? Yours? When will this stop?

02-25-2025

Jess Bierling

The defenders of this bill state it is about protecting women in locker rooms and bathrooms, but you can never tell by looking how someone was assigned at birth. Twice in 11 years have I had someone look at me and turn around and leave a bathroom without saying a word. But my nonbinary and masculine presenting friends assigned female at birth have shared their experiences of being verbally harassed far more often either entering restrooms or while using it for the intended purpose. This bill will require trans men to use womens restrooms, and trans women to use mens bathrooms. Stop thinking that bathrooms are sexy. They arent. They are where all humans go to perform a basic biological function. Stop making it weird.The tiny percentage of Iowans that are trans just want to live our lives without being outcast. We are, have been, and will be fellow Iowans.

02-25-2025

Brittany Peters

This bill is inherently discriminatory. There is no reason how a person chooses to identify has any bearing on anyone else's life, liberty or pursuit of happiness. All this does is attempt to steal rights from an already marginalized group and it is abhorrent that this is even being brought up. This cannot go through. Trans people make up less than 1% of the population. Why is our government so focused on an issue so small? You should be ashamed for bringing this bill forward.

02-25-2025

Avery Unate

I have several friends and family members in Iowa that this bill would effect. Passing this bill would not only hurt the lives of trans people who are just trying to exist peacefully, but would also affect any cis people who are not deemed normal enough. If you pass this bill, there will be blood on your hands, as this WILL kill trans citizens of Iowa. All people regardless of identity deserve to live in a state where they feel safe and supported to be who they are.

02-25-2025

Alexandra Jean

I am so proud to live in one of the few states that protects Transgender citizens. It has felt like one of the few progressive actions in Iowa that have been codified into law. Although I am a cisgender, straight female and would not be affected by this decision, I worry about my transgender brothers and sisters who will be stripped of their rights. We learned long ago that "separate but equal" is NOT equal. To remove these protections would be counterproductive and dangerous to one of our most marginalized groups. I hope that the Iowa legislature will stand strong on this point and allow us to keep taking pride in progressive movements in our state.

02-25-2025

Chelsea Wilde

Every Iowan deserves to be treated fairly under the law, that of course includes transgender people. Its terrifying this even needs to be saidand now shouted by hundreds of Iowans. This bill never shouldve moved forward in the first place, please do the very thing Iowa claims to be proud to doMAINTAIN OUR RIGHTS. You wonder why young people leave this state in droves and then you pass shameful, incredibly harmful bills like this! VOTE NO, protect ALL Iowans, not just the ones you claim to understand or agree with.

02-25-2025

Julia Crowley

I strongly oppose SF 418 because it goes against core American values of freedom, equality, and education.First, it undermines personal freedom and individual rights by imposing rigid definitions of sex and gender, restricting how people define and express their identities. The U.S. was built on liberty and selfdeterminationthis bill moves us backward.Second, it weakens equal protection under the law by stripping gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act, opening the door to discrimination. The Fourteenth Amendment guarantees fairness for all citizensexcluding a group of people from legal protections is unjust and unAmerican.Third, it attacks education and open discourse by restricting discussions on gender in schools. A free society depends on the exchange of ideas, and banning certain topics deprives students of the knowledge they need to think critically and engage with the world.History has shown that efforts to limit rightswhether through segregation, bans on interracial marriage, or restricting LGBTQ+ freedomsare eventually overturned and condemned. Legislators supporting SF 418 will find themselves on the wrong side of history. I urge you to reject this bill.

02-25-2025

Megan Hanson

Iowans of all shapes, sizes, colors, beliefs, preferences, identities are HUMAN. This bill is trying to strip away rights from HUMANS. Gender identity is not an "issue" that needs solved. A person's, nay a HUMAN'S, gender identity does no harm to anyone else.If you know, to your core, that you are a woman and there is no hesitance, no confusion, no questioning. Good for you. I know it can be difficult to imagine the innerturmoil, the identity crisis that occurs when someone feels like there's a misalignment between their brain and their outward appearance. I recognize my priviledge that I've never had that experience, and I wholly sympathize with every HUMAN that has. Please note, this is also a relatively small percentage of the population. This bill is trying to strip away rights from a small number of HUMANS. How does this bill better the community? How does it better Iowa?It doesn't.This bill will force friends, family, neighbors, businesses to move and leave Iowa.There is no threat of a transgender person entering a women's restroom with illintent. There is no threat of a transgender person attacking a woman. These supposed threats, already happen, and there is record of, by straight men.Stripping away a HUMAN'S right to honor and celebrate who they are, their identify, is cruel. You wouldn't like it if I misidentified you. If you know that you're a man, and I call you 'Mrs.' you would ask me to stop and you would correct me. If you know you're a woman, and I call you 'Sir,' you would correct me. Your identity is important to you. The way you celebrate and show your identity is important to you. Why can't it be important to someone different from you? Why can't a person's gender identity be celebrated if they're different from you? How is discrimination, because that is what this bill is allowing, of any kind ok? Do you see the hypocrisy in the amendments in this bill? That line after line, 'gender identify' is literally struck out? According to this bill, it's unlawful and discriminatory to treat someone differently based on age, sex, sexual orientation, race, color, creed, national origin, religion, or disability, but it is OK to discriminate and treat someone differently because they identify their gender in a way you don't understand. Where is the harm? Where is the proof?HUMANS live in Iowa. HUMANS want you to knock it off. HUMANS are asking, are begging for this bill to be stopped. HUMANS are going to be impacted negatively. This bill will not better the community. This bill will not better Iowa.Please Vote No.I am embarrassaed to be an Iowan.

02-25-2025

Kristen Coret

What is the purpose for this bill and why are we stripping Iowans of their civil rights? Shouldn't we be helping ALL Iowans and not hurting them? Things like this are why young people are leaving our state in droves. Find your humanity and stop this cruelty. This is nothing but a cruel bill designed to be cruel to people you just don't understand. Just stop.

02-25-2025

Mandy Newton Rosenow

Please vote no on this bill. We should not be removing civil rights from our citizens. This bill will do nothing but cause chaos and harm to our fellow Iowans. Iowa has long been a trailblazer on civil rights and should not go backwards. This bill is not to protect women as some supporters have said. I and my daughters have not felt unsafe due to transgender people. We should not remove civil rights protections from a group of people due to questions about sports participation for a handful of others. Please don't put our transgender loved ones at risk by taking away their civil rights.

02-25-2025

Katie Murphy

Vote NO to SF 418. This bill is fueled by hate with no basis other than to strip trans Iowans of their rights. As someone who lived in Iowa for 30 years, it's sickening to see the consistent attacks on the LGBTQIA+ community are so normalized by politicians in this state. Stop bullying people who are not like you. People deserve love, care, and a place to call home. Hate has no place here. Vote no.

02-25-2025

Shelly Northway

Dear Representative, I am writing you today in solidarity with my friends and loves one in the trans community. No one should have to worry about being fire, denied housing or educational opportunities because of their gender identity. As a proud Iowan, I am dismayed that my state, the state that I love, who motto is 'Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We will Maintain, this HF242 is contrary to values we hold most sacred as Iowans, I ask of you, do not make Iowa the first state in the nation to repeal civil rights protections for its citizens. Finally, in closing, I want to state that while this bill is being pitched as a bill that protects women, it will do the opposite. 'Transvestigating' is a phenomenon in which women are harassed, intimidated, and threatened under the suspicion for being trans. Passing this bill will only increase this phenomenon. In closing, I ask you to not support HSB 242. Preserve Iowa's long tradition as a beacon for Civil Right and Equal Opportunity.Sincerely, Shelly Northway

02-24-2025

Chelsea Kelly

Was todays crowd of hundreds upon hundreds of protesters not loud enough for you?!I am a cisgender woman. I am a mother of three school aged children. We are part of that precious group of citizens you claim need protectingand youre correct about thatbut we dont need protecting from transgender people. We need protecting from Republican lawmakers. Taking the rights away from an entire group of people is not only barbaric, but unconstitutional. Im sick of this disgusting joy you all seem to get from attacking innocent members of our society. Quit trying to kiss the behind of Donald Trump and remember that youre representing all of us. Transgender people are people. They are guaranteed the same rights and dignity as anyone should be. As a woman, the group youre claiming needs protecting, Id much rather be in a room of transgender people than be alone with one Republican man. No contest. The constitution says WE THE PEOPLE. Not just SOME OF US PEOPLE. Remember that.

02-24-2025

Kathleen M Winter [- Select -]

What kind of a state votes to take rights away from people? Transgender people are just regular people trying to live their lives, love their families, pay their bill and mind their own business. What issues have actually happened because of transgender people? None, that is the answer. This is a made up problem and is causing immeasurable harm and suffering to an already marginalized group and their friends and loved ones. Please don't legislate discrimination. Vote no on SF418.

02-24-2025

Angela Gates

All people deserve equal rights and protections. No one should be denied the right to housing, financial services, credit, education, or any service simply because of their existence. If this legislation passes, it will strip these protections and fly in the face of what Iowa supposedly stands for in our motto. It will do irreparable harm to countless Iowans. It will also be a stain on the face of Iowa, sending the message that we are not a welcoming state, that we endorse hatred and bigotry.Legislation such as this would set a dangerous precedent. If our government is willing to strip rights from one currently protected group, who is next? Will these same rights be stripped from other groups in the future?It is literally a bill supporting discrimination.

02-24-2025

Sara Even

I am vehemently opposed to SF214. This bill rolls back civil rights for transgender Iowans and would put us first in the nation to begin actively removing rights from people. As a lifelong Iowan, I would much prefer we be first in the nation on initiatives that help our citizens, such as cleaning up our water and air to reduce cancer rates (second highest in the nation and rising), public education, and affordable housing rather than needlessly attacking a vulnerable population that makes up less than 0.5% of our population. Punching down isnt a good look on anyone.Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain; unless you are transgender, unless you are not straight, unless you are not white, unless you are not Christian. Iowa is sprinting down this slippery slope with hateful and completely unnecessary legislation such as this. Live up to our state motto. Support and lift our population so we can all thrive. We can do better. Vote against SF418.

02-24-2025

Sue Andersen

I believe in the state of Iowa we have more important legislation to focus our time and effort on rather than stripping people of rights theyve previously been given. Offering civil rights to people in this state should be something we take pride in. I dont understand when the state of Iowa Became so exclusionary.

02-24-2025

Heather Riley

I am the parent of a transgender adult, now 25 years old. My child, who grew up attending K12 classes in the Winterset Community School District, struggled terribly during adolescence yet came through it using therapy and with the embrace of a wildly supportive family and circle of friends. He is now a college graduate, an accountant in the Des Moines area, selfsufficient, and a firstclass human. I am SICK that his home state is now proposing laws which target him and send the clear message that he and his community are unwanted and unwelcome. The transgender population is a very tiny percentage of Iowans, yet each year, bills such as SF418 are proposed which seek to diminish the humanity of these Iowans and make life even more difficult. Singling out this minority group for potential discrimination, mistreatment, persecution, and harassment is unacceptable, wrong, and dangerous ideology. This proposed legislation solves no problem, rather negatively targets a small subset of Iowans who just want to be left alone, free from government interference in their lives. Please do not support this bill and focus, instead, on issues that advance the lives and livelihoods of ALL Iowans.

02-24-2025

Hannah Johnston Johnston

Please oppose this bill all Iowans deserve fair and equal treatment. Legislation targeting trans and intersex people is discriminatory and infringes upon their rights. You can live your life how you want, be who you want to be. But dont try to stop others from living peacefully and freely.

02-24-2025

Gordie Felger [Freelance]

I urge all senators to vote against SF 418.To those of you who support this bill, no reasons why I oppose it will matter to you.To those of you who oppose this bill, you already know the many reasons it's dangerous.However, I believe the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution, which guarantees equal protections under the law, is still in effect. No state law can override that.In any case, I'm registering my strong opposition to SF 418. I urge you to vote against it.

02-24-2025

Anita Christensen

No one should have their rights taken away from them. People who are transgender should be treated like anyone else and not be discriminated against. They are someone's child. Someone's sister. Someone's friend. No one is saying you have to like the idea of someone being transgender. This country is supposed to be about freedom. Freedom for who? Only those who fit a narrow view? We are spending so much time beating down a very small part of our population less than 1%! I am a person of faith and I believe protecting people who are transgender from discrimination means treating others as we want to be treated. Gods promise to care for all children of God means everyone should be treated as such. I believe that it is God's place to judge and it is up to him. Until then, I am supposed to love my neighbor as myself. I believe faith is being weaponized against certain people and that is not what Jesus stood for. Our country is founded on freedom of religion not being forced to believe one way or another. Taking away rights and protections for things such as housing and credit is wrong. Please vote no.

02-24-2025

Jennifer Wojcik

Our Liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain. Stop trying to strip rights from groups you don't like.Equal rights for everyone do not mean fewer rights for you... It's not pie.Separation of Church and state. I do not want to live in a theocracy. Get your religious beliefs off of my laws.

02-24-2025

Jennifer Oredson

Please vote no on SF 418! If Iowa passes this law, we would have the humiliating distinction of being the first state in the nation to grant civil rights to a minority group and then subsequently remove those rights. My family has weathered direct attacks from the Iowa legislature for the past 4 years, and we are exhausted. The state of Iowa banned medical care for my daughter, and we have had the privilege and resources to be able to take her out of state to continue receiving the care she needs for the past two years. But stripping her of her basic civil rights? Removing legal recognition of her existence? That crosses the line in a way that we cannot weather. I am a small business owner who employs around 20 Iowans, so moving out of state is no small thing. But the hostile environment has become intolerable. In 2025, are we really debating legalizing discrimination of a marginalized and vulnerable population of Iowans? Maintaining the existing rights of transgender Iowans does not in any way infringe upon the rights of others. Whenever I wade into the arena of those in favor of this bill, I am confronted with nothing but shockingly hateful rhetoric that leaves my heart broken. I've seen some of that on this comment board, although I am pleased to see those comments are in the stark minority clearly Iowans do not want this bill!Iowa is our home I was born here, and my three children have known no other life. We want to stay here with our friends, family, and community, and you have the power to let us stay. Please vote on SF 418.

02-24-2025

Adam Creager

I wish to express my opposition to SF 418. All Iowas should have access to the same universal human rights, liberties, and protections regardless of race, religion, creed, gender, wealth, political party, or sexual orientation and identity. These rights have been codified by law for decades now and any discrimination towards any individuals is a violation of the most basic human principles that our democracy is based on. I work with children and adults everyday who come from a variety of backgrounds, including people who are members of the Trans and LGBTQ community. These individuals deserve the dignity and value that every Iowa is afforded.I personally do not believe that any of these individuals creates or does any harm to others in their daily lives. God has made us all different, and to alienate or discriminate against a person or group of persons violates not only their human rights but also defies one of the most fundamental tenants of the golden rule found in Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism and many other religions which is To Love Your Neighbor as You Would Love Yourself. Trans and LGBTQ people deserve respect and the value under the law that ALL IOWANS have. If this law is passed, what is to stop more laws of discrimination? This would open the door to allow hurtful and hateful laws to be passed that existed in the United States nearly 80years ago that have all but been abolished. I implore you to take a look at the consequences of the actions and the precedent being set by this proposed bill. Iowans deserve equal rights, and no one should be slighted simply because they are different.

02-24-2025

M Jade Kaiser

Time and time again, supporters of this bill reference biological sex and science to make a case against the validity of trans people's rights but these casual references only reveal how little actual science or knowledge lives behind the intentions here. It takes little more than a well done google search much less reading an updated science book for our time to discover that there are more than two ways to have a human body including more than two chromosomal configurations. It is such a shame that people are so afraid of the complexity and diversity of the human body and human expression that they must force everyone into madeup boxes. Meanwhile, trans people are supposedly the ones "making up" reality. The purpose of this bill is to do harm it serves no good. Please do not support this bill.

02-24-2025

stella armstrong

Vote NO on SF 418. Iowan far and wide do not support this bill. Your disgusting and cowardly attempts to enact policy that outright discriminates against trans people and revokes their freedoms and liberties (you remember, those things on our state flag) and is unconstitutional by precedent. Stop putting forth this ridiculous bullshit excuse for legislation and leave marginalized people alone!

02-24-2025

Erica Fisher

I vehemently oppose this bill and the bill passed today. How others live their lives has absolutely no impact on anyone elses life. Its sick in the head to be so obsessed with others way of life. It is vile and horrendous to try to stripe civil rights from fellow American. The people of Iowa do not stand for this hate. What happened to love and acceptance? Diversity is what makes the world beautiful. Focus on bills that actually help people instead of promote harm. Do your jobs to protect ALL the people of this state.

02-24-2025

Liam Shipston

I am a transgender man, meaning I was born as female. This bill would force me to be put into womens spaces, including restrooms, locker rooms, changing rooms, etc. These kind of bills often target transgender women with the intent of keeping them from invading womens spaces, however this will do much more harm that any perceived, nonexistent good you are trying to achieve. Transgender people will still be using public restrooms regardless of which one you stick them in. All this does is put a target on the back of trans people just trying to go about their days peacefully. Pushing this bill through will not make trans people go away, nor will any bill. That is just not how it works. This bill will hurt the lives of hardworking tradespeople such as myself, of artists, of bankers, possibly of your own family members. I urge you to reject this bill and leave transgender people alone. It costs you nothing to let us just live our lives.

02-24-2025

Stephanie Cromer

It is unconscionable that basic civil rights would be stripped from a group of taxpaying Americans. It makes our state an embarrassment, and will prevent businesses and people from moving here, as well as drive inhabitants particularly young people out of our state in.even greater numbers. I oppose SF 418.

02-24-2025

Amanda Staker

I am writing to oppose SF418, the companion bill to HSB242. The language regarding separate but equal is particularly concerning and reminiscent of segregation laws. I believe there is a similar intention behind this bill. Attacking the civil rights of a marginalized community should not be your priority at this time or ever. There is no good purpose that can come from this. What is up with this weird obsession with the transgender community? Please say no to this bill and get to work making this a better state for ALL Iowans. We are all constituents!

02-24-2025

Savanna Pratt

I do not agree with this bill + the gross injustice it supports. Trans + nonbinary rights are not up for debate. Iowa is quickly backsliding to a regressive place. This is a gross overstep + shows complete disregard for human life. Queer adults are just trying to survive + lead by example, so that queer kids know they have a future + place in this world.

02-24-2025

Morgan Clark

Please VOTE NO on SF 418. I was born and raised in Iowa, and I've lived here my whole life. I remember a time when Iowa was leading the nation in civil rights as one of the first to legalize gay marriage. Today we're still a leader, as this bill would make us the first in the nation to actually REMOVE our citizens' civil rights. I am not proud to call myself an Iowan today. This bill is cruel, discriminatory, and WILL increase the brain drain as educated professionals continue to flee the state. In addition to the negative economic impact, this will be incredibly costly to taxpayers in litigation to ultimately not be upheld anyway. Maybe you should look to our state flag for guidance: "OUR LIBERTIES WE PRIZE, AND OUR RIGHTS WE WILL MAINTAIN."The people already demonstrated their overwhelming opposition for this bill with the HSB 242 hearing. You are cowards.

02-24-2025

Racheal Nodurft

I sat at my keyboard for a solid twenty minutes trying to think of what to say. I am still at a complete loss of words at how horrible this bill could be. Not to mention other bills that are a blatant attack on HUMAN RIGHTS. Read that again.HUMAN.

02-24-2025

Jennifer Vargas

PLEASE vote against removing gender identity under the Iowa Civil Rights Act. ALL Iowans deserve to feel safe and to be protected from discrimination. As a social worker, I cannot begin to describe the harm that will come to so many clients that I have served. This is the start of a scary landslide called "at first they came for..." If this can be so easily removed, where will it stop?

02-24-2025

Conner Stanfield

I strongly oppose this bill. Transgender Iowans are a vital part of all of our communities and deserve the same protections as any other Iowan. This blatant attack on the civil rights of vulnerable members of our community is despicable and a clear violation of the 14th Amendment and the Civil Rights Act, as interpreted by federal courts. This bill should not advance and its authors should be ashamed.

02-24-2025

Nikki Arthur

I am a constituent and I am asking that you stop these harmful bills from being passed. This is not what people living in Iowa support or want you to spend our resources on. These are harmful to citizens just living their lives. This type of legislation hurts people and our economy companies will not want to move businesses here! So remember that you work for the people of Iowa! Do the right thing and stop these harmful policies.

02-24-2025

Amanda Moellering

No one wants this. You are putting the lives of trans people at risk every time you consider one of these horrible bills. Our trans neighbors deserve every right offered to Iowans. Stop this terrible witch hunt and protect the people you were elected to serve!

02-24-2025

Taylor Elbert

Shame on all of you for trying to pass a bill to take away your citizens rights. VOTE NO for this bill!!! Save money on law suits and get rid of this. Please learn to have empathy for people who are different from you. Love thy neighbor and stop judging people who are different from you. The trans population is such a small percentage but that doesnt mean they deserve less than everyone else. Please I beg you all to vote NO!

02-24-2025

Jessica Harris

VOTE NO! All HUMANS deserve protection under the law. Removing civil rights from a group is beyond reprehensible. Please vote NO on HSB 242.Stop spending legislative time/effort stripping Iowans of their rights. This state is becoming an embarrassment. Be a human who lifts people up instead of leaving a legacy of terror and cruelty.

02-24-2025

Julie Visser

I oppose this bill! Civil rights for everyone takes none of yours away! Youre basically saying the god that you believe in and created people in his image, made mistakes in some. They arent worthy of the same rights as you? Love your neighbor as yourself. Maybe go fix a few bridges in this state and figure out why our cancer rates are through the roof. Feed the hungry, house the poorread your beatitudes. Thank you!

02-24-2025

Jennifer Beall

Vote no on this bill. This will only harm Iowans. Not only will it negatively impact women, trans people, and nonbinary people, but it will have negative economic impacts on the state. This bill will make Iowa a less appealing place to live and is likely to contribute to people leaving the state and deciding not to move here, leading to loss of tax revenue and spending in Iowa communities. Businesses may also decide not to work with Iowa companies or set up offices here. We have seen similar economic impacts in states that have enacted similar laws targeting gender identity protections.

02-24-2025

Adelaide Kuehn

In my four years here as a Drake student, I've been inspired by the way Iowa has provided rights for LGBTQ people before much of the US how it has become an accepting place for everyone as a result. That's why I'm saddened to hear about SF418. Even though the bill is making seemingly small changes to definitions that don't seem serious, these changes erase people's entire history and complexity they erase the beauty of the people who live in this state. That's not representative of the Iowa I see every day living here, and it sure isn't "Midwest nice."I could go on and on about how this bill will detrimentally impact my friends, family and fellow community members. I think you know about that. Instead, I'll just ask you to stand up for everyone in your district, even if those people are scary to you, or you whom you don't understand. That is the point of the United States justice and liberty for all.

02-24-2025

Denise Perez

As a constituent I am formally documenting my opposition to SF418. This bill is malicious and does nothing to improve the lives of Iowans. It only serves the ability to discriminate against Iowans who are trying to live their lives as their authentic selves. Stop wasting my tax dollars debating bs bills, and perhaps fund education so my property taxes don't increase. That is a better use of your time.

02-24-2025

Nancy Hamm

This bill is nothing short of inhumane. This bills only purpose is to allow for legal discrimination. Unfortunately, this is a bellwether of what is yet to come. For all Iowans, please do not forward this for a vote to the general assembly. This bill does not for our state and our residents. Please, do the right thing and NOT advance the bill.

02-24-2025

Katie Roche

I OPPOSE this bill. "Our liberties we prize. Our rights we will maintain." I oppose this bill and the taking away of rights from trans people, humans who deserve to have these rights maintained. Trans people are our parents, our friends, our children, our coworkers, our grandparents, and our spouses. Trans people are IOWANS who deserve better than having their rights taken away.

02-24-2025

Lindsey Piper

I was at the Capitol today. I stood with hundreds of other Iowans who clearly communicated that transphobia and hate have no place in Iowa. And yet, within 2 hours of getting home, another assault on trans people gets introduced? This bill would harm people and strip rights away from human beings.

02-24-2025

Beverly Louk [LGBTQ ALLY]

For the life of me I cannot understand how being trans or gay is anyone elses business. Take away their protection & rip the rug out from under them is ok? No it is not they deserve to live just like you & I and are truly at risk if you do this!!! Vote NO

02-24-2025

Victoria Trembath

Im writing today in opposition of HSB 242.Tell me, what do you say when your friend tells you I dont think Im going to survive this bill?Because I have no idea how to comfort my trans friends when our legislators seem to be prioritizing removing the rights and legal protections of trans individuals.How am I supposed to feel safe, or even proud to be an American when we now once again have a government saying in no uncertain terms this group of people doesnt deserve Civil Rights.We have nothing to gain from a bill like this, and this will only harm some of the most vulnerable Iowans. Please vote no on this bill!

02-24-2025

Marianne K

I oppose this bill and the idea of removing existing civil rights from a small segment of citizens. This type of targeted attack is not welcome in our state. Please spend your time and my tax money on issues to help care for people in need. Not this.

02-24-2025

Brittany Orzola

We JUST had this fight today. This is exhausting for us. Imagine how it would feel if you had to take off time repeatedly to go fight for your basic human rights. Not to mention it felt like sitting in church today not in a courthouse. Please defeat this bill. This is not right.

02-24-2025

William Weeks

As someone who was born in Iowa, I couldn't be more proud to see my home state take the lead and draft legislation that repeals harmful quasireligious ideology from our laws. It's shameful that such laws were written in the first place, but it's good to see them being fixed.Gender ideology has never been demonstrated to be true. As such, it is faithbased, and therefore a religion. There are provisions in law for reasonable accommodations for religious beliefs, e.g., a Sikh wearing a turban as part of his police uniform. It was never a reasonable accommodation to allow someone to falsify birth records or other legal documents, yet somehow we allowed this one religion to do it. I sincerely hope this bill passes into law, but also that other states adopt it and it becomes the law of the land across the country.

02-24-2025

Ray Vanek

The purpose of our government is to protect the rights of our citizens, and Iowa has a proud tradition of upholding those rights. No one who holds a seat in the government of this state should be considering passing a law that strips the rights from anyone who calls this state their home. An attack on anyone's rights is an attack on everyone's rights. Vote no on this bill that contradicts everything Iowa stand for.

02-24-2025

Terri Larson

Im a 66 year old grandmother with 5 grandchildren. The silliness of this bill makes me shake my head. The decision to go through gender changing surgeries is not an easy decision, and it certainly isnt done so males who are now females can participate in sports and use the womens restroom. To think that is so ridiculous and such silly nonsense that its hard to argue with such an irrational point of view. People get a grip and tackle issues that need to be tackled and stop creating problems where they dont exist. The hysteria is embarrassing. When my son moved for his career to Missouri, they asked him if he knew what Iowa stood for? He said no. And they explained its for Idiots Out Wandering Around. Stop proving this true and do some honest work. As I always tell my kids and gkids: do good and be good. Seriously.

02-24-2025

Victor Robbins

My name is Victor Robbins and I am a transgender male. I am writing to you today to ask you to reject HSB242, a bill that would strip myself and many other transgender Iowans from not only our legal recognition, but would also present hurdles to housing access, credit card access, and employment. I have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria under the DSM5, and without legal recognition, myself and other transgender Iowans would be forced to present ourselves as someone we are inherently not, leading to a rapid decline in mental health and in many cases, suicide. I am one among many whose life has been saved by both gender affirming healthcare and this country's legal recognition of my identity thus far. I am a productive and hardworking member of my community, and ask you to see transgender Iowans as human beings first rather than a population that won't be affected by bills such as these. I ask you to vote against HSB242.Thank you for your time,Victor Robbins

02-24-2025

Nathan Williams

As a Presbyterian pastor, I cannot stand by while an individual group is singled out for legislative erasure. While people of good faith can and do disagree about the religious status of gender diversity, there is no room for discrimination in civil rights and liberties. My denomination called for civil equality for LGBTQ+ people decades before we embraced full inclusion in our religious life. I am personally and religiously committed to true equality and protection for all.Theres a common argument against listing protected groups of people in nondiscrimination policies and civil rights laws: we should just treat everyone equally without putting them in categories. I understand the sentiment. Iowans believe in equal rights, and we were a leader in equality for generations. We know that civil rights laws are not about granting special treatment, they are about ensuring that everyone is actually treated equally. Every Iowan needs the support and protection of a robust state civil rights law. SF 418 would specifically remove civil rights protections from one named group of people. This is not complicated: The attempt to remove transgender Iowans from the civil rights law clearly illustrates why they need protection in the first place.

02-24-2025

Jean Sullivan

I am deeply disturbed by the implications of this bill. People in the LGBTQIA community are at greater risk for discrimination, bullying, and suicide. This will only increase the likelihood that they will continue to suffer when any and all protections are taken away. This is cruel, unnecessary, and immoral. The Rev. Jean M Sullivan

02-24-2025

Pamela Mohr

I am OPPOSED to SF 418. If this bill is passed, it will impact almost everything an adult Iowan needs to function and thrive in our state, including employment, housing, public accommodations, education, banking, and insurance. Iowa's motto is 'Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain'. The vast majority of Iowans do not support removing rights from their fellow community members, friends, neighbors, and family members. Please do not pass SF 418.

02-24-2025

Tim Kugelman

This is absolutely ludicrous that in this day and age that there are still groups wanting to take away rights for our citizens and the republicans continue to fall in line. LGBTQ+ people have always existed. They will continue to exist! We are a community in this country that has fought hard to be accepted and seen as good people and now you want to try and erase us again! Does Stonewall have to happen all over again? People need to mind their own damn business and stop hiding behind scripture. We should be free to love who we want we should be able to be who we are whether or not it fits into your box or not. There is a separation of church and state for a reason. Our forefathers came to this country to escape religious persecution and now you are allowing this persecution to happen to others that do not believe what you believe. This is unconstitutional and there will be repercussions for these actions. Allow people to make their own decisions they are the ones that need to answer for their sins and actions. You are elected officials that were elected to protect us all of us!!

02-24-2025

Amber Pelsor

Gender identity deserves to be protected. Until we live in a world where bigots can keep their terrible opinions to themselves, and when trans and gender nonconforming people are safe from violence, then gender identity NEEDS to be protected.

02-24-2025

Mia Hoose

Having lived in Iowa for 40 years, raising two children well, and now retired; I am rather disappointed that my former GOP party has decided to target me and my family. There is not much left of my family. I have watched as peer pressure hurt some of us and as my son served in afganastan suffering death two years ago. It is in his honor that I am fighting for my civil rights. Some of his last words were that he felt more comfortable after my transition. I certainly did! I spent most of my life closeted because of my mother's fear I would be targeted in much the same way the GOP is actually trying to accomplish today. Many people have benefited by my finally emergence from my closet. Some of those people don't realize the benefit but I clearly see the good effects. Sometimes I feel like the colonists in the revolutionary war. They knew they were fighting for the rights of all men and women and that eventually the very soldiers who were trying to kill them would benefit from new found freedoms.

02-24-2025

Sean McConnell

I am writing to voice my strong opposition to this bill removing gender identity from the state civil rights act. Removing rights from people in a state whose motto is Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain is absolutely disgusting.The fact that you are trying to remove gender identity looks to me that you are indeed looking to legally discriminate against them. If you do not want to pass laws that are discriminatory in nature then there is no need to remove protections. Please vote NO on this bill targeting people who just want to live their lives.

02-24-2025

Sarah Schroeder

I am strongly opposed to SF 418. Trans people deserve equal rights and protections under the law. Removing these would be a huge mistake and a massive step backward for our state. Stand up for what is right and reject this bill.

02-24-2025

Kelsey Josephson

Oppose. Everything I said about HSB242 is also true for SF 418: it's a huge step backward for civil rights in Iowa. We absolutely cannot go back to the days of "separate but equal." You cannot legislate away people's existence. Everyone deserves their basic human rights and dignity.Here is what I said about HSB242, now modified to include SF 418:I am writing to urge all representatives to vote no on this cruel bill. If passed, this will be a huge step backward for civil rights in Iowa. This will impact the quality of life in all aspects for trans and nonbinary citizens, a vulnerable group that is at risk for discrimination. They will face the possibility of being denied housing, employment, education, banking, medical care, and everything else one needs in order to thrive and survive. Transgender people are my friends, neighbors, and family. I want them to be safe living in Iowa.I'm deeply concerned if this legislation specifically designed to strip rights away from trans, nonbinary, and intersex citizens passes, what marginalized group will be the next to lose their basic protections? Women? People of different ethnicities? People who are disabled? This is a horrible slippery slope that makes me fear for Iowa's future.Please keep Iowa safe for everyone. Vote no on HSB242 and SF 418.

02-24-2025

Molly Dahlberg

I was against the house version of this bill and I am against the senate version too. Stop trying to take away civil rights! Trans people are not asking for special rights. They just want to live, work, and raise families in Iowa without constant fear of losing their jobs, homes, or lives because of constant attacks by the Iowa legislature and this country.

02-24-2025

Cheryl Schnoebelen

How many bills are you enacting to crucify the trans community? They are no threat to anyone and need our protection. Do NOT let this bill live. You are elected to represent everyone and voters will remember your vote.Cheryl Schneobelen

02-24-2025

Verity Austin

I am imploring those whom it concerns to vote no to SF418. As elected officials, it should be your mission to ensure all Iowans have equal access to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The passing of this bill would open up thousands of Iowans to potential harm and discrimination that would undermine our federally granted rights. Just 5 short years ago the US Supreme Court explicitly confirmed that gender identity is a protected class under Title VII. This bill is unconstitutional and would but thousands of Iowans at risk. Transgender and gender nonbinary Iowans are an important part of our state community, and I am urging you to not turn your backs on us.

02-24-2025

Kailee Pearson

I cannot believe this is the current priority of the Iowa Legislation. I am well aware of the contrast of the between The Civil Roghts that are protected and the rights taken away from students in present day. This is not due to the citizens though, this is due to the Legislation that seems to want Trans People to be erased in any manner. We will still exist regardless of this Bill. This is a fruitless effort to try and erase people who can not be erased. We are not a threat to science, to nature, or to our fellow citizens. Trans People deserve to live peace and to have the same rights as EVERY OTHER CITIZEN IN THIS STATE AND COUNTRY.

02-24-2025

Karen Weiss

I do NOT support SF 418. Do not strip civil rights protections for gender identity. As a woman, I'm offended that these bills are being pitched as protecting women's rights. Everyone has a gender identity. Stripping gender identity from civil rights protections doesn't bring benefits, it invites discrimination, and sends a dangerous message that rights could be taken away from anyone. Protect the rights of all Iowans. Reject SF 418.

02-24-2025

Carol Mackintosh

Vote no on this terrible bill. Deal with food insecurity, lack of adequate funding for public schools, a lack of adequate health care in rural Iowa, the fact that Iowa leads the nation in new cancer cases. Stop trying to legislate morality.

02-24-2025

Casey Dettbarn

I oppose SF 418. I work with youth that are in Iowas foster care system as well as in the public school system. It is important for everyone to be seen and supported. These are humans rights. Stripping identify from trans individuals is not ok. I will not live in a state that does not support diversity.

02-24-2025

Amanda Pichler

Trans individuals have and always will exist. This endless persecution needs to stop. People have the right to choose which gender they identify with, even if it doesn't match what was on their birth certificate. Why is there so much hatred towards individuals simply choosing who they want to be? I implore you to look past the political war and look at the kind and hardworking individuals that give back to our very own Iowa communities.

02-24-2025

Stacy Volmer

I am writing to express my strong opposition to Senate File 418. This bill, which narrowly defines sex and gender, threatens the rights and dignity of many Iowans. I urge you to vote against it and protect the rights of all individuals.SF 418 erases the experiences of transgender, nonbinary, and intersex individuals and undermines their legal protections under the Iowa Civil Rights Act. By defining sex as strictly male or female based on birth characteristics, the bill ignores scientific evidence that sex is not binary. Biological research confirms that variations like intersex conditions and chromosomal diversity challenge this oversimplified definition.This bill would especially harm transgender youth by limiting recognition and support in schools, increasing their risk of anxiety, depression, and suicide. It would also enable discriminatory practices under the guise of "separate accommodations," a stance repeatedly struck down by federal courts as unconstitutional.Additionally, the bill's changes to birth certificates ignore the realities of intersex individuals and those who undergo gender transition, causing unnecessary hardship. The bill also weakens employment and public accommodation protections, allowing religious institutions to discriminate based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity.Restricting how gender is recognized also undermines public health and research by limiting the collection of accurate data. This bill does not reflect Iowa's values of fairness and equality.I strongly urge you to oppose SF 418 and instead support policies that foster inclusion and protect the wellbeing of all Iowans.

02-24-2025

S M

I oppose this bill because I think the act of removing rights of people is abhorrent. There are so many issues that require our immediate and unwavering attention for the health and safety of all Iowans and this is NOT one. We need protections for people who are most certainly being discriminated against. There is no greater disservice to Iowans than to target some of us because a few others don't (or more accurately wont try to) understand them. You simply should not select those who are deserving of protections Sadly I'm ashamed of the people representing my state who are wasting their time discussing someone's gender identity as though any of us have a right to decide for others if their existence is deserving of protections. We all should feel the same levels of security.

02-24-2025

Claire Anderson

I strongly oppose this proposed legislation. The continued suggestion that women are less safe because of trans folks having rights is outrageous and harmful and untrue. I am a woman and I will feel (and be) less safe if this bill is enacted. Trans women are women, maleidentifying men are not infiltrating womens sports or other spaces this is a fictional anecdotal problem that is used as a fear mongering excuse to deny rights to nonbinary people as well as women. Cisgender men are largely the ones causing harm (to people of all genders) yet we never see bills policing their genitals or restricting their rights to bodily autonomy.I continue to urge you to vote no on this horrific bill it absolutely would strip trans people of their civil rights as well as create a path for people of all backgrounds to lose the rights we still have.

02-24-2025

Anna VanWaardhuizen

Please vote no on this proposed legislation. It is shameful to take away rights from anyone, but especially so for such a small population of people. Please do the right thing and maintain basic protections for our neighbors.

02-24-2025

Bethany Niciu

Please DO NOT PROCEED with HSB242. As a woman, removing the rights of trans people does not make me feel more safe. In light of the email reply I received today from Representative Williams, it makes me fearful of who will be targeted next if this bill passes.

02-24-2025

Judy Krase

I am appalled at how hateful our Iowa legislators are! The laws they pass are discriminatory and selfserving. They seem to have no knowledge of the constitution or the intent of our founding fathers to eliminate persecution of others. Taking away ANYONEs civil rights will have lasting negative results for generations to come.

02-24-2025

Erin davis

I disagree with this with every fiber of my being ! Im not trans but they deserve equal rights and treatment! The next thing you know you will be asking for race such as black to be removed too. I also am not black. Ive been a republic and a democrat but after the activities or lack there of of the Republican Party recently I doubt Ill ever go back. Disgraceful

02-24-2025

Julie Desloover

Trans people have existed since Bible times. They are not going away, even if you take away their civil rights. Why are we fighting this fight again? Who are they hurting? Who are they threatening? Why are we bullying a group that has suffered so much in the bodies they were born into? Please drop this fight!!!! We have SO many pressing problems in our state....why are we wasting time and money hurting these poor people who just want to be left alone! I am 61 and this is the first time I have ever written a government official. The "regular folks" out here are tired of the wasting of time you are doing on this issue. Kill the bill and move on!

02-24-2025

Bethany Niciu

Please DO NOT PROCEED with this legislation. As a woman, removing the rights of trans people does not make me feel more safe. In light of the email reply I received today from Representative Williams, it makes me fearful of who will be targeted next if this bill passes.

02-24-2025

Jennifer Bradley

This bill is discriminatory and wholly unnecessary. Gender and sex are, in fact, different words with different meanings. Gender expression is an individual right, and it should not be a matter law to suppress or forbid how a person presents themselves to the world. Trans people are not disabled due to their transness, and trying to define them as such is not only laughable but wrong and harmful. Leave the diagnoses to qualified mental health professionals. I thought Republicans were the party of small government, so why are you trying to control people in this despicable way? Government is to serve the people not control them!!!

02-24-2025

Nicole VanderLinden

Please vote no. I've heard the arguments in favor of SF 418, and they simply do not add up. For just one example, if bathrooms are as predatory as some claim, then what will happen to a transmasculine man walking into a women's restroom or a transfeminine woman walking into a men's room? Harassment, surely? The only viable solution is for transgender citizens to cease being trans. How is that not a violation of rights? Transgender people are not a TikTok trend. They have always been here, and they will always be here. Telling them to remove themselves from public life or stop being who they are is cruel, unnecessary, and absolutely a civil and human rights violation. Side note: as a cisgender woman, I'm sick of being propped up as the group you're claiming to "protect." Come on and be serious.

02-24-2025

Breanna Young

Please OPPOSE this Bill. Spending time and taxpayer dollars for the privilege of being able to discriminate against a group who makes up less than 1% of the population and just want to live their lives, free from discriminating like anyone else, is bad for Iowa. We deserve better from our lawmakers.

02-24-2025

Breanna Young

Please OPPOSE this Bill. Spending time and taxpayer dollars for the privilege of being able to discriminate against a group who makes up less than 1% of the population and just want to live their lives, free from discrimination like anyone else, is bad for Iowa. We deserve better from our lawmakers.

02-24-2025

Rachel Mithelman

It is almost beyond belief that you are considering taking rights away from hardworking trans Iowans. This bill needs to be shredded and you need to do what you were elected to do making sure that all Iowans liberties are prized & rights maintained.

02-24-2025

Dan Perry

I strongly oppose this bill.If you are legislating to take away the identity of people then you are intentionally discriminating. I have lived in Iowa the majority of my life and this bill does not align with the values of the Iowa I know and love. It is attempting to fix a problem that doesnt exist. In the least this bill will marginalize people for being who they are. In the worst it will ruin lives of innocent Iowans. All because some people cant learn to be tolerant and respect that people can live their lives the way they are free to do. Stop with all this hateful and performative garbage legislation.

02-24-2025

Gianna Rossetti

Please do not pass SF 418. If sex and gender is so binary as you say it is, then surely there is no need for legislature around it. Leave queer people alone and focus on the issues that truly matter, like childrens safety and our economy.As a citizen of Iowa, I vehemently oppose this attack on trans Iowans.

02-24-2025

Kara Johns

I understand there is a subcommittee hearing for SF 418 scheduled for noon tomorrow in room G15 at the Iowa State Capitol. Please do not support this. As I understand it, a companion bill to HSB 242 has been introduced in the Iowa Senate. SF 418 would repeal gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act, add "separate but equal" style language to Iowa code, and prohibit gender marker changes on vital records.Freedom means equal rights for all. There is no harm in maintaining the status quo, but there will be real harm if things are changed. Please stand up for the dignity of all Iowans including those most marginalized.Can you help me understand why this companion bill is being introduced? Have transgender individuals in our state harmed others? Why are our lawmakers spending time and effort to infringe on their rights when they are not harming others and just trying to live their lives? What good will this change bring if passed?I personally know two transgender individuals and have spent time with them playing board games and talking. They are just the same as me. They want to be happy. They want to have a good life. They are not out to harm anyone. They want to have a sense of self, friends, and a meaningful life, just like me. Please do not harm people that are not harming anyone else.I want my representatives in the Iowa Senate to focus time and energy on other issues. This is not it.Sincerely,Kara Johns, Fredericksburg

02-24-2025

Becky Kemble

Please vote no SF 418. As a Christian, this bill goes against my beliefs. Jesus said to love your neighbor as yourself and whatever you do to the least of these, you do to me. This bill strips people of all their civil rights. It could make it difficult for them to get a credit card, buy a home, rent an apartment, etc. please treat your neighbor as you would want to be treated.

02-24-2025

Will Jennings

As elected public servants in the State of Iowa, you have taken an oath to uphold, defend, and protect the state's Constitution and all of the rights and responsibilities it describes."Our liberties we prize, Our rights we shall maintain.That motto is printed on our official state flag.Any action to strip citizens of their civil, human, and constitutional rights directly contradicts the oath of office you each took when being sworn into service.This proposed "Removal of Protected Status" of a significant number of Iowans is a cynical move to codify the demonization and dehumanizing of those often most in need of such protection. The State Constitution and the rights it confers on ALL Iowans is not a document to incorporate the tenets of a specific array of religious sects, their fiscal benefactors, or the monied interests to codify a long and persistent history of discrimination and abuse based upon the particular identities singled out by this disingenuous and hateful Bill.I urge you to examine your conscience and your own oath of office with scrutiny.These are not 'insignificant' or 'unworthy' 'identities.They are your neighbors, friends, and members of your immediate and extended families.Picture their faces and see them when you use such words with casual selfrighteousness.It is your ethical, moral, and constitutional duty to vote No on any furtherance of such a Bill.Thank you for your time and consideration.

02-24-2025

Alan Kruse

I strongly oppose SF 418 to strip gender identity out of the Iowa Civil Rights Act.The Iowa legislature should not be taking away statutory rights from any population of Iowans, especially when it means they could be legally denied basic human needs. What Iowa needs to be great is an Iowa where all Iowans have equal opportunities in the workplace and housing. Anything less than that is a step in the wrong direction.I was raised in smalltown Iowa to love and treat my neighbor as I would want to be treated. That is the Iowa I know and love. I want that to be the Iowa that is reflected in our laws. Not an Iowa that codifies hate and discrimination.

02-24-2025

Cameron Van Kooten Laughead [Room for All]

What many dont realize is that EVERy single Iowan has a gender identity. Passing this bill will make it legal for businesses to discriminate against ANYONE due to gender. Dont want to serve women just because theyre women? Fine by this bill. Its dangerous, unethical, antiBiblical, and full of division and hate. Iowa is better than this.

02-24-2025

Josh P

"Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain."It has become apparent this phrase is hollow. Iowa wants to create a class of second class citizens, and it begins with trans and nonbinary people. Who is next? Gay and bisexual people? Then where? Immigrants? Black people? Jewish people? Have we not learned from history where this road leads?Prejudice and bigotry have no place in a civilized society.

02-24-2025

Renee Barbu

Please do not take away any legal protections for transgender persons. I work in mental health and taking protection away can lead to bullying, violence, suicide, and even homicide. It can happen to someone you care about. I talk to many parents and they love their children and dont want anything bad to happen to them. Please to not weaken the protection for transgender persons.

02-24-2025

Patty Johnson

Please do not support this bill. Removing basic rights from any person is absolutely horrendous. Committee and subcommittee members should be ashamed if this is not voted down. Reynolds should be ashamed. Civil rights protections are for all humans.

02-24-2025

Anna Hummel

Absolutely do not pass this bill. To do so opens up a new level of hatred and discrimination for the citizens of Iowa. Its disgusting rhetoric that trans people do not exist is plainly incorrect. Trans people do, and will always exist and the people will fight to ensure thats true.

02-24-2025

Whitney Free

I urge you to REJECT SF 418.All Iowans should be treated fairly and equally by the laws of our state. Trans people are our family, friends, neighbors and coworkers. They are human beings who should be treated like anyone else and not be discriminated against. Please stop writing hate and fear into our laws and vote against SF 418.

02-24-2025

Abby Michael

Please vote against SF418. Transgender people are our friends, neighbors, family and coworkers. When it comes to being able to earn a living, having a place to live, or being served by a business or government office, they should be treated like anyone else and not be discriminated against.

02-24-2025

Elizabeth Willem

Please do not support SF 418.Eliminatimg a class of citizens from civil rights protections is massive over reach. By doing so you are agreeing to put their livelihoods, housing options, and even their lives at risk. The bill is way too broad and dangerous.

02-24-2025

Allie Smaha

Im just a girl, standing beside all Trans and nonbinary folks, simply begging this legislature to stop trying to advance yet another piece of hatebased legislation that removes civil rights protections for Iowans who need them. I am vehemently opposed to this legislation as an Iowan and a human being. Its despicable that this is what my tax dollars are funding our lawmakers to spend time on. Vote NO or better yet please drop this bill and any other that threatens the rights and liberties of LGBTQIA+ Iowans.

02-24-2025

Jack Howard

I staunchly oppose SF418. I was raised and spent most of my life in Iowa. I have trans and genderqueer family members and close friends who continue to live here, and this blatant attempt to legislate them out of existence is a stain on the very concept of human rights. This bill, if enacted into law will only cause harm and will not protect anyone. It will only exacerbate a dark age we enter further into, where tolerance and compassion are thrown by the wayside, while discrimination and prejudice are given a platform. Trans and genderqueer folks deserve dignified lives. Act with compassion and vote 'no' on SF 418.

02-24-2025

Kim Stewart [None ]

Why do you politicians feel the need to control people who are not the same. It doesnt matter! We are all human beings and deserve equal protection from this government. There is enough hate in this world WHYadd to it.

02-24-2025

Robert w Stansberry

31yearold all the things going on in the world. And you're worried about less than 1% of the population. You all need to mind your own business. Some of the greatest friends I've ever had have been trans. Mind your own business. They're here they've been here forever. And they're going nowhere. Vote no

02-24-2025

Erin Ball Peeler

"Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain." You CANNOT walk back rights and protections which have already been granted and guaranteed to Iowans. It is unconstitutional, unIowan, and most importantly unethical.

02-24-2025

Kelsey Way

This bill would negatively impact so very many Iowans and open the door for further discrimination of lgbtqia Iowans, women, and minorities. This bill could snowball into impacting intersex folks, women, people who identify as nonbinary. These people just want to live their lives authenticity and safely. I urge the Iowa government to not pass this bill. As an Iowa I am terrified at the implications this bill will have.

02-24-2025

Elizabeth Rapson

I am the grandmother of a transgender 14 year old. Their lives are hard enough. Why are you singling out these vulnerable kids! Youre a bunch of bullies! Do something useful, effective, to build a better world. Quit punishing this minority of the population and their loving supportive families. Make Iowa nice again and leave families/ citizens alone to live their lives.

02-24-2025

Erin Farley

Hi, I do not approve of this and am starting to feel that our representatives do not care about Iowans or how we feel about this. I was proud when Iowa became the first state to allow same sex marriage, this seems entirely backwards and goes against basic human rights. Please do not pass this bill, and stop spending time on this issue when we have much bigger issues to deal with.

02-24-2025

Johna Wolfe

I am writing to state my strong opposition to this bill. Please stop deliberately hurting Iowans for political gain. Please focus on improving our worst in the nation cancer rates, near bottom water quality, and near bottom bridges.

02-24-2025

Carla Even

I am writing you today in solidarity with my friends and loved ones in the trans community. No one should have to worry about being fired, denied housing or educational opportunities because of their gender identity. As a proud Iowan, I am dismayed that my state, the state that I love whose motto is 'Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We will Maintain, this HF242 is contrary to the values we hold most sacred as Iowans, I ask of you, do not make Iowa the first state in the nation to repeal civil rights protections for its citizens. Finally,I want to state that while this bill is being pitched as a bill that protects women, it will do the opposite. 'Transvestigating' is a phenomenon in which women are harassed, intimidated, and threatened under the suspicion for being trans. Passing this bill will only increase this phenomenon.In closing, I ask you to not support HF 242. Preserve Iowa's long tradition as a beacon for Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity.Sincerely,Carla Even

02-24-2025

Ryan Pike

The right of every American is to be who they are and live free. Taking away rights is inhumane and unAmerican. I am not sure why stripping away the rights of humans has become something we're ok with doing. Just because someone is different does mean they're bad or wrong. This country was built on the backbone of every one being different. Just let people live thier life, they are not hurting ypuor anyone else. Stop discriminating.

02-24-2025

Kenneth Hanson

Please oppose this bill.It is shameful that Iowa is considering removing civil rights protections from Iowans who happen to be trans or nonbinary.Iowa's once proud tradition of being a leader in civil rights would be tarnished becoming the first state in history to remove a protection.This legislation will harm Iowans who are my friends and colleagues.Please continue to honor Iowa's legacy of "Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain." by voting this proposal down.

02-24-2025

Alycia Lentz

Please stop attacking a fraction of 1% of the population who aren't hurting anybody and focus on things that will make our lives better, like protecting Iowans from cancercausing chemicals, funding education and libraries, and supporting small businesses and family farms. This is a ludicrous waste of effort and money that clearly most Iowans reject.

02-24-2025

Sarah Copple

I would like to state my opposition to HSB 242 and request for it to be stopped from moving forward. Removing civil rights from a specific targeted group is unacceptable. ALL humans deserve basic human rights and protection under the law, this bill will result in the termination of these rights for this specific group of vulnerable individuals in Iowa. My child is an Iowan who is directly affected by this. As a mother who wants to see their child succeed in life and not give up due to the targeted attacks on their civil rights, I am extremely disappointed that Iowa is even considering this. They are making plans to move out of state in case this bill passes and they are no longer safe. Is it the plan to encourage young people to leave the state? This law is unconstitutional to single out a group of people and strip them of their rights. Please vote NO on SF418. I would be happy to talk about this further, my cell number is 5152109743. Thank you for your time,Sarah Copple

02-24-2025

Clara Hess

Please vote NO on SF 418. The intent of this bill is not to protect anyone or uphold any sort of scientific truth. It is to scapegoat and strip civil protections from transgender Iowans. I ask that you research the aspects of biology that you are trying to legislate, especially experts in human development, which will make it so clear that this bill is nonsense. More importantly, I ask that you listen to the people who will be affected by this bill, and who will lose their protections when they look for jobs, rent a home, and go to school.

02-24-2025

Amanda Kruse

I strongly OPPOSE SF 418! Your constituents, the people of Iowa, clearly do not support this harmful legislation to strip basic human rights of our valued and hardworking family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers! As our elected officials it is your responsibility to uphold and protect the basic human rights of ALL individuals. Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain this bill blatantly disregards Iowans liberties and rights. SF 418 would remove human rights from codified law; federal case law and administrative rules are not protections. This is outright discriminatory legislation. Do the right thing and vote no to SF 418.

02-24-2025

Kazu Padgett-Thompson

This bill and it's sister bill that you ass hats already passed are going to directly hurt my children and other trans/lgbtqia+ people in general. Please. Look past your greed and realize that your actions have REAL consequences for REAL innocent humans, for innocent children that are simply trying to exist for who they are in a world that had become openly hostile towards them. This is wrong. Deep down you know it is don't you? How can you even sleep at night when you take legalized bribes to actively hurt innocent humans, children. I just can't imagine existing like that.

02-24-2025

Steve Shaner

Dont strip rights from vulnerable Iowans! Im proud to have a state constitution and court system that expands freedom and protects our citizens civil rights.You cant legislate a world free of Trans Iowans, and I dont appreciate this use of our taxpayer funds. Please stop this bill immediately and listen to the public.

02-24-2025

Annaleah Moore

OPPOSE this bill! It is immoral to remove legal protections and rights from those who are marginalized. This behavior is especially reprehensible in a state whose motto is "Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain." How is this maintaining anyone's rights?

02-24-2025

Shannon Throndson

This is not what the majority of Iowans support. Taking away rights of transgender people is not necessary. This is human rights. Continuing to give them basic constitutional protections in no way takes away from anyone elses rights.

02-24-2025

Marissa Jennings

Your constituents do not want you to make Iowa the first state in the nation to take civil rights from a portion of our people. Trans rights are human rights, and theyre lifesaving. I adamantly oppose the passing of this bill because it is unconstitutional, cruel, and inhumane.

02-24-2025

Christina Downey

I vehemently oppose this bill. All Iowans deserve the same civil rights. We are all human. We all deserve equality. This bill aims to completely erase the transgender community from our civil rights protections. We should not have any laws that are based out of ignorance and bigotry.

02-24-2025

Mike Janes [Home]

I consider myself to be centerright politically, but I find this piece of legislation to be antithetical to our state motto and to who we are as Iowans. "Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain," yet in this case, you are stripping the rights of humans out of a fictitious concern. There are almost no people who were born male participating in female sports, which is one of the stated reasons for this bill. And yet, there are a large number of people who could be denied housing or employment because of their gender, which strikes at the heart of the pursuit of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.Please, reject SF 418. The culture wars are all fun and games until we start denying rights to our citizens. As a taxpayer in this state, I urge you to stop wasting time threatening people and get back to work making this state a place where everyone can flourish.

02-24-2025

Kris Judd

Dear Elected Officials of Iowa,I am deeply concerned about the future wellbeing of our trans brothers and sisters in my community and across this state. I am aware of the varied perspectives on gender identity, and of the fears and hatred that some feel towards individuals whose inner life is vastly different from the gender assigned at birth based on their physical being. As a Christian minister in Community of Christ, and as a certified Spiritual Director, I have had the privilege of knowing and supporting a number of individuals who have transitioned and have finally found love for themselves, and acceptance from their God. I do not believe it is God's will for any of us to marginalize, oppress or strip away basic rights from any of God's beloved children, and transpersons are loved as much by God as you and I.Please reconsider and remove your support from this bill, and make Iowa a place where transpersons do not have to return to a place of shame, fear and insecurity because of the ignorant and unloving views of others.Sincerely,Kris JuddCommunity of Christ

02-24-2025

Jeramie Mitchell

I was born and raised in Iowa, and still visit regularly with my family to see extended family and friends. However if this bill passes I may have to change that. Iowa is a very important state to me, but as someone whos family contains people who are transgender I dont know if I can risk thier safety coming to a state that refuses to protect thier rights. This bill does nothing to actually help people, and only speaks to strip rights from already disadvantaged people for political gain. Transgender people are people just like everyone else. They want the same things we all do. A safe place to live, raise families, work, and do all the other things people do. They are not a threat and not a danger. They are our friends, neighbors, and loved ones. Please vote no on this cruel and dangerous bill.

02-24-2025

Zach Grissom

I oppose this bill. It will hurt Iowans, who regardless of your opinion about them are your neighbors.Removing protections for an identity that is widely recognized as existing within the medical community is stupid. You can't understand what you just discriminate against and push away.

02-24-2025

Elias Oxer

I deserve to love freely as a trans Iowans. I deserve to work and live freely, to contribute to the world, as I am. To deny me my rights is to kill me with extra steps. If you want young people to live here, you can't force out queer and trans people. If you want this state to thrive, you can't pick on the freaks and strangers. We're part of you, and we'll be here whether you like it or not.

02-24-2025

Jessica Horaney [Lifelong Iowan]

I am a proud and lifelong resident of the great state of Iowa. I am personally asking for your to reject any legislation that removes gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act. People have chosen Iowa for it's education, it's opportunities, it's inclusivity. Removing these rights will drive away many great people from this state and will limit the future talent we can attract, causing negative impact to our state economically. The culture of Iowans is built on respect and we do not stand for discrimination of anyone, period. Removing these protections for transgender people sends a message that they are lesser than, simply because of who they are. Denying any Iowan basic civil rights does not align to our values.I have a close personal relationship with a person who is transgender and who I've known their whole life. I can confidentially say that they were born that way. It wasn't a decision made, it's who they are and have always been as a person. While it is a topic hard for may of us to grasp, a little research on this topics offers many scientific reasons of why people are transgender. I ask that our legislature does this research before making any kind of decision which affects transgender people.Transgender people who go through treatment to align their sex to their gender identify should not be denied changing their gender markings on state documentation. Many transgender people just want to be passing i.e known as the gender they identify with. You may not know if a person is transgender if you pass them in the hallway or sat next to them at a restaurant. But requiring them to retain gender markings not aligned to their identity forces them to out themselves to others. This can cause harm and further discrimination towards transgender people. The very discrimination that would sadly be allowed if this bill moves forward.On a personal note, I ultimately chose to stay in Iowa to be close to my family and friends, and felt it was a great place to raise my children. A decision like this will guarantee that my children will not make that same choice. I may be biased, but I believe my children are wonderful people who would help make our state a place people can thrive. As an Iowan of multiple generations, the idea of them not choosing to live here hurts my heart.Thank you for your consideration of rejecting this bill and for making Iowa a place all people can belong.

02-24-2025

Sora Winchester

Hello, my name is Sora Anderson and I use he/his pronouns. This bill would directly affect me because I am a transgender man. I have been living as a man for the past eight years. If this bill were to pass; it would potentially put me in danger of being evicted from my apartment and not being able to get a job, open a credit card, or receive healthcare based on the simple fact I'm transgender. I can't believe legislation like this is even being considered...Trans people like me are your friends, family, coworkers, fellow citizens and neighbors..What right do you have to decide that one class of people doesn't deserve rights? If this bill passes, it puts my safety in jeopardy as this will essentially paint a target on my back to be discriminated against and denied possible services. The transgender community having rights does not hurt women's rights and vice versa. Equal rights aren't like pie where one group gets more rights...that's silly. Obviously, I am against this bill on every ground. I really wish you guys would stop putting down the transgender community and work on some actual legislation that could help people...like for example, affordable housing would be nice.

02-24-2025

Seth Kochheiser

Please vote NO on SF 418. Not only does it strip transgender and nonbinary Iowans of their legal protections and their "freedom to flourish" (Iowa's state motto), but also this will weaken protections for women who don't fit the typical rigid gender mold. There are many issues within the state like lowering costs for Iowans that deserve much more of a focus!

02-24-2025

Brette Deaton

Please vote NO on this bill. Removing protections for trans people not only impacts trans people themselves, but everyone. This sets a precedent for actions such as genital checks on women and children simply for using a bathroom and committing no crime. Anyone deemed nonconforming enough would be subject to discrimination based on assumptions about their sex and gender. You cannot legislate an end to trans people. They exist and will continue to exist as part of the people you represent. All this bill does is encourage discrimination. It doesn't keep anyone safe; quite opposite as stated above. Not to mention there is not data to support trans people are responsible for the hypothetical situations being used to support this bill. Please vote no and protect all your constituents from unlawful detainment, discrimination, and invasive searches simply for being in a space or doing completely legal activities. Thank you.

02-24-2025

Victoria Barnidge

I am vehemently opposed to this bill for a multitude of reasons but first and foremost because its just plain ridiculous.Iowa has real problems and real issues that need to be addressed. These are issues of clean water, more housing, better public education, a full financial audit of the school voucher money being spent out of taxpayer dollars to fund private schools and so much more!At the heart of this bill is hatred toward a singular group of citizens of this state. This is a marginalized group that wants only to live their life and have the God given rights to not be discriminated against because of their gender identity. What the Iowa Republicans are doing to the transgender community is heinous and heartless.But this is about more than feelings, this is about the law and the stripping of a citizens rights to live in society without the fear of being persecuted or discriminated against because they are transgender. That the Iowa Republicans introduced this bill and are now looking to pass it is unconscionable and unconstitutional.Theres no greater message of hatred and loathing than to be shunned in your community because you dont look like everyone else or act like everyone else or talk like everyone else. Im ashamed to live in a state that has their priorities about people so backwards.

02-24-2025

Whitney Young

This is appalling! Stop dehumanizing people and turning them into nothing simply due to fear! Dont strip rights from vulnerable Iowans! Im proud to have a state constitution and court system that expands freedom and protects our citizens civil rights.You cant legislate a world free of Trans Iowans, and I dont appreciate this use of our taxpayer funds. Please stop this bill immediately and listen to the public.

02-24-2025

Jessica Eagan

I urge you to PLEASE VOTE NO on SF418. Iowans made it clear today at the subcommittee meeting for HSB242 that we strongly oppose removing gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act. Both SF418 and HSB242 are extremely dangerous to transgender Iowans. These bills would open the door for discrimination against transgender Iowans in the areas of employment, housing, education, and public accommodations if passed, businesses, landlords, and employers could refuse to hire, rent to, or serve trans individuals without legal consequences. This is not acceptable, and it's shameful that the bills were even introduced and are under consideration. This is not about SPECIAL treatment, it is about EQUAL treatment for ALL Iowans under the law. Trans rights are HUMAN rights. Please help Iowa move forward instead of backwards!

02-24-2025

Aidan Zingler

Hello, I am a queer and trans individual, who would be harmed if this act is passed. Iowa has long been a bastion for civil rights and this bill goes against our heritage of civil rights and protections for all Iowans.The argument that humans are a rigid sex binary is not factual and not rooted in the actual reality of our diverse sex and gender attributes. To try to base a harmful law on a mistruth in order to strip the rights of an entire class of people, goes against our Iowan legacy of civil rights for all people. Stripping away antidiscrimination protections would harm hundreds of thousands of fellow residents. Trans people have a right to exist as we are, to be recognized as we are. Our existence does not in any way harm other people's right to exist. By attempting to strip away our rights as individuals, that in turn harms all Iowans. It sets up the precedent that any group of people could lose their rights simply because those in power hold bigoted beliefs. Biologists for decades have provided proof and analysis that shows humanity is incredibly varied and there is not a rigid binary of male and female. Intersex conditions exist, where the chromosomes, primary and secondary sex characteristics will not fit into either male or female neatly; millions of people have intersex conditions. Gender identity is heavily influenced by our brain, and that in turn has a role in our innate gender. Biologists have long showed how gender is not simply two sexes, where sex is actually a spectrum. Please review articles by scientists studying the complex variations within a person's gender and sex: https://www.nature.com/articles/518288a and https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/beyondxxandxytheextraordinarycomplexityofsexdetermination/ and https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s105190189889z and https://www.evolutionsociety.org/news/display/2025/2/7/lettertotheuspresidentandcongressonthescientificunderstandingofsexandgender/ Biologists in the letter I attached to this comment state very clearly: "Scientific consensus defines sex in humans as a biological construct that relies on a combination of chromosomes, hormonal balances, and the resulting expression of gonads, external genitalia and secondary sex characteristics. There is variation in all these biological attributes that make up sex. Accordingly, sex (and gendered expression) is not a binary trait. While some aspects of sex are bimodal, variation along the continuum of male to female is well documented in humans through hundreds of scientific articles. Such variation is observed at both the genetic level and at the individual level (including hormone levels, secondary sexual characteristics, as well as genital morphology). Beyond the incorrect claim that science backs up a simple binary definition of sex, the lived experience of people clearly demonstrates that the genetic composition at conception does not define one's identity. Rather, sex and gender result from the interplay of genetics and environment. Such diversity is a hallmark of biological species, including humans."To attempt to eliminate an entire group of people is the hallmark of fascism and causes tremendous harm to all Iowans. By eliminating the protections for gender identity, ALL Iowans are now under threat of discrimination. ALL Iowans have a gender identity, whether they are willing to recognize that or not. We all have an innate sense of our gender, and that ought to be respected and honored, not vilified and harmed with bigoted legislation. When one group's human rights are stripped away, ALL people's human rights are harmed and are under threat of being targeted next. I have a right to exist in public as myself. My nonbinary gender does not hurt anyone, and to argue that I should be erased? That my rights as a human being should be taken away? That is a deadly argument, and it hurts people like me. It hurts families with gendernonconforming children. It hurts all Iowans, as not even cisgender (nontrans) people fit a rigid definition of male or female. Often trans people and nontrans (cisgender) women who have bodies that do not fit society's incredibly narrow ideals of femininity end up targeted by bigots who want to hurt or kill trans people. The trans day of remembrance in November honors our dead who were killed because of people who hate trans people for existing at all. Do not open the door for bigots to further harm an entire class of people. Do not open the door for discrimination against an entire group of people. Do not give in to hatred of other people. I call on everyone to remember that Iowa has been a bastion of civil rights, and this law spits on our heritage. It spits on our communities. All Iowans have a right to exist, to not be discriminated against. We should be focused on building up care and empathy with one another, and not falling prey to hatred toward groups of people we may not fully understand or who are not like us. Please do what's right. Do not vote for a bill that demonizes people, harms people, and strips away the human right to exist and not be discriminated against. Do not give in to hate. Please.

Attachment

02-24-2025

Jackie Romp

Please oppose SF 418. Our trans neighbors in Iowa are valued members of our communities who simply want the same rights the rest of us enjoy, nothing more. This bill will license discrimination against our fellow citizens who deserve equal protection. I urge you to reject efforts to move SF 418 forward.

02-24-2025

Shane Abell

This bill is predatory and will lead to the deaths of many Iowans. This bill is hateful and against the spirit of the law. Please do not allow this bill to pass. If you do there is going to be blood on your hands. This bill discriminates an already vulnerable part of the population who rely on you to help protect them especially in this turbulent time. These people are already harassed and assaulted and discriminated against enough in their daily lives and they do not need this on top of it which will simply make things worse. This bill will not benefit anyone and is only existing to cause harm and hate. Please. I beg you to not pass this bill.

02-24-2025

Shea Daniels

This bill is not in the public interest. It's common sense, and moral, to protect those that are different and have been discriminated against historically. That's why gender identity was added to the Iowa Civil Rights bill in 2007. That reasoning remains sound today. Making it open season on transgender Iowans helps no one, especially not women, and hurts many. It is also directly counter to Iowa's motto: Our liberties we prize and our rights we shall maintain.As an American patriot, it's embarrassing to live in the first state of Union to consider removing civil rights from an entire class of people. It's also embarrassing to live in a state that is at odds with science. This legislation attempts to define language such as "male," "female," "man," and "woman" in ways that are scientifically simplistic and opposed to common use, which is a violation of the first amendment.As a transgender person myself, I have experienced gender dysphoria, which is indeed a disorder. Through transition I have dealt with that dysphoria and am a generally happy and productive citizen, taxpayer, and member of society. I did not choose this myself. There is no medical treatment I can undertake to not be transgender. Accepting myself was the only way to reduce my suffering. Yet, my transness remains. It, in itself, is NOT a mental illness or a disability.It's 2024. We are better than this as Iowans and as Americans. It's time to get back to work to help every day Iowans afford food, housing, and medicine. It's time to help young Iowans get a quality education and good jobs so they don't leave the state. It's time to make sure that older Iowans have a retirement and safe nursing homes. It's time to stop playing political games with the lives of trans Iowans.

02-24-2025

Ashley Kirkman

I am writing to express my absolute outrage and deep disappointment regarding current Transgender legislation, which seeks to strip fundamental rights from transgender individuals in our state. This legislation is not just discriminatoryit is cruel, unconstitutional, and a disgraceful stain on our states history.Let me be clear: this bill is an attack on basic human dignity. It threatens the safety, wellbeing, and freedom of trans people, who already face disproportionate levels of violence, discrimination, and mental health struggles. Rather than addressing real issues that affect our communitiessuch as healthcare, infrastructure, or economic stabilitylawmakers have chosen to target an already vulnerable population for political gain. That is shameful.Furthermore, the justification for such policies is based on misinformation and fearmongering rather than facts. If public safety is truly the concern, I urge you to examine actual crime data. A 2021 study by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law found that transgender individuals are far more likely to be victims of crime than perpetrators. In fact, transgender people are four times more likely than cisgender people to be victims of violent crime. Yet, despite this, lawmakers continue to push the false narrative that trans individuals pose a danger to society.Meanwhile, the real and devastating statistic you should be paying attention to is the suicide rate among transgender people. According to a 2022 study by The Trevor Project, more than 50% of transgender and nonbinary youth have seriously considered suicide, with nearly 20% having attempted it in the past year alone. These numbers are not the result of some inherent mental instability but rather a direct consequence of societal rejection, discrimination, and harmful legislation like the one you support. When you push policies that strip away trans rights, you are directly contributing to this crisis.What exactly is the goal here? To erase trans people from public life? To deny them access to healthcare, legal recognition, and basic protections? It is appalling that instead of protecting the rights of all your constituents, you and your colleagues are actively working to strip them away. This bill does not reflect the values of fairness and equality that our state should stand for.I demand that you publicly oppose this legislation and do everything in your power to stop it. The people of this statemyself includedare watching, and we will remember who stood on the side of justice and who chose to enable discrimination. If you continue down this path, do not expect my vote or the vote of anyone who values human rights.I urge you to consider the real harm this bill will cause and to recognize that history will not be kind to those who promote bigotry under the guise of legislation. Do the right thing and stand up for the rights of all your constituents.Sincerely,A Cis, white, Christian, lifelong Iowan

02-24-2025

karen morrissey

Republicans continue to say they are devout Christians and yet don't follow the major commandmentLove your neighbor as yourself! Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. It is not ours to judged but to be judged only by the Lord! John 15:13 There are far more important issues to work on. For instance, the total chaos going on in Washington!

02-24-2025

Robert Hopp

Stripping civil rights from any Iowan is indefensible. The legislators advancing this bill are wasting time persecuting a very small minority. This bill helps no one and it harms some Iowans very acutely. I am opposed to this legislation.

02-24-2025

Abbie Lund [Carver College of Medicine]

Policing what can be taught, when the material is true and backed by science, is not democracy. I am a medical student who grew up in Iowa and believe that not allowing gender theory to be taught is going to hurt our schools, doctors, patients and community. How can you ban from curriculum what is true?

02-24-2025

Jordana Jones

Strongly oppose this bill. I am a born and raised gay Iowan from Des Moines and this is not the state I have grown up in and love anymore. Say no to this hateful bill and stand up for the most vulnerable in our community. DO THE RIGHT THING PLEASE!!!!!!!!

02-24-2025

Amber Beerends

I am writing to you today to ask you to reject SF 418. It hurts me to think of anyone drafting legislation designed to purposely take civil rights away from an individual. I don't know what fuels this hate or fear or discomfort with people that are not like you. You may say God has dictated this, but even churches disagree and we do not have a state religion and therefore should not be basing our laws for all people off of the rules of one religion. Their being different from you or making a choice that you don't understand or doesn't align with your religious worldview, does not mean you should write laws to marginalize them. The "separate but equal" verbiage is unfathomable. While it may be technically true, it is almost never true in practice. I thought we settled that with Brown v Board of Education in 1954.Please vote against SF 418.

02-24-2025

Katrina Welsh

I am strongly opposed to this bill and hope it is rejected quickly. This bill is absolutely cruel. Providing transgender people with the same rights as all other Iowans is essential. It is confusing and heartbreaking to see the Iowa government spending time trying to take human rights away from an already marginalized population. This is not something that will look appealing to anyone considering moving here, and it will likely drive many wonderful Iowans away. It will have a devastating impact on the people of Iowa now and in the future. There are so many other things that Iowa politicians should be focusing on rather than hurting people who simply want to exist as who they are.

02-24-2025

Teri Underhill

I am asking to OPPOSE this bill. This bill would cost lives for many LGBTQ+ Iowans, the safety of the LGBTQ+ community and more. Bills like this will not erase queer folk, it'll only make it dangerous for us in public spaces.

02-24-2025

Megan Weinberger

I oppose this bill with everything in me. SF 418 is outwardly taking away the rights of trans and gender nonconforming individuals. There is nothing Iowan about this legislation, "Our rights we will maintain and our liberties we prize". Please maintain our rights. There is no such thing as separate but equal.

02-24-2025

Lindsay Schroeder

As a cis, gay woman and parent of gender nonconforming kids, I urge you all to vote no on the Iowa Civil Rights Removal Act. This bill will deeply impact our community and put not just adults, but childrens lives at risk of harm, affect their mental and physical health, and isolate them. This a deeply concerning bill with hate rhetoric towards people in our home state and community.

02-24-2025

Stephanie Simatovich

Reject SF 418. Do not make Iowa the first state in America to remove civil rights from a protected class of people. Iowa has had a long history of being at the forefront of civil rights. Revoking rights for a class of people would be a stain on that history and be shameful for our great state. All hardworking peopleincluding those who are transgendershould be treated fairly and equally by the laws of our state, and should have the opportunity to earn a living and provide for themselves and their families. This bill jeopardizes sex stereotyping protections for nontransgender women that arent included in Iowas sex discrimination statute.If having civil rights protections for a class of people conflict with new laws Republicans want to pass, maybe those new laws are wrong and shouldnt be passed at all.Reject SF 418.

02-24-2025

Rachel Friemel

This bill is deplorable for the following reasons: 1. Violation of Equal Protection Under the Constitution:The 14th Amendment guarantees that no state shall "deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." Discriminating against individuals based on their gender identity or restricting access to accurate representations of their gender on vital records (e.g., birth certificates) violates their right to equality. The bill could be seen as treating people unequally based on their gender identity, which is discriminatory.2. Infringement on Personal Autonomy and Privacy:Individuals have a right to personal autonomy under the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment. The bill could violate this by restricting people's ability to selfidentify and have their gender identity respected on important legal documents (such as birth certificates). Gender identity is an integral part of a persons identity and expression, and forced misidentification undermines their dignity and freedom.3. Unnecessary Government Intrusion into Private Lives:By restricting or regulating how gender identity is addressed in school curricula and on official records, the bill represents an overreach of government authority. Individuals have a right to private, personal choices regarding their gender and identity. The bill might force schools to impose potentially harmful, biased curricula that dont reflect the diversity of students' gender identities, leading to potential harm, bullying, or psychological distress.4. Potential Harm to Vulnerable Populations:Transgender and nonbinary individuals, especially minors, are already at a higher risk of mental health challenges, discrimination, and violence. The bill may worsen this by invalidating their gender identity or refusing to acknowledge their experiences. The Eighth Amendment prohibits cruel and unusual punishment, which can be extended to the emotional and psychological harm caused by policies that marginalize people based on their gender identity.5. Infringement on Freedom of Expression:The First Amendment protects the right to free speech and expression. The bill could infringe upon this right by mandating specific language and definitions about gender that do not align with how individuals or groups express their gender. This is particularly problematic in educational settings, where curricula may limit the ability of students and educators to discuss gender in a way that is reflective of lived experiences.6. Scientific and Social Recognition of Gender Diversity: (I know, yall hate that word.)Contemporary medical, psychological, and sociological research supports the recognition of gender identity as distinct from biological sex. Denying the recognition of gender identity in law and policy runs counter to wellestablished scientific understanding. Gender is not simply binary, and forcing people into rigid categories could result in harm and discrimination.7. Disrespect of Fundamental Human Dignity:International human rights principles, such as those outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, call for the recognition and respect of an individual's dignity. The bill could be argued to violate this principle by refusing to respect individuals' gender identities, marginalizing people based on their gender, and invalidating their right to be recognized as they truly are.8. Contradiction to Legal Precedents and Federal Protections:The U.S. Supreme Courts decision in Bostock v. Clayton County (2020) interpreted Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Similarly, the Iowa Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination based on gender identity. The bill could undermine federal and state protections that affirm the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals and could conflict with legal precedents that protect gender identity under civil rights law.9. Unjustified Restrictions on Educational Freedom:The bill could limit the ability of educators to teach about gender identity in a way that reflects current understandings. Such a restriction may not only stifle academic freedom but could also harm students by depriving them of accurate and inclusive education. The First Amendment guarantees the right to freely teach and learn, and the bill may violate this by imposing a narrow and discriminatory curriculum that limits students' access to information.This bill's provisions on sex and gender undermine fundamental constitutional rights, including the right to equality, freedom of expression, personal autonomy, and protection from discrimination. It would create a discriminatory environment that harms vulnerable groups, contradicts scientific understanding, and violates both federal and state protections for gender identity. Additionally, it could subject individuals to unnecessary harm and marginalization, making it both inhumane and unconstitutional.

02-24-2025

Tasha Arhart

Please do not put Iowa on the wrong side of history by passing this harmful, unAmerican bill.Iowa used to be a welcoming, warm state. Rather than trying to strip Iowans of their civil rights and dignity, you should be focused on improving the lives of Iowa by passing sensible legislation on healthcare and education.Do not put us on the history books as a state that voted to make it own citizens secondclass citizens.

02-24-2025

Taylor Kohn

This bill is unconstitutional and wrong. Its shameful that it got this far. This is an attempt to legalize discrimination against trans people, no matter what Steve Holt claims. This bill must be rejected. It would make Iowa a more dangerous place for trans people and for everyone. Please look at the overwhelming number of people speaking out against this bill compared with the tiny number of people who have supported it. IOWANS DO NOT WANT THIS BILL.

02-24-2025

Jean Hitchman

AGAINST SF 418Trans rights are human rights. All Iowans, including all genders, should have equal protection under the law. It is disgraceful that this bill has been brought forward with the intention to take rights away from our citizens. Start paying attention to legislation that help more Iowans rather than harm them.

02-24-2025

Jane Alexander

I have an adult trans child that followed me to Iowa (my birth place) that is making plans to move out of state because of these hateful and unnecessary attacks on trans peoples rights. Im ashamed of what Iowa has become. Destroying families, taking citizens constitutional rights, making public education a farce, banning books.

02-24-2025

Elizabeth Hatfield

All hardworking people (including those who are transgender) should be treated fairly and equally by the laws of our state, and should have the opportunity to earn a living and provide for themselves and their families. If someone cant rent an apartment or get a credit card simply because of who they are, we cant expect them to be able to compete on a level playing field with their peers. These basic antidiscrimination protections are an important part of any meritbased system, allowing people to access opportunities regardless of who they are or how they are perceived. Further, the bill jeopardizes sex stereotyping protections for nontransgender women that arent included in Iowas sex discrimination statute. Transgender people are our friends, neighbors, family and coworkers. When it comes to being able to earn a living, having a place to live, or being served by a business or government office, they should be treated like anyone else and not be discriminated against.

02-24-2025

Adam Hook

I am writing this comment asking for all legislators to oppose Bill SF 418. This bill does nothing to protect Iowans and needlessly strips rights and protections from Iowans of all ages. In no way does this make Iowa a better place to live, work, and raise a family. It does not help our economy, our education system, or raise our standard of living. Instead, it cruelly targets a minority population to remove rights and protections that have been granted to them previously. This treatment is why the Iowa Civil Rights Act is in place and removing these rights for transgender individuals is no different than removing these rights for those who have a different race or ethnicity. Any Iowan who believes in freedom and protection under the law of its citizens should oppose this bill.

02-24-2025

Peter Rian

I am a registered voter in Mount Vernon IA and I find this bill, SF 418, abhorrent and an insult to the intelligence and moral standing of Iowans, and flies in the face of what is good and true about Iowa: a place where all are welcome and free. The advancement of this bill must cease immediately.

02-24-2025

Barry Closser

I wrote today to strongly oppose this legislation. While I do not expect that our elected officials are listening, I still have a voice to be used. This is a dangerous and vile attempt at legally erasing a class of people. Trans people have always existed, and will continue to exist no matter how hard you try to legislate the science away.First they erase gender identity and youre okay with that because it doesnt have an impact on your life. Then they erase sexual orientation, then sex, then race, where do we stop stripping people of their rights? How much hate and discrimination is enough hate and discrimination to keep Iowa flourishing?

02-24-2025

Sheila Schmidt

Yes, this is a second post about HSB242, but I wanted to share the other one quickly so folks could add their public comments to the bill before the subcommittee hearing. Anyway, here's a bit more information on who to contact and a script/template you can use to send your own message to our legislators. If you believe in civil rights for everyone, now is the time to speak up! I urge you to write to your legislators and tell them why we need to protect these rights. If this bill passes, Iowa would be the FIRST state in the US to remove protections from a minoritized groupand thats not something we want next to our names. Heres a link to the Iowa House Judiciary Committee members: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/committees/committee?ga=91&groupID=689And a link to add your public comments: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/committees/meetingPublicComment?meetingID=40117&action=viewCommitteePublicCommentsI emailed everyone yesterday, and in future outreach, I plan to highlight the economic impact of denying these rights. Feel free to copy, paste, and personalize however you'd like Today, Im writing of my own accord to share my deep frustration and concern with the efforts to remove gender identity from Iowas Civil Rights Code in HSB242. Its appalling to think that any legislator would deliberately strip away the rights of an entire group of people. This goes against every principle of fairness and justice we should hold dear.The truth is that removing civil rights protections doesnt solve anything because theres no problem to solve. Theres no crisis, no rampant misconduct, and no evidence that transgender and nonbinary individuals are causing harm to our communities. The real issue here is that transgender people are disproportionately targeted by discrimination, harassment, and violence. By stripping gender identity from protected classes, legislators are making these individuals even more vulnerable to things like job loss, housing instability, and even denial of medical care. Over the years, Ive listened to countless heartbreaking stories from individuals who have faced immense cruelty, from being bullied in school to being harassed at work and even kicked out of their homes. These conversations made one thing painfully clear without legal protections, the suffering only gets worse. And if lawmakers are willing to strip civil rights from one group, whats stopping you from targeting others? Will you go after protections for people with physical and mental disabilities next? Will you start dismantling protections for other marginalized groups? Once we begin down this path, where does it end? I urge you to reject any attempt to remove gender identity (or any other currently protected classes) from our civil rights laws. There is no reason for this legislation to exist. It solves nothing, and it protects no one.

02-24-2025

Deborah Rose

I absolutely do not support SF418 and ask that you do not as well. The hypocrisy of using the 'value of life' argument in regard to abortion and then not valuing all life is evident by the attack on transgender people. This bill is fueled by hate, and if allowed to pass, I fear it will be the catalyst to deny civil rights to other groups on this list: age, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, and disability. Discrimination has been fought hard in this country why would we go backwards? The 'all' in "liberty and justice for all" is an American value and ideal that should include every individual. Vote no on SF418.

02-24-2025

Michael Hurley

This bill feels like a waste of time and money, and only unfairly targets people who just want to live their lives in peace the best way that they know how to, and which doesnt infringe on anybody elses rights. We need to protect ALL Iowans, and that will help make our state stronger and better than it is.

02-24-2025

Janie Cain

Removing rights of Iowans with gender dysphoria is cruel and unusual. It is extremely unclear to me why this bill is necessary. This only further alienates people who already feel out of place in society. Why on earth would the government do this to their people. I do not agree with this bill at all.

02-24-2025

Tyler Lubben

It's sickening that the first thing on the agenda after getting complete power in all branches of government to is to take away the rights of a minority group. Your priorities are completely twisted, and I hope someday you'll realize how harmful your actions were to normal people just trying to live their lives.

02-24-2025

Blakely Mortvedt

I am opposed to this bill. Trans people exist and will continue to exist regardless of hateful legislation. They do not harm anyone by existing, but repealing these protections will have a negative impact on the lives of many. Anyone who tries to claim that this bill protects women is either illinformed, hateful, or purposely lying to deflect from real problems. Trans women go into bathrooms to use the toilet, wash their hands, or maybe fix their hair or makeup. They dont go in to assault other women. Women are far more likely to get assaulted by cisgender straight men. So if the concern is really about the safety of women, focus on the real problems.

02-24-2025

Chris Collins

SF 418 is a harmful and unnecessary bill that targets transgender students under the guise of privacy and safety. However, there is no credible evidence that allowing students to use restrooms that align with their gender identity poses any risk to others. Instead, research from organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Trevor Project consistently shows that restrictive policies like this contribute to increased mental health struggles among transgender youth.For example, a 2021 Trevor Project survey found that more than half of transgender and nonbinary youth seriously considered suicide in the past year. Additionally, the National Center for Transgender Equality reports that over 70% of transgender students avoid using school bathrooms due to fear of harassment, leading to real health risks like dehydration and urinary infections. These statistics are not abstractthey represent real children suffering due to policies that single them out and make them feel unsafe.Jesus teaching in Matthew 7:12 reminds us, Do to others what you would have them do to you. If we would never want our own child to be shamed, forced into uncomfortable situations, or denied basic dignity, then we should not stand by while it happens to someone elses child.SF 418 does not protect studentsit harms them. Instead of passing laws that exclude and punish, we should be ensuring that all students feel supported and safe in their schools. Transgender kids are not a threatdiscrimination is.

02-24-2025

Meghan Oneal

I vehemently oppose this bill which seeks to remove basic protections for transgender Iowans and create complications for other Iowans who do not fall neatly into the bills narrow definitions. As a mother Im begging you to say no to this. I don't want my children growing up in a state that doesnt respect civil liberties for ALL its people. This is a full on assault of freedom!"Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights we will maintain." is not optional.

02-24-2025

Asher Larson

As a lifelong Iowan, this bill makes me very angry. This is my home and I dont want to leave, but if this bill passes, it will push me out. I am a healthcare professional (a field that has a worker shortage.) I have been taking care of Iowas elderly for nearly a decade. I am a favorite among my patients. I am a transgender man. I am a son, a husband, a brother, an uncle, and hope to be a father someday. I am a good person. I am not asking for special treatment, Im asking you NOT to take away my CIVIL RIGHTS. My wife is also a lifelong Iowan and preschool teacher (a field that has a worker shortage.) She graduated with a bachelors in social work from The University of Iowa. We are both skilled, essential workers.If this bill passes, the Iowa brain drain will continue and this state will lose two more smart and compassionate people.

02-24-2025

Chrissy Wheeler

As a mother of a grown trans man, I am begging for this bill to die. Hes an outstanding human being, hes a contributing member of society, hes law abiding and tax paying. He simply wants to live like everyone else. I urge people to reconsider the negative effects passing this bill will have.

02-24-2025

Christine Stockton

I will NEVER support the removal of civil rights from any group of humans. Over 90% of the unlicensed comments on HSB242 were AGAINST that bill. We are here speaking out AGAINST THIS bill. And yet for some reason our representatives seem to think its a good idea NOT TO REPRESENT their own citizens. NO SEGREGATION FOR IOWA! TRANS RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS! This bill is undemocratic and unamerican and I STRONGLY OPPOSE.

02-24-2025

Lacy Brittenson

As a nurse I have been the profound difference in individuals when they are treated with value and respect regardless of identity, by using the name and gender that aligns with their knowledge of who they are people thrive. As a parent, I know my children are smart enough to learn about gender, differences between sex and gender and how gender based expectations affects everyone. Nobody should be afraid to learn about or be with those in our communities that are different than us and I want an Iowa that is safe for everyone.

02-24-2025

Shelley Ackermann

I have never seen or heard of a man being assaulted by a trans man but there are several instances of the reverse. As a genetic female, I am NOT threatened by someone who believes herself to be female. Why the fear? Its all imagined.

02-24-2025

Stacie Kagan

As a VERY PROUD mother of a transgender daughter and someone who has worked in the mental health field for 35+ years, to deny a person who identifies as a transgender the ability to update gender markers on their birth certificates, completely strip transgender Iowans of protections under the Iowa Civil Rights Act and completely erase transgender Iowans under the law will create much larger issues for our state.First, those who have no other choice than to remain in this state, the likelihood of mental health issues and suicidal ideation/attempts and successes will no doubt increase. There is no justifiable reason for anyone to have cause to be made 'less than'. This will stress the already strained mental health system in our state.Second, as has happened in my daughter's case, these people who could otherwise contribute economically, will LEAVE the state. They will not remain in Iowa and return to being someone they are NOT by having to hide their true selves. They will take their talents and abilities to states that appreciate and value them and add value to those communities. My daughter, her close friend (also trans) and her stepfather (also trans) have already moved out of the state and secured jobs. Finally, if this bill passes, I will also be looking to find a more accepting state for myself and my son so as to not support a state that is not interested in accepting ALL of God's children. And my guess is there will be many, many other families doing the same.Sincerely,Stacie J. Kagan

02-24-2025

Sheryl Jones

Oppose SF418. There have been no incidents with transgender people using the restrooms that match their gender identity since the law was passed in 2007. Transgender women are not a threat to cisgender women. Cisgender men are the threat. Where will transgender women go to use the restroom? The mens room where they can get sexually or physically assaulted? How is that ok? And where will transgender men go? What happens when a masculine looking transgender man is forced to use a womens restroom?Everyone with any ounce of intelligence knows the civil rights act is about treating everyone fairly, not giving anyone special rights.Stop believing all of the vile lies the rightwing media spew to the American public.If you vote for this bill history will remember you as a horrible person who stripped away rights for a marginalized group of people. A stain on our states history.

02-24-2025

Sam Bass

I adamantly oppose SF 418, as it is an attack on the rights and quality of life of transgender Iowans. All of the bills trying to rigidly define gender are using science that is outdated, social arguments that are unfounded, or religious arguments that have no place in lawmaking (not to mention there are many clergy and theologians who are affirming of transgender people). SF 418, and all bills like it, are rapidly deteriorating Iowa's already diminished reputation. This will have longterm affects on the quality of life for all Iowans, as our state struggles to attract and retain talent in all sectors of the workforce. Vote no on SF 418.

02-24-2025

Jessica Hernandez

Stop trying to legalize discrimination against trans people. Trans people have ALWAYS existed. Stop trying to erase a whole group of people. It is wrong and you know it and I can't believe this is STILL something that has to be fought. Human rights shouldn't have to be voted on. They should be automatic.

02-24-2025

Amy Blessing

Please vote against this ugly, inhumane legislation that does nothing to improve the quality of life for anyone in this state. In fact, SF 418 would actively harm trans and nonbinary community members who are our friends, colleagues, neighbors, and family. Please, use your powers to make this state a better place by enacting meaningful laws that improve quality of life, not make it worse like this legislation will do!

02-24-2025

Emberlie Kyori

If you choose to go forward with this, you truly show you don't care about the safety of Iowans. You are making an anti economics bill. Iowa is in the top 10 of states for people leaving. We've had a population drain the past 10 years. If you pass this you show that you want it to continue to drain. People won't want to move here, they will leave. I myself for one will choose to move if this law goes through, plenty of others will leave too. Not only does this make transgender people not feel welcomed here, but Allys and future parents who fear for their children's safety. Once again the Republicans show that they don't care about children. This bill is atrocious and does nothing positive for this state, it's people, or the future. It's a major step backwards and anyone who chooses to push it through should be labeled as anti Iowan for they don't care about the people or the state, they wish to watch it become an empty shell of what it once was. I hope you think about all these things when it comes to say yay or nay...

02-24-2025

Benjamin Claes

OUR RIGHTS WE WILL MAINTAINVote No on SF 418. This bill erases trans individuals from Iowas civil rights code and sets a terrible precedent, not just for Iowa, but the entire country. Iowa will be first in the nation to strip civil rights protections from any group. If you are willing to do this once, you will be willing to do it again and again and again. Will Jews and Muslims be next? How about black folks? People with disabilities?Iowa has an exemplary record as a forward thinking state that is safe for all people. This law goes against everything Iowa stands for. It puts a dark cloud over our state and will further discourage workers from moving here. Doctors and educators will not move here if they can lose civil rights at any moment. Tourists will not visit if they lose rights upon crossing the state line. Our economy will suffer. I love this state and I refuse to see us turn in this direction.IOWANS DO NOT WANT THIS. Trans and nonbinary people exist and nothing you do can change that. This bill is discriminatory, hateful, cruel, and unIowan. It will help nobody and harm many.I am a proud Iowan and I am horrified by the priorities of this legislative body. You are unequivocally on the wrong side of history. Shame on you

02-24-2025

Anna Ellis

Any attempt to limit the rights of one group can easily be applied to any other group, until no one is left. The purpose of a government is to protect the rights and safety of all of its people, and this act would undermine that purpose. Please protect your constituents inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and join me in opposing SF418.

02-24-2025

Elisabeth Lewin [self ]

Please do not allow this hateful, unconstitutional bill to advance out of subcommittee. As state senators, your work is supposed to be to uphold the stat4e motto, "Our liberties we prize; our rights we will maintain." You should be working to ensure and *maintain* the rights of all Iowans, not to rip away the human rights of an already marginalized minority group. There are so many other, much more pressing issues, that deserve the full attention of the state legislature: funding our public schools and universities, cleaning up polluted waterways, helping our poultry farmers deal with the devastating effects of bird flu, improving maternal health care outcomes, fixing decaying infrastructure in our rural areas, making this state an attractive option for starting or expanding small businesses. Why are you spending all this time and attention on stirring up fear of trans people when, really, they just want to ... exist in the world? Maintaining gender identity protections in Iowa's civil rights law in no way erases or inhibits my womanhood or my rights, nor does it infringe on yours. Is this how you want to be remembered? Is this hateful law going to be your legacy? I hope you will be brave and do the right thing, and vote against SF418. Sincerely, Elisabeth Lewin, Des Moines

02-24-2025

Jennifer Harris

How does eliminating the civil rights of any human being affect the price of eggs? It doesnt. How does a transgender person being able to see a doctor for a medical emergency affect you? It doesnt. How does a transgender child being able to be educated in an Iowa school, either public or private effect the other students? It doesnt. Transgender people are just people who want to live their life just like you and me. Just like a black person sitting next to a white person on a bus when segregation ended didnt kill anyone, a transgender person being allowed to be who they are does not affect women or children. Students today seriously dont care as long as their classmates are respectful and mind their own business. Civil Rights afforded to blacks, Hispanics, women, native Americans. LBG community are just that. Civil Rights that are protected in the constitution. Just because bigoted people and legislators think because you dont fit the proverbial mold, doesnt mean their rights matter less than mine. A trans woman has the same rights as a cisgender woman. Please vote NO to bills that erase the civil rights of trans people. Please focus on what is really matters. The economy

02-24-2025

Tricia Kroll

I am writing to express my profound concern regarding the ongoing legislative and executive actions that threaten the rights and wellbeing of transgender individuals in our nation. As your constituent, I urge you to stand against any measures that discriminate against transgender people, including restrictions on genderaffirming healthcare, access to inclusive education, and participation in public life.I urge you to oppose any legislation or initiatives that harm transgender individuals and instead advocate for policies that ensure their safety, dignity, and equal rights. Your leadership on this issue can make a meaningful difference in protecting the civil liberties of all Americans.Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. Sincerely, Tricia Kroll

02-24-2025

Lavonne Mitchell

I oppose this bill. Why are you trying to alienate people. Just because they feel better being the person they are and not their chosen gender at birth. I was very proud of our country. Now I am Ashamed of what we have become. We are going back in time instead of embracing the future. Just because someone is different than you doesn't mean that they don't matter.

02-24-2025

Laura Brunsen [N/A]

I am a straight white 55 yearold female. It is unbelievable to me that the state legislature is wasting their time trying to deprive people of their own gender identities. Seriously, there is more important work to be done. The only people that care about gender identity are homophobic white privileged people. I am an ally to the LGBTQ community. I urge you not to attack peoples rights. Vote against the changes of SF418I will civil rights removal act. Thank you for your time.

02-24-2025

Nicole James

I have students and friends that are very frightened of this bill and others going through right now. Do you know how much it hurts to see a person suffer day after day because hateful bill and hateful things that are being said across the state and country right now? Can you even tell us why? Why are you so obsessed with other peoples genitals?

02-24-2025

Iry Eicher

It is abhorrent to add any form of separate but equal language anywhere in our laws. We are only 70 years out from Jim Crow laws, if this passes it sets a dangerous precedent. This opens constituents up everywhere for more laws with similar language.

02-24-2025

Nick Covington [Human Restoration Project]

Iowans oppose SF418, and I urge you to vote against this harmful bill. If passed, it would strip away essential protections for transgender Iowans and create unnecessary challenges for others who dont fit into its rigid definitions.Every hardworking person in our stateincluding transgender Iowansdeserves to be treated fairly and equally under the law. Everyone should have the chance to earn a living, secure housing, and provide for their families without fear of discrimination. But if someone cant rent an apartment, get a credit card, or access basic services simply because of who they are, how can we expect them to thrive on a level playing field? These antidiscrimination protections are foundational to a fair and meritbased society, ensuring that everyone has access to opportunities regardless of their identity or how others perceive them.Whats more, this bill doesnt just harm transgender Iowansit also weakens protections for nontransgender women by undermining safeguards against sex stereotyping, which arent explicitly covered in Iowas current sex discrimination laws.Transgender people are our friends, neighbors, family members, and coworkers. They deserve to live their lives with dignity, free from discrimination in housing, employment, and public services. Please stand with themand with all Iowans who believe in fairness and equalityby voting against HSB242.Thank you for your time, and I hope youll do whats right to protect the rights and dignity of all Iowans.

02-24-2025

Teryn Kilbride

I am writing you today in solidarity with my friends and loved ones in the trans community. No one should have to worry about being fired, denied housing or educational opportunities because of their gender identity.As a proud Iowan, I am dismayed that my state, the state that I love whose motto is 'Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We will Maintain, this HF242 is contrary to the values we hold most sacred as Iowans, I ask of you, do not make Iowa the first state in the nation to repeal civil rights protections for its citizens.Finally, in closing, I want to state that while this bill is being pitched as a bill that protects women, it will do the opposite. 'Transvestigating' is a phenomenon in which women are harassed, intimidated, and threatened under the suspicion for being trans. Passing this bill will only increase this phenomenon.In closing, I ask you to not support HF 242. Preserve Iowa's long tradition as a beacon for Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity.

02-24-2025

Heidi Bowden

I am writing to express my deep and unwavering opposition to SF 418 which seeks to strip civil rights and protections from transgender and genderdiverse individuals in our state. This legislation is not only unjust, but it is also harmful, dangerous, and fundamentally at odds with the principles of dignity, equality, and respect.Policies that target and marginalize vulnerable populations do not protect anyonethey endanger lives. Transgender and genderdiverse individuals deserve the same rights, freedoms, and protections as every other person in our state. By advancing this bill, we send a message that difference is something to be judged and ridiculed rather than honored and protected. That is not the kind of world we should be building.I urge you, as a leader and representative of all people, to reject this cruel and discriminatory legislation. Stand on the right side of history. Stand for human rights. Stand for the safety and wellbeing of our transgender and genderdiverse community members.

02-24-2025

Robin Kopelman

I am opposed to this and to the many bills that are intended to strip Iowans of their rights.This type of legislation is accelerating the brain drain. My growing and adult children will not live where legislation like this exists and to keep our family together, after five generations in Iowa, I will have to follow unless our legislators can regain the reason once exhibited by the Iowa legislature.

02-24-2025

Max Umphress

So, youve submitted a nearly identical bill in the hopes that the factcheckers wouldnt do their research, and point out your scummy tactics and attempts to remove and impugn the rights of your fellow Iowans.Well, we noticed.Real life is much simpler than youre making it out to be, and people have the right to be correctly identified. They have always existed, and will continue to exist regardless of your actions. Do your descendants the decency of being on the right side of history.

02-24-2025

Diane Howe

Simply no ones civil rights should be erased. You cant just erase people. Plus, would you consider working on issues that really matter to Iowans like our high cancer rates, poor water quality, decreasing public school scores, etc.

02-24-2025

Noah Rohlfing

I am asking, begging, and urging every Republican senator to push back and reject this bill.Iowans like to believe in liberty, freedom, the pursuit of happiness, and a welcoming environment. This bill shatters that illusion by specifically targeting and attempting to erase trans Iowans from the states ledger, records, and way of life. A bill intended to harm and strip rights away from a group of people who live among us, are our friends, family members and loved ones is not a bill that puts the people of Iowa first. The Iowa House and Senate have spent this week not trying to help their constituents. but instead they are trying to rush through a hateful bill that not only hurts the very people they represent, but has unintended consequences that will harmfully impact women in this state. I have been an Iowan for 25 years this is the most ashamed I have ever felt to be from this state. This hurts my friends and loved ones in such a personal, cutting way one intended not just to cause financial harm in making it more difficult for trans Iowans to apply for jobs, rent apartments, and other tasks that should be open to everyone, but to cause psychological harm. This cuts against the love and compassion all iowans should strive to provide. Earlier Monday in the House hearing, Rep. Holt tried to rationalize his hateful bill he only made clear that he does not care about the unintended consequences this will have on all Iowans.Iowa has failed to grow its population and is dragging behind other states, including our neighbors, in recent years. The brain drain from the state is notable and legislation like this will only cause more young people to leave the state in search of greener pastures. An Iowa that is actively targeting its own citizens with harmful legislation meant to erase them from existence is not a state I can be proud of. Transgender people are all around us, and they are valuable members of our communities. More importantly, trans people deserve to live without fear for their lives or their way of living. Trans people have been fighting forever just to be allowed to exist. Its brutally unfair and should not be the case, less than 20 years after Iowa was one of the first states to enshrine the rights of LGBTQ+ Iowans. Iowa has been at the forefront of the equality movement, putting freedom for all above hate but this bill takes all of that progress away. This bill is an intentional step backwards. Its heartbreaking its even being considered.

02-24-2025

Amanda Gran

OPPOSE. Iowans do not want this bill. EVERYONE deserves civil rights. I grew up with a trans neighbor, and she never bothered anyone in fact, none of the trans people I know are bothering anyone, theyre just living their lives. Why do you have this weird obsession with trans people? Do something useful like help Iowans facing cancer, address our taxpayer dollars funding private schools, fix our impaired waterways, make sure kids who need meals over the summer receive them. Try listening to your constituents for a change we oppose this bill.

02-24-2025

Skylar Rippke

Was todays crowd of hundreds upon hundreds of protesters not loud enough for you?!I am a cisgender woman. I am a mother of two school aged children. We are part of that precious group of citizens you claim need protectingand youre correct about thatbut we dont need protecting from transgender people. We need protecting from Republican lawmakers. Taking away the rights from an entire group of people is not only hateful, but unconstitutional. Im sick of this disgusting glee you all seem to get from attacking innocent members of our society. Quit trying to impress Donald Trump (who is only ever impressed with himself),and remember that youre representing all of us. Transgender people are people. They are guaranteed the same rights and dignity as anyone should be. As a woman, the group youre claiming needs protecting, Id much rather be in a room of transgender people than be alone with one Republican man. No contest. The constitution says WE THE PEOPLE. Not just SOME OF US PEOPLE. Remember that.

02-24-2025

Alice Techau

You are worried about the wrong 1% here. Trans people are not the issue here, we are trying to be our best selfs and happy to be alive. We are not the ones causing issues in the world. We are a happy and supportive group to all LGBTQIA+ people. What we do with our lives is not your concern. We pay taxes, we contribute to the community. let us live our full lives.

02-24-2025

Max Halbach

When I look at the Iowa state flag, I see an eagle clutching a banner. The banner holds our state motto, a reminder of who we believe ourselves to be as Iowans. It reads "our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain." Support of this bill is a betrayal of our state's motto, and a betrayal of Iowans in all 99 counties.This bill encourages "discrimination in employment, wages, public accommodations, housing, education, and credit practices" against trans Iowans (See P. 16, lines 1126). This bill is meant to strike fear by promoting a hostile social environment for openly queer Iowans everywhere. Far from being a plan to encourage economic growth, job security, and reduce the cost of living, this bill unnecessarily attacks one of society's most vulnerable members for political credit.The bill itself is unprecedentedly evil. The very notion that civil rights can be revoked with a pen's stroke is despicable. Let the legislature have this, and we will have created a precedent to reduce civil rights (voting, employment, public education, and home ownership) for ALL IOWANS.See this bill for what it is: a uniquely evil, fascist document with the power to strip rights from whomever the powersthatbe decide is less than human. Resist this bill by voting against SF 418. For the preservation of our democratic republic, and the lives of all Iowans.

02-24-2025

Alissa Lopes

I love multiple transgender people. One serves in the military, one is a nurse, and one is the most incredible parent you could ever find. They care and look out for the community. They care and serve the people of our state. No one would ever know they are trans because they walk amongst us just like everyone else. They deserve to have protections to be themselves. This is not a matter that the state should be getting involved in. Treating everyone like humans and allowing them the freedom to be themselves is the core of human existence. Forcing people to be confined to your own personal beliefs of what role they need to fit is so unfair. Transgender people just want to exist and live their lives like everyone else

02-24-2025

Nicole Weber

I am writing you today in solidarity with my friends and loved ones in the trans community. No one should have to worry about being fired, evicted, or denied educational opportunities because of their gender identity.As a proud Iowan, I am dismayed that my state whose motto is 'Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We will Maintain would ever consider a bill such as HF242. It is contrary to the values we hold most sacred as Iowans. Do not make our great state the first in the nation to repeal civil rights protections for its citizens.I want to state that while this bill is being pitched as a bill that protects women, it will do the opposite. 'Transvestigating' is a phenomenon in which women are harassed, intimidated, and threatened under the suspicion of being trans. Passing this bill will only increase this phenomenon.In closing, I ask you to not support HF242. Preserve Iowa's long tradition as a beacon for Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity.

02-24-2025

Angie Meyers

Please do not pass this bill. Please do not take Iowa back in time. This state should be fighting for equal rights for all, not stripping them from individuals. Please work to support the people who live in this state all of them.

02-24-2025

Mike Weber

02-24-2025

Kyra Jones

If you choose to ignore the will of your constituents, you are not doing the job you signed up for. You are letting down the people who you are meant to hold the interests of. Worst of all, you are telling Trans Iowans that they don't matter to you. You will lose valuable members of the community that fuel the economy and diversity of your city, your county, and your state. Vote NO.

02-24-2025

Gwen Hope

Please don't pass this cruel and hateful bill which will live in infamy, a black mark upon the history of the soontobeoncegreat State of Iowa. A core tenet of freedom and liberty is to express yourself however you are and be as authentic to yourself as you can. This bill is a dark attempt to write not only transgender and nonbinary people out of existence in Iowa, but also stifle those who do not conform or appear to conform to the stereotypical expressions and appearances of our gender/sex archetypes. This will not hurt just the minority this bill intends to hurt, but also anyone in the mainstream population who is not the most cookiecutter in behavior and appearance. This is the opposite of our state motto and likely unconstitutional both according to the Iowa and US constitution.

02-24-2025

Delynn Brandenburg

VOTE NO SF 418! Everyone deserves civil rights! EVERYONE! That should not be a controversial discussion, and anyone taking away rights are not the good guys. As a women, I support my trans sisters into womanhood. I believe them when they express their gender. I do not care what junk they have in their pants. Do not forget that transmen and nonbinary folk exist too. The justification for this cruel bill is that it "protects" women. That excuse does not address the fact that transmen exist too. And doesn't actually do anything to protect women. I have had trans and nonbinary friends, and they are lovely people. Their identity is not for nefarious reasons. I even had a trans roommate in college and felt completely safe the entire time.

02-24-2025

Jacob Meade

To my Iowa lawmakers of this subcommittee,I wish to express my full, deep opposition to the removal of sex and gender from the Iowa Civil Rights Act. As a grandson of farmers and a resident of small town life, I was born and raised in the 1000person town of Strawberry Point. There, I learned and internalized a core part of my identity, formed by the good Iowan stereotype of integrity, kindness, generosity, and neighborliness. Put frankly, the SF 418 is an abomination of those virtues. The removal of sex and gender from the Iowa Civil Rights Act is a complete abandonment of our good name as Iowans, and a continuing degradation of our image and standing. Allowing for open discrimination of my trans neighbors is not kind. It is not generous. It is not neighborly.It is cruel. It is backwards. It is an aboutface of our state's forming principles of personal liberty, freedom, and cherished universal rights. The *only* aim I see from this bill is to inflict pain upon an already marginalized group. As an Iowan that seeks to strengthen my community; as a community member with many queer and trans friends, colleagues, and family members; and as an Iowan that values my own freedoms under law; I vehemently oppose this draconian bill and ask in the most Iowanice way I can:Please, have a heart and oppose this bill. Thank you for your consideration. Jacob Meade

02-24-2025

Elizabeth Patten

As a social worker in our community, I believe this bill would have direct harm on some of our most vulnerable neighbors. As representatives, your roles are to ensure that everyone has access to the same basic rights and safety in our state. Our community members should not be discriminated against just because you do not understand or agree with them being transgender. This bill goes against our values and I urge you not pass this harmful and hateful legislation.

02-24-2025

Simon Clark

Regardless of how many bills you try to push through, every one of us will keep coming back. All you are accomplishing here is brewing hatred among your constituents. For a political party who believes in small government you guys REALLY enjoy governing whats happening in our pants. Kindly foff and focus on something actually important like childhood homelessness, educational funding, or literally ANYTHING ELSE.

02-24-2025

Jolynn Kilburg

I oppose this bill. As a resident of Iowa and a taxpaying citizen, I expect my elected members of congress to support the voices of Iowans. This bill is nothing more than a witch hunt, stripping Iowans of their constitutional rights and putting them at risk for discrimination. I urge our elected officials to oppose this bill and stop it from moving forward.

02-24-2025

Stephanie Reed

This bill is inhumane. Taking away basic human rights, disgusting. Lets put our time and energy into building our world and humans up, rather then tearing down. Reminder of the golden rule many grew up with as children..Treat others the way you would like to be treated.

02-24-2025

Sara Remoy

Vehemently OPPOSE this bill. Any threat to the rights and liberties of one portion of the population of Iowa is a threat to ALL Iowans. I am begging the members of this committee and the entirety of the Iowa Legislature to end their dangerous attacks on members of our states trans communities and to focus on drafting legislation that will actually help Iowans. You are wasting your power bullying a small percentage of the population when you could be focusing on making sure Iowans have access to food and healthcare. Shame on you.

02-24-2025

Erin Wells

This bill is paving the way for segregation by specifying that separate accommodations are not necessarily unequal. Its also sending a message that trans people shouldnt exist by trying to define it away. No one has the right to tell another person they shouldnt exist. Please spend your time making the lives of Iowans better, not miserable.

02-24-2025

Bradford Thorn

I am against this bill. This goes against our Freedom To Flourish that you claim to support by having the government legalize discrimination against a targeted minority. Trying to sneak in Jim Crow laws by claiming "Separate accommodations are not inherently unequal" goes against all Iowans, not just the people you are trying to target with this bill. Jim Crow laws died over 60 years ago, quit trying to bring it back.There is also a lot of excessive regulation of how gender terms are defined and taught. The state should not be in charge of dictating what facts are and this seems to be counterproductive to your apparent goals overall by creating even more confusion about gender identity, as students will be forced to learn about this topic elsewhere.This bill hurts Iowa as a whole. I'm not even sure who you're trying to appeal to with this, as this has nothing to do with helping everyday Iowans suffering economic hardship. It's telling that you consider this a higher priority.

02-24-2025

Brandi Geisinger

All humans have the right to equal protections under the law, as well as basic human respect and decency. Removing protections from one group of people is cruel, unjustified, and a slippery slope. Which group will you decide to remove next? The weak, poor, the huddled masses? The disabled...oh wait, you're already after them too. The women, the people of color? Iowa used to proudly lead the way, and look how far we have fallen.

02-24-2025

Kristina Hoelscher

This bill is not only unnecessary, its dangerous. Gender identity isnt a choice. No one chooses this difficult path and this bill will destroy people and families who want nothing more than to just be left alone to live peaceful lives. I have never been ashamed to be an Iowan until now. I chose to raise my kids in this state because I thought itd best for them. Never once did I think wed have a bill that tries to erase two of them. But here we are.

02-24-2025

Cecilia E

I am heartbroken to hear that this bill even exists; and when I imagine the consequences of the bill if it is becomes law, it brings tears to my eyes. I am incredibly sad.Gender identity is part of civil rights and should not be removed. It leaves an already vulnerable portion of our community even more vulnerable and that is the opposite of what a Civil Rights Act should do. It should protect everyones rights and create a safe environment for all Iowans.My younger sister came out to our family as a transwoman a couple years ago. Coming from a conservative/religious/Asian/2nd gen immigrant background, she has not had an easy journey mentally and socially. With this bill, I am more afraid for her and worry on what would happen if her rights are stripped. Will she be successfully employed, or will she be fired without reason because people consider her other and they are uncomfortable? Will she suffer more mentally/emotionally because she is unable to exist as herself and instead forced to exist as someone dictates? If removed, how does Iowa ensure the trans community are being treated equally and with dignity just like everyone else?I am a proud Iowan: I grew up in Davenport/QC and chose to live in Des Moines postgrad & raise my family here, but hearing that Iowa could be the first State to strip gender identity from the Civil Rights Act compared to when Iowa was one of the first to legalize samesex marriage in 2009, I am truly ashamed and disappointed if this is how Iowa wants to be known & remembered.

02-24-2025

Angela Knutson [SEIU Healthcare MN & IA, Lavender Caucus ]

I strongly oppose this bill. It's terrifying to think of the affects of removing civil liberty protections for any single marginalized group. The open discrimination that can and will happen against trans people, who are in large, taxpaying, lawabiding citizens that hurt no one by their existence, will have catastrophic results. It can open a Pandora's box of other groups that could have the same thing happen to them if the GOP disagrees with them too. This is America. How have we learned everything that we've learned from the past and now you want to go back to that place where a group of people are less than deserving of equal protections? This cannot and should not happen. Please vote this bill down.

02-24-2025

Rachel Hardy

This bill is shameful. Transgender people deserve to live their lives as freely as any other Iowan without fear of being denied basic necessities. You cannot just define transgender people out of existence they will always exist no matter what the law says. You are just enabling violence and harmful rhetoric that will continue to poison our Iowan community.

02-24-2025

Savannah Kepple

I absolutely oppose the bill based on general human rights. If you allow them to take Trans rights who else are you willing to watch fall? Its disgusting that this is being brought forth amongst you, that its even up for discussion. Please open your minds and hearts for the first time in some of your lives and see that our families are genuinely families. Our love is just as meaningful, lifefulfilling, and kind as yours. Ive been blessed with my love for over 7 years now, imagine I dismantled one of your spouses rights based on someone elses lopsided opinion. I appreciate your time and hope you have taken a moment to reconsider. Savannah Kepple of Ames, Iowa

02-24-2025

Savannah Kepple

02-24-2025

Sherri Selin

I have a transgender child and if you vote for HSB 242 he and many others will suffer the consequences of becoming an unprotected citizen in Iowa. I am so ashamed of our state now and the direction it is headed. Please help us stay a safe state for all!

02-24-2025

Skyler Ramsey

I want to tell you the story of a young girl named Skyler. Skyler was born to loving parents, Jack and Melissa, in Waverly, IA. The family struggled with poverty, and life was not kind. She had a younger sister, who went into a coma from a rare brain infection when Skyler was in first grade and no one knew if Callie would ever wake up. As Callie recovered and medical debt piled up, the family moved school districts in search of better opportunities. A mere 11 months later, as a nine year old, Skyler was awoken by screams and being slung over her dads shoulder as he carried her to safety wading through knee deep flood water. The family watched as their home and all of their possessions were swallowed whole. The family was without a place to go: no clothes, no food, no toys and no way for anyone to get in or out of Clarksville, yet the local community provided. Shortly after, the family moved to Janesville the third home and school district in three consecutive years.Despite this volatile upbringing, Skyler devoted her life to giving back to the community. At 14, she began working to help support her now three younger sisters. Through all of this, she was active in the church, regularly volunteered, and always offered a helping hand to anyone in need. She dreamed of one day being the first in her family to go to college.Fast forward and Skyler was valedictorian, got a full ride scholarship, graduated from UNI with multiple majors and now works her dream job. She met a great man, got married, bought a house, started a business, and to this day, dreams of raising a family in the Iowa communities that raised her.Skyler is loved by thousands in Northeast Iowa and across the state.Let me introduce myself: I'm Skyler, and my pronouns are they/them. This is my story. My life.And if you feel differently about me now than you did about Skyler about me 10 seconds ago, its because you are willfully denying the humanity of transgender people.Does my hair, the clothes I wear, and the words people use to describe me negate my right to protection from discrimination as your delegate? I implore you to see my humanity and vote no to SF 418. Thank you.

Attachment

02-24-2025

Janelle Hook

I am strongly OPPOSED to bill SF418 and ask that legislators oppose it as well and stop it from moving any farther forward.Our liberties we prize and our rights we maintain should not just be the state motto, it should be what our legislature works towards each and every day. I fail to see how anyone could think that REMOVING Iowans rights is the correct course of action. I ask that you continue to fight against discrimination and fight for Iowans rights. Please oppose this legislation.

02-24-2025

Ashley Schrader

I truly cannot express how devastated I am that some legislators in Iowa are trying to strip fellow Iowans of their civil rights. In an ideal world, we wouldn't need civil rights acts to keep people honest and from discriminating against us or our neighbors. But this isn't an ideal world, it's a messy one where we have to constantly be trying to do the right thing.Iowa's motto used to be, "Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain." How can the legislature claim to be upholding the ideals of our state when rather than maintaining our citizen's rights, we are purposefully stripping them of their civil protections? Who is next? People of different races? Different faiths? People with disabilities? It's shameful and heartbreaking that this bill is on the agenda, and doubly so that it passed out of the first subcommittee.My husband and I are expecting our first child in May, after multiple losses. My sister and her wife, who is trans, fear the direction this state is headed and fear for the safety in the coming months and years if legislation like this gets passed. How am I supposed to explain to my daughter why her aunts moved away? How am I supposed to explain to her when she gets older that our state only protects the people's "Freedom to Flourish" when the people look, think, talk and love in specific ways, and not in others? I never imagined raising my daughter without her aunt right around the corner, and now that looks more and more like the future we will have.Please don't let this pass. Don't let bigotry and ignorance win. This is not Iowa.

02-24-2025

Rayanne Elmer

Dear Iowa Legislation, please find kindness in your hearts to not pass through Bill SF 418. This bill harms many transgender individuals and all of us are human on this earth and have every right to employment, housing, and a happy life. Taking away civil rights is an unlawful approach to take as a member of Congress so I am demanding a safe space for all transgender individuals to continue to exist peacefully amongst the rest of us in Iowa. Thank you and I hope our comments on this public page are taken into consideration and you protect trans rights.

02-24-2025

Angelica Vannatta

Civil rights are human rights. And every human deserves their rights protected. Please reject SF418. If this bill passes, Iowa would be the FIRST state in the US to remove protections from a minority group, and thats not something we want next to our names.Transgender people are disproportionately targeted by discrimination, harassment, and violence. By stripping gender identity from protected classes, legislators are making these individuals even more vulnerable to things like job loss, housing instability, and even denial of medical care. These policies dont just harm transgender individuals; they hurt the entire economy by driving away talent, investment, and tourism. We already have a brain drain problem, and this will only make it worse. Instead of focusing on exclusionary laws, lawmakers should be working on policies that promote growth and stability for everyone.

02-24-2025

Vonda Johnston

I strongly oppose this bill. It goes against everything decent I have ever been taught: "Love thy neighbor.", "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.", "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.", "It takes all kinds to make the world go round."Just because people are different from you doesn't mean they are less than you. I guarantee the people you are taking rights away from are way better at being empathetic than you. Empathy is a skill and if you pass this bill, you are bad at it.

02-24-2025

Roger Saxton

SF 418. Please consider this my opposition to this hateful piece of legislation that will have far reaching consequences to our transgendered Iowans and their families. This unprecedented assault on this community that has done nothing to offend, leaves nowhere for this group of people to go. It will lead to many good people and their families leaving the state of Iowa and will leadto depression and suicide among this misunderstood community. I am ashamed to think this bill is even in consideration in Iowa.Please reject this hateful act to try and eliminate the trans community. It is only driven by the Trump mandate and the hate inside the conservative population.

02-24-2025

Kayla Ferris

I OPPOSE this bill. Was the presence at the capitol for the house bill not enough? The majority of your constituents, including myself, oppose these measures. Removing protections for a minority group does not make life safer or better for anyone. Everyone deserves equal protection under the law. We cannot ho backwards. We cannot let the darkest part of our history repeat itself. You must vote NO.

02-24-2025

Patty Walz

First, how are we to disregard science? Science backs the fact that there are more genders than the two described in this bill. This is harmful to Iowans. You are opening doors for people to be attacked, taking rights away that we fought so long to have.

02-24-2025

Kristina Hochrein-Petsche

Please do not pass this bill. You are targeting people who just want to live happy and authentic lives. How grown responsible adults live their lives should not be dictated in this way. Do not hurt our fellow iowans by stripping away their rights

02-24-2025

Holly Long-DeWolf

Persons not wanting LGBTQ people to exist doesnt make them not exist. Being LGBTQ doesnt take away YOUR values. You may have all the hateful values you want. They are yours to keep. YOUR values should NOT be laws. Iowas laws should protect ALL people.

02-24-2025

Jean McDonald

This is purely inhumane. Gender is not sex. Defining a person's identity purely in terms of the sex designated at birth does not erase a trans person's gender. If this bill is passed the same person will, however, be living without protection from discrimination in the workplace, housing, medical treatment, education, public accommodations, and financial credit. In the name of all that Holy, do not pass this bill.

02-24-2025

Nathan Kelley

Certainly! Heres the updated letter without the paragraph about sports:Dear Senator Senators Last Name,I am writing to express my strong opposition to House Study Bill 242, which proposes removing gender identity protections from the Iowa Civil Rights Act. I believe this bill violates both the Iowa Constitution and the United States Constitution and poses significant economic risks to our state. After 43 years of living and working in Iowa as an educator, and planning to retire here, I habe begun to look at jobs in other ststes and moving my family. This kills me as I love my state, but enough is enough. Violation of Constitutional RightsThe Iowa Constitution guarantees equal protection under the law, ensuring that all individuals are treated fairly and without discrimination. By removing gender identity protections, this bill undermines that fundamental principle, potentially leading to discrimination against transgender Iowans in employment, housing, and public accommodations.Similarly, the United States Constitutions Equal Protection Clause prohibits states from denying any person within their jurisdiction equal protection of the laws. Eliminating protections for transgender individuals could be seen as a denial of equal protection, subjecting Iowa to legal challenges and potential federal intervention.Addressing Concerns About SafetyOpponents of inclusive policies often cite concerns about safety in restrooms. However, research indicates that these concerns are largely unfounded.Studies have shown that transgender individuals are more likely to be victims of harassment and assault in public restrooms than to perpetrate such acts. A study published in Teenvogue found that fears of increased safety and privacy violations as a result of nondiscrimination laws are not empirically grounded. The study concluded that transgender people arent harming others in any way, shape, or form by going to the gendermarked bathroom they feel comfortable in and that most closely matches their identity. (teenvogue.com)Economic ImplicationsBeyond constitutional concerns, this bill could have detrimental effects on Iowas economy. Studies have shown that inclusive policies attract diverse talent and foster economic growth. For instance, the 2024 LGBTQ+ Business Climate Index by Out Leadership rated Iowa poorly, with a score of 49.60 out of 100, indicating a High Risk for LGBTQ+ individuals. This score reflects the states legal environment and societal attitudes, which can influence business decisions and economic development. (outleadership.com)Furthermore, the bill could exacerbate the trend of young Iowans leaving the state. A 2023 report by the Iowa State Data Center highlighted that Iowa has experienced a net outmigration of residents aged 18 to 34, with many citing a lack of inclusive policies as a factor in their decision to leave. By removing protections for transgender individuals, Iowa risks further alienating a segment of its population, potentially hindering the states growth and economic vitality.ConclusionIn conclusion, House Study Bill 242 not only infringes upon the constitutional rights of transgender Iowans but also poses significant economic risks to our state. I urge you to consider these factors and vote against this bill to uphold the principles of equality and inclusivity that Iowa stands for.Thank you for your attention to this important matter.Sincerely,Nathan Kelley

02-24-2025

Nathan Kelley

I am writing to express my strong opposition to House Study Bill 242, which proposes removing gender identity protections from the Iowa Civil Rights Act. I believe this bill violates both the Iowa Constitution and the United States Constitution and poses significant economic risks to our state. After 43 years of living and working in Iowa as an educator, and planning to retire here, I habe begun to look at jobs in other ststes and moving my family. This kills me as I love my state, but enough is enough. Violation of Constitutional RightsThe Iowa Constitution guarantees equal protection under the law, ensuring that all individuals are treated fairly and without discrimination. By removing gender identity protections, this bill undermines that fundamental principle, potentially leading to discrimination against transgender Iowans in employment, housing, and public accommodations.Similarly, the United States Constitutions Equal Protection Clause prohibits states from denying any person within their jurisdiction equal protection of the laws. Eliminating protections for transgender individuals could be seen as a denial of equal protection, subjecting Iowa to legal challenges and potential federal intervention.Addressing Concerns About SafetyOpponents of inclusive policies often cite concerns about safety in restrooms. However, research indicates that these concerns are largely unfounded.Studies have shown that transgender individuals are more likely to be victims of harassment and assault in public restrooms than to perpetrate such acts. A study published in Teenvogue found that fears of increased safety and privacy violations as a result of nondiscrimination laws are not empirically grounded. The study concluded that transgender people arent harming others in any way, shape, or form by going to the gendermarked bathroom they feel comfortable in and that most closely matches their identity. (teenvogue.com)Economic ImplicationsBeyond constitutional concerns, this bill could have detrimental effects on Iowas economy. Studies have shown that inclusive policies attract diverse talent and foster economic growth. For instance, the 2024 LGBTQ+ Business Climate Index by Out Leadership rated Iowa poorly, with a score of 49.60 out of 100, indicating a High Risk for LGBTQ+ individuals. This score reflects the states legal environment and societal attitudes, which can influence business decisions and economic development. (outleadership.com)Furthermore, the bill could exacerbate the trend of young Iowans leaving the state. A 2023 report by the Iowa State Data Center highlighted that Iowa has experienced a net outmigration of residents aged 18 to 34, with many citing a lack of inclusive policies as a factor in their decision to leave. By removing protections for transgender individuals, Iowa risks further alienating a segment of its population, potentially hindering the states growth and economic vitality.ConclusionIn conclusion, House Study Bill 242 not only infringes upon the constitutional rights of transgender Iowans but also poses significant economic risks to our state. I urge you to consider these factors and vote against this bill to uphold the principles of equality and inclusivity that Iowa stands for.Thank you for your attention to this important matter.Sincerely,Nathan Kelley

02-24-2025

Shayla Hawkins-Cones

Good evening, I want to express my opposition to this bill. The fact that this is what our government is choosing to focus is outrageous and deeply concerns me as an Iowan. Please do better for our most marginalized citizens. Life is hard enough as it is, why not just let people be who they are?

02-24-2025

Rev. Melissa Sternhagen [St. Paul Congregational UCC ]

I vehemently oppose this bill. First, it is biologically inaccurate that there is only male and female. There are intersex individuals born with biology that is not only male, and only male chromosomally. This bill erases them and protections for them. Second, this bill aims at bringing back "separate but equal" as the law of the land. It was an evil policy historically, and it is an evil policy now. Even other Republicans are speaking out against this bill that does nothing to improve the economic conditions in this state that is the REAL threat to most Iowans. NO ONE is better off because of this bill, and we are ALL worse. Vote NO.for this hateful, backward bill that ignores the REAL issues Iowans are facing.

02-24-2025

Tim Copple

I would like to state my opposition to this bill and request for it to be stopped from moving forward. Removing civil rights from a group is unacceptable. ALL humans deserve basic human rights and protection under the law, this bill will result in the termination of basic human rights for this specific group of vulnerable individuals in Iowa. This law is unconstitutional to single out a group of people and strip them of their rights. Please vote NO on SF418.

02-24-2025

Natalie Tapscott

This hateful legislation to roll back civil rights for trans iowans would put our state as the first in the nation to remove rights from people. As a young person in this state I wish that the people who were elected to represent us would listen to the desires of their constituents clean water, job opportunities, and growth in this state. Today's showing at the capital indicates that your constituents want you to create opportunity for us rather than taking away rights from our friends, family and neighbors, who have done nothing but strengthen and build their communities. OPPOSE THIS LEGISLATION IF YOU CARE ABOUT IOWANS.

02-24-2025

James VanEchaute

02-24-2025

Shelley Hendrikson

We have more important things to worry about in this state rather than taking rights away from people. This bill is ridiculous. Leave people and their gender rights alone!! Lets look at the cancer rates in the state and figure out why we are the number one state in new cases or how about you worry about fixing our 4,000 failing bridges that Iowans use daily. Get real peoplework on issues that need to be fixed.

02-24-2025

Amy Croll

This bill should die. Gender is and will always be a spectrum. Trans individuals are 14 more likely to commit suicide if they are in an environment that doesnt support their right to be themself. Every person deserves the right to protections so they can be their authentic self. I work daily with young people who struggle in this space and the easiest thing we can do is to protect their basic civil rights.

02-24-2025

Amy Wishman

I am the mother of a transgender child. Right now, in Iowa, she cannot use the bathroom at school. She cannot play sports. She cannot read about others like her from books in the school library. She cannot get lifesaving medical care prescribed by her doctors. Now she may lose civil rights. She is a kid like any otherthe same hopes and dreams. The same friends. The same desire to belong in her community as herself. Please do not take this away from her and other trans Iowans.

02-24-2025

Rev. Melissa Sternhagen [St. Paul Congregational UCC ]

02-24-2025

Paul Price-Brenner

I highly oppose his poorly written bill, as it will make it easier for Iowans to mistreat fellow Iowans with little to no consequences. If the authors want to protect trans youth, there are better ways to do so than to completely remove them from being a protected minority. I recommend the authors of this bill work harder to find solutions to their problems that do not infringe on the rights of minorities in our state. In my opinion, this bill is shoddy work, thrown together without looking at all the consequences it might bring.Please do not pass this bill. Our state deserves better written legislation than this.Furthermore, as Iowa already has such difficulty attracting young members of society, consider that this bill will only give them more reasons to move elsewhere.

02-24-2025

Brent Buhr

I remind you all of the state motto on our flag: Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain Removing rights is a sanctimonious and cowardly act, and directly violates the above motto. Are we so smallminded now that the only way to feel strong is to attack others?Or is this just a first step?Maybe the next proposal is to change the state flag to make it clear we no longer prize our liberties nor maintain our rights?

02-24-2025

Hayley Ellis

I truly cannot believe that I live in a state where we are taking away civil rights. This is absurd. I am disappointed to be an Iowan, I am disappointed in our elected officials who have allowed this to get this far, and I am disappointed in Iowans for voting this into office. This is not the Iowa I grew up in where we learned to love one another, to support those who are different from us and build strong communities. This Iowa full of hatred and discrimination is not an Iowa I want to live in. I strongly urge our lawmakers not to move forward with this. The first state to legalize same sex marriages becoming the first state to remove civil rights protections for transgender persons is not where I thought we would be when I was growing up.

02-24-2025

Jeremy Fischels

To those considering this bill.Please put yourself in the shoes of the folks it attempts to erase. Imagine how it would feel to have you or someone you love have their identity nullified legally by the state they call home. How would you vote?Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain. This is our state motto. It is not intended to protect only those Iowans who look or identify a certain way. It is for us all.I implore you to uphold our state motto and protect the rights of all your constituents. Vote no on this bill.

02-24-2025

Bill Huegerich

Please reject SF 418 and protect the rights of ALL Iowans. I can't believe reducing civil rights is even being considered in the state I've called home my entire lift. Don't legalize transphobic discrimination. If you do this, Iowa will be remembered as the state to take away civil rights. Get out and get to know some trans people if you don't understand them. Biology does NOT support only two sexes, and many cultures have more than two genders. They are not the same. People should not have to fit into your two simple boxes of M or F. Gender nonconforming people are not hurting anyone by being their authentic selves. But, you will most definitely hurt people if you pass this bill. I just hope you care enough about transgender Iowans to put a stop to this hateful bill.

02-24-2025

Jeremiah Buehler

I am writing to express my strong opposition to Senate File 418, which proposes removing gender identity from Iowas Civil Rights Act. This bill undermines the fundamental rights of transgender and nonbinary Iowans, exposing them to increased discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations. Such legislation not only reverses the progress our state has made toward inclusivity but also fosters division and prejudice. Enacting this bill would make Iowa the first state to rescind existing protections for gender identity, setting a dangerous precedent. I urge lawmakers to reject SF 418 and reaffirm Iowas commitment to equality and justice for all its residents.

02-24-2025

Tucker Olson

I strongly oppose SF418 as a cruel piece of legislation to intentionally legalize discrimination. I find it abhorrent to consider a bill that would remove protections from marginalized communities and relegalize discrimination. Will our legislators legacy be to make Iowa the first state to remove a civil rights protection?

02-24-2025

Emmaly Renshaw

As an Iowa citizen, I detest the bill to erase the rights of transgender individuals by repealing gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act. All Iowans deserve the respect and protection of their civil rights. This type of hate is appealing and I do not stand for it.

02-24-2025

Henry Adams

Please refrain from passing this bill. It does benefit the people of Iowa and only pushes the puritan standard of finding an enemy to direct anger towards. This is doing nothing to help kids and only targets a very small minority that for some reason is believed to be much larger. I sincerely beg you to not pass this bill as it will make already alienated kids feel much more uncomfortable in the world. Thank you for your consideration.

02-24-2025

Sarah Goff

Every human being has a right to live and thrive without threat of discrimination, and we all deserve access to fundamental rights. Leave trans people alone. They arent hurting a soul. Legislation like this is cruel and unnecessary. Try walking in someone elses shoes for once.

02-24-2025

David Breese

When time has passed, how will you be remembered? As someone who stripped the rights of helpless people? Or as someone who fought for the disadvantaged? There are real problems we are facing in Iowa, like the rising cancer rates. What are you doing about that? Quit playing identity politics. Help; dont hurt. As a leader within my community, I am thankful to have an example of precisely what not to be. What will you choose? A paycheck? Or your constituents?

02-24-2025

Iris Frasher

As a state whose motto is, "Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain," it is abhorrent that our state elected officials think it appropriate to strip civil rights from their constituents. You cannot tell me a sign of a flourishing society is redacting civil rights.Transgenderidentifying persons make up less than 1% of the population. Why are our officials wasting taxpayer dollars to target such a small demographic of the populace? The only reasoning I can think of is fear mongering and ignorance.Trans people have existed for thousands of years. Historical archaeologist Barbara Ross states that evidence suggests thirdgender categories in North America may go back to the first migrations of people from eastern Asia and Siberia over 10,000 years ago. Before Columbus sailed the ocean, the Zaptoec people of Oaxaca had a third gender role for those called muxes, people who dress, behave and perform work otherwise associated with the opposite binary gender; vestidas wear feminine clothes, while pintadas wear masculine clothes but also makeup and jewellery. They may marry women or men.Many other cultures and societies have evidence of multiple genders. Trans people have always existed, and will continue to exist. To pretend otherwise is a disservice to humanity. If this amoral transphobic legislation passes, we will see an uptick in deaths by suicide. Bigots and transphobes will be emboldened, and we will see more cases like Sam Nordquist, who was purposely lured, raped, and beaten across state lines because of who he wasa trans man. We will further alienate ourselves as a state that people will have no desire to move to.Besides the above, if this legislation gets signed... what's next? Will Republicans decide that race is no longer a civil right? Will my grandparents' interracial marriage be annulled? What about sex? Will I still be allowed to have a bank account even though my husband's name isn't on it? This opens a harrowing Pandora's box and can lead to nothing good for the liberties and rights of Iowans.I urge you: do not pass this bill. This will not make America, or Iowa, great. This will make me ashamed to call myself an Iowan.

02-24-2025

Lisa Nicks

Please do not sign the proposed bill. By removing gender identity from the Iowa civil rights act you are saying that Trans people dont matter, that they are less than, and dont deserve any rights. You are threatening their lively hood and safety. Shame on our state for even considering this. Do we really want to be a state known for removing a population from our state civil rights???

02-24-2025

Kathryn Hogg [Christ Episcopal Church]

As a Christian, a mother, and a citizen, I know we are a stronger and better nation and people when we all have dignity and basic human rights. We have many solutions to bathroom use, if someone is uncomfortable. We have ONE solution for fair treatment in housing, employment, credit, education and public accommodation. Please oppose SF418.

02-24-2025

James Van Ginkel

Please strongly oppose this bill. I am writing to express my strong opposition to Senate Bill SF418. This bill poses a significant threat to the civil rights and protections that Iowa residents have long relied upon.These are not the things that we elected you as senators to work on. Harming a select very minor few does not make our state a greater place to live, work, and thrive. Iowans pride themselves on being kind, friendly, neighborly, and being overall good people. Taking away the rights and protections of those who do not fit the norms are not the way to make our state better. Enacting SF418 would undermine our state's commitment to equality and justice, leading to increased discrimination and marginalization of vulnerable communities. It is imperative that we uphold the values of inclusivity and fairness that define Iowa.I urge you to consider the detrimental impact this legislation would have on our state and to vote against SF418. Let us continue to protect and advance the civil rights of all Iowans.

02-24-2025

Naura Godar

Legislators of Iowa,Please don't legislate hate. As a heterosexual white female I am gravely concerned for the children and adults in the state of Iowa if SF418 is enacted. People are different. Allow them to live their lives with their truth to the fullest extent and do not remove their civil rights. Allowing equal rights for all Iowans does not diminish my rights as a woman. Allowing equal rights for all Iowans does not diminish my rights as a heterosexual. Please vote nay and allow civil rights to protect all of Iowa's citizens.

02-24-2025

Donald LueVanos

This bill not only eliminates transgender and nonbinary individuals like myself, but it also shows that Iowa is willing to discriminate against its own constituents without regard to human decency and respect for all. I urge you to vote no on this matter.

02-24-2025

Stephie Levsen

What are you doing to protect trans Iowans from discrimination and hate crimes? Trans people exist and have always existed. You owe it to every Iowan to be protected from discrimination. Do the right thing. Vote against this horrible bill.

02-24-2025

Kelsey Strandskov

Please stop the hatred toward Iowans. We are all humans and deserve liberty and justice. The people you are discriminating against are the people that work and live here and deserve the same rights as everyone else. Please do not pass this bill.

02-24-2025

Ben Van Meter

As a voter, as a parent of a student whose good friends are transgendered, I oppose this bill. This is not protecting our children nor or students, nor is it protecting adults who may be transgendered. The actions and items in this bill are purely based on a religious sect's ideal, and not based on the citizens that live in the state. Iowans were raised to respect each other no matter what backgrounds and individual comes from. This bill does nothing more than segregate humans. Iowa has not been a segregated state since before the 1868. I am cognizant that the argument based on this knowledge is that this is not about race, and you're correct. However deeming your Iowa citizens as noncitizens with restricted rights is indeed considered Segregation. It astounds me that our elected officials who preach Jesus' teachings of kindness and helping all human beings, would rather ban it's citizens than help.I thank you.

02-24-2025

Julia Dellitt

I am a mother of three who is choosing to raise her children in Iowa right now but bills like this make me not stay in this state. I will never understand why, year over year, our legislature continues to focus on stripping civil rights from our community members rather than prioritizing time and energy on improving education, supporting our farmers, bringing business to our state, ensuring affordable child care, strengthening public health and so much more in terms of issues that actually matter. I urge each of you to reject this bill.

02-24-2025

Eva B

To further infringe on the freedoms of Iowans under the guise of protecting them is nothing more than government control of our bodies. The changes you seek to make will only cause suffering to transgender individuals and their families and loved ones. These are people who are simply trying to get by; Iowans like anyone else here. Please reconsider these bills.

02-24-2025

Terri Gordy

My husband and I are the parents of a 34yearold transgender daughter who lives and works in Iowa City, where we alsolive. I am writing to you today to ask you to reject SF 418, a bill that would remove basic protections for transgender Iowans and create complications for other Iowans who do not fall neatly into the bills narrow definitions.Our daughter came out in December 2022 and began the process of transitioning. We have watchedher evolve through the transgender process, andshe is the happiest we have ever seen her.Shes a human being like you and us who deserves all the rights that any human being deserves. She pays taxes. She is a productive citizen. She graduated from an Iowacommunity college. She is a writer and a musician and has a full life with her family and friends.To think that our hardworking, happy daughter may no longer have antidiscrimination protections concerning where she works and lives makes us angry and sad. In addition to not being able to choose where she works and lives, she may be discriminated againstwhen she applies for a loan, furthers her education, or applies for public accommodations if her rights as a human being are stripped away. We are scared for her.Thanks for reading. Feel free to contact me if you'd like to hearmore about our daughter or to speak further about this legislation. We hope we can count on your support for transgender Iowans and your vote against SF 418 or any other legislation that would harm them.

02-24-2025

Nick Oswald

Why why WHYYYYY are we spending our time picking on such a small portion of our population??? Iowa Republicans need to do their jobs and help out Iowans who are struggling with food prices. This is just blatant transphobia and needs to end now! Please do NOT support this vile bill!

02-24-2025

Megan Irey

I strongly oppose this bill.As a cisgender woman, this has the potential to affect me directly. What if I do not look feminine 'enough', and by whose standards, to where someone wants to see my genitals or kick me out of a restroom? What about my daughter? People who want that are called perverts.There is absolutely no reason, ever, we should take away people's rights ESPECIALLY during this manufactured trans panic. Where in history has removing CIVIL RIGHTS ever helped anyone except for the oppressors in power?Have a spine and stand up for ALL Iowans especially our trans family.

02-24-2025

Atlas Iluvatar

This bill directly affects me and my friends in ways people who don't question their gender couldn't imagine. I mean truly, take a minute, and think about it. Put yourself in my shoes so to speak. I am a 25 year old, female to male, trans man. I spent 25 years of my life dealing with complex mental health issues, my ability to function in society as a worker, as a community member, as a family member, severely lacked due to this imbalance in my brain that no medical professional could figure out. I lived 25 years in fear of my own mind and how it attacked me. Constant thoughts of trying to be enough for my peers, enough for my family, enough for my coworkers and managers truly made walking through life a goldmine. I was diagnosed with so many mental health issues. Bipolar 2, CPTSD, Agoraphobia, Generalized Anxiety, Paranoia. You can look up these symptoms, these diseases, these ailments of the mind. I know you wont, but maybe some of you will just to prove me wrong.I've been diagnosed officially for all of them at some point in my life, licenced doctors couldn't figure out what was wrong with me. My physical doctors couldn't either, strange spattering of symptoms spread across my whole system.Until I transitioned. When I got on Hormone Replacement Treatment, a small dose of testosterone, I didn't have the symptoms of all of these diseases. All of these ailments didn't go away per say, but became more manageable. It changed my life, and the life of people around me. Not just the trans community. But the population of people who had never heard of transness. They understood because they saw an unhealthy individual, someone who couldn't even get up out of bed some mornings to make it to work on time, someone who smelled bad because they never showered, never washed, never cared enough about themselves to give their body decent care. They watched this person... change. With proper medication, with proper ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of who I was, of who we are, with proper CARE for our documentation and our treatment in society, we flourish. I'm proud to say since transitioning,I take care of myself. I have changed for the better. I am a better person, healthier, happier, more useful in my community because I am who I am. To make my legal documentation, to make this experience of beaurocracy, the HUMAN experience of having to fill out paperwork and interact with strangers to get stuff done, hard and unreachable without revealing deep hurt and struggle to the stranger in question, is a violation of rights, but not only that. Anyone. And I mean ANYONE, can relate to being forced to give more information in a social situation than you're comfortable with. So why are you comfortable with putting me, and my friends, through that experience? Is it because you don't know us? Because we're just words on a screen or paper?I urge you to come meet us. I urge you to come forward and say hello. I'll be the first person in line to educate and inform on my situation. I'll tell you the gross truth, because if you're going to be making decisions for me. For my wife. For my people. Id rather you know us. Id rather you put names to faces. Id rather you try to gain a new perspective with an open mind instead of trying to sneak through legislation under the noses of people who are so stressed right now, they don't have the capacity to pay attention.Well I do. I have the capacity to deal with you, to speak up, because I'm not tired yet. I used to be proud to live in Iowa. I use to be proud to be an American. But as I see you continuously take basic rights away from your people, your friends, your possible family. I grow sickened. I grow disgusted with my heritage. I despise the reputation we have gotten. What happened to Iowa Nice? To accepting people as they are as they come. I see it in my everyday life, but not in my government. Are we not proud of being nice anymore? Are we not self disciplined enough to keep our noses out of other people's business? What has it come to, that IOWA, previously one of the best in education and forward thought, has fallen so far.I don't ask for change, because I know you won't make it. I only ask you to think. To put yourself here. In my livingroom. With me. Terrified as I watch my friends prepare to take themselves and their skills out of Iowa. Terrified that my state, the one I've been so proud of, so happy to live under for generations, fall so hard into degeneracy. Into hatred.Think. Before. You. Act. That's all I ask, because I can't change your mind. Ill never change it for real in a comment on an impersonal government website that gets directed to a low level employee who will probably skim this instead of of reading it, but it's what I can do. Its how I can tell you. Its the avenue I have to stop this from passing before it makes changes to our society, to our IOWA, that will never, ever, be undone. I am trans, and I am Iowan. I am proud. I am nice, and I don't judge someone no matter what I think about their decisions because that is their life to live and not mine. Thats how my farmer great grandpa and his wife raised my grandma, and thats how my grandma and my grandpa raised my mom and my uncle, and how my mom raised me and my siblings. To be Iowan.Are you Iowan too?

02-24-2025

Micail McPhee

Please do not vote for this bill. The fact that a bill exists which questions whether civil rights protections should be removed from ANY group of people is absolute nonsense. Trans people are just people. They are our neighbors, coworkers, friends, and family members. I do not believe that this bill represents the actual feelings and desires of the majority of Iowans. Protecting civil rights is the bare minimum required of our legislature. Do the right thing.

02-24-2025

Sara Miller [Sara Miller]

Please don't codify the erasure of human rights in Iowa. It feels a little insane to even need to type those words. Trans Iowans are just Iowans and they deserve (legally and ethically) to be treated as such. When rights don't apply to everyone, they are privileges...and then who is next on the chopping block? Have some empathy.

02-24-2025

Amanda Caraballo

Vote no for SF 418.Some supporters of this bill might say it is to protect women, but that is not the case. I have never felt endangered by a transwoman in the bathroom. Furthermore, there has never been a lawsuit in Iowa where a woman has sued a transgender person for violence in a bathroom or locker room. This bill is not about protecting women, it is only about stripping away the civil rights of a group of people.This bill is completely unacceptable and is a mockery of Iowan values. Iowans care about one another, about our friends, our neighbors, and our community. This bill will only hurt our transgender family, friends, and neighbors by stripping away their legal protection from discrimination. Iowans do not want our legislators to hurt a marginalized community, so stop writing legislation like this and listen to your constituents!Look at the comments on this bill and the groups gathered in the Capitol on 2/24, the majority of people want transgender Iowans to have the right to freely express themselves and to be a protected class in our State Civil Rights Act.This legislation is a disgrace to Iowa's history as a state that, in the past, was a leader in our nation's fight to achieve a fair and equitable society for all people. Line 26, on page 1 (part of New Section 4.1A) is very disturbing. That line reads 'The term "equal" does not mean "same" or "identical"'. The following line (27) says "Separate accommodations are not inherently unequal." I am sure we can all remember learning about the 1954 Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education. The lasting outcome from that case has been that separate is not equal. Adding this language into our state civil rights act is disgusting. Throw this whole bill away!Vote no on SF 418!

02-24-2025

Ellyn Nitchals-Kellner

I strongly oppose SF 418 and urge you to reject this legislation. "Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain" and yet we are considering taking rights away! As a mental health counselor I see first hand the harms caused by legislation like this our LGBTQ neighbors are scared, they are anxious, and they are suffering. Legislation like this causes real harm to folks' wellbeing. Please reject this bill and maintain the civil rights code protections for our trans neighbors.

02-24-2025

Brianna Stoever

This is positively abhorrent. Bills like these are clearly a vehemently opposed by the vast majority of Iowans and yet THIS is what youre focusing on and quickly scrounging together? Its DISGUSTING. Its downright disgraceful and pathetic to see from Iowa law makers. Instead of attacking gender identity that harms absolutely NO ONE, why dont you actually care for your constituents who cant afford food and housing amid the economic collapse currently happening? I oppose this bill and I implore Iowa politicians to grow a spine and do better. This is disgusting to continually see when there are issues in our state that have nothing to do with transphobic ideology. Trans rights are human rights, and those attempting to strip them are monsters in every sense of the word.

02-24-2025

Tara Painter

This bill is fueled by bigotry and hate. Transgender people deserve to live a happy fulfilling life. They have existed through all of history and even science acknowledges the existence of more than two genders. Don't be on the wrong side of history.

02-24-2025

Tara Painter

02-24-2025

Ann Wells

This separate but equal language is extremely disturbing. We should focus on providing equal rights and protections to all Iowans. Please stop targeting marginal populations and solving madeup problems. Iowans do not support this. Use your power to help, rather than hurt.

02-24-2025

Gretchen Honsell

Please Do Not support this bill. It is discriminatory and dangerous, and raises hints of Nazism. Civil rights should be revered, respected, and protected. Please remember the oaths you swore to uphold the Constitution as it stands. Peace and all good.Gretchen Honsell

02-24-2025

Brittany Kolfenbach

Transgender Iowans deserve to be able to update their birth certificates, receive specialized healthcare, and be legally recognized in marriages, adoptions, and protect at work. Stripping them of their protections is not the right thing for you to do.

02-24-2025

Sara Miller [Sara Miller]

02-24-2025

Breanna Vandemark

02-24-2025

Assata Worrell

Im incredibly disappointed that HSB 242 passed the Iowa House. This bill strips gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act, directly attacking the rights of trans Iowans. Along with HB 158, which would make bringing a minor to a drag show a felony, this is a blatant step toward discrimination and government overreach. Iowa should be a place of equality, not exclusion.

02-24-2025

Kelly Mayhew

Our motto states "Our Liberties We Prize, Our Rights We Will Maintain." This bill is a disastrous step towards losing the Liberties and Rights that Iowa has spearheaded for over 179 years. This bill goes against everything this state has stood for. A free state that desegregated schools in 1865, we cannot lose sight of the liberties we have given Iowans for nearly the whole of our existence. We cannot take away rights from people who exist in their own skin. Taking the protections away from anyone when it DOES NOT affect anyone else is bigotry and cruel. This Project 2025 blueprint is NOT what Iowans want. It is not a way to keep young people in this state. If you are concerned about the brain drain from this state. You will push them all out of here. They have been brought up with What would Jesus do? He would NOT remove the protections of our civil liberties and rights from people who want to dress they way they feel, change their legal documents and ask to be called what they want. Please vote NO on this bill.

02-24-2025

Ralph Chavez

Oppose: this bill, and others like it blatantly undermine the integrity of our democracy. Its cowardly, irresponsible, and based on opinions molded from fear and mis/disinformation. This legislative body is continuing to give way for more authoritarian and fascistic models of rule if it continues to devalue and criminalize people..

02-24-2025

Ann Blake

I am writing to express huge concerns about the proposed civil rights act that would strip the LGBTQ+ population of their civil rights in our state. Please, do not move forward with this passage/change. This will take our state backwards decades. We want Iowa to be a state that we are proud to live in...and that is quickly slipping away. I beg you to please allow civil rights to be present for ALL Iowans.

02-24-2025

Kim Burrell

02-24-2025

Erin Bughman

The proposed bill HF583 is a violation of the civil rights of transgender and nonbinary individuals. These are real people who deserve to choose how they want to present themselves and should not be required to be classified by the sex that they were assigned at birth. These are human beings who deserve to be able to dress and be identified as whatever gender they are most comfortable as. Taking away this right damages these individuals, including those who were born intersex, and therefore do not fit any singular "male" or "female" category.

02-24-2025

Grace Meadows

OPPOSE! Iowans overwhelmingly showed you how they feel about this bill today. No one wants this. Please LISTEN to the people you represent! John 13:34: A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.Leviticus 19:18: "Love your neighbor as yourselfSigned, a cis white lady from Ankeny

02-24-2025

Vanessa Langdon

My girlfriend is trans and lives in Iowa. Right now she's terrified and falling into a deep depression over all of this. She just wants to work and live her life like everyone else. What you're doing with this draconian law is cruel, depraved, and abusive. She's already had to deal with nazis tagging Muscatine with swastikas; she doesn't need her state saying it's ok to treat her like a second class citizen.

02-24-2025

Monique Shore

I am writing to urge you to OPPOSED this legislation. I am the proud mother of an incredible trans daughter. This bill would REMOVE HER CIVIL RIGHTS. It would give others the right to discriminate against her. It says to an intelligent, gifted, and compassionate young person YOU ARE NOT WELCOME IN IOWA. She does not threaten the safety of anyone else. If this law is passed it would say to others in Iowa its ok for you to discriminate against trans people. For some, this also implies permission to do harm through bullying or, God forbid, physical assault. Transgender people must be protected under Iowa law. They are over four times more likely than cisgender people to experience violent victimization, including rape, sexual assault, and aggravated or simple assault. In addition, households with a transgender person have higher rates of property victimization than cisgender households.The idea that you would choose to REMOVE THE RIGHTS of a group of Iowans is appalling. It is wrong. ALL people should be treated fairly and equally by the laws of our state. To pass this legislation is to take our state backwards.

02-24-2025

Cassie Sampson

Reject SF 418. Aside from the blatant violation of human rights and disregard of science, creating an unwelcoming state is bad for business and Iowas economy. Businesses need a strong workforce, and with a fear of discrimination, trans folks and families with trans family members understandably will hesitate to make a home in Iowa, seek jobs in Iowa, or stay employed here. There is no upside to this bill. We cannot afford to lose talented, skilled workers. Living in a state that seeks to legislate hate is embarrassing.

02-24-2025

Eleanor Glewwe

Please oppose SF 418. This bill targets transgender Iowans in multiple ways, but I'm especially concerned about the part where it removes gender identity from the protected classes in the Iowa Civil Rights Act. This move would make it legal to discriminate against transgender Iowans in areas like housing, banking, employment, and so on. I have transgender friends and colleagues in my community and at my workplace who would be directly and negatively affected by such a change in the law. I don't want to see them hurt by the rolling back of civil rights protections, especially in a state that has such a proud history of extending, rather than reducing, rights and freedoms for its citizens.Transgender people want the same things as everyone else: to pursue work with dignity and to build a comfortable and fulfilling life for themselves. All Iowans should be able to rent an apartment or get a loan without being discriminated against for their sex, race, religion, or indeed their gender identity. We should be protecting everyone's individual rights and freedoms in Iowa. You don't have to share the beliefs of someone whose faith is different from yours to stand up for their right not to be discriminated against in public life and everyday business transactions. In the same way, you can have whatever personal opinions you like about transgender identity while still standing up for transgender Iowans' right to be treated with the same equality and fairness as everybody else. Please firmly oppose SF 418.

02-24-2025

Sara Clemenson

Gender identity needs to remain part of Iowas civil rights, be taught in schools, and transgender people should have the right to have official documents reflect their gender identity.Just because you may not understand what transgender means or how it affects people does not mean civil rights should be taken away from IOWANS. The repercussions of this on the transgender communities are innumerable and unacceptable.Please do NOT pass this bill.

02-24-2025

Conner Tipping

Any bill that removes a civil right from a group is unacceptable. The purpose of this bill is not to improve the lives of Iowans, but rather to attack a group of people for being different. It should be considered unAmerican, but I am really not sure we can say that anymore. Whatever it is, it is most certainly immoral and nowhere even close to what our legislature should be considering when looking to improve our state. I ask for all legislators to stop this ridiculous, late night, cowardly assault on their fellow citizens for no reason but to inflict cruelty.

02-24-2025

Maliah Kome

I am beyond frustrated, outraged, and insulted that the once progressive state of Iowa is currently wasting time and taxpayer resources to consider a bill introduced for no other reason than to hurt and discriminate against one of our most vulnerable protected classes. The only goal of this bill is to allow employers, public organizations, landlords, lenders, and places of worship to more easily discriminate against and exclude transgender and gender nonconforming citizens in Iowa. As a transgender Iowan who was born here, grew up here, attended Iowa public schools, and chose to continue living in the state to build a career in a highdemand industry, this bill is a slap in the face. But mine is a position of privilege. I think about the transgender minors in our state who are being told by Iowa state officials (whose job it is to serve our citizens) that their very existence will not be acknowledged. I think about the transgender folx who may soon be refused housing and will be forced to rely on our state's underfunded organizations to support the unhoused. I think about the transgender public service employees who have worked demanding jobs in service of our citizens who, upon passage of this bill, can and will be fired simply on the basis of their gender identity.By passing this bill, you will be telling Iowans that you do not care to educate yourselves or express empathy to members of this very real and vibrant community. Countless studies have shown that diversity makes us stronger as a state, but you would prefer to erase an entire group and strip us of protections in our own communities. The Republican subcommittee members may choose to ignore their blatant hypocrisy as members of the party supposedly opposed to "big government" and promoting "freedom", but Iowans know that any official supporting a bill calling for "separate but equal" accommodations, a phrase ripped straight from the pages of Plessy v. Ferguson, is on the wrong side of history. I urge you to preserve the rights of ALL Iowans.

02-24-2025

Brian Vaage

What did these people ever do to you? Are you that insecure around them that you have to punish them for it. You all should be ashamed of yourselves these people are just trying to live their lives and you seem to think they are going to hurt you. LEAVE THEM ALONE PLEASE. So grow up and accept people for who they are. We are ALL human and deserve the same rights.

02-24-2025

Alaina Elliott-Wherry

Iowans DO NOT want this bill or any of the garbage legislation that aims to take civil rights away! Stop harming our trans Iowans. Stop legislating hate. This is not what our communities want or need; hundreds of Iowans showed up today to tell you this exact thing! Proposing this disgusting, discriminatory bill is in direct opposition to our states motto and what you are supposed to do as elected officials. VOTE NO ON SF 418.

02-24-2025

Heidi Anderson

I am strongly opposed to SF 418 that removes gender identity protections for Iowans. This bill would legalize discrimination against trans Iowans. I am not okay with Iowa being the first state in the nation to remove protections for a particular class of Iowans. The passage of this bill would be a step back in time in Civil Rights protections.

02-24-2025

Sarah Hagen

I am writing to express my strong opposition to any proposed removal of gender identity from civil rights protections. This move would not only be a step backward in the progress we've made towards equality and fairness but also a denial of basic human dignity for many individuals in our society.Gender identity is an inherent part of who a person is. Removing gender identity from civil rights protections would directly impact those who are already marginalized and vulnerable, especially transgender and nonbinary individuals. It would open the door to discrimination in critical areas such as healthcare, employment, housing, and public accommodations.It is essential that we continue to protect all individuals, regardless of their gender identity, under the same legal rights and protections. Discrimination in any form, whether based on gender identity, race, religion, or any other characteristic, undermines the core values of fairness and equality that our society is built upon.I urge you to reconsider this harmful proposal and to work toward strengthening protections for all individuals, regardless of their gender identity. Let's continue to build a society where everyone can live with dignity, respect, and equality.Thank you for your time and consideration.

02-24-2025

Jean Hitchman

AGAINST SF418It is clear that the intention of this bill is to try to erase transgender and gender nonconfirming Iowans. Trans people have always existed and will continue to exist. Stop trying to hurts my loved ones. Do not pass this bill.

02-24-2025

Jordan Brendeland

Iowa has a long history of inclusivityfrom the University of Iowa being the first in the country to admit women on equal basis with men to becoming one of the first states to recognize samesex marriage. This is a legacy I am immensely proud of as a native Iowan. I cant overstate the shock and dismay I felt upon seeing HSB242, a bill that would remove gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act. I cant imagine why somebody would willfully restrict or threaten a humans rights to basic protection from being evicted from their apartments or fired from their jobs on the basis of identity. Not being able to do these things would make it nearly impossible to compete on a level playing field with their peers. These basic antidiscrimination protections are an important part of any meritbased system, allowing people to access opportunities regardless of who they are or how they are perceived. I implore you to vote against HSB242. I implore you to show compassion and mercy, and urge others to do the same.

02-24-2025

Adoh Sisourath

Please do not let this bill pass. It is very short sighted and does not contribute positively to the betterment and wellbeing of all Iowans. There are more pressing issues that directly affect Iowans that are being sidelined because of bills such as this.

02-24-2025

Elizabeth Arnold

Civil rights protections are given to groups whose rights are frequently violated. Granting a group civil rights does not hurt the rights of others working in good faith. This bill is an affront to the dignity of Iowans. Trans Iowans are Iowans. Please reject this bill. It hurts people and it hurts our state.

02-24-2025

Brian Julin-McCleary [St John Lutheran Church]

Vote NO on SF 418.I pastor a church with a number of queer and transgender folks and this bill would be harmful to them and those that love them, including me.Please ensure that sexual orientation and gender identity remain protected classifications in our state by rejecting SF 418.Thank you,Pastor Brian JulinMcCleary

02-24-2025

Jacob Ruchotzke

I have LGBTQ+ friends who are terrified of this legislation and how it can affect them economically and socially. Never in my lifetime would I see peoples rights be stripped away from them. Im ashamed of the direction this state is going in.

02-24-2025

Farren Johnson

Iowa needs you to REJECT and STOP the Iowa Civil Rights Removal Act.Transgender people are our friends, neighbors, family and coworkers. When it comes to being able to earn a living, having a place to live, or being served by a business or government office, they should be treated like anyone else and not be discriminated against. Erasing their identities is unacceptable and moving this bill forward would do just that. ALL Iowans have a right to live happily and safely. Please protect our transgender Iowans and stop Iowa Civil Rights Removal Act from moving forward.

02-24-2025

Heidi Hassen

I vehemently OPPOSE SF418. Every citizen deserves equal protection under the law and the right to live free from discrimination. Tax paying citizens have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. No citizen should worry their basic human rights will be taken away because of another person's chosen beliefs.

02-24-2025

Michael McCormick

This bill serves no purpose but to strip rights from, and further dehumanize, members of the transgender community. It is cruel for the sake of cruelty.As the parent of a transgender person, I know this bill will make my child less safe. It will make them more vulnerable to violence. It will render them a secondclass citizen.My family and I have experienced the pain of my child struggling to come to terms with their identity. If this law had been in place when they were younger, they would be dead by their own hand. I thank God every day that they are alive. If this bill passes it will be responsible for the suicide of many young people. I am sure you agree that neither they nor their families deserve that.I urge you to uphold your oath as an Iowa legislator to serve ALL Iowans and vote against this reprehensible bill.

02-24-2025

Melissa Gevaert

I want to express my deep concern regarding the potential removal of gender identity from Iowa's civil rights protections. Such a decision would have profoundly damaging consequences for transgender Iowans, and I urge you to reconsider this course of action.Gender identity is not a matter of debate; it is a fundamental aspect of a person's identity. Every individual deserves the right to live authentically and with dignity, free from discrimination. To remove these protections is to deny the very existence and validity of transgender people's lived experiences.Civil rights laws are essential safeguards for vulnerable populations. Without these protections, transgender Iowans would face increased risk of discrimination in crucial areas such as employment, housing, and public accommodations, leading to economic hardship, social isolation, and emotional distress.The impact on mental and physical health cannot be overstated. Discrimination has a direct and negative impact, exacerbating the already disproportionate rates of mental health challenges and suicide attempts within the transgender community. We have a moral obligation to protect these vulnerable members of our society, not to further endanger them.Furthermore, civil rights laws are the bedrock of a just and equitable society. Removing gender identity protections undermines the fundamental principle that all people are equal under the law. Protecting trans people, protects all people. When any group is marginalized, all of society is harmed.Let us remember that transgender Iowans are not abstract concepts; they are our neighbors, friends, and family members. They deserve the same rights and protections as everyone else. Policy decisions should be rooted in compassion and understanding, not in prejudice and fear.Maintaining gender identity as a protected class is not merely a political stance; it is about upholding basic human rights and ensuring that all Iowans, regardless of their gender identity, have the opportunity to live full and meaningful lives. I implore you to stand on the side of equality and justice.Please vote no to SF 418.

02-24-2025

Jane Romp

I was born and raised in Iowa; as a student I attended Des Moines public schools from K12. As a queer person living in Iowa, I experienced firsthand the impact of bigoted rhetoric and legislation on LGBTQ+ youth. Bills like Senate 418 stand to protect no one and put some of the most vulnerable populations at risk. Bills like this encourage the policing of young peoples gender and sexualities and open children up to limitless opportunities for abuse. The precedent set by this bill undermines the principles outlined in both the United States and Iowa constituons; the rights Iowan lawmakers have endeavored to protect for generations.Language from this Bill, including those that argue "separate accommodations are not inherently unequal mirror decades old arguments against any form of difference in society, but especially racial diversity. This languages pulls Iowas potential growth in the future back into the depths of past where it will remain should this bill pass. I urge you to vote no on Senate Bill 418.

02-24-2025

Tiffany Hoffman

"Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain." Let's not make history for being the first state to completely disregard our motto and remove civil rights for any group of humans, regardless of our personal opinions on said group. This is dangerous precedent. Vote no.

02-24-2025

Lewis Cox [Ames Collegiate United Methodist Church and Wesley Foundation]

To the Members of the Committee,I am writing to express my deep concern regarding Senate File 418, which I believe poses a significant threat to the rights and wellbeing of transgender individuals in Iowa, particularly those among the youth in our communities.As a progressive pastor and campus minister, I have the privilege of working closely with transgender youth, many of whom are already navigating complex challenges related to their identity. This bill not only denies the legitimacy of gender identity but also perpetuates harmful stereotypes that could exacerbate the struggles of transgender individuals. I have seen firsthand how essential it is for young people to have the support and affirmation of their identities, both from their families and communities. This bill undermines those supportive spaces by imposing rigid definitions of sex and gender, which will likely lead to further discrimination and harm.Additionally, the bill's removal of gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act is alarming. It strips away vital protections that ensure transgender individuals are not discriminated against in housing, employment, education, and public accommodations. By codifying a narrow understanding of sex and gender into law, SF418 sends a dangerous message to trans youth that their identities do not matter, and that their rights are expendable.Transgender youth already face significantly higher rates of mental health struggles, bullying, and even violence. This bill, by denying the validity of their lived experiences and identities, could only further compound these difficulties. The exclusion of gender identity from legal protections directly contradicts the values of inclusion, dignity, and respect for all people that are central to my faith tradition.I strongly urge you to reconsider the impact of SF418 and to stand with the transgender community in Iowa. We are called to protect the most vulnerable among us and to offer support, not harm. I implore you to oppose this bill and to work toward legislation that respects the rights and humanity of all Iowans, regardless of their gender identity.Thank you for your time and consideration.Sincerely,Rev. Lewis CoxPastor and Campus Minister, Collegiate United Methodist Church/Wesley Foundation

02-24-2025

Wesley Lyons

Its cruel and unusual to have such an intense focus on a subset of the population that statistically is at much higher risk of being victims of hate crimes than causing harm to others. The Republican Party in the state of Iowa continues to push these policies that are not helpful to anyone in the state, while ignoring the fact that the state is literally falling apart in front of them. If people dont want to be trans, no one is forcing them to be trans. If they dont want to attend a drag show or take their children to a drag show, they can stay home. Republicans in Iowa have decided that only straight, white, Christians deserve protection rather than working to provide a safe welcoming space. Policies like this are why Iowa continues to drive away young professionals and fall in numerous rankings in comparison to other states. I urge the legislature to vote NO on this hateful bill and instead consider working to pass laws that will actually provide benefit to their constituents.

02-24-2025

Jennifer Levsen

I request that you reconsider this measure as it strips away the legitimacy of your citizens. It disgusts me to see how quickly you are complicit to discount and spit in the face of your very own taxpaying citizens. I call on you my representing officials to stand against the tyranny of religious oppression and ideological suppression Jennifer Levsen US Army veteran

02-24-2025

Emerson Cram

I am strongly opposed to this bill. The purpose of the civil rights act is to create an avenue of recourse in the face of discrimination. Removal of the grounds of legal protection is the undeniable consequence of this legislation, regardless of claims to real intent otherwise. Both the letter and the spirit of this law codify discrimination. The bill would remove equal protection under the law, which is anti constitutional. You open the door to wasting taxpayer dollars to defend this bigotry in court.You have said this reflects common sense and protects women. I have to disagree. At the federal level, weve actually witnessed these kinds of sex redefinition policies harm women, through the defunding of critical services like The Office on Violence Against Women. Women who are not stereotypically feminine have been harassed in bathrooms because of the climate of fear spread by these bills. What is common sense is the recognition of biological diversity, which far exceeds two categories of personhood. Now, in a time when we should be collectively addressing worker shortages and high costs of housing, this legislation sends a message that Iowa is unwelcoming and pushes workers away. This bill is a reflection of language brought to us by culture war made by elites in Manhattan who do not represent Iowans. Do we really want to be remembered as the people who took peoples rights away? That is the unequivocal outcome of this legislation. What happened to small government? Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain.

02-24-2025

Kathryn Bradley

This bill is a direct violation of transgender individuals rights. To force them to identify in opposition to the gender with which they identify is emotional abuse and damaging to their self esteem and worth. I oppose this bill vehemently.

02-24-2025

Paden Sheumaker

I am a black queer Iowan. I am strongly against this bill. I am someone who's ancestors had to fight for civil rights in this country. I am someone who's community had to fight for equal rights in this country and in this state. Civil rights are not something that should ever be taken away. To take away the right for people to be treated fairly in this state would be to spit in the face of everyone who has fought tooth and nail for these rights. Have you ever been discriminated against just for being who you are? Just for existing as yourself? I have. And I can tell you it is dehumanizing, it is demeaning, it is disheartening and it is terrifying. Many queer and transgender and gender non conforming iowans have felt this. And that is while our rights are protected. That is with the laws and the power of the state behind us to protect us. I cannot imaging how much worse that discrimination would be if the state we live in chooses to abandon that protection. I do not want to live in a state where that is something that we are working toward. If we start taking away civil rights now where does it stop? How long until we demonize more iowans under the guise of "protecting" others. This bill will be a dark stain on our states history. Vote no.

02-24-2025

Jennifer Gehrke

Only God is allowed to judge. Whats being proposed is disturbing and heartbreaking. Suggesting human rights be taken away because of their personal choices. Please stop this bill from passing. Praying for a positive outcome.

02-24-2025

Regan Wolbers

Love thy neighbor. Thats what we are asked to do. You dont have to approve of them, understand them, or honestly even like them. But you are asked in the Christian tradition to love them. Stripping your neighbors or their civil rights and legislating that it is ok to hate and discriminate against them is not love. It is not what Jesus would do. I am so ashamed of us in Iowa. I am sad for our future if this is how we treat each other. Say NO to the Civil Rights Removal Act. I pray that our legislators will be brave enough to stand up for our Iowa values and not let a hateful minority push their hatedul agenda.

02-24-2025

Alexis Porter

02-24-2025

Jack Gilbert

This proposed piece of legislation is an affront to human decency. Our legislature should be focusing on goals that benefit every Iowan instead of attempting to take protections away from those who are exercising their constitutional freedom to express their gender identity differently. Transgender and other gender nonconforming individuals deserve the full protection of the Iowa Civil Rights Act.

02-24-2025

Dawn Flood

Dear Iowa Senators Schultz, Blake and Dawson,I am a transgender female who lives in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, having been born in Iowa City in 1967, a lifelong Iowa native who has lived my entire life here in the State of Iowa, having graduated from Sumner high school, UNI, and later on, the University of Iowa.As for removing protection for transgender human beings such as myself, I am convinced that such a removal from our Iowa Civil Rights code will change nothing, except to perpetuate the cycle of conflict & violence in our Society. Four or five years ago, I was a victim of such violence, an assault where a stranger hit me on my head with his fist as he leaned out of the window of a moving car while I walked alone on a Cedar Rapids street a few miles from my home. I will never forget the expression on his face, a look of determined, focused hate. No doubt he and his driver had recognized me, a complete stranger, as someone whom they hated, and they decided to take their hatred out against me, a transgender female, with violence. By the time I had regained my balance and had time to call the Cedar Rapids police, their car was long gone, and I have never, so far as I know, ever seen this individual or his car again.With or without discrimination laws, people who want to discriminate will find ways to discriminate, and those whose consciences are disturbed by such acts, will not discriminate, with or without a law. In the case of the former, they can always, regardless of the Law, find "other" reasons to publicly justify their actions. The primary purpose of antidiscrimination laws is for our government to "teach" that it is wrong to hate certain human beings based upon aspects of their public and/or private lives that are simply different than most other human beings, but are not harming anyone. People can claim that gender identity is reducible to one's ability to produce sperm or eggs, but the fMRI evidence is clear that brains can be gendered, and while it may be possible to outsmart a polygraph exam, I know of no expert who believes that one can "trick" a fMRI exam.For instance, there are transgender human beings (whether transgender males or transgender females) who will continue to use the bathroom that aligns with their gender identity, regardless of the Law, and who is going to stop them? As a biological male, I use women's restrooms, both public & private, on a regular basis, and no one has ever said anything to me other than a polite, "Hello." How could anyone report to the police a biological male or a biological female who, in the case of the former, is indistinguishable, at least on the surface, from a biological woman, or in the latter case, a biological male? As a transgender female, I feel that I have a moral right to continue to live, and I am not going to risk my life by going into a men's bathroom just because the "Law says so." Neither is having "an accident", especially while in a skirt, an option, either!Please consider Mr. Noah Webster's definition of the word "woman":https://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/womanIn his 1828 dictionary, Mr. Webster gives the etymology of the word "woman" as being "a compound of womb and man." Of course, the philosopher Aristotle taught that a "woman" was a "failed man"; in other words, per Aristotle, a woman was a human being who had failed to develop into a man. Over time, the meaning of words change. I doubt that any Senator or Representative in the Iowa Legislature would say that a "parent" can only be someone to another human being with whom they share 23 chromosomes. No doubt many foster parents and infertile couples who conceive via IVF would disagree!If the Iowa Legislature strikes gender identity from the Iowa Code, our Struggle will continue, as it did with the abolition of slavery, now and forever. Life will go on, and with it, the cycle of hate & violence. Over time, more transgender human beings will be the victims of violence and even murder than would have been otherwise, but some of the perpetrators of violence will not succeed either; those who are lucky will endup getting arrested with some going to prison while others do not, while some themselves will meet their own deaths in their act of trying to take the lives of others.Please realize that in passing this legislation that you will succeed only in making certain groups feel better about themselves, but in the end, the lives of more human beings, both transgender & cisgender, will be irreparably harmed.Sincerely,Dawn FloodCedar Rapids, Iowa

02-24-2025

Star Tammes

I urge you to vote against this bill. It is unproductive, hateful, and frankly an embarrassment to our state. How does this address egg prices? Simple answer, it is to distract from the fact they never were going to help us to begin with. Drop the charade and save us both the time.

02-24-2025

Sophia Woods

I unequivocally oppose this bill. Our trans friends and family will be in immediate physical danger should this pass. I urge the legislature to please listen to your constituents. This is incredibly discriminatory, and I hope Iowa should be better than to out trans people for no discernible reason other than hate.

02-24-2025

Kendra Haug

I am disappointed that Iowa is even considering this bill. I am disgusted that we would erase peoples rights for NO REASON. Trans athletes? How many are even in Iowa like 5?? Assaults *by* trans people in bathrooms? Havent seen one. You know who does commit assaults in Iowa? Straight white males. There is no room for Christianity to make laws in Iowa, unless youd be fine with Islam or Buddhism making them too. And, as a Jesus follower, this is NOT a theocracy, nor should it be. In conclusion, there is NO REASON, NO JUSTIFICATION for this based in fact, only hate. Oh, and we caught the whole separate but equal language be so for real. No thank you.

02-24-2025

Anonymous Citizen of Iowa

Vote YES on SF 418 Laws should be based on truth, fact and reality. If we pass laws in this state that are based on feelings, delusions or lies we will have a society in chaos. For example, this week during the first hearings for this bill and many other times over the last 4 years we have seen the chaos caused in our capitol building by the people who oppose this legislation. They are disrespectful and lack self control. Their behavior in the Capitol is just one more reason to vote yes on this bill, and restore truth to the Iowa code. Currently Iowa law says gender identity is a protected class in the civil rights code. Federal civil rights code does not say this. 27 other states do not have this law either. This law passed in 2007 is errant, because according to our Creator and to the biology of humans, there are 2 genders aka sexes, and no gender identities. That is reality, truth and fact. That fictional term gender identity, is based on delusions of those who are struggling with their mental health about their identity. The most loving thing we can do for anyone, including those who are struggling with gender dysphoria, is to tell them the hard truth rather than an easy lie. Speaking and living the TRUTH sets us free. There is but one TRUTH. To those misrepresenting Almighty God and His Son, Christ Jesus to support the lies of gender identity you are guilty of blasphemy and will answer to God if you do not repent. The scriptures warned about you false pastors and ministers at 2 Corinthians 11:1315 it says:For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.And at 2 Timothy 4:34For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.Iowans have made it clear in the past few legislative sessions with the bills we have passed to protect women and girls in their sports, their locker rooms and bathrooms, in k12 classrooms, as well as public places like the pool they want truthful and common sense laws to protect our society.Having gender identity as a protected class in Iowa civil rights code, means that our biological daughters could have to share bath and locker rooms with biological boys and men, and compete against them in sports. It also has resulted in the state of Iowa paying for elective genital surgeries and artificial hormones for those who want to attempt to change their body to that of the opposite gender. Of note, there are just two of those gender options available when seeking sex change treatments. This bill will still protect the right of a person to identify however they choose, dress how they choose, and all of their other rights just the same as the rest of us are afforded. This bill will simply protect our female designated spaces for biological females only including bathrooms, locker rooms, shelters, prisons, sports, and will end the discriminatory practice of the state of Iowa paying for hormones and genital surgeries.

02-24-2025

Kayla Lewis

To whom it may concern; To start, a quote from our declaration of Independence: "...that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."I believe most, if not all of you reading this should be familiar with this quote. Is this not one of the main fundamentals that our Country, and by association our state, was built on? Are we not all created equally, despite our individual differences? You stand in front of this bill, understanding that it would be stripping the rights and protections of a section of your people's. The same people that you have sworn to protect and serve. This is abhorrent, and goes against everything that this country was built on. How can you stand idly by and be complacent in such a harmful act? Shame on you. The Williams Institute suggests that there are around 7,000 trans individuals within Iowa. That is potentially 7,000 lives that you will ruin, in one way or another, by removing their rights and identities. You must do better. I implore you to rethink this decision. These are your family members, your friends, acquaintances, teachers, blue collar workers, retail, customer service, your own children potentially. They are just normal people living normal lives and should be entitled to the same protections.You say that you are wanting to protect women and children, you say that is a fundamental reason you're passing this. And yet, do trans women or trans kids not count as women and children?Furthermore, if your fears are that "men" will dress up like "women" and infiltrate spaces with the intent to harm women and children, why are you attacking the rights of trans individuals, and not the rights of men? If your worry is that men are so dedicated to hurting women and children that they'll go through painful surgeries and life changing procedures and coming out JUST to hurt women, then why are you not addressing that issue? Is your fear a true fear, or is it simply a lack of education and an abundance of prejudice. Stand by your people, and I mean ALL of your people. Protect them in the right ways, do not strip their rights and leave them further susceptible to harm or negligence. Sincerely, A dissapointed Iowan;Kayla Lewis

02-24-2025

Tiffany Welch

As a Christian and member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints, I oppose this bill. As a human, who cares about other people, I oppose this bill. As an Iowan, I oppose this bill. We already face a shortage of doctors in our state; becoming a state that denies the science of gender will make that harder. This will make it harder to attract business and workers to the state. This will make Iowa even more of a joke of a state: we have corn and we love to discriminate! Most of all, this bill is cruel just for the sake of being cruel. This does nothing to improve anyone's standard of living and hurts far too many, directly or indirectly.

02-24-2025

Kelly Plumber

Stop this bill, and this cruel notion of taking civil rights. This is embarrassing us in the eyes of the country and the civilized world. Do we want to be known for small minded religion driven hatred of things they don't understand, hurts no one, and is none of their business at all?

02-24-2025

Angela Pittman

Enough is enough! There is no reason that our tax dollars should be paying the Iowa legislators to consider bills such as SF 418! I am the mother of a transgender son. He graduated top of his high school class, is attending a state college on academic scholarship and plans to attend Law school. He deserves the basic civil rights just as any other Iowan. He should not face discrimination when he applies for a job or an apartment just because he is transgender. However, if this law passes then that is exactly what could occur. Honestly, it is not hurting anyone that my son identifies different from the biological sex assigned at birth, yet laws such as SF 418 would be punishing my son for no reason. This bill is stating that some Iowans are less value than others. Is that the motto of our state? I thought that it was, "Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain". I pray to God that you understand how damaging this bill would be to so many innocent Iowans and vote "NO" for SF 418.

02-24-2025

George Guerra

This bill is absolutely absurd. Say goodbye to any public performances. Instead of making laws to raise the state education standards and restore our standing as an educated state, you focus on culture war nonsense that does nothing to assist the material needs of Iowans. Stop governing on who you want to hurt and start governing to help and make everyone's lives better. Everyone, look into the kickbacks these Republicans are receiving, and tell me who benefits from not talking about it.

02-24-2025

Courtney Cooper

I am a lifelong Iowa resident, and I am disgusted that this bill is even being considered. To decide that someone is no longer valid simply because of their genitalia and how they identify is abhorrent, and it says more about the people who are so focused on it than it does about the people who are just living their truth. My goal will be to vote out anyone who votes for this bill.

02-24-2025

valerie kies

Oppose SF 418As a lifelong Iowan, wife, mother, Christian and Primary Care Provider, I strongly oppose SF418. All persons deserve equal rights and protection under the law. It is unacceptable to single out a small group of people and legalize unequal treatment.

02-24-2025

Margaret Luetkehans

This bill should not proceed. It should not be made into a law. It is been proven in science that there are more variations than xx and xy. I moved to Iowa with my family in 1990 to a small town. In the small school district, there are children who grew up to be their true selves, not identified as per their birth certificate. I see the discrimination that the state of Iowa has moved towards and I believe that this bill will lead to further discrimination and maybe even more out right hatred. It saddens me that individuals that have decided to transgender, to become their authentic self, to work with doctors, therapists, legal aid, and creating a life that is best for them and their futures be taken away. Until recently, an individual in the United States of America, could enter on their Passport Male Female or Other. And now that has been taken away. Iowa led the rights for interracial marriage, led the right for same sex marriages and now is working at taking all of the rights away except for white CIS individuals. Tonight I will send message to my transgender friends and let them know that they are whole, amazing, wonderful people. They are parents to children, friends, coworkers. Please stop the hate and discrimination to the transgender community. Protect our children from those who base a child on how they are perceived and questioned not spoken with and interacted with. Accepted for who they are and will become. Thank you.

02-24-2025

Kayla Dick

As a mental health therapist, I strongly oppose this bill. Removing gender identity protections under the Iowa Civil Rights Act harms the mental health and wellbeing of transgender and nonbinary individuals, increasing risks of anxiety, depression, and suicide. Accurate gender markers on vital records are essential for safety, dignity, and access to necessary services. Restricting gender education in schools fosters stigma and misunderstanding, negatively impacting all students' mental health.I urge lawmakers to reject this bill and prioritize the rights, safety, and mental health of all Iowans.

02-24-2025

Michael Roberts

Vote NO on SF418. This bill removes civil rights protections from marginalized groups and legalizes discrimination. This is a part of the cynical republican campaign to victimize trans and gender nonconformin people. Say no to hate in our state.

02-24-2025

Katie Peterson

I oppose this bill. It is transphobic, regressive, and counterproductive. We should be lifting people up and providing them with the support that they need rather than taking their rights away and making it more difficult to achieve a decent livelihood

02-24-2025

Shawn Liker-Hill

Why would you ever want to cut civil rights? I wonder what you are gaining by putting forth these hateful bills. The people of Iowa made it very clear today at the capitol that they oppose the hate and ignorance. Just let people live and feel safe in the state they call home. The amount of people I know looking for homes in different states should be embarrassing to the Iowa government. I love living here but it is becoming hard to love when it is riddled with hate from those sworn to protect. Be on the right side of history and stop this bill. Do you really want this to be your legacy?

02-24-2025

Ethan Vance

Vote NO to this legislation. Removing these civil rights would increase suicide rates and pave the way for the removal of other civil rights. Please spend more time, resources, and effort on matters that are currently ruining lives such as water quality, poverty, and cancer rates.

02-24-2025

Maggie Vandewalle

I am opposed to this as it is a witch hunt against decent human beings who have as much right to exist in their own skin as every other human being in this state and on this planet. Please dont cater to this indecent administration.

02-24-2025

Connie Poole

Where to begin 3 years ago i lost my son he wanted what he felt he been all his life a girl. Now with this bill I will lose my daughter lily she will lose her right and can be discrimated against. I thought this was done in the 40 with nazis. Why can't all iowans live as they are Trans aren't rapists they have families friends just want american dream. Black Indians Hispanics can live their life. Why can't trans.i guess I have another funeral to attend

02-24-2025

Pauline Bland

Please do not support this bill. Do not participate in discrimination against our transgender friends, neighbors, family members, or coworkers. They deserve all of the same rights and opportunities as any of our fellow Iowans. Choose to participate in a legacy of love, not hate.

02-24-2025

Melissa Widner

Why is this such a huge issue now. Let people be who they want to be. We don't know how they feel, only how we feel. I am comfortable being a woman. My husband is comfortable being a guy. Our oldest child isn't comfortable being either. They just want to be human. Their pronouns are they/them. We respect them enough to make them feel loved and appreciated fTheir gender doesn't reflect on how we feel about them. They are loved or who they are loved unconditionally.

02-24-2025

Juliana Huegerich

Deeply opposed to SF 418. This is not Iowa values. Real Iowans do not take away human rights. Midwest values of politeness do not include taking away human rights. Dont waste legislation time on being mean, please focus on making lives BETTER.

02-24-2025

Anne Salamon

Do NOT support this hateful bill!This bill is based on misinformation and prejudice. Supporters say supposedly men are calling themselves "trans" in order to gain access to assault women, which is bullsh*t. There is no evidence of that, plus why would anyone willingly put themselves through grief and potential condemnation "just to assault women"? This bill is to satisfy a subsection of far right voters and to score points with them.As a lifelong Iowan, a Sunday school teacher, a healthcare professional and a mother, I find this bill misleading and offensive.Our trans daughter came out to us at age 25, after spending a couple years in anguish over what she was feeling and trying to figure out. She even tried to address her feelings by taking up weight lifting and trying to "bulk up". We knew something was wrong, she seemed to have a chip on her shoulder that we didn't know where it came from. When she finally came out to us, after seeing a therapist for awhile, we were in shock. Yet this was our child, even as an adult, and there was no way we could reject her. We love our kid. That chip was now gone and she was happy.But now she's an anxious mess! Our gifted kid graduated top of her HS class, went to a prestigious private university, got a ChemE degree and came back to Iowa. She has a job and owns her own house. She's a contributing member of society! She just wants to live her life!If you take away her rights, who's next? Once you start down this path, it leads to another, and another.Do NOT support this bill! This is NOT who we are as Iowans! To those who profess Christian faith this is NOT what Jesus calls us to do!

02-24-2025

Heidi Reyes

Transgender people are our friends, neighbors, family and coworkers. When it comes to being able to earn a living, having a place to live, or being served by a business or government office, they should be treated like anyone else and not be discriminated against. Please oppose this bill.

02-24-2025

Geoffrey Shapiro

Vote no to 418. I listened to all the reasons the republican lawmakers said in the comparable house bill HSB 242 committee meeting. Allow me to summarize:women need protection from men in their private spacessports ban for trans womenWith the passage, transgender folks can be fired or not hired just because of who they are. Additionally, loans, rental property, and most services. So lets compare: 1. Many many more transfolks will be fired, evicted, go hungry and face discrimination. Transgender are some of the most discrimination groups and when feminine trans women go to male bathrooms and the reverse big harry trans men will go to the womens room. Violence and harassment will ensue due to the public whose fears are stoked and the original stated non problem will still remain a nonproblem with new problems emerging. 2. Sports! WTF, trivial concern compared to death, suicides, homelessness destroyed families, and pure hatred the bill embodies. For what it is worth, yes some trans women have won in women sports, but far more have not excelled due to the real effects on bone and muscle mass loss while on female hormones. Stop the fake outrage! You can stop this. Do the right thing so your next generation will not have to curse you for being evil by treating a long suffering people with more suffering.

02-24-2025

Maggie Howe

Trans folks exist, and have always existed, and always WILL exist. Science says so, and more importantly THEY say so. Denying their existence makes no sense, and is simply WRONG. Denying any humans their basic right based is WRONG. This is clear cut, and simple. DENYING HUMANS THEIR BASIC RIGHTS IS WRONG. Full stop. Do better. Let people live their lives.

02-24-2025

Claudia Schooler

This cruel legislation is not needed. Trans people are PEOPLE. The lives of the majority will not be better by stripping human rights from Trans people. And science shows that 1.7 percent of people in the USA are born intersex. It is real.

02-24-2025

Elizabeth Van Ginkel

Please oppose this.This proposal is completely outrageous. Someone being transgendered doesn't hurt you. However, you not acknowledging that someone is transgendered, does hurt them. It is simple. There are higher priority issues for Iowa's legislative body. Please focus on those issues and stop targeting a small portion of Iowa citizens who are different than you.

02-24-2025

Hannah Bousek

I am a native Iowa woman and I oppose SF 418.I often hear that legislation such as this protects women. If Iowa legislators are interested in protecting women, why arent they addressing:Reproductive autonomyThe stated high cancer ratesGun safety and assuring guns remain out of the hands of abusersAffordable childcareAffordable housingAffordable and accessible quality healthcareMental health servicesMoreover, on what moral and ethical grounds is a state so emboldened to sanction the discrimination of transgender Iowans? This will will permit employers to deny a job to someone due to their gender identity; refuse housing; refuse access to correctly modify the individuals own, personal vital records. These are our friends, families, neighbors.This gravely concerns me as I see my legislative body remove common sense rights and protections from my fellow citizens. This bill renders Iowa a less free state, a less free populace of people.I urge you to not advance this bill.

02-24-2025

Rita Bresnan

Please DO NOT pass this bill. No one should be stripped of their constitutional rights. Transgender people should have equal rights under the law. Being uninformed about gender identity does not give anyonethe right to separate them from their rights. If you open this can a worms, what group will be next?

02-24-2025

Emily Saucier

Iowa had so much to be proud of and lead the way when we were one of the early states to legalize same sex marriage. It harms no one to be inclusive! Please dont let us be one of the first to pass bills that TAKE AWAY rights for the LGBTQ community. That is absolutely not the state or country we want to be. Land of the free. Please keep it that way for us all.

02-24-2025

Lauren Darby

As is evident in so many of the comments below, the women you claim you are protecting with this bill do not consent to your socalled protection. SF 418 is cruel, it is counter to Iowa values, and evidence only of its sponsors bigotry and ignorance. You bring shame upon our state.

02-24-2025

Denise Berns

I am the mother of a Transgender youth. I am also a pastor at two churches in Iowa. No one ever deserves to be targeted by the government for who they are. Every one deserves to live their life with dignity, respect and the same rights as the white cisgender males who run this country. Even white females are discriminated against. This should never happen in a country where we claim to be free. If you happen to be a follower of Christ then know this: Jesus NEVER excluded anyone for any reason including the most heinous sins! Gods forgiveness and mercy are for ALL people and especially for the oppressed, widow, orphan, and poor. I ask you to have mercy and DO NOT further this bill for the sake of everyones dignity!

02-24-2025

Laura Kendrick

My neighbor is an 8th grade transgender student. She has been targeted with cruel remarks and actions, both by students and adults.Working at VA Central Iowa Health Care System I was the representative for LGBTQ employees and Veterans. From 2013 to 2016, over one dozen Veterans were in contact with me and boldly facing down the obstacles of discrimination. Over 20 employees were represented by our LGBTQ committee. Please stop terrorizing people who are asking for nothing from you except acceptance. Not one of the people I know or worked with at VA who is LGBTQ has hurt or coerced anyone. Just leave them alone. Please do not vote in favor or any regulation or law that discriminates or makes life more difficult for these human beings.

02-24-2025

Jen hamilton

America is great because of the people who reside here. You cannot erase human beings because you dont understand them. Attack the cis white men in this state that are ACTUALLY attacking your children. Oppose this bill because it is simply unconstitutional & that is a fact.

02-24-2025

Sora A.

Once again I am against SF418. You can call it by a different file name but a hateful bill is still a hateful bill. I am a trans man and for 25ish years of my life, I lived a lie. I discovered I was transgender and I was a man and I was happy to finally discover who I really was. I still deal with mental health issues like depression and PTSD and anxiety, but overall I am happier because I'm able to be out and be myself...I am also thankful I had some very great people sipoorting me along the way of my transition journey. Please don't take away my human rights! I'm begging you! I don't want to lose my apartment or be denied access to public life on the grounds I'm simply transgender. That is incredibly unfair and cruel! Why is this bill even a thing when you could be using legislation to actually help Iowans instead of hurting them?! That is disgusting that this bill passed out of the subcommittee yesterday! Did you not hear the people chanting and protesting to keep our human rights?! Also one poor person commented here if this passed, they were going to take their own life. You'll have blood on your hands if this passed! You better vote no! I no longer feel safe in this state due to hateful legislation such as this.

02-24-2025

Nathan Dickman [Scientifically Informed Iowan with a PhD in Religious Studies]

With all due respect, please oppose and vote down "SF 418." The drafters and supporters claim to care about "science" and "truth" and "reality." The drafters and supporters, as well as President Trump and Health Secretary Kennedy, degrade all three of these terms. Instead, they degrade the terms to serve mere economic interests of the already megarich and the tech companies surveilling us. Everyone can see that this is mere expedient cruelty to distract from substantial issues mounting in our state and country as a whole. One essential and helpful way to think about the difference between scientific truth and mere "feelings" (as they mistakenly attribute to trans folk and friends) is to consider all those times you believe you witnessed a beautiful sunset or sunrise. Scientifically speaking, there has never once in fact existed a single sunrise or sunset. Yet the drafters and supporters of "common sense" and "science" certainly *believe* they have seen a sunrise, and they believe that the Sun going up and down is an "immutable fact of nature." We have known for over 500 years that Earth rotates and orbits the more stationary Sun. The exact same difference between scientific reality and the socalled "common sense" (of the drafters and supporters of SF 148) applies to any claims about male/female or masculine/feminine as "immutable facts of nature." We all are transitioning in one way or another, eventually to the grave. We all modify our bodies in one way or another, from haircuts to tattoos to nutritional supplements and exercise to heart replacement surgery. Genitalia are simply another body part that sometimes, or often, require modifications. In fact many infants assigned "male" at birth have had their genitalia mutilated through circumcision (in my day it was supposedly a "medically necessary procedure," not a religious act). If you are circumcised or have had any children circumcised, you are indeed responsible for modifying "natural" genitalia without any scientific reason. Everyone has the right to modify themselves to be as comfortable as possible with our bodies as we slowly transition to the grave. Moreover, as clearly indicated in Ezekiel's vision of YHWH or God, this Being transcends (note the "trans") all categories of "male" or "female." This means, that God is Trans. Anyone claiming that trans folks are somehow against what the Bible says do not know how to read. Again, does the Sun go up and down? The Bible says so! Is that scientific? Or is it instead a helpful (though not scientific) way of ordering our world? If this distinction between "male" and "female" is supposedly biblical (in the Christian sense), then this bill is discriminatory against all of our citizens who are not Christian (in the way the drafters and supporters demand that the rest of us be Christian is just their way). This showcase of cruelty toward a minority of people in our state over "sports" and "bathrooms" is a deliberate distraction from the people who are really harming us. We know from scientific studies that no transwoman can outcompete a ciswoman. Yet the drafters and supporters claim to care about science. If people really cared about sports, especially college and even some high school athletics, then the players would be treated as full time employees with benefits and retirement, instead of being used by mediocre schools and universities as walking advertisements. Lastly, the bill seems to be aligned with President Trump's urge to "protect women." Recall that this is the same person on record (never denying it) that it is okay to "grab them by the p*ssy." Yes, women need to be protected and taught to assert themselves, but against the men in their lives whom they know (like YOU and ME) since statistically and scientifically the men women know are more likely to harm them than strangers. Again, this shows remarked lack of concern for science, truth, and reality. It creates a scary boogeyman to clear men in Iowa of the guilty conscience and shame for hurting women. The drafters and supporters of this bill will go down in our state histories as corrupt, bought, and unscientific. If you believe what you say you believe, then you cannot possibly in good conscience and in good faith vote in support of this bill. What's worse is that too many will likely still vote in support of it despite the science, despite the truth, and despite the reality. And this is why we know YOU are a fascist.

02-24-2025

Ashley Tieden

I am appalled that this bill has been allowed to move forward. This bill is not only illegal and unconstitutional, but just plain wrong as well. Its a way for republican losers to distract their constituents from the real problems that they should be solving. Disgusting.

02-24-2025

Kassandra StClaire [APWU /IFL]

I have heard that there will be a subcommittee meeting at 11am. I am a Trans female whom is married to a Trans Female. I am a career public servant with the federal government. I have a degree in Political Science from UNI. I am currently in the process of taking the LSAT. If there is a way I can speak at the subcommittee meeting I would like too. I am a union steward with APWU and a delegate abd release staff to the IFL. Thus bill will be incredibly harmful to me and my wife abd thousands of Trans Iowians. In my opinion it is a form of legislation similar to segregation laws in the south and apartheid in South Africa. I have already sent emails to 62 members of the Iowa legislature. Her is that email:Dear House Legislator,My name is Kassaandra StClaire and I live in Waveland woods neighborhood in Des Moines.I live together with my Wife Serafina StClaire. We own a home together. We pay property taxes, state taxes abd we are productive members of uour community.We both have careers in the the federal public service. We are both Transgender females with families in Utah and Rhode Island. We have children and grandchildren. I am 53 and my wife is 52. We have lived as females since 2018. Unlike what is portrayed by many social content creators or political action groups. Making the choice to transition is not a choice. Gender dysphoria is a diagnosed condition that is recognized internationally and many if not all of our states as well. It is not something anyone would wish to have. But it is part of who my wife and I are. It is not something that can be legislated by religious preference. Because it makes some uncomfortable. That it makes one consider whether or not biology makes one who they are or their soul. Yes Transgender Americans pray and worship as Christians too. My congregation Walnut hills is a reconciling congregation of the United Methodust church. My home state of Rhode Island recognizes gender identity as a human right. It is part of the Rhode Island state code and supported atleast by 16 other states nationwide. It is the state in which my vital records reside. The choice to be whom you are is a fundamental human right. My wife and myself live as females and have for many years. We have had medical intervention that is not reversible. Being forced to use a restroom that is contrary to our physical appearance and Gender identity would cause a harm that is not dissimilar from segregation in the southern United States. Removing our civil rights from Iowa civil rights code is very harmful. It is also very hurtful to be excluded .You are creating a whole sub set of the population with your legislation. You are proposing to repeal human rights lawfully voted in law by the general assembly in a previous session. I ask on behalf of myself and the thousands of Iowians this will effect to please withdraw this bill. I furthermore place the state of Iowa, Governor Reynolds, and the attorney general. That I will use every means at my disposal to challenge the constitutionally of not recogoniseing my vital records from the state of Rhode Island. Which will remain in place. I will absolutely make each and every member politically responsible come the next election. As this would be a deletion of my wife's and my civil rights. It will create great harm to me and others. Expose thousands of LGBTQIA+to discrimination, persecution, and possible violence. This is already being challenged at a federal level by Lamda Legal. I ask as citzen of the state of Iowa to maintain my fundamental human rights and that of my wife. We should have the freedom to be whom is authentic to us. We should be able to love one another. This is not the Iowa I have known for 20 years. Please don't do this. We may not agree on every belief. But human rights should be an easy bypartisan cooperation. We have a rare condition that has been mitigated by myself, my wife, and our physicians. There is an established protocol to help those with gender disphoria live happy and productive lives. Those who truly transition want to life life unnoticed. They chose one gender or another. Even those whom have chosen not to identify as either gender should have the freedom to make a choice. You may not understand gender dysphoria. But that does not mean it does not exist. We have support of our doctors and our clergy. This is already in the law. I am asking you to leave Iowa Code as it has already been lawfully amended. Kassandra StClaireSerafina StClaireDes Moines, Iowa, 50311Please let me know if you can facilitate a chance to speak at the subcommittee hearing.Kassandra StClaireAPWU 44Polk county Central committee8013888407

02-24-2025

Teresa Wellman

I strongly oppose SF 418. This bill serves no purpose other than to hurt a tiny fraction of our citizens. As a 67yr old woman, I can assure you Ive never been concerned with the genitalia of the human being in the next bathroom stall! Nor have I ever had need to take note of anyones private bits in a locker room.This bill is wrong and inflicts harm on the least among us. The federal EOs will be challenged in court and they WILL lose. Do not obey in advance. Do not remove gender identity from our civil rights.

02-24-2025

Kassandra StClaire [APWU /IFL]

02-24-2025

Jack Manley

Nobody really wants this bill to pass, its just more distractions for those dumb enough to be ensorcelled by this stupid trans culture war. Iowans would much rather have things like our rising cancer rates or lack of public school funding be addressed by legislators rather than trying to leave our fellow Iowans for the streets. What an absolute travesty of democracy.

02-24-2025

Tilly Woodward

Please do not vote for this bill. The role of Government should be to protect and defend the rights of every Iowan. Not to selectively pick and choose who they're going to protect.This bill does not protect anyone. It does not solve any real problems. It only legalizes harm. It tells an entire group of Iowans, our neighbors, students, coworkers, and family members, that they are not worthy of the same rights and protections of everyone else.Why would you support a bill that takes protections away from citizens and puts them at risk?

02-24-2025

Erin Miller

02-24-2025

Myranda Hadley

I am sharing my dissent for this proposed bill. It would be a huge blow to Iowa and our families to remove rights for any of our community. If we roll back protections and rights for one group, we are all impacted and at risk of losing our rights. This directly violates the Iowa motto and I sincerely hope we do not "lead" the country by showing them how little we care for all our residents. People are against this, please listen to your constituents and do not pass this bill, for the good of us all.

02-24-2025

Chris Tyler

The proponents of this legislation have proven that following the lead of an uninformed, misguided leader is more important than doing what is right for fellow citizens and the common good. Stripping rights from a group of people that dont align with your idea of normal is nothing more than a power grab, disgusting in every sense of the word. Being the first in the nation to do something so despicable is not the accolades this state should strive for you will stain Iowa for a very long time trying to advance this bill.

02-24-2025

Elizabeth Klaus

Senate File 418 is a big step backward for civil rights in Iowa. By removing gender identity from the states antidiscrimination protections, it basically gives the green light for unfair treatment of transgender people in jobs, housing, schools, and public spaces. Thats not just unfairit goes against Iowas history of standing up for equality. On top of that, it could hurt the states economy by pushing away businesses and talent, not to mention creating a more hostile and unwelcoming environment. At the end of the day, this bill isnt just bad policyits harmful to real people and the communities they call home.

02-24-2025

Keri Weston Stoll

Please do not pass this bill. Transgender people are just people like anyone else, and they deserve the same rights and protections to be themselves. No one should need the governments permission to make changes to their own bodies. Accepting others for who they are doesnt hurt anyone. Transgender individuals are no more criminal than straight men or women. It shouldnt be a crime to talk about them either. Please dont support this hateful bill.

02-24-2025

Jack Manley

I really am curious as to who benefits from this bill being passed? Obviously were it to be passed it would be to the detriment of all of our trans Iowans but would landlords not be losing money and tenants all because theyre soiling their pants over a person doing something that affects only that person and no one else? Furthermore I cant approach this bill from any angle and not see how its identical to discriminating housing based on religion, skin color, etc. Is this really the look we want Iowa to have? No, its not.

02-24-2025

Chelsea Cheney

This is awful. You are called to represent and PROTECT all Iowans. Those who are transgender are at higher risk of abuse, assault, and suicide. Bills like this invite that harassment and discrimination. This is not okay. As a mental health provider, I have seen first hand the damage ideas like this can inflict on vulnerable populations, much less the devastation it will inflict as a law. You stand accountable to God, your electorate, and those who will suffer at your hands. Do the right thing. Keep protections for transgender citizens strong and upheld. Discrimination is NOT acceptable in any form. Your fear and hatred is the biggest danger, not people who are different from you.

02-24-2025

Sarah Purdy

Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain.That is what it says on our flag. So why are we considering legislation that would strip civil rights protections from our fellow Iowans? Transgender folks deserve to live with dignity, just like everybody else. They are neighbors, friends, family members, congregation members, tax payers, and voters. No one should have to worry about being fired, being denied a job, being denied a loan, being denied housing, or being treated as less than simply because of their gender identity. Its wrong. This legislation is wrong.

02-24-2025

Christoffer Lammer-Heindel

This bill should be opposed on ethical and scientific grounds, which I will briefly summarize here. Ethically, our first priority ought to be respecting the dignity of every person and to avoid causing undue harm to them. Saint Paul said "love is the fulfillment of the law because love doesn't harm a neighbor." This bill will harm the people it targets by denying them recognition and contributing to the immoral panic surrounding their existence and visibility. Moreover, it is rooted in a failure to respect and acknowledge their individuality and dignity. Scientifically, it is also irrational and confused. Sex is clearly different than gender, which is obvious from any historical and scientific examination. The evidence is easy to understand: gender norms change over time and differ across societies. They are also usually class dependent. For example, an ancient Athenian citizen who was an upper class man would've been expected and encouraged to engage in samesex sexual activity, to exercise naked with other men, and to refrain from physically taxing economic labor. The fact that most contemporary men reject this model of masculinity is a function of the fact that our cultural norms surrounding gender are very different than upperclass ancient Athenians. To claim that gender is the same thing as biological birth sex is a false bit of ideology which rests on the fallacious effort to dress up ones prejudices and cultural assumptions as if they are "natural." Whether this is a result of unintentional suboptimal reasoning or nefarious and willful disingenuous reasoning, it ought to be recognized for what it is. Those who advocate for this bill have done so on incoherent and disingenuous grounds. That they are disingenuous in their arguments is evidenced by the fact that they will often say things like, "Woman aren't women anymore" or "Men aren't men anymore." Presumably, what they mean is that females don't act like they think women should act, and males don't act like they think men should act. That sentiment reveals that they actually think that sex and gender are distinct: they think that a female can fail to me feminine or a male can fail to be masculine. I suspect that what they really want is for people to act like they want them to act. This is a very natural tendency we all have, but if we live in a society that values individual liberty, legislators must discount and not act on such impulses. Using the state to enforce and constrain the pursuit of happiness, especially in a way that is scientifically unsupported, is incompatible with the values we have long claimed to embody. This country and state purport to value individual liberty, freedom, selfdetermination, and the pursuit of reason. In the classical libertarian tradition, we recognize that legislation should be constrained by the harm principle: if an individual's choice does not harm another person, it would be an act of overreach by the state to restrict their pursuit of happiness. This bill has been explicitly advanced as a way to cut off and reverse advances in recognizing transgender persons. It is motivated by a wicked and immoral blindness to their dignity, it is rationalized by appeal to unscientific and rationally incoherent ideology, and it is a prime example of using state policy to encroach on individual liberty and expression without due cause.

02-24-2025

Nicole Ito

Good evening,My name is Nicole Ito. I am a licensed independent social worker and mental health therapist here in Iowa. I am writing to implore you to vote against HSB 242/HF 583/SF 418.We've been here before. "Separate but equal". Segregation. Racism. A time in history marked by a mortifying slew of misinformation, fear, and nescience, intricately tangled with abhorrent selfimportance, dehumanization, and grasps at power and control. History is begging to be heard today. Separate is not equal.There is no space for equality to coexist with the blatant discarding of human identities and associated rights and protections. There is no space in the notion of equality to strip away potential access to employment, safe havens, fair compensation, or housing, let alone from an already vulnerable population. I am wholly unconcerned with one's gender, sex, gender identity, gender expression, or any concept by which these terms can be extended to encompass. I am concerned with the human life in question that so often becomes an afterthought in the midst of inappropriate and unjustified impositions by those weaponizing privilege and confining expectations deemed arbitrarily as normative or 'correct'.It is humans who will suffer in the passing of this proposed legislation. We may have been here before, but time wasted before need not be time wasted now. Now is the time to intervene on the developing and impending suffering, standing up to fulfill inherent, unwavering obligations for action in the pursuit of respect for and protection of human life.Sincerely,Nicole Ito

02-24-2025

Jody Benz

Singling out subgroups to take away their rights is NOT acceptable. I for one, would be furious to be denied the right to vote because my married name doesn't match my birth certificate. This bill is short sighted and unnecessary. Please do not pass it.

02-24-2025

Jody Benz

02-24-2025

Melissa Gentry

Literally nobody's life or wellbeing is improved by this bill. NOBODY'S. In the history of the entire human race, removing civil rights and protections for ANY group or individual has NEVER improved society. We are rapidly being propelled backwards. Please stop this bill from moving forward. Frankly, it's an embarrassment to hard working Iowans that the bill has made it this far. There are far more pressing matters that need addressed to improve the state, but bills like these keep moving forward in the legislature and moving us backwards as a state and society.

02-24-2025

kate Bell

I strongly oppose the proposed change to the Iowa Civil Rights Act that would eliminate gender identity as a protected class. Removing this protection would undermine the rights and dignity of transgender individuals, leaving them vulnerable to discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations. Gender identity should be safeguarded alongside other protected classes, ensuring equal treatment and respect for all individuals, regardless of their gender identity. This proposal would harm Iowas commitment to inclusivity and fairness and could have a lasting negative impact on our community's diversity and wellbeing. I urge the committee to reject this harmful measure.

02-24-2025

Leslie Schwalm

I urge you to vote no on this bill which would reinstate discrimination and inequality. Iowans have long claimed pride in our state's leadership on critical issues on minority and women's rights, even when they were unpopular or misunderstood. Please take a moral stand based on history, science, and the fact that trans Iowans have not hurt anyone in their desire to live authentically and peacefully. Do not let the bullies win on this.

02-24-2025

Annie Wells

As a Des Moines citizen, I am completely appalled and disgusted at the amount of rights our government is stripping away from Iowans. Bills like this are the reason GREAT people are leaving this state. This government is becoming one that is truly full of hatred, and is not serving its people in a way thats safe, accepting and inclusive.You ignore comments like this, you ignore protestors speaking out, you arent listening to the peopleits no reason why so many of my friends want to leave this state. wed rather be somewhere that protects its citizens, rather than moving backward and backward. If this passes, its just another list of the reasons to be a disappointed Iowan these days. How can this government say it stands for its people, when it actively is hurting us?

02-24-2025

Cassandra Lawrence

Vote no on this bill. This harmful legislation is bad for all people in Iowa. As a friend recently told me you cant legislate gender. But what this legislation can do is block people from getting appropriate medical care, therapy, and support. Vote no on this bill.

02-24-2025

Kate Kitzman

I cannot begin to express how strongly opposed I am to SF 148. How can you claim to represent Iowans, yet continue to present bills to take away the rights of some Iowans? "Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain." I implore you to represent ALL Iowans. I implore you to hold up our state motto not to make a mockery of it. Maintain the rights of ALL Iowans. Vote no on SF 148.

02-24-2025

Miranda Maday

I am writing today to implore members of the subcommittee to not move this bill forward. SF 418 would be disastrous to the reputation of the state of Iowa by violating the United States Constitution. We were one of the first in the nation to allow women to own property. We legalized interracial marriage, school desegregation, and gay marriage before the U.S. Supreme Court ever did. Iowa has been the first in the nation for a lot of good things. We do NOT need to be the first state in the nation to strip our fellow humans, our fellow Iowans of their civil rights. I have family members, friends, and clients who are transgender. Their goals, hopes, and dreams in life are the same as us all to build a life worth living, to feel joy, to feel loved, and to feel safe. They work jobs, they pay their taxes. They deserve the same civil rights as their fellow Americans.

02-24-2025

Kristina Gingerich

I strongly oppose this bill. This bill is directly discriminating against all nonbinary and trans people that deserve to live and thrive in Iowa. I am a mental health provider and feel very strongly that by accepting bills like this one and HSB 242 we are not only discriminating against all trans and nonbinary people, but also sending a message to the entire LGBTQ+ community that they do not matter. I don't believe in a message like that and urge you to do your part in not passing this bill.

02-24-2025

Jasmine Bootman

Gender dysphoria is real. The same as depression is real and ADHD is real. What we don't know is how someone comes to have gender dysphoria and how best to treat or address gender dysphoria so someone can feel at peace. I understand the disagreement on both of those subjects, but I don't understand the complete denial of gender dysphoria. Transgender people are people who have gender dysphoria. They are human and should be treated with dignity, not erased, removed or banned. Removing all references to transgender and gender dysphoria is acting in a state of denial. I do not think we as a society should live in a state of denial. A state of denial is equivalent to not living in reality. Transgender people, people with gender dysphoria live in the USA. They needed to be treated with respect just like anyone else. On a Christian perspective, they were made in the image of God just like any other human. We can't deny their existence because if we do, we are living a lie. Please reconsider what your actions, what repercussions will they have? Are the a denial of reality of fellow citizens' existence? Please treat everyone with love and mercy. Acknowledge they are real and stop trying to pretend they don't exist.

02-24-2025

Elizabeth Fosmark

This is a shameful bill. I strongly oppose this legislation and urge the committee members not to send this on. Trans Iowans deserve to be protected under the law. They deserve civil rights and we deserve a government that actually protects its constituents ALL of them.

02-24-2025

Gabrielle Eaton

This bill is inexcusable. Iowans used to be on the forefront of civil rights. Now we are actively stripping people of the dignity to pursue a home, employment, education, etc. Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain. MAINTAIN.

02-24-2025

Charity Tyler

Every human is entitled to human and civil rights. Taking away someones civil rights is unconscionable and will subject these individuals to harmful and hateful discrimination and worse. If you vote yes, you are voting for hate. Please do not pass this legislation. Jesus taught us to love everyone. Any person voting for this bill is not following Jesus Word. Its sad and shameful. Vote no. Just say no to hate.

02-24-2025

Aastha Chandra

I oppose this bill as both a raised Iowan and current medical student in Iowa. It places transgender individuals in particular at risk for basic needs discrimination. Regardless of the politicization of trans lives and where you as our legislators fall on the spectrum, every Iowan deserves equitable access to housing and food programs. Furthermore, it may remove our ability to learn about LGBTQ+ individuals in our medical/PA school curriculum. Peerreviewed research in major medical journals proves genderaffirming care (not just surgeries or hormones for transgender people but for cisgender individuals as well) saves lives. Protecting our right to be educated on these issues is vital to preventing brain drain and keeping Iowaneducated physicians in Iowa, which I know is an issue near and dear to the governor this year.

02-24-2025

Meredith Hershner

Civil rights are human rights. And every human deserves their rights protected. Transgender people are disproportionately targeted by discrimination, harassment, and violence. Please reject SF418. If this bill passes, Iowa would be the FIRST state in the US to remove protections from a minority group, and thats not something we want to be known for. Instead of focusing on exclusionary laws, lawmakers should be working on policies that promote growth and economic stability for everyone.

02-24-2025

Joe Stutler

Joe Stutler, Decorated Disabled Combat Veteran, born and raised in the City of American History, I am the epitome of Patriot.I served two tours of duty in Germany. I've toured concentration camps. I learned a few things.Consider Niemller's poem: First They Came....Youve said screw those hungry children.Youve continued to attack public education and educators.Youre gunning for the Trade Unionists, gutting Chapter 20 further.Youre trying to criminalize religions you dont like.Today youre trying to dehumanize my family and friends.You're doing the Nazi stuff again.Today, instead of doing your job and telling our school districts what they have to work with so they can plan their budgets, were here to discuss your perverted obsession with other people's genitalia. Its interesting that the only people in favor of this abomination of a bill are theofascists whose deity could have banned slavery, instead it banned pork, and yet theyre not protesting hog farms. Others have and will tell you how your reduction of women into having functional ovaries or they don't matter is disgusting.I'm here to remind you that Nazis are never the good guys. I'm here to remind you that while at the moment you're giddy with power as were your analogs in 1930s Germany, in the end you're going to end up just like they did. And given our technological advances and the good kids studying STEAM, I don't believe it's going to take 10 years to eradicate the Nazis this time. While I'm too old to to be a foot soldier in the upcoming war you're demanding, I'm happy to share the skills Uncle taught me with those who will be taking advantage of our lack of firearms regulations and the availability of resources at our big box stores and home improvement centers...after all, Uncle made me an instructor of such things.Keep doing your Nazi stuff. Foxtrot Alpha, Foxtrot Oscar.

02-24-2025

Tabitha Simms-Quigley

I strongly oppose SF 418. Repealing these protections hurts not just those directly targeted, but also makes Iowa less desirable for businesses and people moving here. Having a trans person in your building or school or employment does not hurt you; legally excluding them hurts everyone

02-24-2025

Noel VanDenBosch

This piece of legislation is blatant discrimination, an attempt to strip away the civil rights of our trans community in Iowa. Do not pass this law. Vote no. Do not let Iowa be the first state to legalize discrimination against our trans community. Discrimination leads to dehumanization which often leads to death. Let our trans kids and adults live!

02-24-2025

Lisa Pearson

In regards to: Gender identitycontinued: Not only, is there evidence of trying to destroy human rights. This is an infectious disease of hatred. To continue with this is destroying human compassion. To continue with this is taking away rights of everyone. Everyone who is human, made of flesh, and blood. Made of spirit, soul, and body. To take away rights from a certain group of people. Is to take away rights from many other people. Where there is one hatred there are many. This is not an American country, then. We who are American citizens, believe that there is freedom, and the pursuit of happiness for all American citizens. We the people.... Not we the government.

02-24-2025

Elizabeth Duff Popplewell

As a Christian and a citizen of Iowa, I stand against this bill. This is a moral issue. No one should have their rights taken away from them. People who are transgender should be treated like anyone else and not be discriminated against. Keeping gender identity in the Iowa Civil Rights Act protects them from discrimination.This is about neighbors and family. Transgender people are our neighbors and family. When it comes to being able to earn a living, finding a place to live, or being served by a business or government office, we want our neighbors and family to succeed just like the rest of us.As a person of faith:Protecting people who are transgender from discrimination means treating others as we want to be treated.Gods promise to care for all children of God means everyone should be treated as such. Including gender identity in the civil rights law and protecting people who are transgender from discrimination upholds Gods command to love and respect the dignity of every human being.

02-24-2025

Cara Rotschafer

I urge you to vote against SF 418. My spouse and I moved to Iowa almost 5 years ago because of the state's antidiscrimination protections for LGBTQ people. This bill would remove basic protections for transgender Iowans, including for my spouse. The Iowa Civil Rights Act doesn't give trans Iowans any special treatment it simply ensures that they are treated like anyone else. Taking away these protections will hurt and endanger trans Iowans, and drive them to leave the state. My spouse and I love it here, but we may be forced to leave if this bill passes. We are homeowners. We love our neighborhood and our community. We enjoy shopping at small, locallyowned businesses. My spouse works at a library, and I'm an attorney. We are foster parents and hope to adopt one day. We just want to be able to live our lives without the threat of discrimination. For our family, and for all of the trans people and families in our state, please reject this bill.

02-24-2025

Alison Holt

I am writing to request that you do not support this bill. All Iowans deserve protection of the law and removing gender identity as a protected class directly hurts Iowans. I also worry about how this could be used to harm individuals beyond the trans community. This bill makes it legal to treat others as if they dont matter or have a say in how they live their life. As someone who specializes in providing therapy to trans youth I can tell you that even introducing legislation like this causes trauma to so many individuals and those who love them. We would be the only state in the us to repeal protections. We have already gone backwards enough in Iowa, we dont need to make it worse. Please choose the right side of history and protect ALL Iowans.

02-24-2025

Eric Saylor

I want to express my strongest possible objections to SF 418. The fact that elected officials are even discussing the idea of rolling back civil rights on a small minority group is appalling to begin with; the fact that this legislation is being proposed with the explicit intentas expressed by both the House Judiciary Committee's chair and the Speaker of the Houseof ensuring that this minority group may be legally discriminated against by the state of Iowa is disgusting. That transgender people are only protected from such open bigotry by their current inclusion among the protected groups in the Iowa Civil Rights Act is prima facie justification for leaving the statute untouched.The state of Iowa has a long and distinguished history of trailblazing actions in the history of civil rights, from racial justice realized In re the Matter of Ralph in 1839, declaring that the slave state of Missouri had no jurisdiction over enslaved people who made their way to the free territory of Iowa, to the admission of Arabella Mansfield to the bar upon recognizing that her gender was no barrier to practicing law, to the Varnum decision legalizing gay marriage. All of these cases were justly decided inasmuch as they allowed people to live their lives under the same protections and with the same goals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as granted to white men. Transgender people are simply the latest group to claim these same inherent rights, and should continue to be acknowledged among those groups who deserve specific protection in making that claim.Transgender people are no threat to anyone. They want to live their lives in a truthful and honest way, as any of us do, and the fact that their existence makes some people uncomfortable is no justification for attempting to legalize bigotry against them. On a personal note, one of my children identifies as trans nonbinary, and since November's election, has been living in a constant state of fearfear that the state that should be expected to defend her rights is not only looking to suppress them, but to call for open discrimination, even violence against her and anyone like her. No one should have to live under such conditions, and the legislature should be ashamed to even entertain the thought of their imposition. Please vote no on this billdo not be the first state in the nation to roll back civil rights already enshrined in law.

02-24-2025

Kathy Graeve

I oppose this bill. Transgender Iowans deserve to be treated equally. They deserve to live freely and without concern over whether they can rent or buy a home, be served by businesses, and be employed. Stop the excuse of protecting womens sports as the number of trans athletes is minuscule. Iowans see through this excuse and are done with the cruel legislation proposed. Vote No

02-24-2025

Jessica Royal

SF 418 seeks to repeal gender identity protections from the Iowa Civil Rights Act, introduce language that appears to resemble "separate but equal" policies, and prohibit changes to gender markers on vital records. These changes would undermine the civil rights protections that transgender Iowans have relied on for nearly two decades, as well as weaken protections for intersex and other individuals who do not conform to binary gender definitions. This legislation could lead to increased discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodations, and other critical areas of life, creating an environment of exclusion and harm for vulnerable community members.I believe that Iowas strength lies in its commitment to inclusivity and respect for all its residents. Repealing gender identity protections contradicts this legacy and risks alienating a significant portion of our population, including transgender, intersex, and cisgender individuals who may not fit traditional gender norms. Furthermore, prohibiting gender marker changes on vital records could create unnecessary barriers to identity recognition, impacting individuals ability to live authentically and access essential services.I urge you to oppose SF 418 and advocate for policies that protect and uphold the rights of all Iowans, regardless of gender identity. Instead of rolling back civil rights, I encourage you to support legislation that promotes equality, fosters understanding, and ensures that every Iowan can thrive without fear of discrimination.

02-24-2025

Chandra Snicker

Oppose. To propose that there is something inherently malicious about our transgender neighbors and Iowans, is wrong. To strip away protections for some is to open the door to stripping away protections for others. Transgender folks are human beings and will be treated as such. Give people their dignity, do not strip it away.

02-24-2025

Emily Michener

As a mental health counselor I fear removing gender identity as a protected class. It is beyond detrimental to individuals mental health. Stripping people of their personhood, their ability to openly identify however they wish for fear of retribution, will have deaths by suicide skyrocket in this state. Gender affirming care and policies reduce suicidal risks/actions by 60%. Iowa was once the leading state for LGBTQ support. I was once proud to be an Iowan. I have not been for the last 9 years under this states current governorship. Please do not choose hate and backwards thinking over the lives of our loved ones, friends, neighbors, coworkers. This is wrong.

02-24-2025

Jessica Royal

02-24-2025

Jessica Royal

02-24-2025

Tamee DeCoursey

When rights are diluted or taken from one group of people, it is only a matter of time until they are taken from the next group. Leave people alone! Everyone has the right to pursue life, liberty, and happiness. Everyone deserves protection and equality. America should not be declaring war on its citizens. Stop promoting hate and discord! Vote no SF 418.

02-24-2025

Sam DeGroot [Akbay Mental Health Counseling Services]

Dear members of the subcommittee,I strongly oppose this bill and am hoping that most of you feel similarly. The adoption of this bill has immense implications and will strongly impact my work in the mental health field and, more importantly, those that I serve within this vulnerable and benign group of people. It is my understanding that a lot of these bills are rooted in fear fear of trans people and their influence. I can tell you as someone who sits across from trans adults and teens daily that they are not a danger to society. In fact, they feel like their safety is threatened and most have had experiences that have confirmed this. I can guarantee these experiences will significantly increase if this bill passes, alongside suicide rates and admissions to inpatient services. And this is not because being trans is a mental illness but rather that there are barriers like this that prevent them from living a full and authentic life. I encourage you all to think about historical events and movements that have allowed people of color, women, and samesex couples to have equal rights. What harm was done by this? The harm from revoking those rights would, undoubtedly, be far greater.Please consider these implications and the others that I have failed to mention. I believe my experience working with the LGBTQIA community gives me the credibility necessary to advocate for them. I strongly urge you to vote against this bill to stand up for those that you may or may not know personally. Thank you for taking the time to read this.Sam DeGroot MA, LMHC

02-24-2025

Luca Reid [Meadowlark Psychiatric Services]

Please vote no on this. I am a mental health therapist who treats a number of transgender individuals. This will do nothing, but make them feel less protected and less safe in various environments.

02-24-2025

Annette Stewsrt

I am dismayed that the legislative branch has decided to waste their time attempting to eradicate the rights of a small segment of our society. So many more important issues that need to be addressed. Being obsessed with the bathroom issue of so few when many in our community are suffering from lack of adequate housing, food shortage, well paying jobs and health care needs is a waste of time and money. It is not why you were elected. It is time fir this body to concentrate of real important issues. This is not one if them.

02-24-2025

Keanna Davenport

Trans people are PEOPLE. You have no right to take away other humans basic rights just because of an immoral opinion you have. Religion shouldplay no part in decision making for a country. Do NOT pass this bill. You will be putting thousands of people in danger for your own egotistical values. All of you should be ashamed to call yourselves human. This is ridiculous. Think about what side of history you want to be on. One that takes away basic human rights, or one that supports the people who need it the most.

02-24-2025

Lynette Lender

Please do not pass this bill! No matter how you feel about serial orientation, the number one thing you should be focused on is human beings! All humans deserve equal protection period. To discriminate against any group, taking away their civil rights is criminal. Please, do the right thing and do not pass any legislation that takes away the civil rights of ANY person!

02-24-2025

Cynthia Aloe

I write to you tonight asking again for you to please reject the companion bill SF 418. We are in a critical place in our society. We are divided and hyper reactive. Taking away the basic civil rights and protections of a small minority of people is just ludicrous. Why are we choosing to spend more time and money on more hateful legislation when we have so many bigger things that need to be addressed and tackled. I ask you please to stand on the right side of this and choose compassion, empathy and show strength and unity for all of us not just some of us. We all deserve common decency, civil liberties and protection.

02-24-2025

Molly Collins

I am at a loss for words to describe how heinous this is. We are going backwards. The idea that sex and gender are interchangeable is obtuse: https://www.google.com/search?q=sex+and+gender+difference&client=safari&scaesv=e74a10221791e7e3&channel=iphonebm&source=hp&ei=wDS9Z6WYB4680PEP4OD68Ao&oq=sex+and+gender&gslp=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&sclient=mobilegwswizhpThe citizens of Iowa are not thiswe are going backwards and the Republican Party is now the Fascist party.

02-24-2025

Siri Steven

Trans rights are human rights. Please vote no to this bill. We should be taking care of each other, not stripping away rights and freedoms. We voted for you to make our lives better, not worse. Please be kind. Use your power to make your constituents lives better. We all want love, safety & to be able to live our lives in peace. Please remember your humanity.

02-24-2025

Averee Chaloupka

I oppose this bill with as much fervor as Samantha Fett apparently still believes the ridiculous fantasy that trans women are assaulting people in bathrooms (as if someone would even need to identify as such to perform such a grotesque act). I truly hope neither she nor anybody she knows is subjected to the mandatory genital inspections that this Republican party is sprinting towards in the name of "protecting women". Get a grip.

02-24-2025

Kamron Warden Warden

Any Iowa legislator who supports removing civil rights should be ashamed to call themselves a public servant to the people of Iowa. It would be a severe blemish on Iowa history to be the first state to remove protected classes under law. Do not vote to take away rights of Iowa citizens.

02-24-2025

Ruth Ratliff

Vote No on SF 418. Transgender people are our friends, neighbors, family and coworkers. They are fellow children of God. They should be treated like anyone else as they seek jobs, housing, and service from government, businesses, and schools. They contribute to Iowa's economy and society. At a time when Iowa needs more workers, do not drive them out of state. Do not force them to move away from their families, friends, and communities. Allow them to continue being proud and productive Iowans.Iowa's flag proudly states, "Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain." Do not trash our heritage of liberty by removing the civil rights of some Iowans.

02-24-2025

Valerie Billing

I strongly oppose this bill and urge you to vote NO. Stripping any group of civil rights protections sets an extremely disturbing precedent. The government's job is to protect us, not to put a target on the back of minority groups. Please do not advance this horrible bill, which opens the door for the state to strip rights from any group.

02-24-2025

Trisha Brown

I absolutely oppose this bill. I do not have ova or breast tissue or produce sperm, so what gender would the subcommittee assign me? And how will I hurt someone who does by living in the same neighborhood or apartment building? I'm impressed the nonsense that comes from the mouths of those putting this bill forward doesn't make them keel over laughing. Vote no, keep Iowans safe, and start working on real issues like child care access and funding public schools.

02-24-2025

Lindsey Krotz

I'm an Iowan from Davenport writing to express my loud opposition to the antitrans bills being presented, namely SF 418 The Iowa that I grew up in was welcoming and warm. Not only are measures like these absolutely cruel, but they harm the propriety of a state once known for its kindness and understanding. With dangerous legislation like SF 418,Laws that would make punish and hurt citizens are not the Iowan or American, for that matter. We are a collective of people contributing to the fabric of this beautiful state. ALL of us.My friends and loved ones deserve equality. We all deserve competent representatives that hear us when we say, "We will not go back." Please OPPOSE this bill and other antitrans bills. Please speak loudly in opposition to this bill by taking a second to listen to your Queer constituents.We do not want this. We deserve better.Civil rights for all.

02-24-2025

Elizabeth Nelson

Disappointed to see the Iowa Republican party faking concern about the safety of women and girls by refusing to address the real threat and scapegoating a small segment of marginalized people.Straight,cis,men are the only real threat to women, girls, trans, gay and nonbinary individuals. Just another sad bill by Republicans, the party with fake morals and principles.Nothing about this bill makes Iowa welcoming or nice.

02-24-2025

David Runneals

I doubt you will even read this comment or care about any of this, but I write it anyway for those who are too afraid to speak up. I have lived in Iowa all of my life, and have been proud to be an Iowan until discriminatory laws like these have started passing. I have at least 9 friends that have come out as transgender humans. All but 1 of them waited until after high school to come out, I would assume because they were afraid of being bullied in school. I had one of them personally come out to me, and it is something that is deeply personal and takes a lot of courage to do. Has anyone come out to you? If so you would understand that this is something that doesn't happen because they want to "dominate sports of the other sex" or "sneak in locker rooms", both of which are nonissues. Please provide all the times that this has been documented to happen when the human was actively going through medical treatments.I struggle to understand why you enjoy taking rights away from already marginalized Iowans that are struggling to just survive. You say this doesn't discriminate against them. This will discriminate against them. If a property owner doesn't want to rent to one of my transgender friends, these changes allow that. If a business doesn't want to sell something to one of my transgender friends, these changes allow that. These protected classes do not "elevate" one group over another, they simply protect and attempt to provide a level playing field to the marginalized.Why are we having politicians determine what medical treatments that a medical professional can do, when all the medical associations are in support of providing gender affirming care? It's honestly no surprise that these efforts that are driven by the republicans of Iowa are just one of the many reasons that the state is struggling to recruit doctors and other medical professionals to work here. I know that several of my transgender friends, and one of my friends who is getting their MD, have moved or are preparing to move because they clearly are not welcome here and so they can seek appropriate care without having a politician sticking their nose in patient care.Iowa used to be a great place to live, until the republicans started turning "Iowa Nice" into "Iowa Hate". If this passes, I'll be sad to leave this place that I've called home for the past 30 years, which is now only filled with hatred, and move to a place that's accepting of everyone.If you are for this bill or on the edge of voting for this bill, I encourage you to watch the documentary "Will & Harper" that features the journey of Iowa City native Harper Steele who came out and see that transgender people are humans too.PLEASE LISTEN TO THE MAJORITY OF IOWAN'S THAT WANT TO BE IOWA NICE AND NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST ALREADY MARGINALIZED HUMANS! Disgruntled

02-24-2025

Allison Miller

I am a concerned woman in the state of Iowa. I am not, at all, concerned about there ever being a threat by any member of the Transgender community towards women. They are regular people that deserve to be protected from hideous and dangerous people who hate them for their individuality. This is not something that should be rewarded by stripping away ALL civil protections for Transgender human beings. Women, in general, are NOT AT RISK. The TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY IS AT RISK. Have you stopped to think about a woman who has transitioned into a man, that would now (under this bill) be forced to go into a womens restroom? Or vise Versa? Have you stopped to think about the men who have transitioned into women, that would now have to go into a restroom filled with men that could, most definitely, assault her? Have you actually collected ANY data to support your claims that children are being forced to transition? Have you talked with any members of the Transgender community about the TRUTH in regard to the process of transitioning? I have to use this language to hopefully get you to understand, that by passing this bill, THE ONLY THING YOU ARE DOING IS SUBJECTING AN ENTIRE GROUP OF PEOPLE TO INCREASED DANGER AND RIDICULE. What are you really gaining here? Satisfaction from the only women that YOU decide exists? Equal does not mean the same, yes.. the bill says that. So what exactly does equal mean? And what is the point of that statement ? The only thing you are doing is solidifying that an entire group of REAL people within the state of Iowa Do not matter!! This is atrocious and I am extremely disappointed in every single one of the elected officials that approve this bill! YOU DO NOT DESERVE TO REPRESENT THE PEOPLE! In representing the PEOPLE, you are representing ALL.. not just the ones you decide are worthy!! Shame on you! DO BETTER!! Do better and show ALL Iowans that you will not BEND THE KNEE TO TRUMP AND HIS BIGOTRY. How dare you even consider taking away someones protection and security just because someone got uncomfortable or because someone doesnt understand. God serves the least of these. Remember that! I vow to never change my vocabulary, not for you, and definitely not for him.

02-24-2025

Theresa Cody

Do not support sf 418. I do not understand taking away any Iowan's civil rights. It jeopardizes the quality of life and safety of many Iowans. Iowans value our rights this feels very antiIowan.It is not going to protect women. Trans folks are not violent or dangerous, in fact trans Iowans are far more likely to be a victim of a crime than the cause. This will not do anything to protect women.If this is about school sports, surely there's a better way to make sure all kids get a chance to compete in a meaningful way than taking away civil rights. It is absurdly heavy handed.

02-24-2025

Linden Thompson

I strongly oppose this bill. I'm a trans Iowan. My grandparents were both born and raised on small farms outside Davenport. My wife and I moved back to Iowa five years ago, excited to live in a state where we could afford to become homeowners and put down roots. Unfortunately, while our immediate community and city has been nothing but kind and welcoming, our state legislature has spent the last few years trying to make Iowa an openly hostile place for LGBTQ+ people to move or live. Trans people like me just want to live our lives. These legal protections to prevent discrimination against our community have been in place for nearly 20 years without issue. To roll back these protections now is cruel, disgraceful, and frankly embarrassing for us as a state. Our legislature should be working to address the many actual problems facing our state. I urge you to vote no on this bill.

02-24-2025

Dessie Sliekers

I deeply OPPOSE this legislation. It only aims to harm a protected, vulnerable class of citizens. This does nothing to improve our plummeting education numbers, our underfunded schools, to keep teachers and doctors in our state, or to address any of the other actual problems in our state. This bill, and this concept is absolutely vile and shameful. For Iowa to be the first state in the nation to REMOVE civil rights is an embarrassment. Vote NO on this harmful, ignorant bill.

02-24-2025

Jeanne Fung

I so strongly oppose this. All Iowans are deserving of equal civil rights. It is shameful that Iowa has gone from "Iowa Nice" to Iowa hate and bigotry. Who is next? Why are transgender Iowans being targeted when they are such a small percentage of the population and are just regular people trying to live their lives? This is wrong and we need to stand up and support our friends and neighbors and not discriminate against them

02-24-2025

Mitchell Callahan

This bill raises serious concerns about discrimination, privacy, and implementation. This legislation sends a harmful message that transgender individuals are not valued members of our community. Such a stance has real consequences for our economy and the vibrant cultural tapestry of our state.One of the worries we share is the potential exodus of talent from Iowa. Skilled and diverse individuals, including those from the LGBTQ+ community, contribute significantly to the success and innovation of our businesses. If this bill becomes law, it sends a message that Iowa is not a welcoming place for everyone, which would lead to a loss of talent, creativity, and expertise that our state desperately needs.The Iowa Civil Rights Removal Act is harmful for transgender individuals and is a step backwards for Iowa. This could have serious repercussions as businesses lose valuable employees and consumers due to an inhospitable environment.I urge you to consider the broader and unintended impact this legislation could have on Iowa's economy and cultural landscape. Small businesses thrive when our communities are diverse, inclusive, and welcoming to all. Please vote against HSB242 to ensure Iowa remains a state that attracts and retains a talented, diverse workforce, fostering economic growth and cultural vibrancy.

02-24-2025

Deborah Leiter

It is very important that this bill not pass. Biology shows that sex is not binary in humans, and this bill does not recognize that truth. People genuinely are born intersex with both kinds of sex organs, etc; I grew up with a friend of the family who fit into this category. There would be no place for Darren in Iowa even though Darren physically exists and is a lovely human being. I dont believe God makes mistakes. When God created the day and night in Genesis he did not preclude the idea of twilight or dawnin the same way male and female was not meant to preclude nonbinary or trans or intersex individuals. And even if it did, freedom of religion means that not everyone needs to agree with a verse in Genesis or how we interpret it. For the love of all that is holy and just, please do not pass this bill, which defies all that is reasonable and right. Just let humans be humansdo not remove rights from people like Darren. Thank you for your time and consideration.

02-24-2025

Terri & John Hale

Please reject this harmful legislation. SF 418 would dramatically hurt trans Iowans and the people who love them. It sends an unmistakable message that Iowa is no longer a state that values freedom and equality for all of its citizens. Is that really something we want to be known for? We urge you and your colleagues to lead by doing the right thing for the right reasons. Discrimination against anyone for any reason is never the right thing. We try to live our lives, as we believe you do, based on the simple principle of treating others the way we want to be treated. Shouldnt that simple principle by applied to how our government treats the transgender population?Trans Iowans are human beings who deserve the same civil rights protections as any other citizens of this state.

02-24-2025

Carrie Heffling

This ludicrous bill reflects how little you care about what your constituents actually want, and are pushing an agenda on this state that is UNWELCOMED. I am a cisgendered mother of two small children who attend public school and Im abhorred by your deaf and blind attitudes. We, YOUR VOTERS, are invested in equal rights and protections for all Iowans. Continue downthis path, risk alienating your voters, and, AT BEST, you will find yourself out of a job and obsolete.

02-24-2025

Margo Vanderhill

This proposal is unhindered by any medical knowledge or expertise. What makes you think you know anything about medicine. SF418 has deliberately set aside any medically verifiable diagnosis.More than 6 months is needed to determine an accurate gender diagnosis since there is no way that a 6 month old can speak for itself. Parents can weigh in, but the person to be genderidentified cannot participate.I strongly recommend that this legislative body work on real solutions to real problems, such as our state mental health, housing affordability and availability, and our state of Iowa's decline in academic achievement from first in the nation to lowmiddle ranking.The legislative body is much too eager to cast stones at a small minority that stands already at the margins for standing up with integrity for who they really are. I only wish that this legislative body had as much integrity as transgender persons.

02-24-2025

Evan Raefield

This bill would be a stain on this states government, and a stain on all who move it forwards legacies. There is no valid argument for stripping rights from the people you are sworn to protect. There will be blood on your hands.

02-24-2025

Logan Nelson

I'm a young adult from Waterloo. Growing up in high school, I grew up among many trans men, those assigned female who identify as male, who were some of the nicest people I've ever met, and it disgusts me to know that the legislators in my state feel comfortable with being complicit in the violence that they faced when they went to school. Your names will be chained with a cord of steel for the rest of time with the violence that young trans people face if this bill goes through.

02-24-2025

Aaron Nichols

As a trans man who came out at an early age I've struggled with many things in my life. I was bullied often throughout middle school and high school. I was forced to use the girls room throughout middle school due to my sex assigned at birth. My classmates voiced often their discomfort I was harassed verbally and physically, they at one point dumped glitter and perfume on me. I was threatened with assault if I used the boys restroom. In high school I was later allowed to use the nurses office bathroom for my safety. As an adult who works in customer service I have been threatened and harassed and I have had to talk to every employer I've worked for about using the mens or an employee bathroom before hand. I shouldn't have to do this but unfortunately we live in a place where someone sees someone like me or my partner and before speaking to us they have decided we're not people. We are things we are broken. Bills like this spread that ideology they open doors for bullies and close several on victims. Bills like this open the way for further dividing our nation. Bills like this emposing bathroom restrictions and protections at work shows you do not see us for who we are. Your friends and neighbors and coworkers.

02-24-2025

Samantha Ziemba

This bill is a harmful waste of legislative effort. Instead of trying to impress the current administration, the legislature should be focusing on the people of Iowa. EVERY Iowan matters, and its our responsibility to make our state safe for EVERYONE. Rather than standing out for passing such a deeply divisive and embarrassing bill, we should be seizing the opportunity to celebrate trans Iowans and keep them safe in a time where other parts of the country are increasingly divided. Please, for the love of all that is good, do not pass this bill.

02-24-2025

Erin Stoltenberg

This bill does nothing to protect Iowans and needlessly strips rights and protections from Iowans of all ages. In no way does this make Iowa a better place to live, work, and raise a family. It does not help our economy, our education system, or raise our standard of living. Instead, it cruelly targets a minority population to remove rights and protections that have been granted to them previously. This treatment is why the Iowa Civil Rights Act is in place and removing these rights for transgender individuals is no different than removing these rights for those who have a different race or ethnicity. Any Iowan who believes in freedom and protection under the law of its citizens should oppose this bill.

02-24-2025

Kim Mayer

Please DO NOT support this bill! As a mother,advocate and ally, we are here to tell you that ALL Iowans deserve to have civil rights under Iowa law! The damage this would do to families and trans people would drive us out of the state we have grown up in.unless thats what you want? LET PEOPLE LIVE THEIR LIVES!

02-24-2025

Margaret Canero

Im wondering how many people who wrote and support this bill have a gender studies degree. I have one, which is how I know what youre doing isnt based in any kind of reality. Trans people exist. Have always existed. Across the world, across time. Attempts to eradicate them has never worked. Gender is social and peoples identities are mixes of social, environmental, biological, cultural influences. What you are doing is nothing more than the government attempted to further oppress marginalized people as they try to maintain the status quo. You see, if trans people exist and gender isnt binary, how are you supposed to oppress women? How are you supposed to maintain cis heteronormativity? How are you supposed to find an entire community to scapegoat for all of the issues caused by the failures of white supremacist capitalism? Trans people in America are at most 5% of the population and that is including the people who are not out and actively living as trans, non binary and gender queer folks, and intersex people. It is abhorrent that our government is pretending that there is some kind of danger facing us in the form of trans people, when the real threat is the lack of healthcare, low wages, climate crises, ongoing and upcoming pandemics, and people being put in concentration camps for being the wrong kind of person. You are wasting our time and money and manufacturing an enemy rather than help your constituents and fellow human.

02-24-2025

Gabriel Cutshaw

Vote NO on SF 418. Legalizing discrimination and harassment does not serve the public interest of Iowa. This bill will not only harm transgender people, but anyone who does not conform to sex stereotypes. Do you want to make history for being the legislators that made Iowa the first state to strip established civil rights from a vulnerable group? This bill would be a black mark in Iowa's history, and will bring shame to the state.

02-24-2025

Michaela Crann

Vote no on SF418. If passed, our state will be giving the "okay" to discriminate people. Iowa will not be the place that our motto "freedom to flourish" claims to be. You would be stopping away the rights of PEOPLE, and for what purpose? What do you hope to gain? Vote no against this hateful bill.

02-24-2025

Matt Richman

Ya'll should be ashamed of yourselves. Why are you bringing forth bills with the ONLY intention of hurting people. I moved to Iowa three years ago, and was always told it was a fantastic place to live. Everything Ive seen since from our ELECTED officials, ESPECIALLY THE GOVERNOR, has been absolutely atrocious. Iowa nice is just a load of bull, and yall are SMALL MINDED, FEARFUL individuals who scream at every bump in the world that isnt white and male. I pray for yall to grow a pair, and RENOUNCE these fascistic, naziesque beliefs that "conservative" legislatures across the country are speed running too. Everyone has the right to live a full, wonderful life. We are, every single one of us, human first and foremost.

02-24-2025

David Krcil David Krcil

Not only were the protests evidence to the fact this is an undesirable bill. But further proof that if GOP of the house and Senate vote this, they will no longer be a party of the individual but a party of no one.

02-24-2025

Shawnacy Kiker Perez

As a citizen of this state, and an American who believes in the values of equality, freedom, and the constitution, this bill is one that must not pass. The idea that an American legislative body would propose a bill repealing civil rights to a protected group, is unthinkable. It is not, as some claim, a simple rectification of a syntactical error made in 2007. There was no error. Trans and gender nonconforming individuals are citizens with equal civil rights under the law, per our US and Iowa constitutions, and these rights shall not be infringed upon.I can not oppose this bill hard enough. No on Civil Rights Removal. Not now, not ever.

02-24-2025

Justine Stamer

Vote NO on SF418. I am running out of words with which to beg for the rights of Iowans to be respected and left intact. At no point in the past has the removal of rights from a group of people been on the right side of history. As someone who falls into the biological woman category that Iowa Republicans are using as their excuse for promoting this legislation, I do not feel safer because of any laws regulating who can and cannot use a given restroom. On the contrary, with each successive law regarding the extent of a persons femininity, I feel less safe. Should this bill pass, it is not for my safety, so stop using us as your excuse to strip Iowans of their rights. If you do this, it is not in my name.To retain gender identity as a protected class under Iowas Civil Rights laws does not take away or diminish the rights of any other protected class. As for any money going to surgeries, I am far more concerned with where the school voucher money is going.Please leave my transgender loved ones alone.

02-24-2025

Carol Willliams

I am the mother of a transgender adult child. They no longer live in Iowa, and I am so sad to think they will not be safe if they ever move back. Unfortunately, without protection in our law, it is more likely they will be discriminated against in housing, employment, or even by government services. Frankly, if this bill passes, I fear it won't be safe for my son to visit me.I grew up with a dad who was very proud of our state motto. My dad would not recognize our state today. Please do not move this bill forward. Trans Iowans deserve to have their rights protected.

02-24-2025

Linda Gregory

Senators I urge you to do the right thing and vote no on this hateful, prejudicial bill that violates the basic human rights of a very small and marginalized segment of our state's population. Trans individuals just want to live in peace and enjoy the same rights and protections as any other Iowan. I know this to be true because Im the mother of a fully transitioned trans woman. My daughter has moved out of the U.S. because of all the bigotry and hatred. All she wants is to be herself and feel safe. As a mother, my heart breaks knowing she is thousands of miles away and does not feel she can travel freely and safely back to the United States and Iowa.Trans individuals should not have to live in fear and persecution. ALL human beings deserve protection under the law. This bill is beyond reprehensible. IT'S EVIL. Don't let Iowa become known for bigotry and prejudice. We're better than that. YOU ARE BETTER THAN THAT!Please do the right thing by showing kindness, compassion, and CHRISTIAN CHARITY by voting "no" on HSB242. IT'S WHAT JESUS WOULD DO.

02-24-2025

Judy Diedrichs

am writing to express my opposition to SF 242. Transgender individuals are entitled to the same civil rights as all other citizens of Iowa. One of my dear friends has a daughter that is transgender. They just want to live their life, work and pay taxes, buy a home. All the things other citizens in Iowa are entitled to. We should be protecting these rights not stripping them away. Please vote NO on advancing this bill.

02-24-2025

Peggy Jennings

Please, do not pass this bill. Trans people deserve the same rights as every other person. It seems ridiculous to me that Christian people would be so judgmental and want to remove rights from any of Gods children. Perhaps it is time to use your power and resources to make real change for all citizens instead of targeting a group of people who just want to be who they are.

02-24-2025

Molly Fairchild

I am asking that you please not pass this bill and do not allow it to reach the governor's desk. I know trans individuals as family members, friends, and colleagues. They deserve to be protected just like everyone else in Iowa, even moreso as members of our government actively work to eradicate their existence. Please do not vote to move this bill along. Let it die in the Senate before it takes the lives of fellow Iowans.

02-24-2025

J H

I do not support this bill. Trans folks just want to be left alone to live their lives in peace like the rest of us. This bill will cause irreparable damage and will be a stain on the state I hold close to my heart. DO NOT PASS SF 418.

02-24-2025

Ryann Hubbart

I am STRONGLY OPPOSED to this bill. This bill is dangerous to real, Iowan lives. It is a direct attack on Iowas trans community and its attempt to legally tie gender to sex will have wideranging negative effects for all Iowans. I cannot stress enough that removing gender identity from protected status under the Iowa Civil Rights Act will lead to immeasurable harm for Iowans. Passing this bill would single the state of Iowa out as the prime antitrans, antiLGBTQ+ state in the nation.There is NO JUSTIFICATION for removing gender identity from protected status. The justification implied that trans individuals are a threat marks trans individuals as less human, claiming that they are less deserving of protection than anyone else while trans Americans are four times more likely to be the victim of a violent crime than cisgender Americans. Trans people are my friends and family. They are not a threat. They are trying to live their lives and thrive in the state of Iowa just like anyone else. Let them do that. Stop SF 418.

02-24-2025

Rylee Junk

I urge you to vote "no" on this Senate file, which threatens the protections of so many vulnerable Iowans. As someone who cares deeply for my transgender friends, I can tell you they are not interested in your children. We are not trying to force anyone to be transgenderwe are simply advocating for a safe environment where children who already identify as transgender can live without fear.What I need you to understand is this: outlawing transgender individuals will not make your children any less transgender. It will only cause immense suffering, confusion, and pain for those who need support the most. If this bill passes, countless precious lives will be lostlives of your very own constituents.Please take a moment to truly reflect on the harm this bill will cause, and the irreversible damage it will do to those who already face the greatest challenges. This is not just a policy issueits a matter of life and death. Please consider the profound and heartbreaking consequences before making a decision.

02-24-2025

LeAnn Robine

As a follower of Christ and as a clergyperson I believe that every person is created in the loving image of God (Genesis 1:26) this belief extends to myself, the members of the Iowa state senate, the governor, and our transgender neighbors. I also firmly believe in Jesus command to love God and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves (Mark 12:3031). This command is at the center of our call to live as people of faith.Therefore, I urge you to recognize that stripping our neighbors of their rights is not a sign of loving care towards the people of Iowa but instead an act of deep harm towards the image of God. No Iowan should live in fear and no Iowan should have their personhood denied.

02-24-2025

Lynne Reed

Why! Why are you wanting to take away the rights of humans that have done nothing to you?This is disgusting and you should all be ashamed of yourself! When you vote on this bill, I want you to think about the future. Your future grandchildren, your future, nieces, and nephews. Im telling you right now, theres a trans child in your future and theres a gay child in your future. Do you really want them to know that you voted against their rights? Vote with your heart, not with your party!

02-24-2025

Amy Poague

I have many friends who are transgender. It is very disappointing and frightening that SF418 exists at all; the very idea that a bill to remove transgender citizens' civil rights is being pushed shows regressive and hateful thinking. This should never have been platformed, but politics and hate have brought this forward, to the point where these people's right to be who they are and live in peace is threatened for no reason. This is a bill that will cause great harm to my friends, will threaten their physical and mental health. It could even threaten their lives due to the politicization of their right to be themselves in peace. It also has the potential to give Iowa a reputation as an intolerant pIace where differences are not welcomed. I trust that you will do the right thing and say no to this hateful legislation.

02-24-2025

Nancy Miller

I am a cisgender woman who used the bathroom at the Capitol today. There was an inordinate amount of transgendered people in the building and let me tell you when I was in the bathroom I did not notice the gender of anybody else in there. But I felt very safe. Please vote no on this bill and focus on some things that really matter like eliminating poverty getting people housed feeding the hungry let's do some good instead of running people down. I am also a LISW, specializing in treating people who have caused sexual harm. Let me tell you that transgender people make up a tiny fraction of those. There is much more to fear from cis white males as far as sex offending goes.

02-24-2025

Kristina H

Reject HSB 418 and HSB 242. I implore our representatives to stand up for our fellow Iowans and do not remove civil rights protections for transgender individuals from our state. Nobody is truly free unless everybody is free. Do the right thing. Please consider the harm that these bills will do to our neighbors and friends. Let's work together to protect and respect the rights of all Iowans.

02-24-2025

Kristina H

Reject SF 418 and HSB 242. I implore our representatives to stand up for our fellow Iowans and do not remove civil rights protections for transgender individuals from our state. Nobody is truly free unless everybody is free. Do the right thing. Please consider the harm that these bills will do to our neighbors and friends. Let's work together to protect and respect the rights of all Iowans.

02-24-2025

Renee Greenlee

Please reject SF 418, the transgender attack bill. I dont need to go into how damaging this bill is for trans individuals; you already know that. Removing gender identity as protected class from the Iowa Civil Rights Act does NOT serve the interests of the vast majority of your constituents, it serves a minute population who think they can dictate who can have protections in Iowa and who cannot. I assure you, there is no reason to even contemplate the merits of this bill. It will irrefutably result in discrimination and unsafe actions towards trans individuals. That fact itself should stop you all in your tracks because I am sure you would not want that blood on your hands. And without doubt, if this bill passes and these hateful, unsafe situations do harm trans individuals, the blame and judgment will land squarely on those who passed it.Thank you for stopping this bill from moving forward. Please keep these heinous bills from being reintroduced each year and wasting the precious time of Iowa legislators and constituents. Use these sessions for the good of Iowans and what you were elected for: to HELP Iowans, NOT tear them down.

02-24-2025

Becky Kakac [- Select -]

Please vote no on SF 418 This is a moral issue. No one should have rights taken away from them. Transgender Iowans should not be discriminated against. Keeping gender identity in the Iowa Civil Rights Act protects them from discrimination. As a person of faith, I do not understand the obsession of some in the legislature and governor's office with our transgender friends, siblings, children, neighbors they only want to live an authentic life earning a living, finding a place to live, or being served by a business or government office. We want transgender Iowans to succeed just like the rest of us Taking away rights from transgender Iowans is wrong. Please vote no.

02-24-2025

Lacee Be

I didn't grow up in Iowa. I moved here a decade ago for college, as there were awesome opportunities in Iowa to learn from and with each other. I stayed for that reason and so many others. Iowa is my home, and it is home to many people like me as well as many people who are different. I love it that way, even on the hard days and I deeply love that each of us have our civil rights protected by our representatives. I fiercely oppose this bill and the dehumanizing repercussions it leads toward.

02-24-2025

Rev. Martha Lang

As a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who taught that we are to love our neighbors as ourselves, I object to this proposed bill, which would strip Iowa citizens of civil protections. The proposed bill makes a mockery of the motto of Iowa (our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain) as well the words ofour pledge of allegiance "with liberty and justice for all." This bill is reprehensible. Vote NO on SF418.

02-24-2025

Rebecca Poling

Trans people should not be treated any differently than your favorite grandparent. They are precious humans. They are friends, siblings, children, spouses, parents and grandparents. Differences in humans makes life interesting. I am a cisgender female and I do not support SF418. Vote no!

02-24-2025

Krysta Lannan

Separation of church and state. Your moral compas should not dictate how people choose to identify themselves. Also your state has the 2nd highest rate for cancer. Maybe focus on getting Iowans healthy and not so focused on what genitals people have in their pants. Trans rights are human rights. If it doesn't affect you, they why does it matter? You are only promoting hate and further dividing out country.

02-24-2025

Terri DeBruin

Please vote no. I do not understand why our legislature is waisting time on this. Picking on Trans kids is cruel. We have big problems that do need addressing such as fixing our crumbling infrastructure but distracting everyone with this nonsense so you dont have to work on real problems is really sad. Trans people are no dangerous than anyone else. They just want to live their lives without being harassed. And its only like 3% of people. Just leave them alone.

02-24-2025

Katie Imborek

I implore you to oppose HSB242. You cannot draft narrow and nonscientific definitions of sex to erase transgender and intersex people. They have existed for millenia and will continue to do so. A judge in Montana recently ruled similar legislation unconstitutional and went so far to call the state "intellectually and morally indefensible." The same would be true here in our great state of Iowa if we were to become the first in the nation to remove a protected class from a civil rights act. Our trans and nonbinary Iowa neighbors do in fact exist they are our colleagues, siblings, parents, children, baristas, clergy, health care providers, civil servants and they face disparate outcomes in mental and physical health in part because of the discrimination they already face. They need the protection they are afforded in this act. Please do not codify discrimination into the Iowa Code.

02-24-2025

Alicia Ebaugh

I am a lifelong Iowan. I am writing to you today to ask you to reject SF418, a bill that would remove basic protections for transgender Iowans and create complications for other Iowans who do not fall neatly into the bills narrow definitions.I have several transgender friends who live in Iowa. You most likely have some transgender constituents, too. They are already suffering the indignity of many of their rights being erased at the federal level. They are scared and worried what each new day could bring now, and it is tanking their everyday quality of life. I hope you never have to live in fear like this simply because some politicians decided it was OK to dehumanize you.All hardworking peopleincluding those who are transgendershould be treated fairly and equally by the laws of our state, and should have the opportunity to earn a living and provide for themselves and their families. If someone cant rent an apartment or get a credit card simply because of who they are, we cant expect them to be able to compete on a level playing field with their peers. These basic antidiscrimination protections are an important part of any meritbased system, allowing people to access opportunities regardless of who they are or how they are perceived. Further, the bill jeopardizes sex stereotyping protections for nontransgender women that arent included in Iowas sex discrimination statute.When it comes to being able to earn a living, having a place to live, or being served by a business or government office, transgender people should be treated like anyone else and not be discriminated against. Please vote against SF418.

02-24-2025

Janice Hawkins

SF 418 is a mandate to force gender erasure of people who are transgender while also eliminating the legal protections provided for them by the state of Iowa. Do you think that by using words in the form of a draft bill of law, will cause this segment of our community to just disappear? Do you really think so? May I remind you that you're dealing with real, live people whom you can find everywhere in our communities? They're in the Legislature (yes indeed!!!), our schools, our hospitals, our places of worship,our work groups & places where we shop. And they're of all ages too. Sticking your head in the sand & saying "WE JUST WON'T HAVE IT!" doesn't & shouldn't work in a democracy. I'm a 72 year old ally who humbly asks you to vote against this bill because it will be devastatingly harmful for the affected individuals but more importantly, it will be a black stain on the character of ALL the people of Iowa.

02-24-2025

Will Denny

This bill is an assault on the civil rights of Iowans. It opens the floodgates for obscene invasions of privacy and is based on the lie of a binary sex and gender. Biologists, medical scientists, and cultural anthropologists have demonstrated time and time again that not only is biological sex far more complex than binary, gender is a social construct. This bill cannot even adequately define gender. How are we to expect it to be enforced? Arbitrarily against whatever political enemy or scapegoat this fascist government wants to attack. This bill goes against Iowan and American values in every way.

02-24-2025

Pamela Vogel

Please vote NO on this abominable piece of legislation. This will be a violation of every individuals civil rights. Each and every person, regardless of their sexual orientation, race, religion, ethnicity is due their civil rights equal treatment under the law of all people regarding enjoyment of life, liberty, property, and protection. Protection from harassment and from any segment of the population who holds beliefs opposite of any particular group of people. Through all of history there has been a group of people considered to be different and therefore have been dealt horrific treatment deemed to be just and right. The time for this to stop is NOW. We are supposed to be a humane society, a people who treat everyone with respect and dignity. Lets keep that first and foremost in your minds as you render your decision. This is not the time; there is never a time to select any group of individuals to suffer hate or bigotry.

02-24-2025

Rachael Rail

Please DO NOT allow this bill to pass! Along with the obvious and hateful targeting of trans Iowans, this bill is already preventing children from being given roles that allegedly do not align with their gender,in theater productions. I have witnessed this personally. Children will not be able to dress like their idols or historical figures for school projects because our government wants to decide what gender they are or should present themselves as. Legislating hate effects EVERYONE and anyone passing this bill through should be fired for negligence and refusing to do their job. Please stop wasting time and tax payer money on things that hurt Iowans when you should be using the power you have to uplift and celebrate ALL IOWANS...even those different from you. This is not an efficient way to use our tax dollars or spend your time, is a blatant abuse of power, and it you folks pushing this bill forward who wish to indoctrinate our children.

02-24-2025

E M

How are you going to verify chromosomes at birth? Y'all want to judge peoples gender based on their genitals? Who wants to look at little kids' private parts? That's nasty. It's giving Dr Money, which is tragic. What about intersex people? My sister has been a girl through and through for her whole life. I would know because I saw her withdraw from her entire life when she would be expected to be boyish, wear clothes usually favored by women, grow her hair long, wear 'feminine".clothes, be repulsed by the idea of being machismo SINCE THE AGE OF 5, and yet here we are arguing that she is not a woman. She literally has more skincare products and idk what's more feminine than that! When she tried to use the men's bathroom she gets told that she's in the wrong place and men proposition her! Apparently she won't be able to use bathrooms for women? My other concern is if she commits a crime and is sent to a men's prison? "Blah blah maybe don't commit crimes" yeah I hear you but the point of prison is rehab, right? Not in this country. The point is punishment so that the for profit prisons keep enriching that wallets of millionaires. The same millionaires that are putting Democrats and Republicans against each other. Does my sister deserve to be vcoded? Nobody deserves to be raped in prison. I believe in rehabilitation like most civilized people. This is so gross, my husband and I are leaving this state for a more civilized place so y'all won't get our tax dollars to enforce this stupid thing. We both have masters degrees, so we are contributing to the overall brain drain.

02-24-2025

Christina Updegraff Hoffner

I strongly oppose SF 418 in which lawmakers are attempting to create definitions of sex and gender in order to pigeonhole every citizen into dichotomies as opposed to respecting each persons right to be their own authentic self. I simply cannot comprehend how someones reproductive system or genitalia can be considered when making legislation. As a member of the legal community, as a mother of two daughters, as a sister and friend of many transgender HUMAN BEINGS, I cannot support any bill that would paint these people I know in my community as unnatural or less than others based on physicalitiesthat may not align with their mental self and identity. Transgender suicide attempt rates are currently about 40%, which will inevitably increase due to isolation, fear, depression, and many other horrors our community would endure if such legislation were put into effect.

02-24-2025

Rachael Rail

02-24-2025

Jess Jacobsen

I beg of you to not pass this bill. This bill will cause people harm. It will make children and adults unsafe. Everyone has a right to be who they are meant to be even if that means it looks different than you. So I beg you again to NOT pass this bill!

02-24-2025

Marta Ferguson

None of us is free unless we are all free. The Civil Rights Act, including the language around sexual orientation and gender identity, moves us in the direction of that collective liberation. I believe in letting it stand. Justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion are the future, Iowa's future.

02-24-2025

Casey Dworzynski

Who are you afraid of? Why do you choose to bully people. Queer folk have and will continue to exist whether you want to acknowledge them or not. The only thing that legislation against these groups will do is send us back further from our nations promise that all people were created equal. We have a shameful history of not living up to that promise one that regrettably seems to be viewed with ignorant bliss by too many who want to take us back to better times. But who were those times better for? Was everyone in your family better off? Do you KNOW you didnt have any queer folk in your family line? Do they have to be direct family for you to care? Continues to pursue this hateful legislation and be remembered for the hate you spread.

02-24-2025

Matt Russell

I strongly oppose SF 418, a bill that seeks to redefine sex and gender in Iowa law, limit the recognition of gender identity, and restrict educational discussions on gender theory. This bill is not only harmful to individuals who do not fit into rigid, outdated definitions of sex and gender, but it also undermines fundamental civil rights, public health, and educational integrity in our state.1.Erosion of Civil Rights ProtectionsBy removing gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act, this bill strips legal protections from transgender and nonbinary individuals, making them more vulnerable to discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations. No Iowan should face legal exclusion simply because of their identity.2.Harmful Impacts on Health and WellbeingScientific and medical consensusincluding organizations such as the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatricsrecognizes that gender identity is a critical aspect of a persons wellbeing. Policies that deny individuals the ability to have accurate identification or access to affirming care contribute to increased mental health struggles, including higher rates of depression and suicide.3.Censorship in EducationRestricting discussions of gender theory in schools is an attack on academic freedom and an attempt to erase the existence and experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals. Students deserve an education based on facts and inclusivity, not politically motivated censorship.4.Government OverreachThis bill represents an unnecessary and intrusive overreach into the personal lives of Iowans. Government should not dictate how individuals define themselves or restrict their ability to live authentically. Laws should protect people, not police their identities.I urge lawmakers to reject SF 418 and instead focus on policies that promote inclusivity, respect, and equal rights for all Iowans.

02-24-2025

Kaitlin Suierveld

Former Iowa resident and currently employed in Iowa and I am just absolutely baffled and disappointed that this bill even exists in the first place. Why are we wasting time and tax payer money on taking away the civil rights of a marginalized group that only accounts for .22% of the Iowa population? What is this going to improve? There are literally thousands of iowans facing food scarcity and this is what you choose to spend your time on? How about you focus on something that actually improves the lives of Iowa citizens instead of taking rights away from people who just want to live their life freely and authentically. Do better. Care about people for once.

02-24-2025

Katharine Jones

PLEASE reject this bill. This is hateful, dangerous legislation that would only serve to make the lives of a vulnerable population even harder. Transgender people have existed for as long as humans have existed and no matter what you do, they will never stop existing. You cannot legislate them out of existence, you can only make yourselves look like bigots when you try. Iowa's state motto is "our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain." By voting to strip transgender Iowans of protections under the Iowa Civil Rights Act, you're voting against our state motto and should no longer call yourselves true Iowans. This is a state that onceuponatime was a place where ALL people could feel safe and valued, and I urge you to continue to uphold those values of maintaining rights and liberties. Reject this dangerous bill, stop targeting a vulnerable population and focus on what Iowans ACTUALLY need lower housing costs, lower food costs, better school, better infrastructure... the list goes on and on. Making transgender Iowans feel less than is NOT ONE OF THEM.

02-24-2025

Brittany Brooke Crow

Please register my opposition to SF 418. Eighteen years: thats how long weve had gender identity as a protected class in Iowa. If you move this bill forward, Iowans will lose their rights. Iowans will be denied housing and employment, educational opportunities and credit loans. I urge you to reconsider eroding fundamental rights of your neighbors, your friends, your family. Because if Ive learned one thing, its this: we all have someone in our lives who will be impacted by this bill, even if we dont know it.

02-24-2025

Amy Ktemer

The Transgender community should be protected under the law, the same as everyone else. They should not be discriminated against because other people do not understand or they disagree. Its their life to live and should not be dictated by government or ignorant people. We need to educate not discriminate.

02-24-2025

Michelle Soyer

I strongly oppose SF 418 Because it is cruel treatment to kind and loving people. We are taught to not cause harm and to love one another but this bill is extremely harmful and definitely not loving. We dont need more decisiveness. We need love. Choose love and do not pass SF 418

02-24-2025

Adam Parker

Quit wasting your time with this nonsense. You are elected by and for the people. This bill sows division and does not effectively reflect the wants of the people. Please focus your time and effort on actually legislating important issues rather than catering to an extremist agenda. Anyone under the age of 65 thinks this is incredibly stupid way to spend your time. In effect driving out the future of this state.

02-24-2025

Kate Nesbit

This bill is so shameful. Never in my life have I seen a group of legislators so blatantly try to revoke the rights of and claims to equality held by a group of people. You can try to erase trans people and trans experience with bills like this but you will fail. Legislation like this does not age well.

02-24-2025

Sarah Peterson

As the hearing for SF 418 approaches, I want to voice my concerns about the removal of protections on the basis of gender identity. This bill is essentially allowing for discrimination against a very small section of the population. To what end? It hurts no one to require the same level of decency and opportunity for all people. There should be no qualifiers. All. People. According to the changes suggested in this bill, everyone is protected from discrimination except on the basis of gender identity. This isnt about protecting children. The mention of real estate, employment, and business make it clear that this bill is about targeting a specific population. Removal of protections is codifying hate, indifference, and fear.

02-24-2025

Becky Schumacher

This has to stop. To continue pushing this antitrans legislation in spite of overwhelming opposition from your constituents is a slap in the face. Stop ignoring the protests and do the right thing. Trans people deserve civil rights in Iowa and across the USA.

02-24-2025

Jodi Hulbert

I am disappointed to see that elected officials in the state where I have spent my whole life are so full of hate to introduce a bill to take away basic civil rights from people who have hurt no one. No one. Please, do the right thing. These are peoples children, sisters, brothers, coworkers, friends, just asking to be treated like all other human beings.

02-24-2025

Veronica Tessler

For the love of all things holy please vote NO on this unnecessarily cruel bill. Please get to work on matters of importance to Iowans, and honor our states motto of Our Liberties we Prize and Our Rights we will Maintain.

02-24-2025

Jeannie Johnson

02-24-2025

Melissa Mendenhall

I vehemently oppose this bill, SF 418, the "Civil Rights Removal Act". Does Iowa really want to be known as the first state to take away civil rights from our citizens? Young people are leaving the state because of repressive, backward policies like this proposed bill. Who will want to come here knowing that our state government sanctions hate and discrimination? It will be a death knell for growth and a prosperous, thriving environment for our children's future. If passed this wrongheaded revision of our state constitution and assault on civil rights will have farreaching implications on the liberties of all Iowans. Vote no on SF 418.

02-24-2025

Jess Netolicky

I strongly oppose SF418, a bill that wrongfully and maliciously targets and harms Iowa citizens who happen to be different than the lawmakers trying to push this through. Civil rights are fundamental human rights, and every person deserves equal protection under the law. If this bill is enacted, Iowa would make history for the wrong reasonsbecoming the first state to strip protections from a minority group. That is not a legacy we should accept. I urge you to reject SF418 and uphold the true principles of equality and justice for all.

02-24-2025

Stephanie Warywoda

Transgender people are humans and deserve equality. Please stop trying to erase their rights and existence!!! This country was founded on freedom in Kim Reynolds, and the Iowa republicans continue to take rights and freedom away. Its disgusting and it needs to stop. Vote for equality and acknowledge lbgtq and transgender rights!!

02-24-2025

Patty Waters

My name is Patty Waters and I am a registered nurse and over my 40 plus years in healthcare I have taken care of countless patients from all walks of life, I have taken care of each patient with the same care and respect and that is how, we the people, need to look at and treat each other in our state and country. The transgender person is human and deserves every right that another human has, they have a heart that beats no different than yours! They work, love, have goals and dreams the same as you. I quite honestly can't believe that this is even an issue when there are so many other concerning things to spend time and money on. This is bullying at the highest level. I believe in the Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." I taught my children this and I would like to think that this is still being taught, but when things like this are happening how can it be? During my nursing career I have taken care of those from the transgender community and they are some of the kindest people you will ever meet because they understand human differences and look beyond. I personally have a very close connection with a transgender person and I look to this person as one of the strongest and kindest people I know. She has never asked anybody for money or anything else other than to treat her with respect and dignity. She is successful in her career, has goals and dreams and has aspirations to make our world a better place. I believe that nobody knows what might impact their life someday and how you will respond when you find yourself in a particular situation. It is in this possibility that people need to respect and support each other, not think of ways to bully and condemn. I do not understand how anyone can sleep at night when there are innocent people being affected by decisions that are being made such as this, you may someday have this or a similar situation face you in your life.Put yourself in someone else's shoes and do what is right and stand up for ALL PEOPLE, not just those that follow the straight line. It takes ALL PEOPLE to make this world go around and by respecting each other's differences is what can bring beauty and change to this country.Sincerely,Patty WatersReplyForwardAdd reaction

02-24-2025

Gwyneth Bertocki

The biology class you had in school didn't teach you the whole truth about gender; it was scaled back to simpler terms so that many different topics could be covered within the semester. If you actually study biology, though, you'll find that the term "biological sex" goes much further than external genitalia. After all, internal organs, brain chemistry, hormones, genes, cells, and chromosomes are all biological too. And they can each be read as different (or no) genders within the same body. This means you may be genetically male or female, be chromosomally male or female, be hormonally male/female/nonbinary, and/or have cell receptors that may or may not answer the male/female/nonbinary calland all this leads to a body that can be male/nonbinary/female. Yes, really!Few people have had the thorough testing to know with 100% certainty just how male or femaleor nonbinarythey truly are. (If you have yourself tested, prepare for a surprise!) Gender isn't black or white, yes or no, male or female. It's on a spectrum. And no law should ever be passed that assigns a human being a binary answer from a full spectrum of answers based on just one visible trait. It's illogical and inhuman to label people that way. Please stop trying to force inaccurate definitions on Iowans.

02-24-2025

Alan Moser

Iowa's history is rooted in protecting the civil rights of our citizens. A bill, legalizing discrimination persons is against everything Iowa has stood for. It opens up a legal avenue to just use "gender identification" as a precursor to discriminate, even if the person refuses to identify their gender identity. It puts a very small minority of children into potential harm, which should sicken every adult. To propose a bill that would allow children to be harmed, bullied, and ostracized at school is beyond the pale. Not only would passing of this bill be an ugly stain on Iowa's record in championing civil rights, it's would be an ugly stain on your personal records. This is not the will of Iowans.

02-24-2025

Russelle Leggett

Please consider the damage this bill would do to people who are just trying to live life as happily as they can (and deserve). Their civil liberties are definitely at stake, and it is preposterous that our Iowa legislators are taking vaaluable legislative time to propose such a bill that would take away the right of such a small number of Iowans who simply want to live the lives that they feel best suits them. Please vote no on this bill.

02-24-2025

Anne Crotty

I OPPOSE SF 418. "Our liberties we prize and our rights we maintain..." FOR SOME. It is shameful that people who are supposed to protect the rights of all Iowans are debating whether to strip those rights from a group of people who have done nothing to hurt you. As a young professional with young children, I no longer want to raise my family in a state where our state lawmakers continually push such disgusting, uninformed hatred while claiming to "protect women" but not supporting things that ACTUALLY HELP WOMEN like affordable childcare, access to maternity care in rural areas, comprehensive sexual health education, expanding access to Medicaid and SNAP.

02-24-2025

Michelle Davids

As a physician our community, I urge this committee not to continue this harmful bill.Iowans will be harmed if this bill passes. Transgender Iowans deserve better than this.As a voting member in this state, I plead with you to vote NO on this bill.

02-24-2025

Ellen Schneider

Stripping Iowans of their civil rights is so draconian, so backwards, and so ethically wrong. This law must not pass or we will lose hundreds of the brilliant friends and neighbors that make this state a place we can be proud to live in.

02-24-2025

Alexis StClare (A former Iowan)

Transpeople are hardworking members of the Iowa community. This bill is an unfair attack on the Iowans who are simply trying to make a living, be good community members, and raise families. Without the basic security of people able to get housing or a job without being discriminated against this will be unfairly difficult for trans people. Iowa is loosing young people each year who cannot consider building their lives or raising a family in a state that continues to attack innocent members of their communities. I am one those people. I was once proud of my home state that once stood at the forefront against the fight against slavery, and it protected gender identity in the civil rights act at time when most people had never heard of a transperson.Now I watch my home state through away so many of it's achievements and strip away the rights of thousands of Iowans and I am sick. This bill is morally wrong and there isn't a single economic benefit. This bill is motivated by hate and prejudice. A long time ago I would have said these aren't Iowa values but those who authored this bill seem to want it to be. I ask this committee to take a stand and don't let hate become a value.

02-24-2025

Jacob Bayne

02-24-2025

Lex Letourneau

VOTE NO. Iowans are clear that we do not want this bill. As our representatives, it is your JOB to listen to your constituents. Why are you targeting less than 1% of the population? This is unconstitutional, UnAmerican, and UnIowan to actively remove civil rights. Abhorrent that this was even proposed. Do not let this pass.

02-24-2025

Natalie Julin-McCleary

Please vote NO on SF 418. This bill fails to recognize the many and various forms of human existence and removes essential human rights for some of our most vulnerable citizens. Please consider the humanity of ALL human beings and vote NO on SF 418. Thank you.

02-24-2025

Evan Karsjens

This bill is hot garbage. We can't promote freedom and liberty while attempting to strip people of the freedom to be whomever they choose, read whatever they'd like, or fit anyone into a mold that doesn't fit. Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain. More like, "other people's liberties make me uncomfortable and their rights I will restrict so I feel better about myself."

02-24-2025

Mary McGrath

This bill isnt based on science nor the will of the people. It is the job of science, which has demonstrated sex to be more complicated than a binary construct, to determine how sex is classified. Gender is determined by the free will of a person and no law will make it otherwise. This bill only serves to be cruel and to legally harm people; it is not one of reason, truth, or for the common good.

02-24-2025

Amy Myers

Please do not take away the civil rights protecting transgender individuals. I have loved ones who are alive today because they were able to get the surgery that aligned with their gender, rather than stay trapped in a body that did not match who they were inside.There is no harm in allowing people to maintain their own bodily autonomy and I ask that you do not remove those rights.Thank you,Amy Myers

02-24-2025

Victoria Essary

I'm against the Iowa House bill that takes away trans rights because it goes against my core values of fairness, dignity, and collective wellbeing. My background in social work has deepened my understanding of marginalized communities, including BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals, and I believe in policies that support, not harm, vulnerable populations. I also have close friends who are worried about their ability to marry who they love and access genderaffirming care, so this issue is personal for me. I oppose legislation that restricts people's rights because it reinforces the systemic injustices Im committed to addressing in my future social work career.

02-24-2025

Karen Edwards

I am a lifelong resident of Iowa and I vehemently oppose HSB 242 and any legislation that aims to remove civil rights protections and further harm trans and nonbionary Iowans. Please do the right thing and oppose The Iowa Civil Rights Removal Act (HSB 242).

02-24-2025

Ryker Fuller

My name is Ryker Fuller and I am against bill SF 419. This bill is unconstitutional we just want to exist. You are tired of us but we are just as tired of having to fight to exist. Women's bathrooms have stalls if your looking in stalls to see what a person has in their pants is insane. I'd rather a transwomen walk into the restroom behind my sister before watching someone like myself who is a man walk in behind your daughter. WE just want to go to the bathroom in peace to pee or poop and wash our hands and walk out. I'm not worried about a child being in the bathroom. I just want to do my business and walk out. I want equal rights to further my education I don't want anything more than you cis gender people have. I just want to not worry about walking out of my home and being beat to death. I want to help people I want to be able to buy a home, further my education, and proper medical treatment. Is that to much to ask for? Is that to much to just want to be equal? We don't hurt you guys but you hurt us! Make all this make sense. The current legislation doesn't give us any more rights than cis gender people. It just dumbs it down for the people who need to be told "caution contents in cup may be hot" because gosh forbid someone didn't think their coffee would be hot and got burnt. Like the song by Wrabel "The Village" states quote" there's nothing wrong with you its true its true. There's something wrong with the village" end quote. You guys who are for bill SF 419 are the village. You guys are like the birds in nature who attack a bird who's more colorful. Because In nature a flock will attack any bird who is more colorful than the others because being different is seen as a threat. Is that what this is about you guys feel we are a threat to you. Because in my eyes you guys are more a threat to Transgender people than we are to you cis gender people. My name is Ryker Fuller and I hope you take my statment into consideration. Imagine if this was you having to fight to exist. You don't want the blood on your hands of Transgender suicide because of your unconstitutional bill taking away civil rights.

02-24-2025

Karna Bosman

As a person of faith, I firmly oppose Senate File 418. Our government should never sanction discrimination against any of its citizens. Transgender individuals, like every Iowan, deserve to live with dignity, respect, and equal rights. This legislation would only further marginalize and put an already vulnerable community at risk, and we must stand together to reject it. If Iowa were to pass such an egregious law, we risk earning the reputation of being the most hateful state in the nationa distinction we must never accept. Please REJECT THIS DANGEROUS BILL.

02-24-2025

Laura Teske

I am writing to ask you to oppose SF418. The state of Iowa has always been on the forefront of civil rights. We have granted rights to a multitude of people groups long before other states and the federal government. We proudly speak of our state motto, "Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain", and have upheld this motto through laws and legal decisions. To say that SF418 is moving us back in time is not accurate, because in the past we have fought for the rights of all people of our state. What SF418 is doing is moving us into uncharted territory, in which we remove rights and dehumanize an entire group of people. If you support this bill, is that the legacy you want to leave? Do you want to be known as legislators that removed basic civil rights for an entire group of Iowa citizens? In the future, when people learn of the history of Iowa, do you want your name associated with the removal of civil rights and dehumanization of the trans community? At no time in history have the people who initiated the removal of civil rights been considered to be on the right side of history. And where will this stop? What is to keep lawmakers from removing civil rights from other groups who are currently protected? We are on the cusp of a major decision about how the state of Iowa will be viewed, both by its citizens and people around the country. If we value our motto, our economy and our history, this bill will die in subcommittee.I ask you to do the right thing and vote against SF418. Thank you.

02-24-2025

Maggie Young

Vote NO. This is unconstitutional and very weird and personal. You are representatives of our state; you should not be considering your constituents' genitalia. Quite frankly, it is perverted. This is an affront to trans rights and Iowans. Targeting less than 1% of a population is a degradation of the American values that we once so proudly touted.

02-24-2025

Jeffery McCollom

Anybody who claims to be "protecting women" with this bill are completely missing the mark. I want you to look at the pictures attached. These are ALL transgender men. This is who will be going into women's restrooms LEGALLY. If you force people to use bathrooms that match their original birth certificate, you are putting women in danger! Not from these, or any other, transgender men. No. But from cis men. Since cis men, the people women really need to fear, who look like these men, will be going into women's bathrooms, it will make it easy for the real predators to go in unnoticed, until it's too late. You're thinking about this all wrong! You're basing decisions in fear and hate and not logic.Now let's talk about transgender women in men's bathrooms. You are putting transgender women at risk of being sexually assaulted or physically beaten by forcing them into men's restrooms. Nothing about this law protects women, of any kind! All it does is feed your ignorance and hate toward anybody different from yourselves.

Attachment

02-24-2025

Jessica Monday

What problems does this solve? We have the second highest rates of new cancer diagnoses in the COUNTRY. We're experiencing a massive brain drain. We have physician shortages across the state.Why are we wasting tax payer money so you all can draft a bill that would legally allow discrimination towards an already marginalized group when we have real problems to tackle? I sincerely do not understand.I do not support HF583, and if you don't want to see massive regression in Iowa, you shouldn't either.

02-24-2025

Ethan Grant

What an absolutely abhorrent piece of legislature. The people in charge of our state should be ashamed of themselves. What sort of "family values" are we upholding by allowing open discrimination and taking away protections? It's because of you people I'm embarrassed to tell anyone I'm an Iowan.

02-24-2025

Ryker Fuller

Ryker Fuller My name is Ryker Fuller and I am opposed to bill SF 418. This bill is unconstitutional we just want to exist. You are tired of us but we are just as tired of having to fight to exist. Women's bathrooms have stalls if your looking in stalls to see what a person has in their pants is insane. I'd rather a transwomen walk into the restroom behind my sister before watching someone like myself who is a man walk in behind your daughter. WE just want to go to the bathroom in peace to pee or poop and wash our hands and walk out. I'm not worried about a child being in the bathroom. I just want to do my business and walk out. I want equal rights to further my education I don't want anything more than you cis gender people have. I just want to not worry about walking out of my home and being beat to death. I want to help people I want to be able to buy a home, further my education, and proper medical treatment. Is that to much to ask for? Is that to much to just want to be equal? We don't hurt you guys but you hurt us! Make all this make sense. The current legislation doesn't give us any more rights than cis gender people. It just dumbs it down for the people who need to be told "caution contents in cup may be hot" because gosh forbid someone didn't think their coffee would be hot and got burnt. Like the song by Wrabel "The Village" states quote" there's nothing wrong with you its true its true. There's something wrong with the village" end quote. You guys who are for bill SF 418 are the village. You guys are like the birds in nature who attack a bird who's more colorful. Because In nature a flock will attack any bird who is more colorful than the others because being different is seen as a threat. Is that what this is about you guys feel we are a threat to you. Because in my eyes you guys are more a threat to Transgender people than we are to you cis gender people. My name is Ryker Fuller and I hope you take my statment into consideration. Imagine if this was you having to fight to exist. You don't want the blood on your hands of Transgender suicide because of your unconstitutional bill taking away civil rights.

02-24-2025

David Braun

This bill is extremely harmful to Iowans by:Erasing transgender Iowans and stripping their civil rights protectionsWeakening protections for intersex and cisgender Iowans who dont fit rigid gender normsRemove the ability for Iowans to update gender markers on their birth certificatesIt is extremely cowardly and despicable that lawmakers are trying to fasttrack this bill despite the overwhelming pushback from the communities and Iowans across the state they were elected to represent. We would be on the wrong side of history with this bill making Iowa the first state in the country to remove a protected class from their Civil Rights bill. Lets not make that mistake!This is no way is making Iowa a better quality state nor supporting the health and safety of our fellow Iowans!

02-24-2025

Madeline Weston

Dear Senators, In 2016 my wife and I were broke graduates looking for a better life where we could make a family. Compared to the other states around us, Iowa had the best financial job opportunities, lifestyle affordability, public schools, and most importantly the best civil rights of the states around Nebraska. I am heartbroken to see how quickly things have changed in Iowa and even more heartbroken to see that erasing civil rights is seriously on the docket for voting this week in 2025. The recent law and policy changes in the past year are showing how far Iowa is moving behind and undoing all the progress that helped set for our nation. Because of the wonderful opportunities in Iowa my wife and I have significantly increased our financial state, contributed to millions of dollars of revenue with my work at a large Ag company, weve been able to help the people of the LGBTQ community that we are a part of, and most importantly start our beautiful family. We were such a proud Iowans, but I am just heartbroken over what happened today and the direction that Iowa is going in eliminating the civil rights. My family belongs in Iowa. My trans* friends and neighbors belong in Iowa. If you and your fellow Legislators proceed with removing their civil rights, I fear for whose civil rights will next be legislated away and what path that will set us on. In my work with a large At company, I see every year the high number of skilled workers with highpaying jobs who leave the state of Iowa for opportunities in other states that have more open minded policies, and who arent moving backwards. Engineers, chemists, managers Proceeding with this will inevitably lead to a brain drain, and a loss of skills and knowledge that Iowa needs to stay being the great state we are. Please do not move this bill forward I humbly beg you. Respectfully,Madeline Weston

02-24-2025

Cherilyn Einfeldt

Vote no on SF 418.I am the parent of a trans child in Iowa. Changing the Iowa Civil Rights to exclude transgender people is tantamount to legalized discrimination. Iowa needs to be on the right side of history and stop this ploy of striping its constituents (and future constituents) of rights.

02-24-2025

Nikki Dietze

Trans people exist. They always have and they always will! Legislating and emboldening ignorance and hate will not make our state better. Hate and violence will be emboldened if you pass this bill. You will have blood on your hands. Do not pass this.

02-24-2025

Kristina Rutkowski

Please do not take away liberties for the people of Iowa. If Iowa is to be a place where people have the freedom to flourish, that needs to apply to all people. Taking away the right to be yourself and all that that entails hurts all of us. And taking away the rights of any one group will make it even easier to keep taking rights away from people. What happened to "Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain?"

02-24-2025

Macie Walker

This bill that has been proposed is horrifying. This will cause direct harm to Americans specifically the Transgender community. To be completely clear, this bill is not only a waste of time and money but a clear indication that extremely hateful people are those in control of our government. The lack of empathy and smallminded views that Republicans are supporting is disgusting. The government has committed atrocities in history so why does it seem to be repeating itself? Education is extremely important. Peace and kindness are important. The Trump administration and media outlets that support him, politicians that support him, and people that support him are influenced by a corrupt leader who is morally disgusting. Willful ignorance and bigotry are plaguing this country with harmful, hateful, and arbitrary values. This bill and the people who are supporting this are extremely harmful to not only our society but the world. Why are these politicians making laws that harm people instead of helping people? I used to think about that question a lot. As I have grown up I have realized that money, greed, selfishness, and sellouts are the problem with the government. America has never been great. The government has failed society. The Trump administration has been infiltrating the minds of Republican members of the government. It is not a secret that the lack of science, beneficial knowledge, and care for the American people has overtaken the Republican Party. This bill will increase suicide rates, discrimination, harm, and hatred towards Transgender Americans. It is obvious to me that the American government will never be for the people and this bill is evidence of that. Do any of the people who support this bill understand the idea that you should treat others how you want to be treated? The basic morals of humanity need to be completely understood and valued by politicians. This is embarrassing for Iowa. This is embarrassing for America. Focus on how to make humanity better. Many things in this society need to be analyzed. For example, focusing on how to help those in poverty, evening out the wealth gap, prioritizing the health of citizens, prison reform, and so much more. The focus needs to be on providing better lives for people. Privilege and ignorance should not be prioritized. Immense wealth for a small percentage of people is dystopian. This is turning into a horror movie. This period will be studied in the future and hopefully, they learn from your mistakes. This bill doesn't help anyone, it is arbitrary, and it is being promoted by uneducated individuals. When I say uneducated I mean that they are willfully ignorant about the good of society. This proposal is hateful. The politicians in favor of this bill will be remembered as the people who were on the wrong side of history.

02-24-2025

Larissa Boeck

You claim that you're doing this for women. Why won't you listen to women when we tell you to vote NO on SF 418! Stripping protections from transgender persons goes directly against Iowa's beloved motto: Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain. It is not in our great state's interest to legalize transgender discrimination in employment, housing, education, public accommodations as this bill seeks to do. It is a slippery slope when discrimination is made legal against one group of people history has shown us time and again it will not stop there. Do the right thing and choose your constituents over your party. Vote NO on SF 418!

02-24-2025

Kelly Winfrey

What is the problem this bill is supposed to solve? Trans folks are not a threat to anyone. There are no cases of transwomen harming girls in bathrooms. This is a madeup problem, but your actions have very real consequences. This legislature has already passed laws about bathrooms and athletes. Removing protections from the Iowa Civil Rights Act is too far. There is no threat that warrants such extreme action. Removing a group of people from civil rights protections is not a small thing. Its a big statement. If we want people to move to Iowa, if we want people to start families here, then we need to let them know their kids will be safe here, no matter who they grow up to be.This also sends a very clear message to trans and queer folks. It says their identities arent real. They dont exist. They do not deserve the same rights. Depression and suicide are so much higher among trans people. Telling them how they see themselves is wrong, deviant, or just not real, is dangerous and very likely deadly.It also sends the message that trans people, or people that are perceived to be, don't matter as much. That gives permission to those who wish to do them harm. Iowa is better than this.

02-24-2025

Jill Boom

Dear Committee Members, I am a mother, educator, and a trans ally, and I strongly oppose SF 418. As I stood in the capitol today with hundreds of concerned Iowans, the fear, sadness, and exhaustion over this hateful legislation was overwhelming. SF 418 moves Iowa in the wrong direction. It is very upsetting that valuable time is being spent on legislation that would further exclude an already marginalized population in our state.Thank you all for your time, your thoughtful consideration, and your bravery in doing what is right for ALL Iowans. I am confident that I speak for a majority when I ask you to please vote NO.With Gratitude for your Service,Jill Boom

02-24-2025

Stein Acker

Dear Sens. Schultz, Blake, and Dawson,I am an Iowa voter, and I urge you to vote No on SF 418. Frankly, I am not certain which problems removing gender identity as a protected class is supposed to solve. My life will not become better or worse if a transgender person moves into my apartment complex or joins my workplace. Neither will yours.The Iowa General Assembly has spent a great deal of time on this bill, and I find it deeply frustrating that you've gotten tied up in this when issues that impact far more Iowans' lives, such as water quality, cancer rates, and healthcare access, require urgent attention. If you do recommend this bill for a full Senate vote, I ask that you calculate the total funding required for this vote to take place so that you can reimburse Iowa taxpayers for the time the Senate wasted to twiddle their thumbs. It would be the fiscally responsible thing to do.Finally, I understand that some of your colleagues have become quite passionate and distressed about the notion that sex and gender might be different. If you notice any of your colleagues getting worked up about this, I would like to ask you to gently help them redirect their energy towards more constructive purposes.Best wishes,Stein

02-24-2025

Anders Valin

I.O.W.A. = I Oppose Wicked Assholes. Iowas Senate File 418 is an unconstitutional attempt to strip legal protections, restrict individual freedoms, and undermine established civil rights laws. If passed, this bill will face significant legal challenges for violating equal protection, due process, and antidiscrimination principles.

02-24-2025

Taylor Layden

I am writing to you to ask you to protect the future of my baby daughter, Eloise. My name is Taylor Layden, I live in Urbandale, Iowa, and I am pleading with you to consider the implications of HSB242, a bill that would remove basic protections for transgender Iowans and create complications for other Iowans who do not fall neatly into the bills narrow definitions. Obviously, my toddler is not transgender. She does, however, have a genetic variance that would classify her as "intersex," a term you may have heard, but may not understand. You see, when my daughter was about 14 months old, she developed a hernia in her labia and we discovered that she actually has testes, and has a 46XY chromosome. Externally, she appears completely female, but her internal sexual organs do not match. Eloise is a beautiful little human and everyone who meets her just gushes about how perfect she is. She loves bows and "nacks" and cars (she's a big fan of Lightning McQueen who she calls "Queeeeeen!"). She shows empathy for others in a way that I didn't realize was possible in a 20 month old person. I am terrified of what the future may hold for my daughter because of things beyond her control. Because of her genetic variance and intersex traits, I don't know what gender Eloise will identify with when she gets older, and as much as I LOVE having a baby girl, I will cherish and love and protect my child no matter how she identifies. I fear that the world will not be so accepting and loving.HSB242 weakens protections for intersex Iowans like Eloise. It makes it so that she would be unable to change the gender marker on her birth certificate if she ends up identifying as male, despite the fact that we had no idea she had an XY chromosome when she was born. This bill sets a precedent for discrimination against anyone who doesn't fit into a gender binary. Some of you are under the impression that you are protecting women, despite there being no cases of harassment of a woman by a trans person in a public space. The truth is that this reasoning is a scapegoat to excuse fear that is a seed for hate. We have no place for that here. If you are worried about protecting women, please consider a legislation to protect victims of domestic violence and rape. I know that YOU are someone's child, just like Eloise is mine. Every intersex Iowan and transgender Iowan is also someone's child... someone's baby. Please don't make existing in this state any harder than it already is for people who are different from what is considered "normal," to exist in the world. When it comes to being able to earn a living, having a place to live, or being served by a business or government office, no human should be discriminated against. Please vote against HSB242.

02-24-2025

ROBERT DIEHL

vote no on SF418, I want to say this bill opposes my values and that of my voting household and family where there are 7 members of voting age, three of those members are trans, and your vote will decide how we vote next election. Removing gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act, would strip civil rights protection from transgender Iowans. This will cause an increase in discrimination across their daily life. Passing this bill no only legalizes discrimination, but also sends a message that trans members are not valued in the state of Iowa.

02-24-2025

April Lee

Republican lawmakers are right to fear that the gender identity protections that exist in the Iowa Civil Rights Act could reveal their acts of transphobic, inhumane lawmaking such as banning gender affirming care for minors and preventing trans kids from playing sports to be unconstitutional. So rather than finding Jesus and correcting their previous misjudgments, they've chosen the nuclear option. They want to hide their own sins by profoundly deepening the harm they impose on transgender Iowans.Trans Iowans are here to stay. We're not going anywhere. Long, long after history has shown Iowa's conservative legislators to have been selfserving grifters and their views on queer life to have been informed by nothing but their own projections, we'll still be here.

02-24-2025

Destini Hoth

This bill is disgraceful & not a representation of Iowa at all. This is not something Iowa wants to be 1st in. Water quality sucks, #2 in cancer, last in mental health, not in top 10 for education anymore, no oversight for spending, and 1 in 6 food insecure children in iowa. Kim & minions are ruining Iowa.

02-24-2025

nickole miller

I am against this bill. SF 418 removes gender identity as a protected class in the Iowa Civil Rights Act, effectively allowing for statesanctioned discrimination in housing, employment, education, and services simply because of a persons gender identity. And the bill does not stop there it also makes it impossible to get state identity documents that match a persons gender and modifies Iowa rules and statutes to write transgender Iowans out of existence. This bill is dangerous and puts Iowans unnecessarily at risk for harm. When Iowa added gender identity to the Iowa Civil Rights Act in 2007 it had good reasons to provide protections to this vulnerable population. Those reasons still exist today. A 2016 report, Where Do I Fit In? A Snapshot of Transgender Discrimination in Iowa, found that transgender adults and children in Iowa encounter discrimination, intolerance, or prejudice in nearly every aspect of daily life resulting in high rates of suicide, violence, and housing instability. Those findings are consistent with the 2022 U.S. Trans Survey. Now is not the time to pull back protections. Our neighbors, friends, and family need our support. C

02-24-2025

Becky Wilson

Please do not vote in favor of this. You are to be representing all Iowans, and this deliberately attacks some Iowans. It does not take away from the rights of others to be inclusive. When we include all, everyone benefits. For those of you that believe in prolife, please choose that same mentality and vote no, and care about our kids and choose their safety and choose their life. Vote no. Im begging you. Please choose to protect my friends and peers. They deserve you to care about them. You were voted into office to care about Iowans, its time to do that.

02-24-2025

Karla Steffens

Do you really want to be the first states in the country to actually take more rights away from people? First women and now Trans Individuals. Who's next? Meanwhile you do NOTHING to actually represent our needs for clean water, affordable prices for food, gas, housing and insurance. Vote NO to this horrific law and focus on helping versus harming Iowa's citizens!!!

02-24-2025

Kate Smith

I have trans friends and family members. They are not a threat, but face the threats of others daily simply for living their lives authentically. Without government rights and security they cannot be productive members of our society and communities. Please protect them. Its literally the least you can do.

02-24-2025

Jennifer Throckmorton

I'm supporting all my trans friends and loved ones and all the trans people I don't know. Everyone deserves to have human rights and choose how they want to live. It is not hurting anyone else and we all should have the right to make decisions about our own bodies.

02-24-2025

Trevor Jackson [Iowan with one foot out the door]

This bill should not pass. It will only do harm by talking rights away from a small class of people who already have it hard enough. Because of legislation like this. If this bills supporters really cared about women, they would pass tougher laws against the people actually harming them. Domestic partners and men in positions of power, not fictional bathroom bogeymen. And yet laws preventing convicted stalkers and abusers from buying guns continually get blocked by NRA campaign donations. Who will stand up for the vulnerable, the smallest voices? This legislation is cruel and divisive and founded in ignorance. It will not solve the problem its drafters made up.

02-25-2025

Lorri Grubb

Good evening,I am asking you to vote NO on SF 418. Gender and sex are two separate issues and the designation of sex on a birth certificate does not always align with that persons gender.My husband and I had never considered the possibility we would have transgender grandkids, but when our first granddaughter came out to us, it was like watching a beautiful butterfly being released from a cocoon.She was finally able to start living her true, authentic life. Its been a joy to watch her life evolve, and we have learned so much from her. We love each of our 13 grandkids, and are supportive and proud of our 3 transgender granddaughters.Please do not make their lives more difficult by passing this bill. Sincerely,Lorri GrubbOskaloosa, Iowa

02-25-2025

Jill Bjorklund

I am begging you to vote NO on SF418! Theres still time to change course and admit what youre doing is on the wrong side of history. Opening up this door of removing a protected class from the Iowa Civil Rights Act, is an extremely dangerous move that doesnt need to happen. You can stop it! This is a GIANT leap from legislating public school bathrooms, gender affirming care for minors, and interscholastic sports as Rep. Holt is leaning on, this is actually erasing Iowans identities and legalizing hate and discrimination in daily life everywhere for ALL folks. This wont affect just trans and gender expansive people, but CIS WOMEN and any other people who dont look the right way. The very people Republicans claim they are trying to protect will be put at risk of being transvestigated. Allowing Iowan businesses to fire or refuse to hire or serve trans people does NOT protect women or girls, STOP LYING!Summon your decency, vote NO, kill this bill, and stop the madness!

02-25-2025

Bailei Gerot

This is an infringement on civil rights. This opens the door for discrimination against the trans community, and will further continue into discrimination against the entire LGBTQ community, as well as all minorities. This will slowly begin to strip away the rights and safeties of ALL who are different than a white, cisman. This is disgraceful, disgusting, and just unconstitutional.

02-25-2025

Maggie Adams

We are real, human people. We are your neighbors, siblings, children, friends, coworkers, the list goes on because we are everywhere. This bill if passed will kill children and adults alike. This is not a question, it is a fact. It explicitly codifies the discrimination of trans and gender diverse people as they just try to live their life in public and private. Where is your humanity? Vote no on SF 418.

02-25-2025

Luka Sassaman-Reynolds

Ever since i was a kid I knew I wasn't normal, I was gold I wasn't normal. I never wore "girly" clothes. Me and my sister were a few years apart but she was very tall and skinny and I was short and wider so I would get het hand me downs because we were poor. It would drive me crazy. I was so uncomfortable in my body all the time. I loved and still love wearing sweatpants and baggy clothes. I'm very developed but im NB and it's a very awkward subject. I've been wanting to get a book reduction for years but have been being told no because of the current laws of this country. It's to the point my boob go basically all the way down to my vagina. I hate living like this. I've been losing weight but none of it is that area. I used to be trans masculine (ftm) for 5 years. It was a big part of my life where I was very mentally unwell but I still believe it would've happened I'd I wasn't I'll or was. I de transitioned when I wanted to start wearing feminine clothes again. It was all really confusing. It still is. I want to take the full journey to find out how I'm most comfortable but I dont feel safe doing so in iowa. I miss when I could walk around and not fear for my safety just because I'm not a white obedient woman. I want to be who I am.

02-25-2025

Chris Stoner

Vote no on this. I served on the Marion Civil Rights Commission for a few years, working to inform the public about the civil rights protections that Iowa guarantees them. Whenever I did outreach for the commission and conversed with Iowans who fell under the protected classes outlined in our states Civil Rights act I felt pride in our state. Even when society discriminated against or pushed everyday Iowans to the margins for no other reason than who they were, I knew that our state had put in place protections to help ensure that all Iowans were able to have equal protections under the law. It is with great sadness that I write this under the knowledge that there is legislation proposed that would strip that protection away from Iowans.I have direct, personal relationships with numerous people that will be directly affected by the removal of this protected class. Every single one of them are good, kindhearted folk who are just trying to live their lives well and serve their community in peace, despite the stigma and scapegoating they so often encounter in life. They are not bogeymen, they are not groomers, they are not trying to corrupt our social morals. They are just trying to be themselves, and be contributing members of a society that is becoming increasingly hostile toward them. They are scared right now, and Im scared for them. Our state motto reads Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain. Take a good long look at that and consider whether this proposal is in keeping with that bedrock Iowan ideal. How can we claim to value maintaining the rights of Iowans while actively stripping away the civil rights protections for a group of Iowans?I choose to believe you also value improving the quality of life of all Iowans. How does removing this protected class improve the quality of life of Iowans? Please stop punching down at minority groups and focus on initiatives that will improve the quality of life for ALL Iowans.All hardworking peopleincluding those who are transgendershould be treated fairly and equally by the laws of our state, and should have the opportunity to earn a living and provide for themselves and their families. If someone cant rent an apartment or get a credit card simply because of who they are, we cant expect them to be able to compete on a level playing field with their peers. These basic antidiscrimination protections are an important part of any meritbased system, allowing people to access opportunities regardless of who they are or how they are perceived. Further, the bill jeopardizes sex stereotyping protections for nontransgender women that arent included in Iowas sex discrimination statute. Thank you for your time and consideration. Please make the right choice for all Iowans and vote no.

02-25-2025

Lindsay Elliott

OPPOSE THIS BILL. Passing it would fly in the face of the very motto of our state: "our liberties we prize, our rights we will maintain." If this bill were implemented, it would allow people to be discriminated against because they belong to a particular group. Full stop. That's not the state I chose to live in when I made Iowa my home.

02-25-2025

Makayla Morales

How can you vote for taking civil rights away? Trans people are people deserving of their rights, liberty, pursuit of happiness, and selfdetermination. There are many issues in Iowa needing addressed (e.g., child firearm death and injuries and the increased risk of cancer from exposure to our polluted water and air) and this bill does not offer a solution to an issue causing real and serious harm to the people of Iowa. Focus on the real issues Iowans face, not malicious and misinformed hate campaigns such as this.

02-25-2025

Joe Stinson

When this nation declared its independence to the world, we declared that all people are created equal; that the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are unalienable for all. I do not believe that the Declaration of Independence stuttered.Any measure proposing that any group be treated in any manner differently from others, then, is fundamentally antiAmerican. All people deserve the same freedoms, the same opportunities, and the same protections under the law. To try to revoke these freedoms, these opportunities, and these protections is to state, in no uncertain terms, that you believe some people are lesser than others. It is an open admission that you do not care about the ideals that this great nation holds dear. Remember that simple truth as you discuss this measure.

02-25-2025

Brenna Hildebrand

I am a trans individual. The majority of my friends are trans individuals. Whether Republicans want to believe it or not, Iowa houses a notinsignificant queer and trans population. This legislation does not represent me, my peers, or our interests. To put the "moral sensibilities" of those who are not affected by this bill above the safety and wellbeing of Iowan citizens is simply negligence and malice. This government has failed me and my community.

02-25-2025

Emily Beehler

For one to question there own existence, there own human rights civil rights in the year 2025 years in the United States of America is unfathomable and deplorable. To be human means constantly trying to figure and define whomst they are. For some that means identifying that, regardless of the sex organ and chromosomes they have, they see themselves as the differing gender. Historically, transgender individuals have existed throughout history and in differing cultures. To not give these individuals civil human rights because they dont fit in a neat little box for some is disgusting. The only thing that this bill is doing is decreasing a HUMAN(S) quality of life and quality of care. The world can already be a very hard place to live in, do you really want to be part of making it worse for other lives?!!

02-25-2025

La Homa Simmonds

Naval veteran. Female. Actually served on a ship that went underway with the males. We had Gay. Lesbian. N transgender. We ALL raised our hands. Signed to be the voice n the body for freedom and justice for ALL!! When we become veterans. We still live by the code of ethics and morals.You signing and agreeing to support and sign these bills of Hate. Disrespect. Unjustified. I question your loyalty to stand and fight against this tyranny taking place. You signed on the line, spoke words to serve and protect your constituents. To protect those who don't have a voice. The poor, the weak, the uncertain future they live in times of housing, work, rent. Medical care, insurance. Transportation to n from work. Going to the restroom which is a human right. Porta potties don't dare who uses the restroom. When lines are long at events. There have been times females would use men room because the.lines are to long. If you begin getting rid of gender Equality. Body autonomy. Human rights to live a free n just fear to be who they need to be to build their confidence. It's no one right to choose for them. It's thier decision. We all have decision to make, voices. Bodies. Disabilities of all kinds that will he affected by the signing of this bill. You sign this. Then the list continues until ALL women/ females will lose all.thier rights. It's shameful. Disrespectful. To ALL humans that will be affected by this bill Thank you.

02-25-2025

Polly Antonelli

The transgender people that I know are already suffering from anxiety over how people treat them. Losing their civil rights will NOT change them to no longer be transgender. It WILL cause them even more anxiety. AND...By the way, have you asked the business community if they really want people moving OUT of Iowa over these laws? And/or fewer people moving IN to Iowa? Won't that reduce their potential employee pool? And their potential customer pool???

02-25-2025

Denise Warzak

I am strongly opposed to this bill. I have many trans friends and family members who would no longer be safe living here, without fear of both physical and legal retribution, if this bill were to pass. I dont understand the obsession the GOP has with trans individuals people that just want to live peaceably like most anyone else. A lot of wasted time and taxpayer money is being focused on a very small and very quiet part of the population when it could be used to actually helping others. Not to mention a bill like this could be used to marginalize anyone deemed gender nonconforming so women who appear more masculine, which has already happened in other states. These kind of reductive, marginalizing bills do nothing but put targets on the backs of the few rather than helping anyone at all.

02-25-2025

Cameron Gray

Let people live their lives! You are forcing people to deny their existence and that is something no American deserves.. REMEMBER WHAT WE ARE FOUNDED ON: LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESSYou are denying people their lives! You are denying people their individual liberties! You are denying people their pursuit to live a happy life and living their Truth!!

02-25-2025

Jim Glasson

I oppose this bill! Trans women in particular pose no danger to other women in domestic violence sheltersthis is a red herringask any domestic violence shelter worker. Why pick on trans folks? They are bullied/intimidated already. Stop this bill!

02-25-2025

Carolyn Ayers

Please vote no on SF 418. There is no reason to exclude anyone because of their sexuality. It has no bearing on what kind of employee, neighbor, renter they would be. How horrible to live in a state and know you have no protection from your state government. I'd you truly want to serve the people of Iowa, start listening to the hundreds that showed up today. They are "your people" and they didn't want you to vote for this amendment.

02-25-2025

Mary Murphy [Self]

I do not support SF 418 and other similar files and bills of its ilk that are a tacit invitation to bullying human beings who are now part of a protected class. Rural Iowa is declining. Iowa's population growth would not exist except for primarily international immigrants. There's something inherently wrong with taking civil rights protections away from a protected class (i.e., gender identity) and such actions make Iowa not welcoming to not only members of the protected class, but families and friends and advocates and supporters who support the LGBTQ community. If wanting all human beings to have civil rights protection is not enough to make these types of bills go away, please consider there will be negative economic consequences to Iowa for this discrimination as some folks will move out of state, quietly and otherwise, and some employers and people will choose not to locate in Iowa. Iowa's brain drain is real and enormous with many young people moving to Illinois and Minnesota and other states, and when Iowa children become young adults and leave the state, the parents often follow as they age. All elected officials should check their confirmation bias at the door when they become legislators and I would respectfully request that the Republican legislators who came up with the idea to remove "gender identity" from civil rights protection start listening to those who do not think like they do. The overall language of SF 418 may also be a violation of equal protection and due process under the 14th Amendment and a violation of the First Amendment and privacy protections of the United States constitution. Iowa has real problems and all legislators should focus on the real problems of Iowa. Do not move SF 418 forward.

02-25-2025

Violetta Hood

Please say no to SF 418. Trans Iowans, the very people that our state government is meant to represent, will be severely harmed by this bill. Such suffering and pain is abhorrent and cannot be tolerated by those who are charged with protecting us.

02-25-2025

Sarah Schroeder

This bill benefits no one. Absolutely no one. It only strips a small percentage of our population of their basic human rights for no other reason than bigotry. These citizens make their communities better and pay taxes. And continuing with this placating charade to bigots, you're doing nothing but wasting tax payer money. Work on making this state people want to move to and live in instead of wasting our time and money on dehumanizing people who only want to exist.

02-25-2025

Rockwell Adamson

I strongly oppose the effort to strip gender identity protections from the Iowa Civil Rights Act. This bill is an unnecessary and harmful distraction from the real issues facing Iowansrising costs of living, job insecurity, and infrastructure problems. Instead of improving lives, this bill invites discrimination, legal battles, and economic consequences.Transgender people make up only 1% of the population, yet this bill devotes time and resources to making life harder for them. It does nothing to strengthen Iowas economy or protect its citizens.Furthermore, the Supreme Court has already ruled that gender identity is protected under federal law. Passing this bill will not only hurt vulnerable Iowans but also expose the state to lawsuits and deter businesses, students, and skilled workers from coming here.Iowa should be focusing on policies that benefit all residents, not targeting a small, already marginalized group. I urge lawmakers to reject this bill and focus on priorities that truly impact the majority of Iowans.

02-25-2025

Emma Caster

I have lived in Iowa for my entire life. There has never been a single piece of legislation in that time that ever made me consider leaving as strongly as this one. I am a therapist and work with trans, nonbinary and gender nonconforming people. They are just as valuable and valid parts of our community as everyone else. And asking them to change to make others more comfortable is torture, if not a death sentence. I have met Iowans from all walks of life who know and love trans people. I know and love trans people. They are vibrant members of my community. Villainizing trans people will not make them disappear. Trans people have always existed and will always exist, you cannot legislate them away.

02-25-2025

Melody Griesdorn

I vehemently oppose SF 418. I have spent the last hour scrolling through dozens and dozens of comments here and the people of Iowa have been very clear that they do not want this bill. Iowans recognize that taking away the civil rights of anyone is wrong and not what we want in our state. I am appalled that this bill exists and is being considered at all. Please protect all Iowans by rejecting SF 418. Trans rights are human rights. Some of the people I most dearly love are trans and they are just trying to live their lives. This is a waste of time, energy, and money that could be devoted to real problems facing the people of our state, not this madeup fantasy that transgender people are dangerous. This is not what I voted for my elected officials to be doing with our time and tax money. Please reject SF 418 and get on to tackling real problems instead of persecuting transgender Iowans.

02-25-2025

Elizabeth Baker

I oppose SF 418. Trans rights are human rights. My patients deserve freedom and safety to live, work, and play in our communities. I dont find myself threatened by trans people. I find myself, my safety and my rights threatened by my Republican representatives. My kids deserve better than what Iowa is moving towards.

02-25-2025

Alex S

Please reject SF 418. The lives (yes, LIVES) of children are in your hands.The Trevor Project's 2024 U.S. National Survey with almost 20,000 respondents found that NINETY percent of queer people aged 13 to 25 years said their wellbeing was negatively impacted by current politics. When practically ONE IN TWO (46%) of transgender and nonbinary young people SERIOUSLY considered suicide in the past year...that's an incredible impact. Iowa was one of the most friendly states for queer people in the country just twenty years ago. Many queer people moved to the state when it was the third in the U.S. to legalize same sex marriage before Illinois, New York, California, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Washington, Oregon, and Minnesota. The same survey from the Trevor Project found that 45% of transgender and nonbinary youth have considered moving to a different state because of LGBTQ related politics and legislation. It also found that queer youth living in very accepting communities attempted suicide at LESS THAN HALF of the rate than those that lived in very unaccepting communities. One in SEVEN transgender and nonbinary young people attempted suicide in the past twelve months. I'm a trans man and when I was fourteen, I attempted suicide because I was terrified of the way my community would react if I were to come out. I was convinced that my very rural community would rather have a child die than be transgender. I never came out until after I turned eighteen, and my mental health suffered immensely. I'm genuinely lucky to have made it this far, but I'm scared for the youth that will see this bill and think that their legislators think of them as subhuman and undeserving of civil rights. Will they be as lucky as I was? These bills quite literally kill queer kids every year. When people that are supposed to be representing you introduce bills like this, it's very easy to lose hope that things will get better. It's easy to internalize that other people in power think that you are insignificant and less than. The numbers don't lie. Don't be the reason that more children think that they're better off dead.

02-25-2025

Rev. Martha Lang

02-25-2025

Paige Brunsen

Do you believe that segregating black people from white people was morally just in the 1950s? Ever heard of separate but equal? I cannot begin to fathom how this same logic is being used VERBATIM in 2025. "Separate is not inherently unequal." We've been here before. Do not be on the wrong side of history. Trans Iowans deserve the same rights as any other citizen.The Williams Institute estimates that trans people make up 0.29% of the population of Iowa. This is a nonissue. There is no purpose to this bill besides making trans Iowans a scapegoat and enabling discrimination. Plain and simple.This bill will create long term harm by telling trans people that Iowa does not allow you to accept yourself for who you are, as well as enable dangerous rhetoric against trans people that can lead to physical harm from hateful individuals.I am ashamed to be an Iowan when a bill like this makes it this far. Do better.

02-25-2025

Alyssa J.

I oppose this bill, SF 418. I am disappointed by my states persistent efforts to attack a group that makes up such a small percentage of the population when there is no compelling evidence that they are a threat to the people here.Removing a civil rights protection (which has been in the books since 2007 without any real issues) would be unnecessary and cruel. I think most Iowans can agree we have bigger concerns to worry about. I see that many people who defend this bill online bring up locker rooms, womens shelters, and protecting women in general. While I sympathize with the desire for privacy in certain spaces, I believe it would be more effective to explore alternative solutions that would allow everyone to feel safe and respected. Furthermore, those arguments do not justify the desire to erase employment protections, housing protections, and so forth for transgender people. They are Iowans who deserve access to basic human needs, such as safe housing and a source of income, just like everyone else.The notion that a class of people could have their civil rights protections erased because their group became a political hot topic is concerning. All civil rights should be protected. I oppose removing any of them. I would no longer feel proud to call myself an Iowan if this state were to take such a drastic step backwards. Lets be kind to our neighbors.

02-25-2025

Braden Bowden

I am an Iowan who can say without at doubt that SF 418 will be an absolute detriment to our state and its citizens. Under no circumstances would I approve of this being put into law. I can see absolutely no true benefit to a single resident of this state, and in addition, I am baffled and upset that this is even being considered. I urge you with every fiber of my being to vote no on this bill.

02-25-2025

Sheila Roop

I'm so tired of having to come to my own state government, year after year, to plead for the basic rights of myself and other queer Iowans. I'm so tired of having to beg to have the basic humanity of queer Iowans recognized in what's supposed to be the freest country in the world. Look, man, I get that Republican lawmakers hate us. I get that you'd be happier in a world where trans and queer people didn't exist and that you'll do whatever you can to make that world (which has never existed and never will) a reality. I get that whatever version of Christianity you're following is no longer connected to biblical Christianity in any way, shape, or form; that you think loving your neighbor as yourself and showing compassion to the downtrodden is a sin now. I understand that. I am no longer bothering to plead for your mercy, because mercy is taboo in the UnChristian Church of Conservatism. I understand that you no longer believe in the concepts of equality before the law, clearly, considering we want to take the backwards step of removing basic civil rights for Iowans. (And to make ourselves the first state in the nation to do so, to boot.)I don't know why I'm even bothering to make this public comment at this point. It's clear you won't listen. It's clear you won't care. We can show you all the statistics and science in the world showing that affirming and accepting trans people of all ages and connecting them with the genderaffirming care they need saves lives, but you won't care, because you don't want those lives to be saved. You don't want trans kids or adults to survive. You don't care about the lives of your fellow Iowans unless they fit into the narrow box of acceptability that you've dreamed up for yourselves and decided to force upon everyone else while cheering for "small government" the whole way and never for one second noticing the inherent hypocrisy. I know you're going to try your best to pass this bill and I know no amount of begging or pleading or interrupting with actual realitybased facts is going to change your mind, and I know you'll sleep soundly thinking you've done the right thing and that you'll cheer with glee for every life ruined and destroyed by your actions. But I want you to know that this is not what Iowans want, and it's not going to do anything material to improve any Iowans' lives, nor the life of any other carbonbasedorotherwise lifeform.God have mercy, Christ have mercy, Spirit have mercy, because Iowa Republicans certainly won't.

02-25-2025

Alexandra Dobre

I strongly oppose SF 418. This bill is not about fairness or clarityits about rolling back rights and protections for transgender and nonbinary individuals. Gender identity is a deeply personal and lived reality, not just a legal definition to be restricted. Attempts to erase or redefine it through legislation will only cause harm. Instead of pushing policies that marginalize people, we should be focusing on issues that actually improve the lives of Iowans.

02-25-2025

Lisa Rock

I urge you to uphold the civil rights of all Iowans and vote NO on SF418. This legislation removes basic protections for transgender Iowans from the Iowa Civil Rights Act and other areas of Iowa Code and creates complications for other Iowans who do not fall neatly into the bills narrow definitions. I listened to the public hearing on HSB242, now HF583. As a cisgender woman, I found it patronizing and insulting to hear people claim this bill is needed to protect women. If you really care about women, you would give us back our bodily autonomy and access to health care, you would advance legislation to protect women from domestic violence and facilitate paid family leave and access to affordable child care.If you are concerned about bathroom safety, do away with public single sex multi stall facilities in favor of unisex "family" stalls, each its own enclosed floor to ceiling room with locking door. As a woman road tripping alone in the middle of the night in WY, I stopped at a rest area composed entirely of this type of restroom and felt much safer than any "women's room.By the way, transgender women are women. If this bill is supposed to protect women, why are you taking away transgender women's civil rights?I heard people object to spending taxpayer $ on gender affirming care in prisons. I along with 70% of Iowans objected to this legislature and governor using my taxes to fund private schools that teach the kind of hate and disinformation I heard at the HSB242 hearing. Yet, republican legislators advanced and your governor signed that legislation. Apparently, public opinion only matters if it aligns with partisan agendas. Transgender Iowans are not an ideology or a theory. Transgender Iowans, like all Iowans, are human beings who deserve the same equal protections under law afforded to you and me. These basic antidiscrimination protections are an important part of any meritbased system, allowing people to access opportunities regardless of who they are or how they are perceived. All hardworking peopleincluding those who are transgendershould be treated fairly and equally by the laws of our state, and should have the opportunity to earn a living and provide shelter for themselves and their families. HSB242 legalizes discrimination against Iowans who are transgender in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodation, education, and credit. This bill weakens protections for Iowans who are intersex and cisgender who dont fit rigid gender norms.My minister father taught me to treat others as I would want to be treated, to welcome the stranger, and to fight injustice with compassion and love for "all God's children." The Iowa Civil Rights Removal Act does not reflect these values. Upholding gender identity in Iowa's Civil Rights Act and Iowa Codeprotecting people who are transgender from discriminationdoes.Transgender people are our friends, neighbors, family and coworkers. When it comes to being able to earn a living, having a place to live, or being served by a business or government office, they should be treated like anyone else and not be discriminated against. Please vote NO on SF418!

02-25-2025

Renae Angeroth

It has been my good fortune to have four transgender individuals in my Iowa life, beginning in the 1980s. They are all generous, courageous, and law abiding. They make my life richer. This current wave of unwarranted prejudice is causing extreme grief and anxiety for all of us.Transgender individuals are as morally upstanding as any other Iowan and should not be castigated or ostracized based on unfounded fear and assumptions. All Iowans deserve to live a safe life and pursue happiness with equal access and rights. Please vote no on SF418. Thank you.

02-25-2025

Robert Franks

Senators, In my over 40 years of teaching Iowa college students computer science, Ive had only a couple who were transgendered. I could not tell any difference in their kindness, intelligence, compassion or aspirations from any of my other students. We cannot afford to tell law abiding portions of our population that they are not valued and welcomed. This bill attempts to define man and woman but what about the biological fact that a small portion of those humans born are intersexed? They have reproductive organs of both male and female. What are they under this bill?Please drop this bill and work on items that will help ALL Iowans.If anyone actually reads all these submitted comments, please note that for HSB242 hundreds and hundreds opposed that bill while only a handful supported it. Just because you were elected does not mean anything you put forward is mandated.

02-25-2025

Lisa Fleming

Respectfully, I ask you NOT to support SF 418. Please preserve Iowa's long tradition as a beacon for Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity. As a proud Iowan, I am dismayed that my state, the state that I love whose motto is 'Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We will Maintain' is considering such harmful legislation. SF 418 is contrary to the values we hold most sacred as Iowans. Do not make Iowa the first state in the nation to repeal civil rights protections for its citizens. Do not turn back the clock on our state's civil and human rights progress. Vote "NO" on SF 418.

02-25-2025

Nick Ludwig

Opposed. This is shameful. Focus on issues that actually protect people and help Iowans, not imaginary cultural wedge issues that target a vulnerable population of people who are doing no harm and will continue to exist, even if some would prefer they are eliminated. This bill does not reflect Iowa values, it does not protect people in our state, and it does not grow or attract people or opportunity to our state. Do better.

02-25-2025

Paige Jacobson

As a supporter of fundamental human rights, I urge for you to vote NO on this bill. This bill is needlessly cruel against a tiny but heavily scapegoated portion of the population. America already decided that "separate but equal" is a horrific dehumanizing farce, why am I seeing it in 2025? I've been in the zeitgeist for years, trans hate is ordinary and we cannot punch down even more by having that legitimized in the Iowa constitution. Trans folks deserve the right to live as their full selves. They are not secret predators, they just want to live their lives (this is a repackaging of the 1990s claim against gay and lesbian folks). This bill will deny access to fundamental needs to an already vulnerable population, like housing, healthcare, jobs, and more. The last time there was this big of a push against trans people, it didn't stop there, it ballooned into the Holocaust (one of the first universities bombed and purged was a repository of research about trans folks and sexuality). If this passes, where is our limit? Who have you decided is worthy of a full life without constant harassment and denial of their fundamental personhood?Vote no. Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain.

02-25-2025

Lauren Garcia-Pastorek

I strongly oppose SF 418. This is NOT the standard we want to set for our state. If this passes, it will be even harder for Iowa to attract and retain qualified, talented individuals both in the workforce and with students looking at possibly attending one of our many higher education institutions in the state. Please do not move forward with this, as it is not in the best interest of the people of this state.

02-25-2025

Anne Sloth [Myself ]

As a citizen of Iowa, I believe that ALL Iowans deserve to have their rights protected.This bill is not what we believe in. The time, effort and money spent on this is not what we want for Iowa! Instead of ruining lives, it would be nice to improve our lives.

02-25-2025

Joyce Baker

Vote no on this reprehensible assaultnlon civil rights in Iowa. we are not a theocratic state and people are not bound to live by a Christian version of morality. If this bill is passed YOUR morality is the one in question. VOTE NO.

02-25-2025

Taylor Magnuson

I am writing in opposition of this bill. I am a mental health counselor in the state of Iowa and am very concerned for the impacts this will have on my transgender clients (who are already at higher risk for mental health disorders and dying by suicide than their cisgender peers) and their families. Please do not further hurt an already marginalized community by stripping their rights from them.

02-25-2025

Alex Douglas

I don't want my tax dollars spent on infringing on the liberties of my fellow Iowans. Adults making decisions in regards to themselves without the harm of others shouldn't be restricted in this way. This will impact how I vote going forward.

02-25-2025

Ninya Feltz

I urge you to vote NO on this abhorrent piece of legislation. Scientific research consistently shows that transgender individuals, especially youth, face alarmingly high rates of mental health challenges and suicide. A study published in Nature Human Behaviour in September 2024 found that states enacting antitransgender laws experienced a significant increase in suicide attempts among transgender and nonbinary youth, with rates rising by as much as 72% in the year following the enactment of such laws. Furthermore, data from The Trevor Project indicates that 82% of transgender individuals have considered suicide, and 40% have attempted it, with the highest rates among transgender youth. Removing legal protections exacerbates the stigma and discrimination these individuals face, directly contributing to these distressing statistics.Enacting this legislation would not only legalize discrimination but also endanger the lives of vulnerable Iowans. I implore you to consider the profound negative impact this bill would have on the mental health and wellbeing of transgender individuals in our state. Please vote NO to uphold the dignity and rights of all Iowans. Iowa is better than this. The hate needs to stop.

02-25-2025

Anne McCullough Kelly

I respectfully ask you to oppose the advancement of SF 418 which seeks to remove gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act. This proposed legislation runs counter to our state motto Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We Will Maintain, as well as the messaging recently supported by Governor Reynolds that Iowa be a state where people have freedom to flourish. Removing gender identity as a protected identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act will make Iowans vulnerable to being refused housing, employment, credit applications at banks, and possibly even education opportunities to name a few examples.We do not want or need to be known in this country as a state whose legislature and governor promotes discrimination and thats exactly what SF 418 proposes to legitimize. We can have our differences of opinion and beliefs on gender identity, but I hope we can come together with a unified voice against discrimination. Prejudice and discrimination that hurts some Iowans hurts all of us in the end. Passing this legislation could create a dangerous precedent for challenging other sacredly held civil rights of others in the future.This legislation does not protect us from what we fear. It threatens to hurts members of our community who work hard, positively contribute, and deserve access to the same rights and resources as those not protected by gender identity (though, since we all have a gender identity, arent we all included anyway?).There are better paths to addressing our concerns than removing civil rights protections from a group of people. Join me in opposing the legalization of discrimination so we can show Iowans and those outside our state that we truly do prize and protect the liberty and freedom to flourish for all Iowans.

02-25-2025

Tim Walker

From a tall white hetero male: SF 418 is evil and narrowminded. People can't help how they're born, how God made them, how endocrine disruptors affected their development in utero or as children. Nobody would Choose such a difficult existance. This isn't about getting jollies or defying convention, this is about living the way you were made. Live and let live, Iowa. Quit embarassing me with your narrow meanness.

02-25-2025

Michael Sarik

Passage of this bill is a senseless act of mass discrimination that serves neither the State of Iowa nor the country as a whole. I don't see that the cost of developing this bill , including representatives salaries and utilities during ose of public buildings, has been an honest use of my tax dollars. Iowa will go from being a heartland state to a pioneer in promoting discrimination.

02-25-2025

Jacqueline Atterberg

Hello Iowa Legislators,I am begging please do not take away my right to work and contribute to this fine nation and state. All I want to do is give what I can, only you have the power to protect me and others like me. There may be few of us but we are citizens of Iowa too.Please dont take away my updated birth certificate. That is something else that protects me and so many others from discrimination. We just want to have a safe place in this society. Please dont take away what little safety we can muster. Jacqueline

02-25-2025

Shara Stough

Please vote NO on this bill. This is a step in the wrong direction. The people of Iowa do not want to be known as hateful bullies. We would be the first state in the nation to REMOVE civil rights from individuals. We want to be a place where all Iowans can thrive, including our trans friends, family, and neighbors.

02-25-2025

Michael Kosiek

I wish to express my opposition to SF 418. All Iowas should have access to the same universal human rights, liberties, and protections regardless of race, religion, creed, gender, wealth, political party, or sexual orientation and identity. These rights have been codified by law for decades now and any discrimination towards any individuals is a violation of the most basic human principles that our democracy is based on. I work with children everyday who come from a variety of backgrounds, including people who are members of the Trans and LGBTQ community. These individuals deserve the dignity and value that every Iowa is afforded.I personally do not believe that any of these individuals creates or does any harm to others in their daily lives. Trans and LGBTQ people deserve respect and the value under the law that ALL IOWANS have. If this law is passed, this would open the door to allow hurtful and hateful laws to be passed that existed in the United States nearly 80 years ago that have all but been abolished. I hope you to take a look at the consequences of the actions and the precedent being set by this proposed bill. Iowans deserve equal rights, and no one should be slighted simply because they are different.

02-25-2025

Jen Sexton

02-25-2025

Heidi Frost

Vote No on SF 418. If a person is willing to do a job to the best of their ability, or be a good neighbor, there is no reason not to protect their right to identify as the gender that feels most comfortable for them. There is no research evidence to support not protecting this status. By not protecting this status, you are allowing discrimination.Even a child knows discrimination is bad.

02-25-2025

Will Bamber

Iowa, what's happening to you? I was born and raised in Iowa. I have lived all 34 of my years in Iowa. The Iowa I grew up in had a strong legacy of protecting citizen's rights. We were an antislavery state from the start, the first state where a woman was allowed to take and passed the bar exam. We desegregated our schools decades before Brown v Board of Eduacation. Our state constitution rivals the U.S. Constitution for how strongly it protects human rights. Our state constitution made it possible for equal marriage to become law back in 2009, years before many supposedly more "progessive" states. We had non discrimination protections inclusive of queer and trans people on the books before most other states. It says it right on our flag! "Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain." Not anymore. I have never been more ashamed to be an Iowan than yesterday when HSB242 passed through subcommittee and committee while hundreds of Iowans screamed their disapproval outside a room only 70 people were allowed in. This bill is heinous and full of hate in a state that is supposedly "Iowa nice". I truly cannot believe Iowa has fallen this far.I am begging you to please not pass this bill.

02-25-2025

bethany arganbright

Please consider the Iowans that will be harmed, lives uprooted, and health impacted by this bill. Our community was not forged in fear, hate or confusion but it can easily be destroyed by them. This bill drives division; it is destructive and absolutely not in the best interest of Iowans, our families, and our future.

02-25-2025

Kelsey Neilson

This bill should not pass.I am a straight, white woman who moved back to Iowa after starting my career in a bigger city. I moved back to be closer to family and raise my daughter with my husband. Bills like these are why a lot of my friends and colleagues of a similar age will not move back or to Iowa. Bills like these make our state unsafe for our friends and loved ones who identify as a gender other than their biological sex. These are people who love their neighbors, lead our communities, and make our economy stronger. They are citizens, too, and deserve equal protection under the law.

02-25-2025

Sharon Falduto

There is no reason for this bill. It doesn't make Iowans safer, or healthier. The only reason for this bill is to punch down on an already marginalized community. Why does Iowa want to be known as a state of bigots? Because our governor wants to toady up to trump? Reynolds won't always be governor, and trump won't always be president. Iowa should continue to be a leader in civil rightsnot a state that codifies bigotry.

02-25-2025

Eli Dohrn

Hello, my name is Eli and I am a transgender Iowan. This bill that has been proposed will directly affect the safety of myself and my fellow trans Iowans in the future. Currently, 27% of transgender people experience homelessness because of their identity, and 8% have been homeless in the past year because of their identity. To further strip these protections opens transgender Iowans further to homelessness and other acts of discrimination. On top of this, it is often difficult to tell that someone is transgender just from a glance, therefore cisgender and intersex Iowans will be impacted as well. I am a Mental Health Counselor, and myself and my clients already struggle with discrimination in our daily lives. To remove what little protections we already have is to say that you want us eradicated. Trans people are not a threat. They are our doctors, our therapists, our bus drivers, our friends, and our family. If we take away protections for trans and other gender nonconforming Iowans then that will open up the floodgates to take away protections from our Iowans of color, our Disabled Iowans, and our Iowans who are struggling with poverty. This is not just an attack on what you perceive as a singular threat to your way of life. This is an attack on Iowans as a whole, and I am urging everyone on this committee to not let this pass.

02-25-2025

Desmond Armentrout

I am writing to express my strong opposition to Iowa Senate File 418. This bill presents significant concerns regarding human rights, discrimination, and the promotion of hate and oppression, while also contradicting the values expressed in Iowas state code and motto, Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain.Violation of Human Rights:SF 418 undermines the rights of transgender and nonbinary individuals by enforcing a narrow, biologically based definition of sex and gender. This restrictive approach disregards established medical and psychological understandings of gender identity, denying individuals the right to selfidentify and live authentically. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantees the right to equality and freedom from discrimination, rights that this bill infringes upon.Open to Discrimination:By removing gender identity as a protected class under the Iowa Civil Rights Act, the bill creates a pathway for discrimination in employment, education, housing, and public accommodations. This exclusion leaves transgender and nonbinary individuals vulnerable to unfair treatment without legal recourse. It undermines the progress Iowa has made toward ensuring equality for all citizens.Promotion of Hate and Oppression:The bills language not only invalidates the identities of marginalized communities but also emboldens those who seek to marginalize and oppress. By codifying exclusionary definitions, SF 418 fosters an environment where prejudice can thrive, contradicting the inclusive spirit that should define our schools, workplaces, and public spaces.Contradiction of Iowa Code and Motto:The Iowa Civil Rights Act was designed to protect all citizens from discrimination, ensuring that every individual can participate fully in society. By stripping protections from genderdiverse individuals, SF 418 violates the intent of the states civil rights framework. Furthermore, the bill stands in direct opposition to Iowas proud motto: Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain. Liberty and rights cannot be selectively applied; they must extend to all Iowans, regardless of gender identity.In conclusion, SF 418 is not only a step backward for civil rights in Iowa but also a direct affront to the values of equality and dignity that our state and nation hold dear. I urge legislators to reject this harmful bill and instead focus on policies that promote inclusivity, understanding, and respect for all citizens.

02-25-2025

Tiffany Steinle

Transgender people should not have to go through this. Striping them of human rights is dehumanizing to them. They should feel loved cared for and be able to work , play, interact in public just like anybody else. This is crazy and will be detrimental to all people.This is bullying!It should not have come to this. I oppose HSB242! Please stop this harsh and crazy legislation.

02-25-2025

Emily Lavery

02-25-2025

Sheila Johnson

Iowa's legislature is obsessively preoccupied with targeting a tiny population because of fear and ignorance. Trans people are hurting absolutely NOBODY by demanding equal rights to be protected against getting fired or denied an apartment because of their gender identity.Doing this under the guise of protecting women is especially appalling what women needs to be protected from someone getting a job or an apartment or a car loan? And what woman ever, when walking to their car alone at night thought 'I hope I don't get attacked by a transwoman'? None because they are not a threat!You've gone after what can be taught or even SAID in school, you're going after what people can wear when performing, you've already legislated who can play on which sports teams, but you're not satisfied until you REMOVE CIVIL RIGHTS? I guess right after that you'd better revise the state motto, it's a little too ironic.You've been busy for awhile making Iowa an awful place to live, not just for trans folks but for ANYONE with brains and a loving heart. My family is getting out of Iowa and I know we're not alone. I'm helping organize outofstate college visits for brilliant Iowa students who are deciding to build their future in a place that values and protects them. For some, like us, the entire family is pulling up stakes (and tax dollars). Draining Iowa's brains, you betcha! Iowa's going to be known as the first state to codify: "we are the cruelest and stupidest state in the nation." Kim Reynolds already pointed to a drop in tourism and spent 100 million Covid relief dollars to try to convince people to visit Iowa What kind of marketing jingle can you write about erasing civil rights? Bravo, To hide their shame your grandkids are going to wind up passing legislation to ban teaching in the future what you're doing here right now.

02-25-2025

Doug McPhee

I oppose this bill. No one should have to worry about being fired, or being denied housing or educational opportunities because of their gender identity. Risking one groups civil rights is a risk to everyones civil rights. The proposal of this bill increases depression, fear, and suicidal ideation in an already vulnerable trans population.

02-25-2025

Jordan Potter

I am writing as a concerned constituent to express my deep concern regarding the current legislative attacks on transgender rights and to urge you to uphold the fundamental human rights of all individuals, including transgender people. These attacks not only directly harm transgender individuals but also set a dangerous precedent that threatens the rights of all.Denying transgender individuals their basic human rights, such as access to genderaffirming care, accurate identification, and protection from discrimination, leads to:Systemic Discrimination: These actions codify discrimination into law, creating a society where transgender individuals are denied equal opportunity and basic dignity.Increased Violence and Harassment: Marginalization and dehumanization fuel violence and harassment against transgender people, who already face disproportionate levels of these abuses.Severe Harm to Transgender Youth: Restricting access to genderaffirming care has devastating consequences for transgender youth, leading to increased rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide.Furthermore, these legislative attacks represent a dangerous "slippery slope." When we allow the rights of one marginalized group to be eroded, we create a precedent that can be used to justify the removal of rights from other groups. History has repeatedly shown that discriminatory legislation targeting one group often expands to target others.Specifically, I implore you to:Recognize that transgender rights are human rights.Oppose any legislation that discriminates against transgender people, recognizing the inherent danger of that discrimination spreading to other groups.Support legislation that protects transgender people from discrimination and ensures their access to essential services.Advocate for policies that promote inclusivity and respect for all individuals.By upholding the human rights of transgender individuals, you are not only protecting a vulnerable community but also safeguarding the fundamental rights of all citizens of Iowa.Thank you for your attention to this critical matter.Sincerely,Jordan Potter

02-25-2025

Tiffany Steinle

02-25-2025

Anthony Andrews

This law is so harmful to so many. Why are we hurting our fellow humans? My friend told his mom, who is transphobic, and she said "they're humans, leave them alone," and I couldn't agree more. Trans people deserve just as much rights as anyone else does.

02-25-2025

Susan Rixe

Please vote no on this bill. For one, trans people are our neighbors and friends and family. Second, we shouldnt be taking away rights from any one. Shame on you for fast tracking this when Iowans are facing so many other bigger issues such as food and housing costs. Vote NO!

02-25-2025

Angela Sorenson

There is nothing "theoretical" about identity.Being vague about intersex babies will be dangerous for Iowans who have zero control over how they are born. A 6 month delay of a birth cerificate and ADA protection is not enough for the nuance of intersex births.Those who will choose to discriminate based on gender identity from this will be encouraged to at the least thoroughly invade someone's privacy and at the most sexually assault someone by demanding to see their genitals while trying to buy a house? Additionally, this will absolutely affect people who DO identify as their sex but just don't "look" the way others think they should. Short/thin males, small chested females, those who just happen to grow or cut their hair in certain styles or wear pants. This impact will be far larger than the intention to target the trans and gender non conforming population. Please reconsider this bill.

02-25-2025

Anthony Andrews

02-25-2025

Tiffany Steinle

Please appose this bill. All people especially transgender people deserve human rights! I have an adult transgender person. They love living in Iowa. They are working and flourishing. Iowa can do better protecting people. Please appose this bill and focus your legislative needs on more productive purposes. Vote no to this bill!!!

02-25-2025

Michael Price

This bill is not only dangerous to the people of Iowa, but a major step back for our state. There is no justification or benefit to this, and only represents a dangerous and hateful legislation. Consider putting time and energy into legislation that helps Iowans, not endangers them, and makes our state look hateful and ignorant.

02-25-2025

Emily Kruse

Please do not pass this bill. Transgender people always have and always will exist. This bill will not change that fact. All it will do is make life harder and scarier for them. Why is that something you want? Do we want to be known as the first state to remove civil rights protections? If you are ok with doing that for trans people, who is next? Please consider the humanity of what this bill means. A house member said this bill is needed as it rectifies conflicts that currently exist with other laws that have been passed. If removing protections is the only way to fix those conflicts, perhaps that is a sign that those laws are not right either.Finally I am greatly concerned with how much time and energy this legislature is spending on dismantling freedoms for the LGBTQ+ community and others instead of on issues that most Iowans are actually concerned about like public education, cancer rates, assisted living facilities, water quality and the cost of living. Please stop making things harder for one group and focus on improving the quality of life for all Iowans.

02-25-2025

Ethan McReynolds

Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain. Iowans are tired of having this ridiculous agenda pushed down our throats and our tax dollars being spent on fearmongering and running a crusade on an imaginary enemy.

02-25-2025

Edward Kidd

This bill is a massive waste of time and taxpayer money. Legislators are elected and paid by the taxpayers to pass laws that directly benefit Iowans, not to fight a culture war to distract from the real problems facing us. Why is this taking up time in the legislative session while grocery prices, rent, and other necessary expenses are still skyrocketing, causing hardworking Iowans to struggle to afford their bills?

02-25-2025

Margaret Harm

I urge you to consider the realworld impact that this bill could have on transgender individuals and their families. Gender identity is deeply personal, and denying people the ability to fully express and live as their true selves creates unnecessary harm.This bill seems to seek to limit the recognition and respect of gender identity, which could further marginalize an already vulnerable community. Transgender people deserve to have their gender identity acknowledged, and they should not face barriers to accessing accurate and affirming records, particularly on vital documents that reflect who they are.As the proud and loving wife of a transgender spouse, I know firsthand the importance of supporting individuals in their journey to live authentically. This bill risks reinforcing harmful stereotypes and creating additional barriers to equality and dignity for transgender individuals.I ask you to consider the needs and humanity of transgender people, and to vote against this bill. Everyone deserves to live without fear of discrimination or erasure, and I hope you will make a decision that reflects the values of love, acceptance, and respect for all Iowans.Thank you for your time and consideration.

02-25-2025

Luke Stringer [Plymouth Church UCC]

Dear Senators Schultz, Dawson, and Blake,I am a constituent from Des Moines, and a pastor at Plymouth Church UCC. As a Christian, I believe in the inherent worth, dignity, and freedom of every person. Each and every one of us are made in the image of God. I ask you to vote *NO* on HSB242, the socalled "Gender Identity Erasure Act." The language of this bill weakens the protections and safety of ALL Iowans, and in particular, our trans, intersex, and gender nonconforming siblings. It would legalize discrimination in housing, employment, education, and public accommodations. It takes our wonderful state backwards, resembling the era of "Whites Only" open discrimination. Discrimination against our Black brothers and sisters was wrong then, and discrimination against our trans siblings is wrong now. Please, for the love of God and neighbor, vote no. The Christian faith calls us to love our neighbors, and treat them as we wish to be treated. I cannot imagine how it would feel to have a marker of my own identity struck down from civil rights protections. To take away anyone's rights contradicts the core values of freedom, justice, and love that must guide our faith and our democracy if we are to continue to live in civil society. Jesus taught us to stand on the side of the vulnerable, and right now, trans people are vulnerable. They make up less than 1% of the population of our state, and would be subject to increased precarity should this bill pass. They would have no recourse if a landlord or employer did not wish to do business with them because of how they dress, or present themselves. It runs against the "live and let live" ethos that is so important to so many in this state. Voting against this bill is not just a political decision. It is a moral one. For the sake of good conscience, vote *NO* on HSB242.Sincerely,Pastor Luke StringerPlymouth Church UCCDes Moines, IA

02-25-2025

Tobi Simmons [Social Worker]

I work with our most vulnerable population with children and adults. Thia bill is discrimination at it's worst. Who are you to tell anyone who they are. The fact is we are discussing human beings period with all the same needs as all human being. Last time l checked how you identify feels like your right...right? Now imagine whoever you think you are, believe you are, live as, being told you are not a human being due to your sexual identity at any age. You would feel violated and doe what, for people on the margins to be discredited for human services? This bill is unjust. Different sexualities have existed long before the constitution and always will. What is this state of Iowa point of oppressing people?

02-25-2025

Joseph Hunt Wassink

As one of your constituents I implore you, please keep gender identity as a protected class in the Iowa Civil Rights Act. As a Christian, I feel that even if I dissagree with how someone chooses to present or express their gender, I believe it is God's calling for us still to protect them from hate crimes.Sincerely,Joe

02-25-2025

Pat Stalter

I am an Iowa pastor whose love for God and all God's children compels me to speak out against SF418.I am asking you to oppose this legislation because it harms Iowans. It will create barriers for trans people in areas of housing and employment, but will also enlarge the targets on their lives that bigots have already placed there. Current law gives them equal protection that all Iowans receive. Why would any moral person choose to attack and remove the rights of another?I am disheartened by the fast tracking of this bill, but even more so by the apparent support of it by the House. If passed, it will be one more bill that so many Iowans oppose for solid moral reasons. Please oppose SF418.

02-25-2025

Emma Cassabaum

This bill is not only absolutely hateful, but creates dangerous precedent for all Iowans to have their rights stripped on the basis of other demographic categories. Vote NO on this poor excuse for legislation and instead work to create legislation that does benefit Iowans. Our rights we prize, our liberties we maintain! Please continue to cherish and protect our unalienable rights!!

02-25-2025

Abby Singleton

This will harm so many people, cisgender and transgender alike. As a mental health provider, I am already seeing the negative impact these harmful bills are having on our community here in metro Iowa. Show some care and vote NO.

02-25-2025

Emma Elam

My name is Emma and I am writing to you as a nonbinary Iowan. My family moved here in 1999 to give my sibling and I better opportunities because at the time Iowa was a great state to raise a family. This is no longer the case. As a person who does not identify with the gender they were assigned at birth the passage of this bill will make Iowa a hostile place for me to live and work. I am afraid. I have done everything I can to live my life as authentically as possible because I want to be a good example for my child. I want her to be happy and have the opportunities I did growing up. It is becoming more and more apparent that Iowa is not the place where she will be able to thrive. I can't provide for her when I'm being discriminated against. I am urging everyone to vote against this bill. It doesn't protect anyone, but it will make Iowa more dangerous for those of us who just want to live our lives.

02-25-2025

Suaan Fisher

I am writing to express my strong opposition to Iowa Senate File 418. This bill presents significant concerns regarding human rights, discrimination, and the promotion of hate and oppression, while also contradicting the values expressed in Iowas state code and motto, Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain.1. Violation of Human Rights:SF 418 undermines the rights of transgender and nonbinary individuals by enforcing a narrow, biologically based definition of sex and gender. This restrictive approach disregards established medical and psychological understandings of gender identity, denying individuals the right to selfidentify and live authentically. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantees the right to equality and freedom from discrimination, rights that this bill infringes upon.2. Open to Discrimination:By removing gender identity as a protected class under the Iowa Civil Rights Act, the bill creates a pathway for discrimination in employment, education, housing, and public accommodations. This exclusion leaves transgender and nonbinary individuals vulnerable to unfair treatment without legal recourse. It undermines the progress Iowa has made toward ensuring equality for all citizens.3. Promotion of Hate and Oppression:The bills language not only invalidates the identities of marginalized communities but also emboldens those who seek to marginalize and oppress. By codifying exclusionary definitions, SF 418 fosters an environment where prejudice can thrive, contradicting the inclusive spirit that should define our schools, workplaces, and public spaces.4. Contradiction of Iowa Code and Motto:The Iowa Civil Rights Act was designed to protect all citizens from discrimination, ensuring that every individual can participate fully in society. By stripping protections from genderdiverse individuals, SF 418 violates the intent of the states civil rights framework. Furthermore, the bill stands in direct opposition to Iowas proud motto: Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain. Liberty and rights cannot be selectively applied; they must extend to all Iowans, regardless of gender identity.In conclusion, SF 418 is not only a step backward for civil rights in Iowa but also a direct affront to the values of equality and dignity that our state and nation hold dear. I urge legislators to reject this harmful bill and instead focus on policies that promote inclusivity, understanding, and respect for all citizens.

02-25-2025

Mary Ough

This bill is all about discrimination.. Iowa used to be a state where all its residents were treated equally and with respect. Now Iowa is trying and succeeding to outdiscriminate the southern states.Whos the next group of residents that this legislature doesnt approve of? No wonder people are leaving this state. Im disgusted, appalled, angry and very sad.

02-25-2025

Mary R

I strongly oppose this bill because it will strip away rights from transgender Iowanshuman beings who just want to live. Several representatives have claimed that they are passing this bill to protect women in bathrooms and locker rooms. This was never about womens protection. If it was lets crack down on sex trafficking, lets take sex crimes and rape allegations more seriously. Figure out ways to bring down the mortality rate of expecting mothers, not take rights away from a whole group of people who are not harming anyone in the slightest. If this bill is passed this will not be the end of civil rights erasure. Please do not pass this bill. Thank you for your time.

02-25-2025

Chanelle Trowbridge

Removing the rights of any person for simply existing as they choose to be is wrong.It may not make sense to everyone why someone would choose to transition to another gender, but it is their choice to make. That is a persons right. We don't have to understand it. What we do need to understand is that transgender people exist. They are real people. Removing them from the protections of the Iowa Civil Rights Act does not erase them. It just puts them in more danger and does not allow them equal access to employment, housing, education or credit.Please do not legalize discrimination in Iowa.

02-25-2025

Tobi Naylor

Please vote against this bill, passing this will strip transgender citizens of their human rights and put their lives in danger more so than they already are. This is inhumane and unnecessary. Iowa as a whole has made it incredibly clear that we DO NOT want this to be passed. Listen to the public

02-25-2025

Kris Hansen

Trans rights are human rights and civil rights. Do not sign this bill into action. An already marginalized community is at risk and needs our support more than ever. Just because you dont believe in something doesnt make it right to enact your beliefs onto others. Iowans do NOT want this bill.

02-25-2025

Kris Hansen

02-25-2025

Kate Schaechter

This proposed bill is an abhorrent attack on Iowas communities. Trans people make Iowa brighter. There are more important focuses for our state government to devote time and taxpayer resources to. Removing gender identity protections will not make our communities safer. Focus on what is most important our collective humanity.

02-25-2025

Shawn Schenkemeyer

Please reject SF 418! This bill would remove basic protections for my transgender niece and other transgender and intersex Iowans leaving them vulnerable to discrimination in all aspects of their lives. This bill is inhumane and cruel. My niece is a kind, intelligent hardworking human being who deserves respect and dignity. Every Iowan deserves to be treated equally by the laws of our state. I do not understand these heartless degrading attacks on our family and friends! I implore you to reject SF 418

02-25-2025

Margaret Haywood

SF418 is dangerous and cruel and must be rejected. Every Iowan including those who are transgender deserves their human rights to be protected and to be treated with dignity and respect. This bill removes protections to preserve those fundamental human rights. Protecting transgender people does not mean others have fewer rights. Protect Iowans by voting no on SF418.

02-25-2025

Soren Seely

I am a trans Iowa native, and I wish to keep my rights to changing my birth marker as to keep consistent with my true identification of my gender, rather than what it was stated at birth. Every human changes through life. From baby to teenager to adult, and my journey has taken me through many stages. Gender is not rigid, and can be as fluid as mood. This should be embraced and taught in schools, to embrace those who feel this way, rather than ostricizing our Iowan people, our fellow humans. We wouldn't force someone to say "baby" as an identifier their entire life, something that they were forcibly born as. So why should gender be seen as so strict?

02-25-2025

Soren Seely

02-25-2025

Irene DeMaris

Oppose SF 418 Protect the Sacred Worth of All IowansAs a Christian and a religious leader, I strongly oppose SF 418, the Gender Identity Erasure Act. My faith calls me to see every person as sacred, made in the image of God, and worthy of love and dignity. This bill does not honor that truth.SF 418 would repeal gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act, stripping essential protections from some of our most vulnerable neighbors. It would also introduce separate but equal style language into Iowa law and prohibit individuals from updating gender markers on vital recordspolicies that deny dignity and increase harm.On Sunday, my pastor preached on 1 John 4:19: We love because God first loved us. That love is the foundation of our faith:*Because God first loved us, we dont have to earn our worth.*Because God first loved us, our starting point isnt shameits grace.*Because God first loved us, were free to love others not as rivals, but as family.SF 418 does the oppositeit seeks to erase and exclude people based on their gender identity, undermining their dignity and legal protections. As Christians, we are called to love our neighbors, not to legislate harm against them. This bill does not align with my faith, nor does it reflect the values of justice and compassion that should guide our state.I urge lawmakers to reject SF 418. Our laws should be rooted in dignity and fairness, not exclusion and discrimination.

02-25-2025

Jamie Simmons

Iowans have made it overwhelmingly clear that we don't want to go back to the past, that we are focused on the future. We can have a great future as a state when we focus on the real issues at hand, not bullying a vulnerable community. This bill is dangerous, antiIowan, and will hurt thousands of people for no justifiable reason. I urge the senators in this subcommittee to listen to their constituents and vote no on this atrocity.

02-25-2025

Dan Bjorklund

I am against this bill. How did it come to this where the Civil rights of anyone would be taken away by our state representatives. The words that come to mind are from a situation that occurred in Washington DC when I was a child, where one brave representative stood up and said "Have you no sense of decency!" I would repeat these exact words to those who have fast tracked this Bill in both the house and senate. I would also ask for many brave representatives to say enough, and vote against this bill. We have so many challenges in the State and yet bill after bill after bill has been directed at one group of Iowans the past couple years. Christians post on social media words directed to individuals and family that shock me with the vitriol and anger. How did we come to this in society. I remember another story from the Bible where a bunch of politicians brought a woman to Jesus and said because of who she was the law said she should be stoned. He looked at each of them, scribbled something in the soil and said "Those of you who are without sin, cast the first stone."

02-25-2025

jayme ironside

As an Iowan, I strongly oppose SF 418. Legislating exclusionary policies is wrong, and everyone deserves the right to exist without government interference.Gender identity is not strictly biological, and biological sex is not a simple binaryhuman variation exists. Rather than wasting taxpayer dollars on an issue affecting less than 1% of the population, our legislators should focus on real challenges facing Iowans, such as child care, cancer rates, and health care.SF 418 is unnecessary and divisive. Please do not advance this bill.

02-25-2025

Oliver Schoenborn [Grinnell College]

I vehemently OPPOSE SF 418. This bill, which seeks to remove gender identity from Iowa's Civil Rights Act, is cruel and unusual punishment for our state's most vulnerable people. When I expressed my concern about being discriminated against in employment and housing due to this bill, multiple Representatives (Rep. Craig Williams, I know you're listening!) blew me off, claiming that the current codewhich includes gender identity"infringes on the rights" of everyone else. Since when does 1% of the population affect the lives of thousands? You're focusing on the wrong 1%. Furthermore, Republican Representatives claim that Iowans want this kind of legislation to pass. However, none of them show up to these hearings. If they care so much about wanting gender identity removed from the Iowa Civil Rights Act, then where were they on Monday during the hearings for HSB 242? Stand with the good people who ACTUALLY show up to hearings to oppose these immoral bills and VOTE NO on SF 418.

02-25-2025

Mary Edwards

What happened to "Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain"??? As a cisgender woman with daughters I have NEVER experienced any of the issues that proponents of this bill claim are happening. Trans women in the bathroom and trans girls in sports are not the issue. This is a thinly veiled attempt to REMOVE PROTECTIONS from some of our most vulnerable citizens. If this legislation passes, trans individuals WILL be harmed as a result. I am strongly against this legislation, and anyone who cares about protecting ALL Iowans should be, too. Shame on the folks who are pushing this through.

02-25-2025

Pat Stalter

I'll keep it simple. Don't legislate hate!Laws should never be designed to devalue the lives of any group. History shows the tragedy of this. I stand in opposition to this legislation because it is hateful and bigoted. Iowans want better than this from our legislators.

02-25-2025

Angela Romero

I urge you to oppose any legislation that would take civil rights away from Iowans. Civil rights protections based on gender identity protect all of us. Removing gender identity protections is a clear attack on transgender people, intersex people, and gender nonconforming people. All people deserve civil rights protections. I urge you not to legalize discrimination based on gender identity.

02-25-2025

Caleb Ward

I believe in freedom and rights for all. This law would make Iowa the first state to remove a protected group from its civil rights act. We should not set this dangerous president, and this is not for what Iowa should be known. We need to let all people in our state have their rights.

02-25-2025

Anna Lemons

I urge the subcommittee to vote against HSB 242. I believe ALL Iowans should be treated fairly and equally by the laws of our state. I listened to the arguments of support on Monday's committee hearing and all I heard was FEAR. Fear of others fear of the unknown. As a straight woman, I have never felt that I was in harm's way in the presence of a trans woman. However, I have been scared, threatened, and made to feel fear countless times by straight men. To say that this is about women's rights and safety is wrong. I believe this is paving the way to repeal sexual orientation from the civil rights code as well.

02-25-2025

Karen Kalber [Retired]

SF418 CommentWhy are you so focused on depriving such a small percentage of the population from their inalienable rights of the pursuit of life, liberty and Happiness?A person who identifies themselves as gay, lesbian, transgender does so with much personal angst. Many are initially hesitant and anxious to tell family for fear of rejection when all they strive for is love and acceptance for who they are. There is NO SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE that their sexual orientation, identity or preferences are transferable to others by persuasion. The absence of valuable support structures and the painful discrimination which SF418 is aimed to achieve is painful, disheartening and dehumanizing. You may wonder why our young people are leaving and not returning to Iowa. Creating discriminatory laws, removing civil rights protections for the purpose of controlling fears is an unwelcome form of supremacy: (I am right. You are wrong. My ideas should dominate.)This proposed legislation is unreasonable and hostile toward those who live their lives differently, who work, pay taxes, and contribute to the environment and economy in Iowa.

02-25-2025

Walter Burgs [Citizen ]

Id really like to understand why or how this is a benefit to the state, how does this political posturing save money? Youre wasting time, tax dollars and effort on oppressing a very small portion of the entire state, and not benefiting anyone by doing so, if your going to waste my tax dollars at least waste them in an efficient manner that benefits the cost of gas, groceries, property taxes, taxes in general, because it seems like this is purely your personal agenda based on religious beliefs that not everyone shares or even cares about, you are literally stopping 34k statewide from being acknowledged, none of whom have done anything as criminal as the the people creating this policy..

02-25-2025

Lisa Ross Thedens

I am deeply concerned for the transgender Iowans I know. This bill could be life threatening for our transgender citizens. Transgender people are the targets of abuse, they do not target the rest of us. Please do not take away these much needed protections. There are probably no people in the state more in need of this protection of their basic human rights than they are. These basic human rights we are stripping from them are ones we would all be rightly outraged to have taken away from us; they are nothing but what we expect. We seem to be judging them guilty of some crime they have not committed, but are actually more likely to have committed against them.

02-25-2025

Evan Mullins

Transgender, nonbinary, gender nonconforming, and intersex people are people. They have every right to identify as any of those just as you or I have the right to identify as male or female. This bill would make Iowa the first state in the nation to remove protections from our civil rights code. Moreover, this bill is patently unconstitutional and violates the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution. I hope the Iowa legislature will do the right thing and reject this proposal.

02-25-2025

Zain Cowan

As a fellow lowan, I full heartedly disagree with this Bill SF 418. I've heard people say the lowa government is just trying to remove what other states don't have in their Civil Right Act.However, I believe this addition makes lowa's Civil Rights Act even greater. lowa has been a leader in LGBTQ+ protections. Please don't make us go backward. Every lowan should feel safe, wanted, and at home in lowa. I believe if this bill Sf 418 passes, it would open for discriminatory acts against Trans and NonBinary lowans. Separate but equal does not exist. It should not exist in our state. This type of terminology is dangerous. Our lowan Civil Rights Act should be all inclusive and protect all lowans. As our flag states, "Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We Will Maintain." Such a powerful statement, please uphold our state moto. Vote against bill Sf 418.

02-25-2025

Dana McKeever Kent

I am writing in opposition to this unjust bill that discriminates against Iowans.When we talk about trans and gendernonconforming people, we are talking about people who are just as human as the rest of us. We are talking about some of my friends and my young kids' friends (who are just being loved and supported for who they are, by the way, not indoctrinated with something that doesn't fit them). When we talk about trans and gendernonconforming people we are talking about people I studied hard with at the state university and people in my community and in my parks and rec exercise class. These people pay taxes like everyone else and contribute to our businesses and communities and should not be discriminated against for employment, housing, education, and all spheres of life. Removing these protections that they currently have in the code and changing language to that proposed in HSB 242 is not scientific, is unjust, unwise and regressive.I am not asking you to understand or agree with all the nuances of sex, gender and identityit is not exactly necessary to understand all in order to be respectful of others. But it is absolutely imperative that as elected representatives you respect and preserve the dignity of all Iowans and protect against discrimination in the opportunities we enjoy in this state.Finally, I am a woman and I am not afraid of a trans woman using the same restroom as me. I also know that trans people don't transition to gain advantage in sports. Our response to a person's fear of these situations needs to be education, not the creation of discriminatory legislation.Let's kill this bill and get to work on laws that help all our citizens flourish.

02-25-2025

Amanda Chrystal

I am writing to oppose SF418 to remove civil rights protections from trans Iowans. Given the social and political animosity toward this vulnerable minority, they need every legal option to make sure they are not discriminated against in areas we take for granted, like housing, credit, right to use public facilities, etc. I see a lot of people misunderstanding that civil rights provide "special rights" to trans people, when the very definition of civil rights is to provide equal protection under the law. I also see a lot of arguments that removing civil rights from trans people would "protect women", which is bunk: removing rights from trans women removes rights from me, for example I feel a lot safer in a public restroom with a trans woman than some bigot who is trying to determine if I am woman enough to be using the women's restroom. I have a friend who felt the need to flash her breasts at another woman who was trying to police her use of the bathroom, and I do not want to need to do that.I urge you not to take away rights that have already been given; if trans civil rights are not safe, there is no guarantee MY civil rights are safe.

02-25-2025

Stacey Abell

I have been a resident of this state for almost 20 years. I used to be proud to live in Iowa, as I saw the states progress to be a more welcoming place for all people. However, over the years I have become heartbroken as much of that progress has been stripped away and citizens of this state treated as lessthan because they dont meet a narrow definition of what is acceptable. I dont see how passing this act helps Iowans with the rising cost of living or lack of access to mental health services. Instead, it is a blatant attempt to erase a group of people from existence and discourage them from staying or choosing to make Iowa their home including people I personally know and love. I urge you to preserve civil rights for all Iowans.

02-25-2025

Thane Himes

This bill is unAmerican and a complete waste of time and taxpayer money. I thought Republicans Governor Reynolds especially we're all about saving taxpayers money and making the government run efficiently. Yet here you are writing and debating bills like this instead of taking any action about grocery prices, school safety, or the mental health crisis in our country that is definitely solely responsible for the gun violence plaguing us without a single other contributing factor. Vote no on this pointless bill and show us your plan to make milk less expensive than gas again.

02-25-2025

Lindsey Petty

Vote NO on SF 418. This bill is nothing more than an attack on trans Iowans, designed to strip them of their rights and dignity. Trans people are people whether you believe they are or not and they deserve the same respect, safety, and freedom as everyone else. They do no harm; they simply want to exist and live their lives in peace. Politicians should focus on policies that uplift and protect all Iowans, not target and marginalize a vulnerable community. Hate has no place here. Vote no.

02-25-2025

Jennifer Buckley

As a friend, family member, teacher, and colleague of transgender and nonbinary people, I ask that you refuse to strip them of their civil rights. These antitrans bills threaten the livelihoods and lives of Iowans who are vital members of our communities.

02-25-2025

Dakota Waltz

This will only hurt the most vulnerable people in our state. It is essentially legalized discrimination against a class that should be protected. Plus there are other far more important issues in Iowa such as our water being poisoned by run off.

02-25-2025

Cheyanne Holliday

This bill is atrocious and should not pass. I vehemently oppose this bill, as it will only cause harm to the people of this state. Trans people represent 1% of the US population but are being targeted disproportionately with brutality. This bill only enforced the rhetoric of hate that disenfranchises this community. This bill helps nobody. Please act with compassion and do not pass it ! Protect the rights of ALL people !

02-25-2025

Jessica Cruz

Please register my opposition to SF 418. This bill will only cause harm to the most vulnerable of Iowans, stripping them of their fundamental human rights that they've legally held for the last 18 year, with no other benefit. Moving forward with this bill will erode the rights of your neighbors, friends, and family. We all know someone who will be negatively impacted by this bill, even if we don't know it.

02-25-2025

Brockton Reddish

I heavily disagree with the contents of this bill. The fact that we are proposing legislation to REMOVE rights from any group of Americans is disgraceful and appalling. We should be focused on forward movement and progress rather than these performative moves in the wrong direction. Please consider spending your time(and our tax dollars) on this to IMPROVE American lives instead of make them harder than they already are. Thank you.

02-25-2025

Angela Ventris

I do not agree with this bill. As an Iowan woman, I do not feel I am made safer by this bill, and in fact feel that it is a reduction of safety for many. I do not approve and am wondering what on earth you think is so important about this when we have crumbling bridges, incredibly high cancer rates FOR WOMEN, and terrible water quality throughout vast parts of our state, all of which are much more dangerous to not only women, but ALL Iowans. Stop this waste of our taxpayer money and get to work on bills that improve the lives of all Iowans rather than limiting the rights of a few.

02-25-2025

Jennifer Hackett

Please do not pass this atrociously bigoted bill. Iowa should take care to not deem any of its citizens as "less than" or unworthy of protections. I beg of you to be on the right side of history and not let this hatred be codified into law.

02-25-2025

Carolyn Vaea

I strongly oppose SF 418 as a lifelong citizen and constituent of Iowa. Taking away rights of people for simply existing is not the Iowa I grew up with and want to be raising my family in. Please consider your constituents and what they voted for when they voted for their representatives, and vote NO.

02-25-2025

Marcy Toal

I wish to express my opposition to SF 418.I would like to remind members of the Iowa Legislature that "womanhood" cannot be absolutely and unambiguously determined by anatomy, chromosomes, or reproductive cell size. Each of these observable characteristics is not absolute, and potentially excludes some individuals. Attempts to codify such a faulty definition into law is sexist and patriarchal, and ultimately harmful to women.Discrimination on the basis of an observable characteristic is still discrimination, whether that characteristic is immutable or not. If the Iowa Legislature wishes to exclude transgender people as a protected class on the basis that "gender identity" is not an immutable characteristic, I would also remind the Legislature that "religious faith" is not an immutable characteristic either. Given the same line of reasoning, that should also be excluded as a protected class.

02-25-2025

Stephen Ball

I am very disappointed to see this legislation being seriously considered. Taking away the designation of gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act will allow businesses to deny employment if a person is trans, it will allow a landlord to deny a lease if the person is trans, and it will allow schools to deny education if they believe a person is trans. Gender identity was added to the Civil Rights Act because people were being actively discriminated against and needed protection. It was not to make them a class above everyone else, but to make sure that they were not treated as a class below everyone else. Trans Iowans are not perverts who only claim to be trans to get into women's bathrooms, they are ordinary Iowans trying to live their best life. Also, the fact that a lot of this debate is focused on trans women and never trans men, is very telling about the insecurities of those in favor of this bill. Iowa used to be this bastion of acceptance, inclusion, and progressive thought in the midwest, to see how far it has diminished the past ten years is very disheartening. Also, if you want to focus on a purely dollarsandcents mindset, legislation such as this will not attract people to come to our state. The headline of "Iowa Removes Civil Rights" will most certainly chill the prospect of new business, new minds, and new citizens to a state that I believe has the potential to be that shining beacon again, but only when we work for ALL Iowans, rather than play this asinine culturewar game.

02-25-2025

Samantha Gaffney-Chaloupka

Please oppose SF 418! Trans people (and people who dont fit into traditional gender norms) are all people too, and deserve protection from discrimination. The civil rights act doesnt elevate one group of people over another, but rather levels out the playing field for historically marginalized groups. We should not be removing protections for people from our civil rights code!

02-25-2025

SARAH JETER

This bill is both incredibly harmful and extremely unnecessary. Trans and gender nonconforming individuals deserve the right to exist without hatred and condemnation. Your religious beliefs regarding sex and gender fly in the face of established scientific fact and you are actively wasting time legislating the existence of queer people when there are any number of issues that ACTUALLY deserve your focus, like rampant inflation, climate change, economic disparity, the threat of stripping federal Healthcare and funding, and so much more. I am continuously disappointed by the Iowa legislators who focus on nonissues and continue to try to remove the rights of women and queer people.

02-25-2025

Kate Maxwell

I strongly oppose stripping transgender Iowans of protections under the Iowa Civil Rights Act. I encourage you to do the same.Iowans will not stand for this attack on LGBTQ rights. This bill is hateful and Iowans deserve better. I implore you to please oppose SF 418.

02-25-2025

Eloisa Roach

I strongly oppose this bill to remove all protections on the basis of gender and sex discrimination. The Iowa Civil Rights Act is a necessary protection for thousands of Iowans. Transgender Iowans deserve to have their rights protected. They deserve housing, medical care, and protection when interacting with the criminal justice system. This bill is a flagrant attempt to diminish the rights of some of the most vulnerable constituents of the state. As a youth of Iowa who is seeking to leave the state due to similar policies, the state has a duty to protect the interests of Iowa's future. The state used to be a leader in the protection of queer rights, and has become a place of hatred and control. Transgender Iowans make up a small portion of the population who are simply attempting to exist within a society that is increasingly turning their autonomy into a culture war. This bill is not necessary, does not protect women, and only perpetuates increasing violence and harm across our state. I ask that the subcommittee members take into consideration the mass reaction to this bill and follow the will of the people. Protect trans rights and do not advance this bill.

02-25-2025

Tyler Pyle

This bill is incredibly discriminatory and unnecessary when we have bigger problems that need addressing in this state. Why are we demonizing a faction of a percent of our population while we have ground water being contaminated with runoff causing skyrocketing cancer rates? For the state motto of Iowa to be Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain we sure are focusing a lot of stripping the rights we will maintain from a very small and already marginalized group. Repealing and voting no on this bill is the only proper action. The fact that this is even being proposed and has made it out of subcommittee is vile, disgusting, and pathetic from our state lawmakers. Do better, thats what you were elected for not to push some hateful agenda to try and appease our Felon in Chief and an unelected billionaire oligarch that has no place in government.

02-25-2025

Ashley Laux

It is a disgrace that Iowa lawmakers are considering removing a protected class from the Iowa Covil Rights act Iowa would be the first state to do so. Trans Iowans need protection from the Civil Rights Act now more than ever.

02-25-2025

Jaiden Shahan

Iowa should be fighting to maintain personal freedom and civil rights. Instead, our state suffers as people are harmed from politicians to score points with the federal GOP. I am against this bill, attacking my fellow citizens and friends. Iowa will become an even weaker state as people leave and our economy stagnates.

02-25-2025

Juliet Remmers

I strongly oppose SF 418 and urge you to stop this bill. All Iowans should have access to the same civil rights. Removing gender from civil rights legislation will allow and encourage blatant discrimination against Iowas citizens. Its shameful to even consider this leap backward in civil rights.

02-25-2025

Collin Kepner

My name is Collin Kepner, and I am someone who has lived in Iowa my entire life, growing up in Ottumwa and living and working in central Iowa as an actuarial analyst since my graduation from the University of Iowa in 2022. I hold the state and the people who live here close to my heart. I am adding a public comment today because I am deeply concerned about a proposed Senate bill, SF 418, that would strip our fellow Iowans (specifically transgender Iowans) of their right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness in the state of Iowa by removing gender identity as a protected class. This bill would give Iowa the dishonorable distinction of being the first state to remove a protected class from its civil rights act. For a bit of context: In 2007, Iowa passed a forwardthinking addendum to the Iowa Civil Rights Act that added discrimination protections for sexual orientation and gender identity in the areas of housing, employment, public accommodations, credit, and education. The passage of this addendum marked an addition to a long and storied history of Iowa leading the charge in civil rights, from having the first public university to admit men and women on an equal basis, to outlawing segregation in education 96 years before Brown v. Board of Education, to eventually leading the fight for marriage equality. Given this history, it is most worrisome that this bill is slated to receive support by Iowa Republicans this year. I chose to stay in Iowa upon graduation because I believe in its potential, but bills like this one make me deeply question that decision. Iowa Republicans should be focused on things like making housing affordable, fostering strong schools, improving healthcare access in rural areas, and protecting our waterways from pollution not stripping the good people of Iowa of rights they were granted nearly 20 years ago. I understand that there are concerns about the law's compatibility with previously passed bills regarding the participation of transgender women in women's sports and their participation in public spaces like restrooms. If that is the case, although it is certainly not my first choice, I would encourage Senate Republicans to instead carve out narrow exceptions to the protections in the Iowa Civil Rights Act that address these issues rather than voting to broadly repeal the rights of transgender Iowans across a number of completely unrelated categories like housing, credit, and employment. I implore those in power to tell me exactly why it is a policy goal of Iowa Republicans that transgender Iowans should be unprotected from discrimination in such vital areas of everyday life. Therefore, I strongly urge a 'No' vote on this bill. This bill is a terrible look for Iowa, and it isn't going to make a single person's life better in the state (while actively making some people's lives considerably worse). Look no further than our state motto: "Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain." Make no mistake: history will remember the names of those who voted to take those rights away. Thank you for your consideration.

02-25-2025

Lindsey H.

Do not pass this bill. Trans people deserve the right to thrive in our society just as much as anyone else. You should be ashamed of yourselves for trying to erase peoples existence. If you have any conscious at all you will vote no on this.

02-25-2025

Katrina Serfling

My name is Katrina Serfling and I am writing to you today to ask you to reject SF418, a bill that would remove basic protections for transgender Iowans and create complications for other Iowans who do not fall neatly into the bills narrow definitions.All hardworking peopleincluding those who are transgendershould be treated fairly and equally by the laws of our state, and should have the opportunity to earn a living and provide for themselves and their families. If someone cant rent an apartment or get a credit card simply because of who they are, we cant expect them to be able to compete on a level playing field with their peers. These basic antidiscrimination protections are an important part of any meritbased system, allowing people to access opportunities regardless of who they are or how they are perceived. Further, the bill jeopardizes sex stereotyping protections for nontransgender women that arent included in Iowas sex discrimination statute.Transgender people are our friends, neighbors, family and coworkers. When it comes to being able to earn a living, having a place to live, or being served by a business or government office, they should be treated like anyone else and not be discriminated against. Please vote against SF418.Please listen to the people.

02-25-2025

Thomas Geno-Stumme

This is a deplorable attempt to restrict rights of Iowan citizens. This is hurtful as it is intending to strip away the ability for an individual to freely represent themselves without fear of reprisals. It seeks to place boundaries and divide the people of Iowa. The legislative body of this state has a duty to protect all citizens, and the should do that.

02-25-2025

Chelsea Mumm

We should not be in the business of stripping rights from people. There seems to be a misinformed belief that by stating in the Iowa Civil Rights Act that protected classes of people deserve the same rights as any other Iowan somehow takes rights away from the average Iowan. You know that this is not the case. This bill is purely based on personal beliefs that transgender people do not deserve basic civil rights. How cruel for our government to scapegoat a community that is already more likely to face discrimination, hatred and cruelty for simply existing. LGBTQ people only make up around 3% of Iowa's population, which means transgender people make up even less. Why are we targeting this small community?

02-25-2025

Alissa Swarts

I am writing to express my strong opposition to Iowa Senate File 418. This bill presents significant concerns regarding human rights, discrimination, and the promotion of hate and oppression, while also contradicting the values expressed in Iowas state code and motto, Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain.1. Violation of Human Rights:SF 418 undermines the rights of transgender and nonbinary individuals by enforcing a narrow, biologically based definition of sex and gender. This restrictive approach disregards established medical and psychological understandings of gender identity, denying individuals the right to selfidentify and live authentically. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantees the right to equality and freedom from discrimination, rights that this bill infringes upon.2. Open to Discrimination:By removing gender identity as a protected class under the Iowa Civil Rights Act, the bill creates a pathway for discrimination in employment, education, housing, and public accommodations. This exclusion leaves transgender and nonbinary individuals vulnerable to unfair treatment without legal recourse. It undermines the progress Iowa has made toward ensuring equality for all citizens.3. Promotion of Hate and Oppression:The bills language not only invalidates the identities of marginalized communities but also emboldens those who seek to marginalize and oppress. By codifying exclusionary definitions, SF 418 fosters an environment where prejudice can thrive, contradicting the inclusive spirit that should define our schools, workplaces, and public spaces.4. Contradiction of Iowa Code and Motto:The Iowa Civil Rights Act was designed to protect all citizens from discrimination, ensuring that every individual can participate fully in society. By stripping protections from genderdiverse individuals, SF 418 violates the intent of the states civil rights framework. Furthermore, the bill stands in direct opposition to Iowas proud motto: Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain. Liberty and rights cannot be selectively applied; they must extend to all Iowans, regardless of gender identity.In conclusion, SF 418 is not only a step backward for civil rights in Iowa but also a direct affront to the values of equality and dignity that our state and nation hold dear. I urge legislators to reject this harmful bill and instead focus on policies that promote inclusivity, understanding, and respect for all citizens.

02-25-2025

Shirley Harris

Please vote AGAINST SF 418.I strongly OPPOSE the removal of Transgender and related terminology from all Iowan civil rights laws. To deny the protection and human rights of one specific group flies against all Christian beliefs I hold. All humans are worthy of Gods love and should be protected. These civil rights laws were passed precisely because named groups were being targeted and bullied unfairly/ and criminally in some cases. Please let us be the best Iowa we can be, by showing our love for all humankind.

02-25-2025

Chelsea Adams

Oppose SF 418. It is clear we as Iowans do not support taking rights away from people. I have people near and dear to me that are trans or do not fall into the gender binary. These are hardworking, good people. They deserve rights protections just like the rest of us. It is unjust to strip them of rights for no reason.

02-25-2025

Nadine Zelle

I am appalled that this bill is even on the table. As someone who grew up in Iowa I am so disappointed in what is happening right now in the state. Removing basic civil rights for anyone is horrifying. Do your job and remember you are representing ALL people.

02-25-2025

Barb Johnson

People left England and other countries for freedom. The current people in power are creating less freedom and a climate of fear and hate. No one has to be just like the other person. America is strong because of differences. Is the republican party sending a legacy of divided we fell? Why are Republicans afraid to stand up to truth honor and accountability

02-25-2025

Monica Snider

I am writing to oppose SF418 in order to support trans Iowans this bill would open trans people in the state to more harm and discrimination than they already experience and would set a dangerous precedent through the country. Please hear out the thousands of Iowans who have already spoken out and consider our state motto "our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain" by voting no on SF418 to protect trans Iowans.

02-25-2025

Sandra Jouts [Interfaith Alliance]

How can officials elected to serve the citizens in their districts even consider removing civil rights from any human being? Under whose definition of morality is that moral? Certainly not that of Christianity which most likely most of you tout as yours. Please consider carefully, What Would Jesus Do? Before you vote.

02-25-2025

Sandra Jouts [Interfaith Alliance]

02-25-2025

Sandra Jouts [Interfaith Alliance]

02-25-2025

Judy Glynn

I vehemently oppose this bill and the state of Iowa's attempts to remove legal protections for transgender people. My son is a transgender male and a current resident of Iowa. He should be afforded the same civil rights and protections as any other resident of Iowa, and should not be persecuted because he identifies as a gender other than his biological one. "Separate but equal" is just a pretense to hide behind racist and fascist policies, as we should have learned during the civil rights movement of the 1960's. We should be moving forward as a country and enacting laws to protect all citizens, not removing protections for certain classes. As a landlord, I am sure that if I tried to deny housing to someone because they identified as a white Republican Christian, there would be a huge outcry. But if you enact this law, my son could be denied equal housing and job opportunities without any legal recourse. Wrong, wrong, wrong!!!!!!!!!!

02-25-2025

Monty Montero-Elliott

I oppose SF 418. There is no point to a bill like this other than the immiseration of trans people and their further exclusion from public life. It exposes the whole community, and particularly trans women, to discrimination, exploitation, and violence. If this bill passes it would be legal to evict somebody for being trans. It would be legal to refuse to serve a trans person at a business because they're trans. It would be legal to fire someone from their job for being trans. It would be legal to expose trans women to physical and sexual violence by putting them in men's prison. It would be legal to refuse a person a loan or overcharge them or lowball them on property assessments because they're trans. It simultaneously declares that trans people don't exist and that they're menaces to society that must be curtailed. It is nonsensical and abjectly cruel. And you have to be a real piece of work to say "separate is not inherently unequal" with a straight face. Vote no.

02-25-2025

Lisa Bradley

As the proud parent of a transgender person, I am appalled that the Iowa legislature is even considering removing civil rights protections from transgender people. Trans folks constitute between one and two percent of the total US population. They are the epitome of a vulnerable minority and yet the Republicans have chosen trans people as their punching bags. Trans folks simply want what all other Iowans have: protections under the law so they can live, work, travel, and flourish without fear of being harassed or victimized. We need to face this moment with tolerance and empathy or soon other minorities will also come under fire. As MLK Jr said: No one is free until all of us are free.

02-25-2025

Keri Manning

VOTE NO!This law assumes that gender and sex identities are solely biological, not cultural, but ignores the science around them. If the law requires that a person identify as male or female in order to enjoy the protection of the law, should sex be assigned by anatomy, hormone levels, DNA, or chromosomes? I do not believe the authors of this bill have an adequate understanding of the complications in biology, which I briefly address below. If an assessment of these indicators does not produce a singular answer, is that person any less a citizen deserving of human rights? Natural scientists and social scientists understand that sex and gender identities are more complicated than many people realize, particularly those of us who may have last taken an introductory biology class decades ago. In a small percentage of the human population, external sex characteristics are ambiguous at birth. In others, physical anatomy and sex chromosomes do not match. Genetic mutations may lead to female characteristics in those who are XY or male characteristics in those who are XX. Due to androgen insensitivity, there are persons with external genitalia that would mark them as female, even though they are chromosomally XY. There are people with two X chromosomes who produce higher than average levels of testosterone. In addition to external genitalia, hormone levels, and chromosomes, DNA can further complicate human sex identity. Mothers bodies retain cells from their children male and female for decades after birth, and those children carry cells from their mothers bodies as well. Most people go through life unaware of these complexities, which are usually only detected during medical testing. In any case, the simple equations XX= female and XY=male do not fit all situations.

02-25-2025

Marla Mayberry

Strongly oppose this bill. No one should have to worry about being fired, denied housing or educational opportunities because of their gender identity. Please preserve Iowa's tradition as a beacon for Civil Rights & Equal Opportunity.

02-25-2025

Connor White

This is a useless bill that does not protect anyone or help anyone. It WILL be used to disproportionately hurt people who are already being hurt. Why are so many resources wasted on attacking 1% of the population, especially when statistics have clearly demonstrated that LGBT communities do not cause the problems people falsely claim they do.Iowa's politics should be focused on protecting farmers, cleaning up our natural resources and diversifying our economy as climate change continues to disrupt agriculture, biofuels and other industries.The more you focus so much on this attack legislation that helps nobody, the more you show your constituents that you are incapable of improving their lives and representing them. Meanwhile, nothing continues to be done about food prices, insurance and healthcare, rich assholes wanting more and more.

02-25-2025

Eric Sickler

Stripping gender identity protections from Iowa's civil rights law is a cruel and discriminatory attack on transgender and gender nonconforming Iowans. Beyond the immediate harm, this move will have a chilling effect, damaging Iowa's reputation and deterring businesses and talented individuals from calling our state home. It invites harassment, denies basic human dignity, undermines the fundamental principles of equality and justice, and signals that Iowa is not a welcoming place. I urge you to reject this harmful legislation and uphold the rights of ALL Iowans, ensuring a vibrant and inclusive future for our state.

02-25-2025

Matthew Hackett

As a vet I was always told that I was fighting for the freedom of Americans. This includes the freedom to choose how someone lives THEIR life, however THEY want to. passing this bill will go against everything that I fought for and spits on the graves of those who have died protecting the constitution. Frivolous bills like this also distract from the horrors of wealth inequality today. Grow up and see what the real problem is or else it will all be gone, and survival doesn't care what gender you are.

02-25-2025

Erin Wickering

My name is Wren. I am a nonbinary homeowner and parent who has lived in Des Moines for 20 years.Despite the separation of church and state, I hear the bible quoted a lot in the capitol, so lets go ahead take a look at a couple of verses.Isaiah 56:35 says this: Do not let the foreigner joined to the Lord say, The Lord will surely separate me from his people; and do not let the eunuch say, I am just a dry tree. For thus says the Lord: I will give, in my house, and within my walls, a monument and a name better than sons and daughters. I will give them an everlasting name.In case you didnt know, eunuchs were gendernonconforming people of that time. Because we have always been here and we will always be here. In Matthew 19:12, Jesus himself says: There are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made so by others, and there are some who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let anyone accept this who can.Jesus also said that Gods greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself. You are trying to hate us out of existence, but we love ourselves more than you will ever hate us. If youd like some help learning how to love yourself, you could use your taxpayersubsidised health care to go to therapy and stop taking your hate out on the rest of us.

02-25-2025

Anna Stamer

It doesnt stop here. Attacking others basic human rights because you are uncomfortable with who they are is simply pathetic. I used to be proud to be an Iowan. Growing up here I saw how Iowa stood up as one of the first when it came to inclusion. I dont recognize this place anymore. If it is not a home for the ones I love and care for to feel safe and protected. If it is not a home where my friends and family are recognized for who they are. If it is not home for them it is not home for me either. We cannot continue to take steps backwards. We cannot continue to let bigotry and hatred win.

02-25-2025

Cory Petersen

Taking away civil rights protections will make Iowas citizens less safe. Fellow Iowans will suffer because of this, and fellow Iowans will die because of this. You can prevent that you can prevent suffering and death by opposing this measure. Supporting this is the exact opposite of being prolife.

02-25-2025

Cary Peterson

VOTE NO!"I urge you to vote *no* on this Senate file, which threatens the protections of so many vulnerable Iowans. As someone who cares deeply for my transgender friends, I can tell you they are not interested in your children. We are not trying to force anyone to be transgenderwe are simply advocating for a safe environment where children who already identify as transgender can live without fear.What I need you to understand is this: outlawing transgender individuals will not make your children any less transgender. It will only cause immense suffering, confusion, and pain for those who need support the most. If this bill passes, countless precious lives will be lostlives of your very own constituents.Please take a moment to truly reflect on the harm this bill will cause, and the irreversible damage it will do to those who already face the greatest challenges. This is not just a policy issueits a matter of life and death. Please consider the profound and heartbreaking consequences before making a decision."

02-25-2025

Jordan Bles

I am speaking in opposition to SF 418, a bill that would remove basic protections for transgender Iowans and create complications for other Iowans who do not fall neatly into the bills narrow definitions. Transgender people are our friends, neighbors, family and coworkers. When it comes to being able to earn a living, having a place to live, or being served by a business or government office, they should be treated like anyone else and not be discriminated against. Please reject SF 418.

02-25-2025

Cary Peterson

02-25-2025

Susan Junis

I oppose SF 418. This bill is a betrayal of the promise written on the Iowa state flag: "Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain". I'm not sure what the Republican obsession is with transgender people. There has never been a world without transgender people and there never will be. Trans Iowans are our brothers, sisters, siblings, parents, loved ones, children, and beloved community members. I don't know why we even have to say this removing rights from entire groups of people is fascist, authoritarian behavior. You are saying to Iowans, and to the world, "there are some people who do not deserve to be treated as full human beings." You do not get to decide that. To the Iowans reading this who do not support transgender rights, I say that in the future you will look back in shame at the harm you have caused. To trans Iowans, I say that you are loved and needed. Please do what you need to do to protect yourself. Your mere existence is resistance. I will stand by you, always

02-25-2025

Tammy Shull

I am very alarmed about the impact of SF418 would have on the LGBTQ community and their families. These individuals should have the protection currently granted under the Iowa Civil Rights Act and should be able to have their birth certificates reflect their lived identities. Over the last couple of years, I have become aware of several families in my small community who have transgender relatives. I see how much they struggle when government tries to interfere with their lives. Surely we have more important issues in Iowa than targeting a tiny fraction of the community. Let people be who they are! Discrimination is wrong. Lets respond to these individual with respect and dignity. Please vote no on this bill.Tammy ShullMount Pleasant, Iowa

02-25-2025

Mathew Kelly

Dear Committee members,Please vote against this legislation. This will do nothing to improve the lives of Iowans. It will only serve to further marginalize a small portion of our population who are already among the most vulnerable. Instead of seeking ways to penalize people, please focus your energy on helping those in our communities who are at most risk. These protections do not elevate anyone above anyone else. They help level the field. Not all members of our communities are under attack. For evidence, just look at the host of anti LGBTQ legislation being proposed. No law will change who a person is. Please vote against this foolish legislation.

02-25-2025

Monica Basile

Please REJECT this bill. It is appalling that you are considering repealing civil rights protections for our citizens. No one should have to worry about being fired or denied housing or educational opportunities because of their gender identity. This bill would endanger so many people I love. All human beings including our transgender friends, neighbors, family, and coworkers should be treated fairly and equally by the laws of our state. Even the fact that is being considered is causing harm. The argument that this legislation is about women's rights is such a thinly veiled cover for blatant discrimination. Denying civil rights to one group is an attack on the rights of everyone. Please find it in your hearts to do the right thing and vote NO.

02-25-2025

David Anderson

I have a Ph.D. in Physics. I am in awe of my fellow scientists who work on Developmental Biology and Biochemistry.The basics of the scientific existence of trans people is not complicated. There is what we think the script for a pregnancy is, and then there is what actually happens. Anyone with children is probably familiar with the fact that pregnancies don't always go according to script.The time in pregnancy when genitals are defined and the time when the brain is wired for a social role are different. So every once in a while, very roughly about one in 10000 pregnancies, these wind up mismatched. The details are awesome, but the basics are simple. Anyone claiming that science says transgender people don't exist is ignorant of science, probably willfully so.But you don't need to take my word for it; there is much more detail here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVQplt7ChosComplete with references if you want to look into this even further.The same God that created the duckbilled platypus can and will create transgender people.Let me address a few common misconceptions.Gender identity does not change with time. It is part of how the brain is wired. That said, knowledge of transgender people has been so scarce until recently that many transgender people didn't know this was their condition. Obviously, once they do understand their condition, they may change their pronouns and other ways they present to the world.This why transgender people want their existence to be common knowledge; they don't want that roughly one in 10000 child who is transgender to suffer until they are in their 30s or even later in life, as many transgender people have had to. Any other child who hears about this will realize it is irrelevant to them and go about their business.The performance of transgender athletes in sports shows no advantage relative to the enormous variation in cisgender women (funny how we aren't worried about transgender men in men's sports..., https://www.npr.org/2023/04/09/1168858094/argumentsthattransathleteshaveanunfairadvantagelacksevidencetosupport), and the foolishness is shown by the bans extending to things like chess. Lia Thomas has had a far less successful career than many of her cisgender compatriots, and brain damage from a spiked volleyball (a very common injury in the sport) is irrelevent to the identity of who did the spiking.Finally, the idea that this is about protecting women's rights is laughable given that the same people pushing this bill are also the ones who banned a medical procedure necessary for women's health. Furthermore, they are trying to write the Supreme Court's finding that "separate is inherently unequal" in Brown v. Board out of existence. No good can come of this.Let me close with Matthew 25:40,45:Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.There are many "Christians" who are worried that there isn't enough Christ in Christmas. They should be far more concerned that there doesn't seem to be any Christ in "Christians" nowadays.Vote "No" on this bill.Thank you for your time and consideration.

02-25-2025

Chrissy Schweiger

This bill is ridiculous and a waste of time and Iowans hard earned tax money. Of all the problems our representatives could focus on, why this? Let people live their lives. When I moved to this state, that was why I loved it. We didnt have to agree, but we respected others right to live as they want. You are not representing the people of your state truthfully. You are not living up to the teachings of Jesus as you claim. He taught us to love others. You all should be ashamed of yourselves.

02-25-2025

Shona Roeder

Please dont support this bill.Do you want more unemployed, homeless Iowans? Because thats what you get when you allow discrimination against Iowans in employment and housing. Being transgender is not a choice. Its being born with a body that doesnt match your brain.Im a straight, old, cis woman. Ive had the pleasure of getting to know a wonderful young transgender man as a friend over the last few months. All he wants is to go about his business and have access to necessary medical care. Thats all anyone wants.

02-25-2025

Michael Gorsuch [Iowa Educational Engagement ]

I wanted to share with you my written statement which I shared with your colleagues on the House Judiciary Committee yesterday. I hope my words convey to you the importance of your role and responsibility to perform that role not only for today's but future generations to come.

Attachment

02-25-2025

Lovisa Railstrom

I am horrified by SF 418's blatant attack on LGBTQ+ rights. This bill isn't just harmfulit's potentially deadly. The research is clear: when you legislate discrimination, we see increased rates of depression, selfharm, and suicide among those targeted.Our representatives should be fostering a state where all Iowans can thrive, not one where some citizens are treated as political pawns. Each vote for this bill sends a devastating message to LGBTQ+ Iowans like me: that our wellbeing is secondary to scoring political points.Today, I am embarrassed to call myself an Iowan, but I will never be ashamed to be part of the LGBTQ+ community.

02-25-2025

Courtney Rincon

This bill is a grotesque violation of Iowan's civil rights. Legislators have a duty to protect all of their constituents, not just the ones who share their beliefs and life choices. I vehemently oppose this bill land urge legislators to stand beside the constitution and our state motto "Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain" and vote NO protect ALL Iowans!

02-25-2025

Susan Harper

Please do not support HF 242! No one should be threatened in their workplace, home, or community because of their gender identity. The only purpose of this legislation is to punish and ostracize fellow Iowans who want only to have the opportunity to live their lives as they choose, with no harm to others. Fear and hatred are poor arguments for legislation and lead to the assumption that certain vulnerable groups in a society are unprotected and unseen. Violence, in all its forms, is often the result. Iowa and Iowans are better than this legislation. Protect the civil rights of all our citizens.

02-25-2025

Joey Cheers

This bill is hateful and will allow legal discrimination against our trans citizens in Iowa. A minority group here in Iowa. We do not need to be taking civil right protections away from people here in Iowa. I've seen people trying to support this bill, by way of say it is meant to protect or reinstate any protections to cisgendered women. This is absolutely not the case. Civil Rights for All does not mean fewer Rights for YOU! This bill will remove protections from specifically the trans people in Iowa, allowing discrimination against them for basic access to education, employment, credit, public accommodations and housing. Do not support this action. Iowa says NO to HSB 242, SF 418.

02-25-2025

Erica Eis

Please vote no on SF 418. Stripping any marginalized group of their civic rights is unconstitutional; treating our LGBTQIA+ neighbors with such discrimination does not reflect Iowan or Christian values. Please help keep and make Iowa a safe place for all by voting no on SF 418.

02-25-2025

Michael Yasumura

Today in Iowa, we are fighting for the Civil Rights of our Trans friends, family, and neighbors. Ill be proudly accompanying my trans sisterinlaw, Louise. Louise married my sister, Jessica, when I was just a freshman in Highschool. They met when I was just 10 years old. And they came out as trans just last summer. The first thing I said when they came out was Well that doesnt change anything! I will forever love them for who they are, as I always have. Since that day in August of last year, Ive seen Louise blossom into this new person. The true self they always were. Ive witnessed happiness from them that Ive never seen in the 20+ years of them being part of my family. And Ive had friends notice it too. Trans people deserve joy. They deserve to live their lives without fear. They deserve medical care. They deserve to be their authentic selves. They deserve civil rights. Louise is an Air Force veteran. She fought for our freedoms, please dont let them take away hers.

02-25-2025

Vicar Albie Nicol

I have spent the last few days in fervent prayer for the body of our Iowan legislature and the capitol at large. That our leaders may have hearts that are open, unhardened, and full of humility. That they may witness the cries of their people and stop harming the most marginalized of them. That they feel the warmer winds and sunshine upon their face, and be transformed by the love of God into more merciful beings. I am OPPOSING SF 418, as it would enable inhumane treatment of the transgender community, AS WELL as anyone who chooses to deviate their gender presentation from the "normal" presentation. As many mainline protestant communities turn to Luke 9 this Sunday in the lectionary, I urge you to open your eyes: to witness that Christ was made real through God's love and his divinity is reflected in each and every one of us. Including the transgender siblings you long to demonize. May God be with you in these turbulent times. Vote NO on SF 418.

02-25-2025

Emily Pelikan

02-25-2025

Kasi Zieminski

When I moved to Iowa six years ago, I never imagined that this could be the first state to remove a protected class of people from the states civil rights act. Taking away protections from a group of people who have been historically discriminated against is not right.This bill also weakens protections for other Iowans who dont fit rigid gender norms, and would have a negative impact on school curricula and our kids educational experiences. Please do not support this terrible legislation.Transgender people are our friends, neighbors, family, and coworkers. We may not always understand someone's gender identity and expression, but we can accept people as people, as fellow Iowans. We should NOT be taking these civil rights and legal protections away.

02-25-2025

Jeremy Avery

Amending any portion of the Iowa Civil Rights Act is an egregious affront to the rights of Iowa citizens. Forcing this through will establish a precedent under which people can be stripped of their rights. Legislation could follow that would strip other groups of their protected class status.ALL citizens of Iowa deserve protection under the law. Members of the LGBTQIA+ community are already at risk of being discriminated against. This proposal puts them at greater risk.

02-25-2025

Caitlin Weak

Please reject SF 418, which would remove protections for Iowans. Everyday Iowans who want to work and love and live life in peace. All people should be treated fairly and equally by the laws of our state and should have the opportunity to earn a living and provide for themselves and their families. This law is unconstitutional and does not reflect the needs or wants of your constituency.

02-25-2025

Sherry Wiley

This bill should not pass or even move on.We do not accept the idea that people should be canceled and erased due to their personal and private needs. There are multiple ways in which these people suffer at the hands of the powerful with no consideration of their human rights.You are charged with representing all of us, not just those with whom the governor and president agree.

02-25-2025

Colton Dietz

Does our state motto mean nothing to politicians in power? If you really believe that Iowans prize liberty and maintain rights, all of you should vote in opposition to this bill. Besides the erosion of Iowans rights, this bill is also hypocritical because of how national Republicans (supported by our states Republican Party) are trying to take away cis womens access to voting and healthcare.

02-25-2025

Kenneth Fuhrman-Wheeler

I am a transgender individual who lives in Iowa. I am greatly concerned about this bill and the danger is poses to myself and people like me. I am urging you to oppose this bill in its entirety. I simply want to be able to live my life in peace, I'm not sure why people have to threaten or attempt to take away the protections I have to just exist. I live a quiet life, I follow the law, I support my community, and I believe everyone has the right to do those things without the fear that their job or social standing is at steak simply because they experience life differently than the mass man. Let me and those like me live our lives as we wish. Oppose this bill, not because you support or agree with my life, but because you believe in the rights granted me by the constitution.

02-25-2025

Kale Hawks

Please do NOT move forward with repealing civil rights protection. Gender identity is a complex and sometimes divisive topic, but we should NEVER allow discrimination based on any sort of prejudice. This bill would be a step backwards for Iowa, and it would further harm our economy by making Iowa an undesirable destination for young professionals and businesses. No one wants to live in a state where discrimination is legal. Thank you.

02-25-2025

Alexis Blocker

Hello I write to you today as a transgender Iowan who is deeply ashamed of this bill. I would like to attempt to explain here why I see this bill as extremely problematic from my own experiences. I have recently been let go of from my job and have been struggling to find work since and this bill would make it even harder on us transgender individuals here in Iowa to get employment. Our gender identity hurts no one. Putting trans women back in mens restrooms and putting trans men back in womens bathroom, contradict what youre trying to establish. I feel this would open the door for pedophiles to be able to access womens restrooms a lot easier. I feel like what is misunderstood or completely ignored his transgender men look like men they have beards and deeper voices that makes it hard to tell the difference between a cisgender male and a transgender male. Putting us back into the bathrooms that were assigned up with birth, makes it easier for cisgender men with ill intentions to go into the womens bathroom. Id like to remind you that there hasnt been a case of a transgender woman harming anyone in the womens bathroom. This bill is wrote on hate, and it makes me ashamed to be an Iowan that this is even on the table for discussion. We should be focused on bigger problems and not the less than 1% of Iowa was population. I urge you guys to take this into consideration and vote against this bill. Thank you for your time.

02-25-2025

Charles Borowicz [Charles Borowicz]

Removing gender identity as a protected class is not just wrong but a particular act of cruelty. It is a special kind of performative blindness to not see the amount of strife, and vitriol that can be leveled against individuals who just want to be able to live their life and feel comfortable in their own skin. None of us want to live with the fear that we could at any moment be acted against just because of who we happen to be and choices that we make which effect no one but ourselves. It seems like the least a society can do to guarantee basic protections for people who have been historically and currently disenfranchised. We all wish that these guarantees weren't necessary but a bill that removes gender identity from protection does not remove the acts against those who would need it. It simply reveals that those in power are unable or unwilling to believe in a reality that is being played out in real time before their eyes. It calls into question not just their ethical, moral and empathetic positions but their understanding about what it is like to be a person other than themselves. I ask the members of the subcommittee to consider that perhaps they don't know what it is to walk in the shoes they are set to disenfranchise and consider all the stories from constituents they are hearing interesting the issue in this hearing and elsewhere and simply choose to believe them.Thank you.

02-25-2025

Melissa Unruh

I am writing to express my strong opposition to Iowa Senate File 418 as a family member of a transgenderchild. This bill presents significant concerns regarding human rights, discrimination, and the promotion of hate and oppression, while also contradicting the values expressed in Iowas state code and motto, Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain. Words that now ring so hollow.1. Violation of Human Rights:SF 418 undermines the rights of transgender and nonbinary individuals by enforcing a narrow, biologically based definition of sex and gender. This restrictive approach disregards established medical and psychological understandings of gender identity, denying individuals the right to selfidentify and live authentically. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantees the right to equality and freedom from discrimination, rights that this bill infringes upon.2. Open to Discrimination:By removing gender identity as a protected class under the Iowa Civil Rights Act, the bill creates a pathway for discrimination in employment, education, housing, and public accommodations. This exclusion leaves transgender and nonbinary individuals vulnerable to unfair treatment without legal recourse. It undermines the progress Iowa has made toward ensuring equality for all citizens.3. Promotion of Hate and Oppression:The bills language not only invalidates the identities of marginalized communities but also emboldens those who seek to marginalize and oppress. By codifying exclusionary definitions, SF 418 fosters an environment where prejudice can thrive, contradicting the inclusive spirit that should define our schools, workplaces, and public spaces.4. Contradiction of Iowa Code and Motto:The Iowa Civil Rights Act was designed to protect all citizens from discrimination, ensuring that every individual can participate fully in society. By stripping protections from genderdiverse individuals, SF 418 violates the intent of the states civil rights framework. Furthermore, the bill stands in direct opposition to Iowas proud motto: Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain. Liberty and rights cannot be selectively applied; they must extend to all Iowans, regardless of gender identity.In conclusion, SF 418 is not only a step backward for civil rights in Iowa but also a direct affront to the values of equality and dignity that our state and nation hold dear. I urge legislators to reject this harmful bill and instead focus on policies that promote inclusivity, understanding, and respect for all citizens.

02-25-2025

Kayla Piplani

Gender identity is an essential human right that predates this country and the antiquated notion that gender is binary. Removing civil rights for some of us threatens all of us. Those who are in favor will be that way until the same ones you fight for come for you too. I will continue to fight for the rights of my trans and non binary siblings. Come for one, come for all. Vote IN FAVOR of protecting and preserving ALL civil rights.

02-25-2025

Christine Moad

Vote NO on SF 418. Gender identity must not be removed from the Iowa civil rights act. As a genderqueer Iowan, it is absolutely appalling that civil rights protections are up for debate in 2025. As Alok VaidMenon said, "Gender is not what people look like to other people; it is what we know ourselves to be. No one else should be able to tell you who you are; that's for you to decide." The government has no right stripping away rights from marginalized folks. Transgender people are our friends, neighbors, family and coworkers. When it comes to being able to earn a living, having a place to live, or being served by a business or government office, they should be treated like anyone else and not be discriminated against.

02-25-2025

mia kaufman

This bill is disgraceful and disgusting. We as Iowan citizens have made it clear that we do not want to go backwards and we do not agree with your heinous attempts to strip innocent people of their RIGHTS. VOTE AGAINST BILL SF 418!!!

02-25-2025

Mandy Harris

I am writing to request that you oppose SF 418. It is unthinkable that we, as a state, would even consider removing a protected class of individuals from the Iowas Civil Rights Act. I have grown up in Iowa and, while it is certainly a conservative state, have found that there is the potential to be good neighbors to each other despite conflicting values and perspectives. This legislation would erase safety for so many individuals, and would put the rights of those protected by the Civil Rights Act in jeopardy. I believe in our state motto Our Liberties we Prize and Our Rights we Will Maintain and sincerely ask that you stand in support of these words for ALL Iowans.Thank you,Mandy Harris

02-25-2025

Amy Mellies

I do not support SF418, and you shouldn't either. Taking the rights away from anyone, especially transgender people, is not what Iowans due. As a lifelong Iowan, I am so dissapointed in the direction of our state. Iowans are nice, they care about their neighbors and this bill is not doing that at all, it is harming people. As a person of faith, a youth minister, I work with some amazing transgender youth and adults. They are kind, caring and want the same rights as everyone else, which they should have! Jesus told us to love our neighbor, take care of those around us, not to hurt them. I pray that each of you will vote no on SF418.

02-25-2025

Jennifer Lipa

Vote NO. This bill needlessly demonizes trans people. I cant believe this is what the congresspeople of Iowa are working on instead of fixing actual issues. Separate accommodations are not inherently unequal who are you kidding. I thought we as a country and a state were past segregating an entire class of people. Do better

02-25-2025

Nancy Brown

I remember when help wanted ads were listed by gender. This kept women from earning the same as men. Women couldn't get credit cards without some man signing the paperwork. It was terrible then, and I never want that to happen again. This is a terrible bill. It belongs in the trash.

02-25-2025

Aleta Leavens

I am submitting my personal comments to you in reference to SF 418: I have read through the text of SF 418 and have seen the changes that you are considering. By eliminating the wording " gender identity" throughout the text of SF 418, it is clear that you are removing all protections to a group of Iowa citizens and are therefore allowing an environment for wide discriminatory practices against this group of Iowa citizens.In your role as legislators in the state of Iowa you must consider the civil rights of all citizens and not bend to one group or another when making the laws affecting all citizens. Employment opportunities, the ability to secure a loan for a place to live, the right to attend a chosen school, etc. are essential to living a healthy productive life and should be given to all of Iowa's citizens. I encourage each of you to value all people in Iowa and to work together in the legislature to help Iowa be a state where our differences can actually make the difference.

02-25-2025

Rebecca Nelson

My name is Rebecca Nelson and I am writing to you today to ask you to reject HSB242, a bill that would remove basic protections for transgender Iowans and create complications for other Iowans who do not fall neatly into the bills narrow definitions. All hardworking peopleincluding those who are transgendershould be treated fairly and equally by the laws of our state, and should have the opportunity to earn a living and provide for themselves and their families. If someone cant rent an apartment or get a credit card simply because of who they are, we cant expect them to be able to compete on a level playing field with their peers. These basic antidiscrimination protections are an important part of any meritbased system, allowing people to access opportunities regardless of who they are or how they are perceived. Further, the bill jeopardizes sex stereotyping protections for nontransgender women that arent included in Iowas sex discrimination statute. Transgender people are our friends, neighbors, family and coworkers. When it comes to being able to earn a living, having a place to live, or being served by a business or government office, they should be treated like anyone else and not be discriminated against. Please vote against HSB242.

02-25-2025

Lindsay Boyd Davis

Hello,I understand that this bill is being discussed and trying to pass. I al a licensed clinician who works with youth and families, some of which identify as transgender or nonbinary. There is so much research on the belief of more than 2 genders. There are articles and studies showing this and the great need to support these individuals. If this bill passes this is emotionally and physically unsafe for these Iowans. We need to protect them and their civil rights. They say these types of bills pass because no one that is voting for them knows someone who is transgender or nonbinary. I urge you to talk with Iowa Safe School. To talk with One Iowa Action. The people you sit next to may have children or friends whom you dont even realize identify as transgender or nonbinary binary and trying to just live their best life being safe and awarded the same rights as everyone else. I encourage education on this matter for all involved not fear or blanket statements of traditional ways of things that are no longer (or never have been) accurate. This will compromise hundreds if not thousands of families. We will see an increase in hate crime, more discrimination and mental health fallout of these families.

02-25-2025

Austin Bullard

To the Members of the Iowa Senate Subcommittee,I strongly oppose SF 418, which threatens the rights and dignity of transgender individuals while also harming all women, intersex individuals, and gendernonconforming people. By rigidly defining sex and removing gender identity protections, this bill strips legal safeguards against discrimination, restricts access to accurate identification, and undermines public health data. It could also weaken sexbased protections for women in employment and education while forcing unsafe conditions in prisons and shelters. Furthermore, banning discussions of gender in schools erases critical conversations about equality and identity.This bill does not protect anyoneit endangers marginalized communities and sets a dangerous precedent for government overreach. I urge you to reject SF 418 and uphold the rights of all Iowans.

02-25-2025

Alyssa Rodriguez

Please oppose SF418. As a mental health clinician to trans youth and adults, I can attest to the drastic harm this would impose upon trans folks. Acknowledging their existence is lifesaving and anything less than that is the reason many talented and brilliant young folks are planning to flee our state. They are educators, health care workers, law enforcement officers and so on and they deserve equal recognition. It is laws like these that heighten the already disproportionate levels of threat they face and the majority of Americans (including Iowans) oppose laws like this. Please vote NO.

02-25-2025

Faris Russom

Iowa's motto is "our rights we prize and our liberties we will maintain." This applies to ALL Iowans, including our transfolk. PLEASE vote NO on this extremely harmful bill that will directly diminish the rights of transgender citizens in Iowa. This bill helps no one but hurts us all, including our trans and nonbinary children, who are already at a much higher risk for depression, selfharm, and suicide.

02-25-2025

Adam Layman

The actions you are taking within the subcommittee, and trying to restrict or redefine someones gender identity, as well as regulating our friends, family members, and fellow Iowans gender expression, is shameful. Get back to the work of making Iowans lives better. Our state is dealing with horrific cancer rates, and public education that is getting ranked lower than so many other states. Your hateful bigoted work doesnt represent Iowans like me and thousands of us who stand by our trans and non binary friends, family, and coworkers. Get to work doing something that actually benefits your constituents, or get primaried into oblivion. You dont speak for us. You cower to trump and reynolds and all the hateful bigotry they represent. Grow a backbone, and stand up for ALL Iowans, and shove this bill into the dumpster where it belongs.

02-25-2025

Nikoli Falenschek

The aims of this bill are to devalue human beings under the guise of morality. But, what's truly immoral is divesting anyone of protections and dignity. This bill is immoral, unjust, gross, and dangerous, and it contributes to an already active disregard for the lives of queer people.

02-25-2025

Melissa Unruh

I am writing to express my strong opposition to Iowa Senate File 418 as a family member of a transgenderchild.I am hurting, tired, and numb in my grief that they are under attack in this way. Coming out and living authentically brought such joy and health to this child, who was previously in such a dark place. People around them accept them, they have meaningful friendships, they do well in school. They are a leader in their Scout troop. They were doing so well until our state and federal government decided to wage war on them, fear monger, and scape goat them. Now this child wakes hyperventilating every day and is haunted by flashbacks of thier nightmares while sitting in class trying to learn. This bill presents significant concerns regarding human rights, discrimination, and the promotion of hate and oppression, while also contradicting the values expressed in Iowas state code and motto, Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain. Words that now ring so hollow.1. Violation of Human Rights:SF 418 undermines the rights of transgender and nonbinary individuals by enforcing a narrow, biologically based definition of sex and gender. This restrictive approach disregards established medical and psychological understandings of gender identity, denying individuals the right to selfidentify and live authentically. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantees the right to equality and freedom from discrimination, rights that this bill infringes upon.2. Open to Discrimination:By removing gender identity as a protected class under the Iowa Civil Rights Act, the bill creates a pathway for discrimination in employment, education, housing, and public accommodations. This exclusion leaves transgender and nonbinary individuals vulnerable to unfair treatment without legal recourse. It undermines the progress Iowa has made toward ensuring equality for all citizens.3. Promotion of Hate and Oppression:The bills language not only invalidates the identities of marginalized communities but also emboldens those who seek to marginalize and oppress. By codifying exclusionary definitions, SF 418 fosters an environment where prejudice can thrive, contradicting the inclusive spirit that should define our schools, workplaces, and public spaces.4. Contradiction of Iowa Code and Motto:The Iowa Civil Rights Act was designed to protect all citizens from discrimination, ensuring that every individual can participate fully in society. By stripping protections from genderdiverse individuals, SF 418 violates the intent of the states civil rights framework. Furthermore, the bill stands in direct opposition to Iowas proud motto: Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain. Liberty and rights cannot be selectively applied; they must extend to all Iowans, regardless of gender identity.In conclusion, SF 418 is not only a step backward for civil rights in Iowa but also a direct affront to the values of equality and dignity that our state and nation hold dear. I urge legislators to reject this harmful bill and instead focus on policies that promote inclusivity, understanding, and respect for all citizens.

02-25-2025

William Erixon

This law is antithetical to values that Iowa claims to represent. This is a legislative attack on my family, my friends, and my neighbors. Everyone involved in the creation of this bill will live to regret their association with such a hateful, repugnant ideology. Passing and enforcing a law like this would be an abdication of moral legitimacy by the current government of this state. Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain, regardless of whatever a bunch of bigoted lawmakers say.

02-25-2025

Jacob Serfling

This bill should not be passed or advanced past the subcommittee. it is, at best, a distraction from the real substantive problems facing the state. at worst, and that appears to be whats happening, it is legislators overstepping their role and using their power to persecute a group that they find personally distasteful. Their bigotry will not make trans. People disappear from the state. This bill will not make trans people disappear from the state. But it will be something that history will rightly judge harshly if you choose to keep this sham proceeding.

02-25-2025

Madeline Roberts

My name is Madeline and I am a current freshman at the University of Iowa. I'm studying Neuroscience premed. I have always wanted nothing more than to be a doctor. I dream of it at night, and I fantasize about it in the morning. I'm finally taking steps to get closer to this dream. I get to work as a patient care technician at the University Hospital and I love every second of it. I'm extremely dedicated to my education. But, I also love traveling, cooking, listening to music, meeting new people, giving advice, creating art, and helping people. Empathetic is how I would describe myself in one word if I could. To whoever is reading this, I'm sure you and I would get along! Something I have failed to mention in this paragraph is that I am nonbinary. I understand that the concept of being nonbinary is a little confusing I don't expect you all to understand why I identify as such, nor do I expect you to perfectly use my preferred pronouns. I know it's confusing. And I know it seems strange. But, to call myself nonbinary makes me feel like me. It makes me feel comfortable, like the skin that I am wearing more correctly matches the soul underneath.I commonly do not publicly share my pronouns or my gender identity, as I know it is often not received in a gentle way. I don't correct people when they get it wrong, because I understand. I don't use the label nonbinary to bother others or twist the behavior of the cisgender majority. I use it to bring myself comfort and happiness. Being nonbinary doesn't change me. I'm still me regardless of the label I use. I'm still your friend. I'm still a dedicated student. I'm still a lover of music. I'm still a patient care technician. I'm still a loving and empathetic person. I will still become a doctor. Making the decision to eliminate gender speech and identities will not eliminate people like me. We still exist and we always will. Please, if you are in support of this bill I urge you to reconsider. I may not know you, but I very well could be a friend, a family member, and child, or loved one of yours. Every person deserves comfort and love. I urge you to not take away my comfort.

02-25-2025

Zoey Erixon

I am writing to express my opposition to SF 418. Transgender Iowans deserve the same rights and dignities that everyone else enjoys. Requiring someone to misgender themselves on their legal documents is wrong. It infringes upon human rights. Please vote no on SF 418 and show compassion for all Iowans.

02-25-2025

Andrew Wisecarver

has the father of a trans child as well as an ally of the community and a supporter and friend to many others I find that the state of Iowa pushing through this agenda to be completely asinine and horrendously backwards to conducive humanity as such I will not ever spend another dime in the state of Iowa again nor will any of my friends or family

02-25-2025

Robert Lancaster

I am writing against the proposed SF 418. We should never repeal civil rights. This bill is thinly disguised as protecting women when there has been no documented harm to women. This bill is a direct act of prejudice the promotes endangering and already marginalized group of individuals who want to lead healthy happy lives like any other citizen of Iowa.

02-25-2025

John Carr

Here's an idea. Safety glasses on. Instead of attempting to remove Gender Identify from the Iowa Civil Rights Act, why not rescind the discriminatory bills towards trans individuals you passed in the last several sessions? That way keeping Gender Identity in the Iowa Civil Rights Act would not conflict with the discriminatory bills passed and everyone would be on an equal basis. Safety glasses off.

02-25-2025

Alexandra Pendegraft

I was filled with immense pride when Iowa became one of the first states to recognize samesex marriage, and hoped this would bring about a future where Iowa continued to lead the way in civil rights for LGBTQ+ Americans.I am devastated by the introduction of HF 583, which would remove gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act, stripping our transgender citizens of antidiscrimination protections. Many of my friends and family people I love dearly and attended my wedding are transgender, and this legislation would greatly harm them. Many are already struggling to stay afloat. The economy has made living conditions difficult for them, experiencing layoffs at their jobs, and they are struggling to pay rent monthtomonth.These basic antidiscrimination protections are an important part of any meritbased system, allowing people to access opportunities regardless of who they are or how they are perceived. The bill also jeopardizes sex stereotyping protections for nontransgender women that arent included in Iowas sex discrimination statute. The rollbacks of civil rights for transgender Iowans will create opportunities for women and girls, regardless of whether they are transgender, to be inspected, doubted, and stereotyped. Who will conduct these inspections on our children? What will be the valid qualifications of having one done? Is it simply that a parent/athlete on another team demand our daughters drop their pants, and be inspected at any given time? This bill infringes on transgender peoples individual freedoms, and will have an impact on all Iowans. My loved ones deserve an equal opportunity to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, the same as any other American. Whether you know it or not, transgender Iowans are already in your life. They work at the stores you frequent, they attend sporting events, they are your neighbors.I urge you to vote against HF 583, and maintain protections for Iowans who are already struggling to make ends meet. They deserve a good, long, and happy life.Thank you for your time,Alexandra Pendegraft

02-25-2025

Lillian Kovich

I think this bill is based in conservative culture war hysteria rather than historical and scientific fact. Transgender people have existed throughout history and multiple genders/biological sexes exist as well, despite Republicans best attempts to deny otherwise. This bill is a hatecrime dressed up as legislature. I am disappointed and disgusted that my tax dollars are funding this despicable showing in the state legislature. Especially at a time when Iowans are dying of cancer at higher rates than most anywhere else in the country, we should be focused on something that will help the workers and middle class of Iowa rather than further oppressing an already targeted minority group. Shame on the scum that introduced this bill and shame on anyone who plans to vote to pass it. Myself and many other Iowans will remember your actions for a long time to come. I hope it haunts you.

02-25-2025

Gretchen C

I strongly oppose this bill and respectfully urge you to vote NO. As elected officials representing our community, this legislation does not reflect the values of Iowans. I join many fellow constituents who share these concerns and ask that you consider our perspective when casting your vote. We need lawmakers in Iowa to take a stand against hateful rhetoric and vote on behalf of the people of Iowa not their own personal interests.

02-25-2025

Veronica McDonald

Iowa does not want this bill!!! Listen to the majority of Iowans when they say they want to protect transgender individuals in this state. The job of representatives of this state is to pass legislation that represents the interests of the majority of people in the state, and right now your state's citizens are not feeling heard. A loud minority has decided they want this bill, but do not let them fool you into thinking this is what the majority want. Reelection relies on the majority so it is very much within your best interests to listen to the majority! Transgender Americans are not a threat to our society; if anything our society is a threat to transgender Americans. Before all of this legislation attacking them, they were already significantly more likely to be murdered and to commit suicide. Be as prolife as this legislature claims to be and protect the LIVES of transgender Iowans.

02-25-2025

Mykel Townsend [N/A]

Removing civil rights protections for trans individuals in Iowa is a bad move! You should reconsider signing this bill as it will impact thousands and thousands of people in Iowa. Be better, dont be a hypocrite, truly love your neighbor and who they are. Vote No!

02-25-2025

Samantha West

Dear Sirs and Madams,I'm writing to you today to talk about HSB242 First, some background on me. My name is Samantha, and I was born and raised in Iowa. I have served my communities endlessly, never asking for anything in return. I still do this today, though not in any official capacity.I have ten years as a fire fighter. Fourteen as an Emergency Medical Technician. Twelve as a hazardous materials technician on a stand alone hazardous materials response team that covered 7 counties. Six years as a cop. All of that as a volunteer.I spent fourteen years protecting Iowa's only nuclear power plant, and the surrounding communities.You may be thinking that that is an impressive amount of service. I know I have friends and family that agree. Apparently though, since I'm a transgender and nonbinary individual, none of that means anything. To those of you reading this at least.You see, you seek to erase me. You seek for me to no longer be able to live a happy and meaningful life. You can say that you don't want that, but if that's true, why is HSB242 even a document? Does anything I've done in my 44 years of life even exist at this point? Do I need to track down the countless people I've helped? The dog that survived a house fire because of me? The people that still have that house because I was there that day? Without me, who would have been on that nozzle that day? Do I need to track down the young man that was lost and I was able to reunite him with his parents?You see, I've made a difference during my life. I never asked for any compensation for many of the things I've done. You, however, asked for people in the communities that you serve, to elect you to a paid position with the expectation that you do what is right for those same people. Nothing wrong with getting paid, until you start going against the wishes of those same people.You want me gone. You want those like me gone. Would you prefer that I take myself out of this world? Would that make you feel better? Would it ease your budget somehow if I where no longer alive? By passing this bill, that is exactly what you are doing. You are killing those that you were elected to protect. It's bad enough that national politicians want me gone. I really shouldn't have to fear my fellow Iowans as well.Please reconsider passing this bill.Your fellow Iowan,Samantha W.21 February 2025

02-25-2025

Dawn Bennink

To the Members of the Iowa Senate Subcommittee, I strongly oppose SF 418, which threatens the rights and dignity of transgender individuals while also harming all women, intersex individuals, and gendernonconforming people. By rigidly defining sex and removing gender identity protections, this bill strips legal safeguards against discrimination, restricts access to accurate identification, and undermines public health data. It could also weaken sexbased protections for women in employment and education while forcing unsafe conditions in prisons and shelters. Furthermore, banning discussions of gender in schools erases critical conversations about equality and identity. This bill does not protect anyoneit endangers marginalized communities and sets a dangerous precedent for government overreach. I urge you to reject SF 418 and uphold the rights of all Iowans.

02-25-2025

Lisa Lynk

I am the mother of a trans man. I never spoke about being gay ever to my children. I actually thought that it was a choice to be gay. Then I was blessed with a beautiful baby girl. As this child grew older I followed their lead in the clothes they wore and the hairstyle they wanted.Today he is a wonderful human being working with college students.Please dont take his rights away. He has done more self work than anyone I know. He wishes that this wasnt his path. You say youre a grandma. Would you change the love you feel for each of your grandchildren if they were gay? What does it matter who they love?

02-25-2025

Brigid Martin

Do NOT push forward with this bill. It goes against what we stand for as a state and will only harm our citizens in the long run. I wont give any other moral arguments because I know that they will not be considered, but from someone who works at a regent university, I can confirm that legislative decisions like these are actively turning students away from attending our schools. The Iowa Brain Drain is actively being caused by the Iowa legislature due to their archaic policy concerns and cruel measures towards those who make our communities vibrant and beautiful.

02-25-2025

Mallory Hellman

The legislators who drafted this bill should be ashamed. Its text connotes a literal erasure of an entire group of people who pose no threat whatsoever to the stable functioning of our state. To actively change legislation to permit (encourage) discrimination against any nonviolent entity is precisely the opposite of what a legislator was elected to do. Denying jobs and health care? Housong discrimination? This is not the state I chose 15 years ago. This bill makes me embarrassed to live here.

02-25-2025

Alex Baum

I would like to strongly state my opposition to this bill. The removal of rights and protections from our trans community will not only endanger the safety of many Iowan families, but will only serve to create additional challenges, confusion, and harm in our local communities. All Iowans deserve to feel safe and welcomed in our state. Removing civil rights and protections from any community is an incredibly dangerous and fraught decision, and in this instance it will only harm our communities. Please vote no on this bill.

02-25-2025

Natalie Brincks

Please oppose SF 418 and listen to people who have had this issue directly affect their lives. We know so much more about this matter today and that this is not a CHOICE people make, but genetics. If you think mental health is a major issue already, just wait it to become an epidemic of monstrous proportions if this bill is wrongly enacted. Please consider kindness and openmindedness.

02-25-2025

Debra Kumar

Shame on you for creating this hateful bill. If you ever took the time to get to know a trans or nonbinary person, you would understand that they exist, what they went through is real, and they deserve love, compassion, and the same rights and protections as anyone else. Being the first in the nation to take away rights in this way is not something we should want Iowa to be known for. Why are you actively trying to drive away more and more people from our state?

02-25-2025

Kristie Arthofer

We have come to far to turn backwards! We all are impacted by dictatorship! Human rights and acceptance matters. Do not force individual beliefs on others. Your identity is yours alone. I stand up for all people especially those oppressed. I support LGBQ!

02-25-2025

Madison Shaw

I vehemently oppose SF 418. This bill legalizes discrimination and perpetuates stigmatization. The bill's language claiming that, "separate accommodations are not inherently unequal," is horrifically similar to the rhetoric used to justify racial segregation under the "separate but equal" doctrine. Separate has never been equal and never will be. By targeting trans Iowans, this bill sets a dangerous precedent for future bills. It normalizes coming after other marginalized communities. When we start to systematically erase the most vulnerable among us, none of us are safe. Moreover, this bill is a total waste of time and taxpayer money when Iowa faces real, tangible problems. Our state is dealing with rising cancer rates and dangerous levels of nitrates in our drinking water. These are actual issues our legislators should be focusing on, not pushing their antitrans rhetoric.

02-25-2025

Rebecca Nelson

Please vote against SF 418. This bill will harm Iowans and runs counter to Iowas ideals of maintaining freedom. It limits personal freedom by denying people the opportunity to live as their true selves. To preserve our freedom and control over our own lives, please reject SF 418.

02-25-2025

Caroline Oestreich

Gender should never be used as a synonym for sex, as the characteristics and behaviors associated with being male or female are not inherent biological traits. This bill is discriminatory and harmful for transgender individuals. Sexual orientation and gender identity are real concepts recognized by major medical and mental health associations including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Psychological Association and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry as part of the normal spectrum of human experience. Transgender people have always existed and will continue to exist regardless of the bills that are passed. This bill would remove rights from transgender and nonbinary individuals. It is sad that time and energy is being wasted on such a proposition.

02-25-2025

Sarah Joynt

As a native Iowan I am appalled that Iowa is considering removing gender identity from its civil rights protections. This cruel legislation aims to erase the basic rights and protections of transgender Iowans. It strips away critical antidiscrimination safeguards, imposes harsh restrictions on birth certificates and restrooms, and redefines sex in a way that legally erases the existence of transgender individuals and sets a dangerous precedent and creates unnecessary complications for many Iowans. All people deserve to be treated fairly and equally under the law, regardless of their gender identity or expression. Transgender Iowans are our neighbors, colleagues, and community members who should have the same opportunities to earn a living, access housing, and participate in society without facing discrimination. Removing these basic protections not only harms transgender individuals but also jeopardizes broader sex discrimination protections for women. I urge you to reject SF418 and uphold the principles of equality and nondiscrimination that should be extended to all Iowans. This harmful legislation promotes intolerance and undermines the values of inclusivity and respect that our state should embody. Please stand on the right side of history and ensure that the rights and dignity of all Iowans, including the transgender community, are protected.

02-25-2025

Clara Czerwionka

Removing trans people from civil protections in Iowa sends a message to employers, business owners, and landlords that it is ok to blatently discriminate against them. Even if the trans person can meet the burden of proof to show the courts that they have been discriminated against, they will have no legal recourse if this goes through. Protect Iowans. Don't legislate in favor of discrimination. Fight for freedom of expression and for their freedom to live a life that feels authentic and comfortable. Closeted people are much more likely to die by suicide. Please be brave and do the right thing today.

02-25-2025

Teja Huntley

I plead with you to reject HF583 and SF418. The legal rights, as well as the physical and mental wellbeing of trans youth and adults, is just as important as any other human. Represent all Iowans by leading with acceptance and upholding human rights.

02-25-2025

Sophia Wroblewski

You can't legislate new definitions of words. That's not how language works. And you certainly can't legislate away people's existence. Transgender people have always existed and are always going to exist, whether you like it or not, and the same is true for intersex people. Anyone with a basic understanding of biology knows that humans (like most species) have more than two sexes. Refusing to teach kids how their own bodies work isn't going to help anyone; it's only going to cause more confusion and distress for anyone who doesn't fit into your strict definitions of sex and gender, which is a lot more people than you realize. People have a right to be referred to in whatever way they choose and have a right to express themselves in whatever way they choose. Other people's bodies are none of your business, and the existence of trans people hurts no one, but the existence of laws like this hurt everyone because they threaten people's bodily autonomy. Whether a doctor puts a pink blanket or a blue blanket on a baby when they're born shouldn't dictate the rest of their lives. Please stop spreading blatant misinformation and just let people live their lives. Trans people are some of the most amazing, intelligent, and kind people I know, and they deserve at the very least to be given the basic human decency of having their existence acknowledged and respected. No one should be discriminated against for any reason, and that has always and will always include gender identity and expression.

02-25-2025

Faith Smythe

02-25-2025

Dana Thomas

Stop the madness! Vote NO! Dont hide behind the trans athletes competing against girls argument to justify this bill. There are 5, thats five with out any zeroes. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, of all the United States 300 million people, there are 5 female transgender athletes in middle school and high school. Meanwhile in 2024, 267 students had their brains blown out in their classrooms. Why is it that these 5 transgender kids are getting all the attention and not the other 267? Im going to tell you. Because its easy to get you and people like you all riled up about the 5 transgender kids because of Satan and all of those genitals and those kids are an easy target. Whats not easy is passing gun legislation to protect kids. And we know why that is, dont we? Getting you riled up is easy and picking on transgender kids is easy. Its also a distraction which is the main point. Picking on transgender kids and their families and getting you riled up about it is easier than fixing real problems that require thoughtful negotiation, nuance and expertise. Something the Right has no regard for, cause its hard.

02-25-2025

Samantha West

02-25-2025

Julianne Hackett

In solidarity with my friends and loved ones in the trans community. No one should have to worry about being fired, denied housing or educational opportunities because of their gender identity. As a proud Iowan, I am dismayed that my state whose motto is 'Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We will Maintain' is considering this bill. SF418 is contrary to the values we hold most sacred as Iowans, I ask of you, do not make Iowa the first state in the nation to repeal civil rights protections for its citizens.

02-25-2025

Mandi Remington

I am writing as a fellow elected official and proud Iowan to express my strong opposition to SF 418. This bill would strip transgender Iowans of vital civil rights protections, effectively legalizing discrimination in employment, housing, education, and public services.Our states proud legacy has been built on fairness and equal opportunityprinciples that are undermined by SF 418. As elected officials, we have a responsibility to uphold these principles. Instead of protecting our citizens, this bill would allow harmful practices that isolate, marginalize, and economically disadvantage vulnerable members of our community. It sends a message that Iowa is no longer a place where everyone has a fair shot, where hard work and character matter more than anything else. Discrimination is not a matter of personal preference; it is a violation of basic human rights that damages the social and economic fabric of our state. A healthy, thriving economy depends on the inclusion of all people, which in turn attracts businesses and talent.I urge you to vote NO on SF 418 and help ensure Iowa remains a state where every citizen is treated with respect and has the freedom to be themselves.

02-25-2025

Michael Monroe

I have been racking my mind since hearing about this, trying to understand how it could possibly exist to not JUST harm trans Iowans. I have been unable to figure it out. Simply put, this bill is hateful and regressive. Out of all of the people I have spoken to, or read accounts regarding this bill I have yet to find an Iowan who is in support of HSB 242. Please listen to your constituents and vote NO on HSB 242.

02-25-2025

Diandra Duenser

To the Members of the Iowa Senate Subcommittee, I strongly oppose SF 418, which threatens the rights and dignity of transgender individuals while also harming all women, intersex individuals, and gendernonconforming people. By rigidly defining sex and removing gender identity protections, this bill strips legal safeguards against discrimination, restricts access to accurate identification, and undermines public health data. It could also weaken sexbased protections for women in employment and education while forcing unsafe conditions in prisons and shelters. Furthermore, banning discussions of gender in schools erases critical conversations about equality and identity. This bill does not protect anyoneit endangers marginalized communities and sets a dangerous precedent for government overreach. I urge you to reject SF 418 and uphold the rights of all Iowans.

02-25-2025

Barbara Reiber [IA voter]

What about hermaphroditism? Multi other chromosome differences? Of all the dang issues to be attacking how about all those people w freckles; all those bald people; those w 3 limbs; conjoined twins? Try category HUMAN!! REAL issues: cancer rates; bridges ready to collapse; buildings w radon; drinking water w toxic chemicals. Get real & earn your wages. You are the freaks.

02-25-2025

Ann Demro [Mom, wife, pro love and peace]

How did we get here? We have 2 gay people in our family. Did they ask to be this way at birth? No they did not! They have gone thru life dealing with ridicule, were bullied, treated as if they had a communicable disease, and have survived all of that just to have our government turn on them!! These people are the most kind, loving , harmless people I know! They dont want attention, they just want to live their lives in peace!! Please do the right thing and shut this down, God bless you

02-25-2025

Clara Czerwionka

02-25-2025

DJ Culbertson

Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain Looks like the state of Iowa has to change their motto considering that this bill is NOT maintaining rights for Iowans. How shameful, to know how it will affect multiple peoples lives and knowing that this is just a starting point to stripping away MORE rights for more people in the near future. Who wouldve ever thought that our basic CIVIL RIGHTS would be attacked, but I forget the government would rather serve a wanna be dictator and nazi rather than who they actually work for WE THE PEOPLE elect you to be our voice. I want answers as to why you (the subcommittee) can look at a person dead in the eyes and decide that some humans dont deserve humans rights. DO NOT PASS THIS BILL!!!! If this much focus and energy was put into correcting the mass genocide of our children that are killed by firearms I can only imagine how many children youd ACTUALLY end up saving. Make better choices!

02-25-2025

Patrice Toledo

I have a transgender son who was questioned in Kindergarten why he (acting as a girl at the time wearing pink and pierced earrings) was in the girls bathroom. He missed many days of school over the years while having best friends, great grades and very athletic. He got his period in sixth grade and went through that horror which is hard enough for cisgender girls. He bound himself over the years until having mastectomy in 2020 after graduating from ISU. He was finally able to be himself and while taking testosterone. All of this was well after legal age of 18. I wish hed started earlier to have had a better life. I am so proud of the man he has become. He went to his class reunions and all enjoyed who he has become as well. If laws get passed taking this away from all of this community, the suicide rate will skyrocket. To some of you, great. But to most of us, a suicide hurts so many people including family, friends, etc. Please do not discriminate against these kind individuals who just want what others have. TO LIVE THEIR BEST LIFE AND BE INVOLVED WITH OTHERS TO LIVE THEIR BEST LIFE like their mom, dad, siblings, friends. Begging you to not pass laws taking us back in time.Thank you for listening.Praying you will do the right thing.

02-25-2025

Marla Davidson

Never in my wildest dreams would I think that in my great state, Iowa, I would be ever, ever need to write to oppose such a blatantly discriminatory bill! I thought we lived in a FREE country and in a state whose flag literally states, Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain. This bill takes away rights and protections of a group of its own citizens. And for what reason? This bill, SF 418, should be killed in committee and not moved forward. And those who are putting forward this type of hatefilled, discriminatory legislation needs to rethink and reevaluate even being in office in our great state. Were now legislating who people are and what they should be called? We think we should DICTATE through law what kids call their parents? Such a contradiction of the harping of parental choice that has been used in the past four years to pass other harmful legislation. And this bill is indeed harmful and DANGEROUS to Iowa citizens. Do better. I, as a citizen of the state of Iowa vehemently oppose SF 418. The committee should as well.

02-25-2025

Chris Bruner

The medically established genetic composition shows that there are at least 50 different variants of x and y that equal our sex; not two.Gender is a spectrum of outward appearance that signifies a persons level of comfort, regarding their outward appearances. Biological sex and outward appearances should not be a reason to deny people their rights or access to services.

02-25-2025

Laura Wayne

Please support LGBTQIA+ people in Iowa, especially our trans friends, family members, and neighbors. Oppose SF 418! This bill is trying to erase trans people from the state of Iowa and repeal them from the Iowa Civil Rights Act. This bill will only hurt marginalized people even more. Trans people exist and deserve the same protections as everyone else!

02-25-2025

Alina Beltrami

I urge the committee to reject SF 418. This bill is harmful to so many Iowans who just want to live their lives and will have so many consequences beyond what you may think. We should be moving forward with acceptance of differences rather than trying to go back to hating someone for their differences.

02-25-2025

Olivia Stoner

Please vote NO on this bill. I have never felt unsafe around a trans person and I know and have interacted with many. Proposing to remove rights from an entire class of people who are already marginalized is not about protecting women, it is about a small minority of people who are uncomfortable and afraid of people they don't agree with or understand. Please maintain the rights of ALL individuals in Iowa.

02-25-2025

Jen Yates

To those who have the power to vote I have heard Holt share that this bill is designed to protect women and girls. I am a woman.It makes me wonder . . . what gains will I see or experience? how have I been negatively impacted by not having this law? has anyone I know personally been negatively impacted because this law was not in place?The answer to all of these is No. No I cannot imagine any gains that I would experience. No I have not been negatively impacted by the current status quo. No I have not known anyone impacted negatively because this bill was not in place.We should not make laws for the sake of making laws. There should be a need. They should make a difference for those whom it is intended to impact. Instead, I see this making a negative impact for some of our population.It will negatively impact people who don't necssarily identify in a way we do or in a way that we understand. However, they are humans who work, contribute to their community and are just trying to simply live their lives like all of us. Please do not vote for this bill. Can YOU truly see it making a difference in your life or the lives of those around you? If not then it is not needed.Thank you for listening.

02-25-2025

Jacki Brucher Moore

I am disappointed and disgusted in the leadership of this state I have called home my entire life. As a Christian I am embarrassed by those who are proposing and support this bill under the delusion that God created only two genders. God most certainly did not! Human beings are complex physiological, mental, emotional and chromosomebased beings. No human being should be systematically diminished, ignored, or most importantly denied access to fundamental human and American rights simply because some cannot understand how human biology works. True leaders trust experts in the subject area to educate them; the only expertise consulted in the creation of this bill were experts in disinformation and fear of anything they don't understand. Do better. Do your job and stop trying to make life harder for Iowans.

02-25-2025

Taryn Bachman

I am writing to express my opposition to this bill. It stands against the principle and fundamental importance of civil rights protections for all individuals. These protections are in place to prevent discrimination and ensure equal treatment under the law for those not in the majority. This legislation would set a precedent that would allow the government to restrict or remove longstanding and accepted civil rights for other groups and communities. This government overreach would lead to civil right lawsuits, and those cost taxpayers money. I see no harm being done to anyone by transgender people having civil rights protections. No evidence has been provided to show why these changes to the civil rights code would be beneficial for Iowans. The truth is that the victims of this law are those whom the law is against. It directly interferes with the personal lives and fundamental rights of transgender people. I believe in the right of individuals to selfdetermination and the freedom to live authentically. I also believe the state of Iowa is a place for all people and everyone should be treated with respect. This bill would show others that this is not true as determined by our state government. Please do not pass this bill.

02-25-2025

Cheryl Ross

I STRONGLY oppose SF418. Targeting people who are helping our communities stay vibrant and who are just trying to live their lives in peace is abhorrent. It is against the faith of many Iowans. Discrimination is not Iowan. Do not sell the soul of Iowa reject this bill.

02-25-2025

JULIE JACKSON

I am asking you to reject SF418. It removes basic protections for transgender Iowans. It will make life difficult for other Iowans who do not clearly fall into the bills narrow definitions. Instead of protecting women and girls, it will result in harassment for many including those who are not transgender.Everyone should be treated fairly and equally by the laws of our state. This bill will lead to unfair treatment with no recourse when renting an apartment, getting a credit card, applying for employment, etc. This bill does not represent Iowa well. Stop bills that are allowing discrimination to any Iowan. Iowans would like to see our elected officials spend time crafting and passing bills that actually help people, not discriminate against some of them. This bill will create more problems than it will solve.Thank you.Please vote against SF418.

02-25-2025

Patricia Erhardt

This is a blatant attack on human rights. Trans people are humans in case you didnt know. My daughter is transgender and I fear for her life. Im going to do everything I can to assure she has the same rights as her white father! I am going to help her move out of this state if this bill passes . Please stand up for human rights!

02-25-2025

Alexandria Dea [Des Moines Mutual Aid]

Never in history have the people who rolled back progress been seen as the heroes. Never in cinema are the oligarchs portrayed as people of beauty. Taking away protections from people who only affect you as a tax payor (they write your paychecks!) is not only villainous it is ugly. The grey, bleak future you continue to form will not only harm those you are intending it to, but also YOUR daughters. Your sisters. Your wives. Even you. How many of you are under qualified for your positions but were given a chance in the spirit of equity? How many of you are the equalopportunityhire? To be hated for being yourself is something weve all experienced and to continue to cause trauma after knowing youre doing so is evil and twisted. One day you will lay awake by the whispers of the lives youve taken. One day the whispers will become screams and you will not be able to drown the cries of your constituents from the hill youve decided to die on. 3

02-25-2025

Emily Berkheimer

Please vote no! Lets not strip our fellow humans of civil rights. Regardless of personal opinionspeople need identity, community, and equality to survive. Taking equality away from some groups of people is unconstitutional, morally wrong, and will plunge Iowa into chaos. Do the right thing. God tells us to love our neighbors. Discrimination is hate, not love.

02-25-2025

Amanda McCurley

I am asking you to not vote to support this bill. Trans rights have no impact on me being a cis gendered person. I can coexist with others who are different than me.Targeted minority populations continue to need protections, unfortunately, as we live in a society that constantly chooses fear and hate for things they may not understand. This is a slippery slope, and if history has taught us anything, this will not end well.Also, it would be great if there were legislation in place that makes it a hate crime for legislators to continue to submit legislation of protected groups of people.

02-25-2025

Scott Lothe [St. Timothys United Methodist]

I think it is discriminatory, unfair, unjust, and oppressive to remove transgender Iowans from the Iowa Civil Rights Act!! Many in this community feel fearful and unsupported. Please help protect and unsure the rights of ALL Iowans. Thank you, Rev. Scott Lothe

02-25-2025

Ken Hanson

I urge you to oppose SF 418 which will cause harm to my fellow Iowans who happen to be trans and/or nonbinary.Iowa has long been a leader in civil rights for its citizens and should continue to be that leader. Please don't allow Iowa to go backwards in protecting civil rights of your constituents.This has been part of Iowa's Civil Rights Act for 18 years with no problems, why is it a problem now?This would be the first time in Iowa history that a protection of citizens would be reversed.Please honor Iowa's slogan "Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We Will Maintain" and oppose this harmful legislation.

02-25-2025

Nicole Winebrenner

I am writing to express my strong opposition to SF 418. Transgender Iowans deserve the same rights and dignities that we all enjoy. Requiring someone to misgender themselves on their legal documents is wrong and infringes upon human rights. Please vote no on SF 418 and show compassion for all Iowans.

02-25-2025

Kathleen Trujillo

This bills name is extremely concerning to me and should be to everyone Removal of rights. As Americans, we should never be focused on removing rights. All Americans, all Iowans, all human beings deserve the same equal rights. Once we decide its okay to remove rights from one group, whats to stop us from removing them from others? This is not acceptable. Trans Iowans deserve the same rights as every other Iowan. These individuals face discrimination, harassment, and hate every single day. This bill will send a message that that kind of treatment is acceptable it absolutely is not.

02-25-2025

Bonnie Brown

Please leave the Iowa civil rights Act as it is. All people have equal rights under the law. By restricting the Act further, we run the risk of discrimination against marginalized groups. While the proposed changes will not effect the vast majority of Iowans, it directly affects the few who already struggle.

02-25-2025

Lori Brinley

I'm asking you to Vote NO on SF418Please Protect the Rights of Transgender IowansAs a member of Plymouth Church, of the United Church of Christ (UCC) in Des Moines I believe in the inherent worth and dignity of every person. I urge you to vote **NO** on SF418, striking gender identity from the Iowa civil rights Act. This bill would strip transgender Iowans of critical civil rights protections, allowing discrimination in housing, employment, education, and public accommodations. It would also prevent individuals from updating their birth certificates and weaken protections for all Iowans who do not fit traditional gender norms.My faith calls me to love my neighbors and treat others as I wish to be treated. I personally know many transgender individuals. They are my neighbors, friends, family members, and members of my faith communities. I believe everyone deserves equal protection under the law, regardless of gender identity as I believe you do as well. Taking away these rights contradicts the core values of justice, compassion, and fairness which guide both our faith and our democracy. This bill is immoral, dangerous, and mean. It takes rights away from our Iowa neighbors. Iowa's moto says Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain. It has been stated that gender identity as a protected class raises the rights of transgender individuals above the rights of women. Not true, the civil rights protections for gender identity does not over ride women's rights, it only protects transgender people from discrimination. No transgender individual wants to remove any women's rights or endanger women's lives. In addition if you pass this bill transgender men will be required to use women's restrooms. Do you really want that?Jesus taught us to stand with the marginalized and advocate for the oppressed. Voting against this bill is not just a political decisionit is a moral one. Please uphold the dignity and humanity of all Iowans by voting **NO** on SF418. Thank you for your courage, leadership and being brave and standing for the rights of all Iowans, including the transgender.Grace, peace and courage to you,Lori Brinkleyliving in Perry, Iowa a member of Plymouth Church UCC, Des Moines, Iowa

02-25-2025

Justinian Wurtzel

My family was in Iowa before it was formally a state, I am a fifth generation Iowan who has great pride in this state, our traditions, and my heritage. I strongly oppose SF 418 and request you vote no. Iowans do not want this, listen to the will of the people. This bill undermines civil rights, public health, and education by removing gender identity protections from the Iowa Civil Rights Act, restricting legal recognition of transgender individuals, and censoring discussions of gender in schools. It allows discrimination in employment, housing, and public services, forcing transgender Iowans to navigate life with inaccurate legal documents, increasing their vulnerability to harassment and harm. Additionally, mandating sexbased classifications in government records disregards medical and scientific consensus while violating federal protections under Title IX.Rather than addressing real issues affecting Iowans, SF 418 promotes exclusion and government overreach. It creates barriers for transgender and nonbinary individuals, isolates LGBTQ+ students, and sets a harmful precedent for erasing marginalized communities from legal protections. Worse, this bill politicizes public health and vital records data, opening the door for broader misuse beyond the LGBTQ+ community. Legislation like this has repeatedly been struck down in court, wasting taxpayer dollars and valuable policymaking time.I urge the committee to reject SF 418 and instead focus on policies that protect and benefit all Iowans.

02-25-2025

T Parkin

After reading this proposed bill, I can see no legitimate purpose for it becoming law. What problem does it solve? The only purpose it has seems to be restricting civil liberties of a class of people. I do not favor a return to the 1950s, and certainly do not want to live in a state governed by a right wing religious taliban.

02-25-2025

Jeremy Powell

Vote NO to SF 418. This bill is fueled by hate with no basis other than to strip trans Iowans of their rights. It's sickening to see the consistent attacks on the LGBTQIA+ community are so normalized by politicians in this state. Stop bullying people who are not like you. People deserve love, care, and a place to call home. Hate has no place here. Liberty, justice and care for all! Vote no

02-25-2025

Teresa Baustian [Iowa Citizen]

I strongly oppose this bill, and I do so on the basis that it shames Iowa. Given the smallness of Iowa, this particular blot is likely to remain on us for a good long time. It will likely supplant our proud history of expanding rights and protecting the marginalized in the minds of the rest of the nation. Iowa has been proud of the many times that it was a trailblazer in extending rights to groups of people who had been marginalized integrating public schools in 1868, for example. Or establishing equal access to places of public accommodation. Ulysses S. Grant denominated Iowa the "bright radical star" that would be the first state to approve black suffrage. That same month voters approved an amendment to the Iowa Constitution that eliminated racial designations as to who was allowed to vote. I reach back into our history because that is who Iowa is. "Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain." So, as you should be able to grasp, this bill to rescind rights is deeply unIowan.

02-25-2025

Patty Eaton

I am writing to you as Allisons mom. My 26 year old daughter is transgender, she works 40 hrs a week, loves her family, takes care of her Grandmothers, is the best caretaker of our family dog, and she is just getting her life started. Please, I am begging you, do not take away her civil rights. She will not hurt anybody in a bathroom, on the playing field or any place on earth. She just wants a fair chance at the life God wanted her to have. If you have children then you have dreams for them. Those dreams might change over the years, but you still want the best for them, always. That is all her Dad and I are asking of you, please give her a chance at life. We do not want to lose her and these political battles are taking a toll on all of us. Please make this go away, she is a productive Iowan who is giving back to her state. Sincerely, Patty Eaton ( Allis mom)

02-25-2025

Kim Miller

I have lived here my whole life. I thought we had a state where all Iowans were guaranteed their civil rights. Human beings should all have civil rights. It's not civil rights according to a particular group you belong. My Iowa protects all their citizens. I hope it's your Iowa as well.Please don't allow transgender people to lose their protected civil rights.

02-25-2025

Caroline Brown

I cannot understate my opposition to this bill.It is harmful not only to trans Iowanswho are a part of our state, who are just as much your constituents as anyone else and deserve their rights to life and libertybut to every single Iowan who could be mistake for a different gender. This bill actively harms thousands upon thousands of those this government is meant to serve. Taking away the rights of trans Iowans does not "protect" me, a woman. It only causes harm and endangerment for all of the trans people around me. Aren't we, as Iowans, supposed to prize our liberties and maintain our rights? So why would we ever consider taking away the rights of our fellow Iowans, if not in the name of hate and fear? I have met many trans people. I am friends with trans people. They are caring and hardworking, and an integral part of Iowa communities from Iowa City or Des Moines to the open farmlands and small towns I grew up in. Trans Iowans are our neighbors, our friends, our coworkers, and our family. They are deserving of our love, respect, and protection of their basic human rights.When I get married, I will change my namewhy is that so different from changing a gender marker on a license for a trans person? It, just like changing my name, is simply reflecting a change in where the person is in life. It is not a change made lightly. It is not a lie, or deception. Changing a name or gender marker is a reflection of growth and a new state of life. I have lived my entire life in Iowa. Since I have been a child, I have been told time and time again about the power of community in Iowa. How we'll always help our neighbors, how a small town can come together to face natural disasters, farm fields for injured farms, raise money for ill community members. I spent my youngest years surrounded by cornfields and farmsI have seen the strength of Iowans coming together in love and community to do great things. And that is why I can never stand in support of a bill that will harm the community of trans Iowans around me. Please, do not pass this bill further into legislation. Mark my strongest opposition for this repulsive bill.

02-25-2025

Dustin Dowell

Please do not remove gender identity as a protected class. Think about the pain and torment trans and nonbinary individuals go through just to be themselves, to feel like they fit in their own bodies. Nobody would willingly choose this level of social exclusion if it wasn't something inescapably tied into every fiber of their being.Protect our youth by letting them be who they are in safety, else risk we lose them to mental illness and suicide as they grow up afraid and isolated. I speak from experience when I say that growing up being told your very existence is a sin is a fast road to becoming lost and loathing as a young adult. Please keep Iowa a safe space.

02-25-2025

Liz Martin

I am writing to you today to ask you to reject HSB242, a bill that would remove basic protections for transgender Iowans and create complications for other Iowans who do not fall neatly into the bills narrow definitions. The Iowa legislature should spend their efforts protecting vulnerable Iowans and ensuring a safe state for us all to share, not one which targets any one group for discrimination. This bill would set Iowa on the wrong side of history by stripping rights from a group of its citizens. All hardworking peopleincluding those who are transgendershould be treated fairly and equally by the laws of our state, and should have the opportunity to earn a living and provide for themselves and their families. If someone cant rent an apartment or get a credit card simply because of who they are, we cant expect them to be able to compete on a level playing field with their peers. These basic antidiscrimination protections are an important part of any meritbased system, allowing people to access opportunities regardless of who they are or how they are perceived. Further, the bill jeopardizes sex stereotyping protections for nontransgender women that arent included in Iowas sex discrimination statute. Transgender people are our friends, neighbors, family and coworkers. When it comes to being able to earn a living, having a place to live, or being served by a business or government office, they should be treated like anyone else and not be discriminated against. Please vote against HSB242.

02-25-2025

Jenny Hemesath

I am writing to encourage you to vote against HSB242. I am appalled that this bill is even being considered and that it legalizes discrimination against Iowans who are transgender. Transgender people are our friends, neighbors, family and coworkers. When it comes to being able to earn a living, having a place to live, or being served by a business or government office, people who are transgender should be treated like anyone else and not be discriminated against. We should treat others as we would want to be treated. Lets be clear, HSB242 is a bill designed to smash down others. It is a form of bullying that should not be tolerated. HSB242 does not represent what I want as a part of the values of my state government. This is NOT something Iowa leadership should even be considering!Please be brave and stand up for what you know is right. Taking away protections from a group of people who have been historically discriminated against is not right. Please vote no.

02-25-2025

Trent Walraven

This is an affront to the state motto, in case you don't know, it is "Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain." Actively stripping rights away from people who are simply living their life, and setting up the dangerous idea that discrimination is somehow okay. I am ashamed to be an Iowa citizen knowing that this bill is even being reasonably considered, and urge you to not let this bill continue any further.

02-25-2025

Oliver Bardwell [Iowans 4 Freedom]

There seem to be two separate conversations happening around SF 418. The reality is, this bill does not take away anyones rightsit simply restores clarity to the law and ensures that women's sexbased protections remain intact.Transidentifying individuals will still have the same rights as every other Iowanthe right to employment, housing, and credit. Those protections exist under the Constitution and federal law. What this bill does is prevent gender identity from being used to override biological reality and erase the rights of women and girls.Right now, activists assign false meaning to this bill, claiming it legalizes discrimination when, in fact, it only ensures that womens safety, privacy, and dignity are protected.This is not about exclusionits about making sure our laws work for everyone without forcing radical ideology onto institutions and the public.Please vote YES on SF 418 and restore fairness and clarity to Iowa law.

02-25-2025

Michelle Townsend

I am registering my opposition to SF418. This proposed action will deprive Iowans of their civil rights while paving the way for statesponsored discrimination. It is unnecessarily cruel and dehumanizing while advancing no legitimate state purpose. Additionally, passing a bill that is unconstitutional on its face commits state financial resources to defending it in court. Our state should not be in the business of depriving Iowans of their rights. We are better than this. Vote no.

02-25-2025

Tierney Steelberg

I am a cisgender woman and I am opposed to this bill: I urge senators to vote against it. Iowa needs its politicians to protect the rights of ALL Iowans, including transgender Iowans, not roll back existing rights. This bill harms ALL Iowans: why are our legislators so focused on stripping rights away from a minority (with harmful farreaching consequences that will negatively affect many others), rather than improving the daily lives of Iowans? Trans rights are human rights.

02-25-2025

Richard Glynn

I am totally against this bill. Transgender people deserve the same rights that everyone else gets be at Medical our protection or renting apartments going to school anything. They have the same rights. Do not take that away from them. I have a grandchild that is transgender and is the nicest person you would ever meet. Very brilliant. Going to school to get a medical degree. Dont pass a bill thats put these people in fear of their lies and cannot get the medical treatment and medicine that they need.

02-25-2025

Bailey Baker

This bill is hateful and unnecessary. Trans people contribute so much to our communities, and they are already subjected to a barrage of hate. This bill does nothing to keep women safer, and in fact puts us in danger of being accosted in bathrooms, etc. if we do not appear a certain way. Iowans want clean water and strong public schools. Quit wasting tax payer dollars on hateful side quests like this.

02-25-2025

Elise Loan

Im absolutely appalled that a bill like this is even being considered. This puts a target on every trans Iowan. These are human beings and citizens who contribute to society and to their communities. I would feel more comfortable having my children attend a drag show or being around trans people than I ever would church people. Trans people deserve to have the same rights as everyone else and be protected. Get rid of this bill and do something that actual helps people vs taking rights away.

02-25-2025

Joseph Humsey

As a UI law grad who grew up in Iowa, it sickens me to see the legislature actively stripping civil rights away under the guise of morality. There is nothing moral about how you are demonizing certain folks to cover up you complete lack of real accomplishments. I hope your constituents properly reward your cowardice in the next election cycle.

02-25-2025

Kathleen Trujillo

I just went through all of these comments and I only saw two in support of this hateful legislation. If you pass this, it has absolutely nothing to do with representing your constituents and everything to do with your own prejudice. Tomorrow is national set a good example day; I urge you to take this opportunity to celebrate this day in advance by rejecting this bill.

02-25-2025

Carol Ruby

Every human being is deserving of Civil rights whether or not one understands their circumstance.We do not live in a "black and white" world. There are gray areas. Everyone in those gray areas which is most people in some manner are entitled to protections by the government.

02-25-2025

Alicia Junk

Oppose. Please listen to your constituents, the majority of them do not want this. Also, have some empathy. Removing rights for anyone is absurd, especially a marginalized group. I am having a hard time putting why this is wrong into words, because it shouldn't need to be said. This is going to hurt people, hurt children. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity.

02-25-2025

Alicia Junk

02-25-2025

Jacob Fry

02-25-2025

Deanne Schweitzer

Hello, I am writing to say I am strongly apposed to SF418. Transpeople have always been and they always will be. I am not trans, but I have many friends and community that are. ALL should be protected under the law. PLEASE DO NOT VOTE FOR THIS GRAVE INJUSTICE.

02-25-2025

Nancy Benson

Please vote to oppose. I have a hard time understanding why we are taking away rights from people. I was an Iowa resident for 65 years. This country needs to leave peoples rights alone and become a more accepting country. we should not be going backwards

02-25-2025

Madison Chicoine

I vehemently oppose this bill. It is unIowan to take away the rights of minority groups, especially ones who are just trying to live their lives. Men have done more harm to woman than the rare situation of a man (often not even trans) using a womans bathroom. If you really cared about the safety of women, what are you doing to stop unsafe men and predators? Trans women most certainly arent the problem, and revoking rights under the guise of some sort of protection is unjust.

02-25-2025

Matthew Smith

I'm not an overlypolitical person, I oftentimes can see both sides of different issues, but in this case I believe we are stripping the rights of neighbors, coworkers and other citizens in our community. I strongly oppose SF 418.

02-25-2025

Hannah Goldsmith

I am writing to express my strong opposition to SF 418. This bill would cause severe harm to transgender, nonbinary, and intersex Iowans. You claim that this is about protecting women and children, yet you only seem to care when it gives you the opportunity to oppress yet another minority group. If you cared about protecting women, you would do more to allow women bodily autonomy. If you cared about protecting children, you would do more to prevent school shootings. It has never been about protecting women or children. It has always been about forcing people to conform to your narrow worldview, and erasing those who don't. This bill is rooted in bigotry and hate, not to mention is in violation of international human rights laws as well as our own civil rights laws and the Constitution of the United States. As a student in Iowa, it is legislation like this that makes me want to leave the state as soon as I complete my degree, because I will not make a life for myself in a state that fosters such a hateful environment. This bill is unconstitutional, harmful, and violates every principle that the United States was founded on. This country was created as a result of citizens standing up to oppression, and yet you now seek to oppress those who you simply do not agree with. As a student, an American, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, and above all else a person with common sense and basic human decency, I oppose SF 418, and I implore you to do the same and vote NO on this bill.

02-25-2025

Sam Gallo

Mothers Plea Against the Iowa Civil Rights Removal ActHi, Im Samantha, a mother fighting for my sons right to exist safely. Like any parent, I want my child to be happy, to be free, and to live without fear. But right now, his safety is under attacknot because of anything he has done, but because he is trans.The Iowa Civil Rights Removal Act isnt about protection. It isnt about fairness. It is about fear. It strips rights from kids like my son and tells an entire community they do not belong.Let me be clear: My son is not the danger. He is the protector. He would step in if you were being hurt. He would stand up for your child without hesitation. If we truly care about safety, lets talk about the facts. Trans kids are far more likely to be bullied, harassed, and assaulted than they are to harm anyone. They face higher rates of homelessness, selfharm, and suicidenot because of who they are, but because of how society treats them.Meanwhile, the vast majority of violent crimessexual assaults, mass shootingsare not committed by trans people. They are overwhelmingly committed by cisgender, heterosexual men. That is not opinion. That is fact.So I ask every legislator supporting this bill: If public safety is your concern, why arent you addressing the real sources of harm? The answer is simple: This bill isnt about safety. Its about control.Please vote no to this bill. Please keep my son safe.

02-25-2025

Brett Middendorf

This bill is heinous in nature. Why are we taking away right from anyone? The Republican Party has used trans people as scapegoats for so many issues, it's hard to know what the current issue is today that they suggest this remediates. Trans people make up less than 1% of the population. I would venture to guess that very few people voting on this bill have even met a trans person. Republicans are using the oldest trick in the book blame an unpopular minority for political gain. A play right out of Hitler's own playbook. Remember when we all used to think Nazi's were a horrible group of people? Well, they still are and Republicans are idolizing them.

02-25-2025

Julia Andrews

I am opposed to SF 418. This bill would take away rights from a group of Iowans. All people should receive the same rights and the same fair treatment from the state.It also puts all Iowans at risk if they do not physically look like their respective genders for reasons of personal preference, freedom of expression, or health. Can you imagine a breast cancer survivor with short hair being told she can not receive a job or apartment because she might be transgender? This bill is a can of worms with far reaching consequences.Do not pass this bill. It has farreaching consequences for everyday Iowans and most especially for our trans neighbors, friends, and community members.

02-25-2025

Travis Colson

Please vote NO to this bill. Taking away rights from even a small marginalized group of Iowans doesn't serve anyone in Iowa. If this is an attempt to appease Iowas religious constituents, hopefully those people know this bill is more anti Jesus teachings. Regards,Urbandale Resident

02-25-2025

Reid Wightman

Taking away the rights of Iowans will do nothing to reduce the cost of eggs, let alone help farmers afford the more expensive work equipment that they need to do their jobs due to Trumpflation. Our legislators should focus on making Iowa better for all Iowans, not on hurting a select few of our friends and neighbors.

02-25-2025

Tasia Guiter

This bill is hurtful, harmful, and frankly, disgusting. Iowa's state motto is "Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain." This bill will take away a group of Iowans' liberties and rights, many of those who have lived in Iowa for their entire lives. Aside from putting bigotry and hate directly and openly into our state laws, think about the economic impact this will have on our state. Many people who live here will no longer feel safe or protected, and will seek somewhere else to live, directly impacting our state's economy, as well as the draw for new residents to move here. As a constituent and lifelong Iowan, I urge lawmakers to vote no on this atrocious bill.

02-25-2025

Travis Colson

02-25-2025

Jenny Hemesath

I strongly oppose this bill (SF418). Transgender Iowans are a vital part of all of our communities and deserve the same protections as any other Iowan. This blatant attack on the civil rights of members of our community is despicable and a form of bullying by our state leadership. The statistics do not support the argument that this is being done to keep people safe from violence by those who are transgender and nothing more than a fear tactic.

02-25-2025

Pamela A Terrill

Gender identity needs to remain protected in the Iowa Civil Rights. Why are Iowans so afraid and bigoted to need to address this from the Civil Rights act of 2007? There is so much fear and ignorance stirred up by politicians and religion. Do not proceed with this legislation. It will harm so many families and individuals and is really only pertinent to the person themselves. It's no one else's business.House File 583 House Study Bill 242

02-25-2025

Maria Ottavi

For far too long, transgender Iowans have been the target of heinous legilsative attempts to harm their safety and livelhoods. I FIRMLY oppose SF 418 and the removal of transgender individuals as a protected class under the Iowa Civil Rights Act. To push this forward means to punish some of the most vulnerable members of Iowas population.

02-25-2025

Maggie Douglas

Please reject SF 418. Taking away the civil rights of an individual should be unheard of in this day and age. This discrimination is pointed at everyday Iowans who want to live a happy life, like us all. This hateful bill will lead to the exclusion of these individuals from opportunities for a better life. Reject this bill and ensure that every Iowan agrees that Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain

02-25-2025

Thea Alexander

Erasing gender identity from government and educational systems is a way of targeting and eradicating transgender people. The Iowa senate should proceed very cautiously when it come to the infringement of human rights and self identity. Without individuals the government has no power. I urge you to consider how this impacts the significant portion of queer individuals in your state

02-25-2025

Valerie Stark

I am an Iowa native and most of my family still lives in the central part of the statemy aunt, who still works for the church I was dedicated in as a baby; my grandmother, who our entire small community called "Grandma Dorothy" because she was just that good at the job; and my sister, who grew up in Iowa with me and spent our early summers falling in love with all the good things Iowa has to offerthe fair, fireflies, and family celebrations. I love Iowa, and while I moved away and have felt the change that comes with building a family and career in larger cities than Iowa has, it has always felt like I tucked my family safely away in Iowa, where I could count on friendly neighbors and the same community resources we grew up with to be there for my family. But now, with this bill and the multiple attacks that have come against the LGBTQ community in recent times, the nostalgic sheen of childhood safety and security has faded for me. I worry for my sister, who is a transgender woman. She has no agenda, no ill intent to others, only a desire to live her life freely and openly without persecution. But this bill targets her and removes protections that secure her right to exercise her freedoms as an Iowan and American; it treats her like a secondclass citizen just for, what, shopping one aisle over in the clothing section at Walmart? Using a bathroom stall that should be private with doors and locks? Taking medication, prescribed by a doctor, to help her feel better about herself and her body? We were kids together in Iowa. We both grew up with hands over our hearts reciting "liberty and justice for all" in Runnells Elementary. It breaks that same heart to know those words have lost their meaning. My family is as Iowan as they come. It also has Transgender members. They deserve to feel the same safety and security our family has felt in Iowa for generations now. Please consider the real impact this will have on a small population of Transgender folks with many, many family and friends who care the entire state over.

02-25-2025

Bailey Abben

Iowa has had a longstanding commitment to equal rights, and bill sf 418 directly rejects our call to care for our neighbors. I cannot stand by while an individual group is singled out for legislative erasure. While people of good faith can and do disagree about the religious status of gender diversity, there is no room for discrimination in civil rights and liberties. All Iowans deserve protection regardless of gender or sexual orientation.Theres a common argument against listing protected groups of people in nondiscrimination policies and civil rights laws: we should just treat everyone equally without putting them in categories. I understand the sentiment. Iowans believe in equal rights, and we were a leader in equality for generations. We know that civil rights laws are not about granting special treatment, they are about ensuring that everyone is actually treated equally.

02-25-2025

Megan Kuhl

ALL people in Iowa need their civil rights protected. Just because you dont agree with someone doesnt mean you take their rights away. Protect the rights of Transgender people they are our friends, neighbors, and fellow citizens.

02-25-2025

Michelle Fitch

There are so many people (Iowans) these days who are openly hostile to transgender people and those who have differing gender identities from the majority of the population. To be certain, those who experience gender dysphoria are truly minorities. Dont all minorities deserve protection under the law? Yes! Minorities deserve the same rights as the majority. This minority group is NO different. I am certain that this bill to remove gender identity as a protected class will be on the wrong side of history one day if it were to advance into law. PLEASE do not be on the wrong side of history. Iowans are depending on you to do the right thing by ending it right here.

02-25-2025

Danielle French

This is wrong. Nobody should have their rights taken away. To see that we are at this point is just mind boggling. There is so much hate for others in our country right now. It is very sad and concerning to see us moving backwards. My ask is that you really think about the impact this would have on the lives of many. If you dont know a Transgendered person maybe you should take a moment to speak to one. We can and should do better.

02-25-2025

Maegan Bird

This bill is detrimental to Iowas and the transgender community. The dilemma here is not an opposition of belief, it is the lack of empathy of this subcommittee & anyone who supports this bill. It is not doing anyone in the cisgender community harm for supporting transgender folks. Transgender individuals deserve to identify as themselves, transgender. Identifying themselves as they wish on identification is a human right. Being told they are not allowed to do as such is taking away a basic human right. Gender theory is not detrimental to students in the classroom, rather it paves the way for students to learn empathy & loving and caring for others who are different than them. Conversations can be facilitated by parents at home, & if parents beliefs are different than what is being taught at school, they have every right to speak to their child at home about that. But trying to erase a very real, and very prevalent part of childrens development and learning would be doing more harm than simply educating children that there is more to the world and us as humans than the simplicity of boys and girls.Transgender people have always existed and ALWAYS will. This is not new, absurd wokeism. This is bravery from a community who has been silenced, discriminated against, & targeted for so many years finally saying enough is enough. See them. For anyone that argues that the word of God plays a part in this is forgetting that this country was built on separation of church and state. You cannot bring your religion into this issue. You cannot use your religion to justify discriminating against real human beings. It is unethical and downright evil. Please, please, please vote NO to this bill. I urge you to look inside yourself and your heart and ask yourself do I really feel the need to take away basic human rights and hurt a community who has been experiencing more hurt than you ever have for far longer than you can image. Protect Iowa trans lives.

02-25-2025

Kailyn Miller

The fact that this legislation is even being considered is a shame to Iowa and its people. We cannot move forward or progress as a society by removing protections for vulnerable populations. Iowas motto is our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain. By actively removing civil rights, this bill goes against the very core of what our state claims to be and makes me embarrassed to be from this state.

02-25-2025

Aaron Boyce

Vote NO on this bill that aims to strip away the rights of people. One's own identity shall not be infringed upon by the government. The removal of protections to these people is unconstitutional, and must not be allowed.

02-25-2025

Judy Russell

Vote no. My granddaughter is a talented, funny, smart Godloving girl. She is allowed by our constitution to live with the same equal rights afforded her brother, sister, me and you. Only she gets to determine how to live her life. Not politicians. This bill is NOT about women. Stall a curtain in the school restroom or other private areas. We can all live together through compromise, not government control.

02-25-2025

Colleen McRoberts [Private Citizen]

I am writing to ask you to reject this bill, a bill that would remove basic protections for transgender Iowans and create complications for other Iowans who do not fall neatly into the bills narrow definitions. Iowa's motto is "Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain." This motto is a declaration that the foundation of liberty and justice for all is vigilant protection of human rights. It is this rights language that underscores our entire history of common law and American traditions: from the Virginia Declaration of Rights, to the U.S. Bill of Rights, to Iowa's constitutional rejection of slavery in 1846 to the Iowa Civil Rights Act of 1965. According to Dag Hammarskjld, "freedom from fear" can be said to be the basis for all human rights, and transgender people deserve freedom from fear.Iowa has ALWAYS prized constitutional protections of its peoples' right to freedom from fear, and transgender Iowans deserve better from their state than this travesty of legislation. Please reject this bill and all similar legislation.

02-25-2025

CD Greer

Please pay attention to the hundreds that were in the capital yesterday. I vehemently oppose this bill. Iowa has a long and storied history of leading the way in civil liberties & rights. You only need to look to the south of the very building you're meeting in to be reminded via, "Shattering Silence". Bills should be introduced as a means of progress. To promote growth of our society and further advance freedom, liberty, and protections for all. They shouldn't be introduced to rewind father time, setting us back decades. Earlier commenters have already mentioned Iowa's motto of, "Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will remain" and how this is in clear violation. I'll take it a step further and use Governor Reynold's new age motto of, "Freedom to flourish". The phrase "freedom to flourish" evokes a sense of optimistic empowerment and liberation. It suggests an environment where individuals can grow, thrive, and reach their fullest potential without constraints. The word "freedom" implies a release from limitations, obstacles, or oppression, creating a foundation for personal and collective progress. "Flourish" adds depth to the emotional resonance, conjuring images of blooming, thriving, and experiencing joy and success. It suggests concepts of personal development, creativity, and wellbeing. Together, the phrase implies a harmonious balance between liberation and personal growth, suggesting an ideal state where individuals can pursue their passions, develop their talents, and contribute positively to their surroundings. Overall, the phrase embodies a hopeful and encouraging sentiment that embraces the idea of empowerment and the pursuit of a fulfilling life, underscoring the intrinsic value of both freedom and growth. With both Iowa's historical and operational mottos in mind, how can anyone read this bill and believe this fits the Iowa we've built and share today? Please don't entertain this bill for a minute more.

02-25-2025

Joanna Jordan

I strenuously oppose this bill. This is cruel and does not reflect the values this state should have. Letting people identify how they want to identify doesn't harm anyone. Repressing their ability to do so, does harm them.

02-25-2025

Ty Bellfy

Please register my opposition to SF 418. Eighteen years: that is how long we've had gender identity as a protected class in Iowa. Iowas motto is Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain. It is your duty to protect these rights and liberties, this is a direct act against our states motto. If you move this bill forward, Iowans will lose their rights. Iowans will be denied housing and employment, educational opportunities and credit loans. I strongly urge you to reconsider eroding fundamental rights of your neighbors, your friends, your family.

02-25-2025

Anthony Junk

Rebuttal to Iowa Bill SF 418I. IntroductionIowa Senate File 418 proposes eliminating transgender designations on birth certificates, allowing only "male" or "female" based on biological sex. This bill disregards medical realities, legal precedents, and the dignity of transgender and nonbinary individuals. Below are several reasons why this bill is harmful, unnecessary, and legally questionable.II. Medical and Scientific Reality1. Intersex Individuals:The bill ignores the existence of intersex individuals (about 1.7% of the population), who are born with biological characteristics that do not fit typical definitions of male or female.Medical professionals sometimes assign sex at birth without fully understanding the individual's biology, leading to unnecessary surgeries and psychological distress later in life.2. Gender Identity and Medical Consensus:Leading medical organizations, including the American Medical Association (AMA) and American Psychological Association (APA), recognize that gender identity is distinct from biological sex and that some individuals do not identify strictly as male or female.Denying the ability to amend gender markers can have serious mental health consequences, including increased risk of depression and suicide.III. Legal and Constitutional Issues1. Violation of Equal Protection (14th Amendment):Courts have repeatedly ruled that transgender individuals are entitled to legal recognition and protections.Denying the right to amend gender markers on birth certificates creates a twotiered system that discriminates against transgender people, potentially violating the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution.2. Privacy Rights:Preventing transgender individuals from having accurate gender markers forces them to disclose their transgender status when showing identification, exposing them to discrimination and violence.Courts in other states have ruled that individuals have the right to amend government documents to reflect their gender identity, reinforcing personal autonomy and privacy rights.3. Contradiction with Federal Recognition:Several states already permit nonbinary (X) designations. Iowas restrictions would create unnecessary bureaucratic and legal conflicts with federal and other state policies.IV. Economic and Social Consequences1. Workforce and Business Impact:Iowa risks economic repercussions as businesses and organizations favor states with inclusive policies.Companies like Google, Apple, and Amazon have publicly opposed laws discriminating against LGBTQ+ individuals. Economic boycotts could deter businesses from investing in Iowa.2. Impact on Healthcare and Public Services:Restricting accurate gender markers complicates medical care. Healthcare providers rely on gender markers for appropriate treatment, and incorrect documentation can lead to misdiagnoses, denial of care, or insurance issues.Transgender individuals already face higher healthcare disparities, and this bill worsens those inequities.V. Ethical and Moral Considerations1. Government Overreach into Personal Identity:The government should not dictate personal identity but rather recognize the lived realities of its citizens.A birth certificate should reflect both biological and legal realities, meaning individuals should be allowed to update documents as their identity evolves.2. Compassion and Human Rights:Bills like SF 418 contribute to stigma and discrimination against transgender people, reinforcing harmful narratives.Denying identity recognition does not erase transgender peopleit only increases their hardship.VI. ConclusionIowa SF 418 is unnecessary, harmful, and legally questionable. It ignores medical science, violates constitutional rights, and places transgender and intersex individuals at risk. The state should be working toward inclusivity and equal protections, rather than implementing regressive policies that have already been challenged in courts across the country.I urge legislators to oppose SF 418 and instead focus on policies that protect the rights and dignity of all Iowans.

02-25-2025

Nick Fisher

As a native of Mechanicsville, IA who has lived in this state for 30 years, I write with extreme opposition to this bill. This bill is fundamentally against a core Midwest value that was instilled in me from a young age: respect for others, regardless of difference. I was taught that being an American means that even if you disagree with someones view point on religion, politics, or how they live their life they are entitled to a fair shake in this country. My trans friends deserve the same rights and protections guaranteed to all Iowans, whether they are applying for employment, housing, etc. With so many Iowans living paycheck to paycheck and unable to access healthcare, nutritious food, etc. the fact that you spend your limited time and resources coming up with ways to harm people who are just trying to live their lives, the same as the rest of us, is foolish and shameful. Fix your hearts. Stop this campaign against trans Iowans.

02-25-2025

Holly Heartso

This change does not benefit ANY Iowans, and it is based in hate. This bill is a clear violation of international human rights law and the equal protection act. This is a waste of law makers' time and taxpayer money as elected officials should be working to protect and server Iowans, not remove their rights.

02-25-2025

Dawn Lockman

Some days my eyes seem green, some days brown. Some days both green and brown, but really neither green nor brown. Did you know that no 2 people have the same exact eye color? I am the mother of a nonbinary person. Some days they are he/they, some days she/they. Some days they are both he and she, some days neither. Like my eyes, they are multitudes: fluid, expansive, nonconforming. I think of gender and gender identity like eye color, as a spectrum. I am a former molecular biologist and this makes biological sense. It also aligns with my experience and observations. Neither gender or gender identity are synonyms for sex as S.F. 418 new section 4.1A purports. This section is reductionist and wrong. Do you want to be thought of as just your reproductive system or who you are as a whole human being? We should treat people how they want to be treated, and I don't know of anyone who wants to be treated soley based on their reproductive system or any other one part of their body or personhood. That's just weird.We live in Iowa, a state where, in 1968, the wise teacher Jane Elliott taught her students a lesson about bias and belonging with the blue eyes/brown eyes exercise. Today you are considering stripping human rights from a group of Iowans because some legislators and citizens want to say some Iowans are less than others because of their gender identity, because they differ from some citizens' cultural expectations of binary genders. You could just as easily be saying, "People with hazel eyes are less than." This is wrong and a disservice to all Iowans. Everyone wants to feel safe, belong, and have protections of their basic human rights. This can be achieved for everyone with thoughtful and compassionate discussions and policymaking. Parents of transgender people don't want to worry about normalizing hate against LGBTQ people and what can come next remember Matthew Shepard, a gay man. Remember Sam Nordquist, a transgender man. Their brutal murders haunt LGBTQ people and everyone who loves them. What you do with this bill has ripple effects, and your job is to protect all Iowans rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Creating and passing a bill to remove civil rights for any Iowan is uncompassionate and inhumane. It is also unAmerican and antithetical to our Declaration of Independence I am writing to remind you that life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are unalienable rights given to all humans. Transgender people are human beings. They are our neighbors, our family members, our healthcare workers, our teachers, our students, our grocery workers, our farmers, our construction workers. They deserve to feel safe and like they belong here, like all human beings do. They deserve the same basic protection under the law that all Iowans deserve. Please don't legislate hate. Vote no on SF418.

02-25-2025

Ashley Falcon

If the purpose of government is to protect those it serves this is a massive failure. Having the wherewithal to recognize your identity and express it is a brave and bold act. I want more of those types of people in my community. And as a cisgender woman, the people Im most afraid of are the republican men at the center of a bill that demeans and controls my fellow citizens and loved ones. Do better.

02-25-2025

Sandy Heinen

Please do not take away the protections of each of our residents of Iowa. When I was younger, a dear friend died by suicide. He was a giving member of our community and he would have contributed to our society. He was smart, caring and responsible. He was a son, a brother and a friend to so many of us. The struggles that young people feel because of discrimination are real. Young people are our future. Please dont take us back to times where people are discriminated against because they might be different from you. Gender is not always a simple male or female answer. Biologically there a several categories for intersexed individuals.Please, I urge you to leave in the current language. Thank you.

02-25-2025

Susan Stroope

To eliminate any rights goes against our state motto as well as just being the absolutely wrong action to take on moral grounds. I am a follower of Christ's directive: How we act towards other humans is how Christ sees our actions towards Him.

02-25-2025

Charmayne McMurray

Thank you Lindsay James, Ross Wilburn and all legislators who spoke out against this horrendous bill(SF 418.)You spoke for all Iowans who believe we should not take away civil rights for any Iowan, especially vulnerable citizens like transgender rights.

02-25-2025

maya altemeier

I oppose this bill. Fulfill your duties as elected officials and act according to the desires of your constituents. I am a medical doctor who is completing my pediatrics residency in Washington State, and have considered moving back to Iowa to serve the communities who raised me. I also am in a committed relationship with a nonbinary/trans person. I will not move back to a state that is disenfranchising their rights. Consider what you are losing by turning towards fascism.

02-25-2025

Kate Davies

Please REJECT this horrible, hateful legislation. Stop wasting taxpayers time and money trying to fight all these antiLGBTQ+ bills when there are REAL problems in Iowa like children & families facing food insecurity, water quality issues, lack of accessibility to vital healthcare, chronic underfunding in our public schools just to name a few. Transgender people have always existed and they always will. All this bill is doing is causing unnecessary harm to Iowans who are just trying to work, live and grow in Iowa. This bill enforces and even *encourages* discrimination. By proposing and advancing this bill, you are telling all transgender Iowans they do not belong here. You are telling them they dont deserve basic rights simply because of who they are. You are telling people they are not worthy having their basic human needs met unless they conform to your hateful and ridiculous standards. Make no mistake this law will have dire consequences. It will set a precedent in Iowa that shows we are clearly moving towards making sure everyone knows that you dont belong in Iowa unless you are a white, straight, Christian cisgendered individual.

02-25-2025

Len Sandler [Law and Policy In Action Clinic]

I am writing to ask you and your colleagues in the Iowa legislature to open your hearts and minds and find the courage to defeat SF418 and its companion bill HF583. Gender Identity is a protected class under the Iowa Civil Rights Act. So is Color, Creed, Gender Identity, Marital Status, Mental Disability, National Origin, Physical Disability, Race, Religion, Sex, and Sexual Orientation. These are groups of people with a common characteristic who have historically been denied the right to marry or vote, buy or rent a home, worship, receive necessary appropriate medical care, attend school, use a restroom, eat in a restaurant, get a job, or engage in other activities open to others because of who they are and represent. In 2007, Iowa amended its civil rights act by designating Gender Identity as a protected class. And for good reasons. In 2016, our Law and Policy in Action Clinic issued a special report documenting the abuses, humiliation, and discrimination transgender Iowans continued to experience. Our team learned that as children, transgender students are bullied in school and often have parents and family who are unsupportive. As adults, they are denied employment opportunities, denied access to health care despite having unique physical and psychological needs, assaulted and battered, and even murdered. I have attached the report, "Where Do I Fit In? A Snapshot of Transgender Discrimination in Iowa" to this comment. The report is also online at https://perma.cc/HA7W7L3NIn 2025, a segment of Iowans wants to do away with these critical legal protections. Has gender identity discrimination suddenly stopped? Will transgender individuals disappear if HF 583 and SF418 are enacted? The one and only answer is NO. The evidence is indisputable. The need is even greater now to keep or bolster protections for transgender individuals and families especially when venom, myths, distortions and exaggerated fears are emanating from on high. I call upon you to do the right thing. Do not pass SF418 or HF583.Yours in justice,Len SandlerClinical Professor of LawLaw and Policy In Action Clinic

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02-25-2025

Ashley Miller

Let's be clear, this isn't about sports, locker rooms or bathrooms. It's an attempt to erase transgender rights. And it directly contradicts Iowa's motto of "our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain." Transgender rights are human rights, and all people deserve to be afforded the same rights. Vote against SF 418.

02-25-2025

Jeremy Lacey

Please stop pushing bigoted legislation. My family is not concerned with trans people. We are concerned with inflation, the economy, access to affordable healthcare, affordable education, climate change etc. Stop limiting people and start working to improve the lives of your constituents. Thank you.

02-25-2025

Nicholas Stumpff

Here's my comment on the bill: There seem to be two separate conversations happening around SF 418. The reality is, this bill does not take away anyones rightsit simply restores clarity to the law and ensures that women's sexbased protections remain intact.Transidentifying individuals will still have the same rights as every other Iowanthe right to employment, housing, and credit. Those protections exist under the Constitution and federal law. What this bill does is prevent gender identity from being used to override biological reality and erase the rights of women and girls.Right now, activists assign false meaning to this bill, claiming it legalizes discrimination when, in fact, it only ensures that womens safety, privacy, and dignity are protected.This is not about exclusionits about making sure our laws work for everyone without forcing radical ideology onto institutions and the public.Please vote YES on SF 418 and restore fairness and clarity to Iowa law.If you cant make sense of this beautifully said comment above. If you cant make get out of your own way. Then you are failing your rights as woman to the women and to the men your losing your masculinity. If we cant get this bill passed cause the message is misinterpreted by being racist, discriminatory, etc. Well folks we will make it official we have lost common sense, lack of common sense, hard work, lost our masculinity MEN, women your right to fight, much much more. Please Vote YES! Its whats safe for everyone of all genders and all races and all AMERICANS

02-25-2025

Madiely Torres

This bill is a complete waste of time, as it focuses on imposing unnecessary restrictions and barriers for Iowans based on sex and gender, issues that should not be politicized in the first place. By limiting gender identity recognition and altering how vital records are handled, it undermines individual rights and could create confusion and unnecessary hardship for people seeking to express their true identity. Additionally, mandating changes to school curricula to reflect restrictive views on gender theory stifles education and inclusivity, harming students' understanding of a diverse and evolving society. Instead of addressing real issues, this bill simply creates division and perpetuates discrimination.

02-25-2025

Westly Love

Im a proud Iowan. I was born and raised in Marshalltown. I come from a conservative, Catholic, farming family. I earned both my degrees from Iowa State. I left Iowa for eight years and chose to come back because I love it here. I now work for The University of Iowa. I pay my taxes. In 5 grade at Franklin Elementary school my class put on the play, Aint I a Woman based on what is considered one of the most famous abollitionist and women's rights speeches in Amercian history by abolitionist and activist who was born into slavery Sojourner Truth. She gave this famous speech without any preparation in 1851 when she attend the Ohio Womens Rights Conversion in Akron. Im gonna be honest, I don't remember a lot of specifics from elementary school but I do clearly remember how I felt thinking about a time when not everyone had what they needed and was treated terribly because of things they could not change. Its surreal to be dame near 40 and have thoes same feelings and much worse be a constant in my life because of who I am. I am queer. I am trans. And am I still not an Iowan? Or better and more than that that am I not a human? Just like us I bleed red. Just like us I have a family. Just like us I have to go out into a world every day that laws like this even when not passed make things more and more dangerous for Iowans like me to exist. To go to the store. To go to work. That is what we are doing. We are just trying to live. Because the truth is this all goes away. And all we have is how we treat each other. Because ain't we all human? Live and let live. And for god shake if you can actually do something lower the price of eggs so we can stop hearing about it already lol. With love, respect and hope, Westly Patrick Love

02-25-2025

Stephanie Ryan

This bill serves no one except to be cruel to a small minority of people. Government representatives are supposed to support ALL constituents, and yet they are actively seeking to cause harm. Of course I am adamantly against a bill so vile. Bullies will never win. If passed, this bill will be contested in court.

02-25-2025

Jessica Van Dalen

All people deserve to have equal rights. It is time to move forward and progress as a state. We need to focus on the actual issues on hand and not going backwards in time. How is stripping people of their rights helping us solve the rising cancer rates, fixing grocery prices, and bettering this state? Its time our government officials get up and do their actual jobs instead of lining their own pockets and harming innocent individuals.

02-25-2025

Judith Nelson [Retired Seniors Volunteer Program]

I am an active voter and constituent since I became a resident in 2022. I attended a 4 year university in Iowa decades ago where I met my husband, a 4th generation Iowan going back to the 1870's. We are in agreement that no change should be made to the current statute.There is no need for removing gender identity from the list of commonly discriminated groups. To conflate sex and gender as the exact same meaning denies recently expanded, scientific knowledge. To make these changes to Iowa's Civil Rights Statute will not make me or other women safer. These changes will result in greater threat to transgender people who already are four times more likely to be victims of violent crime; see Williams Institute, UCLA. See the RAND Study of 2016 and 2022. Assault and violent crime rates by transgender people is no greater than for out general population.No transgender people are not getting preferential treatment over men and women who are covered by sex in the statute as it is now. The statute gives equal protection from discrimination to all people. The United States Supreme Court ruled in the 1950's that separate and equal accomodations do not accomplish equal treatment guaranteed in The Constitution. If SF 418 and HSB 242 become Iowa law, then we taxpayers will have our money unnecessarily wasted from defending a losing cause the resulting lawsuits.

02-25-2025

Jasper Chung

This bill is not only harmful but openly discriminatory and targeting already disenfranchised Iowans. By moving this bill forward, you would be legislating hate. Legislating harm. Legislating a law that includes separate but equal accommodations for transgender Iowans. Separately but equal was used in the Jim Crow era to legislate hate against Black folks in the US. It is taught in history books how harmful this kind of legislation is. The right to choose how we live should not be legislated. The only safety transgender Iowans are being faced with is our own. WE are made unsafe by these laws and by this hateful legislation. Please do not pass this bill. Please consider the right to privacy and the right to freedom that ALL Iowans deserve including transgender Iowans.

02-25-2025

Lori Deal

I am opposed to this legislation as this strips away the rights of my fellow citizens here in Iowa. I am in shock that we are in a place where our civil rights are in jeopardy. Those of you that have brought this legislation forward should be ashamed. I ask that you reconsider and vote against this cruel bill.

02-25-2025

Elizabeth Bostian

There is plenty of scientific research that sex and gender are different. Sex is biological. Gender is a social construct. If you are struggling to understand the difference between the two, I recommend taking a class that presents research.

02-25-2025

Elizabeth Bostian

02-25-2025

Braydon Stotser

I thought the whole point of america was to tolerate the differences of your neighbors and stuff. The fact that this law has gotten as far as it has is a slap in the face that we no longer live in the land of the free. Nobody's forcing you to understand transness as an identity, but removing legal protections is step one for a genocide.

02-25-2025

Mason Schwarz

What kind of a state takes rights away from its citizens based on nothing but prejudice? If you start doing things like this then there is no line that cant be crossed and whos next to loose their rights? This is not the direction that this legislature should be taking and is a huge waste of time. Everyone has the right to be. Stop being scared assholes.

02-25-2025

Nik Hoven

Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain. Its our state motto, and it is completely appalling that instead of advocating and fighting for what we as Iowans are proud to be. Conservative law makers are pushing an agenda instead of listening to what their constituents believe in. Religion does not have a place in government, but even if this bill does seem to be backed by Christians, it is the opposite of what Jesus would have done. Hypocrisy at its finest.

02-25-2025

Jacob Smith

If I have to move to Las Vegas I will I have been an IRGC licensed employee since April of 2024 and if this law goes into effect it will be much harder for me to keep my job as I am an openly gay man working as a croupier at the Lakeside Casino in Osceola. Ive had job offers in Las Vegas as an employee in the gaming industry and If this goes into affect, I wont feel safe in my own state or industry anymore

02-25-2025

Nik Hoven

02-25-2025

Trisha Borowicz

I am vehemently stating my opposition to SF 418. Passing this bill and rolling back civil rights protection for any Iowans is a shame and against everything I hold dear about America.The people this bill targets are our coworkers, friends, family, and neighbors. They, like every American, deserve better.

02-25-2025

Amy Clark

This bill is antiquated and creates loopholes that allow residents of Iowa to be discriminated against, without the ability to fight back. This is NOT representing the people of Iowa, this is representing only the people who are male, white, and heterosexual. Passage of this bill sends a very clear message that you are actually only interested in representing a portion of your constituents, and that the rest of us, including women, people of color, and those in the LGBTQ community, don't really matter to you and are not worthy of civil rights protections.

02-25-2025

Michelle Rubin

I'd like to voice my concern over this bill. I am concerned that this act would strip transgender Iowans of protections protections under the Iowa Civil Rights Act and erase transgender Iowans under the law.We already have laws regulating the concerns voiced by supporters of this bill. It is not necessary and will severely impact trans and nonbinary Iowans.It also sends a message that these Iowansmany of whom work hard and contribute to our state in so many waysdon't matter. Our state motto is Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain. But as far as this bill stands, our motto doesn't apply to everyoneonly those align with lawmakers beliefs.Please consider these implications and do not pass this bill. Thank you for your time.

02-25-2025

Dana Loftsgard

I am a lifelong Iowan, wife, mother, business owner and Christian ( NOT Christian nationalist ). The proposed bill is not only discriminatory, it is antihuman and most definitely antiChristian ( since our leaders want church and state to comingle, I threw in the religious reference ). You would be setting back our state decades. A state that was once respected and progressive has done a 180, under this administration. Rights for the LGTBQ+ community, does NOT mean fewer rights for others. The LGTBQ+ community , their pronouns and their private lives literally have zero impact how others live theirs. The only reason to to propose such bill is fear, hatred and ignorance. Please stop catering and cowering to TrumpMusk agenda and choose human decency.

02-25-2025

Lynn Kassel

This legislative package is disgusting. This will harm Iowans, and this paves the way to strip rights for other protected classes. Caring about others is not hard, even and especially when they are different from oneself. I beg for representatives and senators to consider the harmful impact that this will have (more unhoused individuals, more individuals without healthcare, more individuals without safe places, more death by suicide). There is no need for this legislation. I ask representatives and senators to reflect upon their values to determine when we (the general people) should stop caring for others, and the answer should be NEVER. Someone's value is not determined by their gender or sexassignedatbirth, nor is it determined by who they love. Iowans deserve better than this legislation. Please vote NO!.

02-25-2025

Rev. Meg Wagner [Episcopal Diocese of Iowa]

As an Iowan for almost 40 years, and as a priest in The Episcopal Church in Iowa, I beg you to vote no.What SF418 proposes stands in direct contrast to the promises we make as faithful Christians to seek and serve Christ in all persons, love our neighbors as ourselves, to strive for justice and peace among all people, and to respect the dignity of every human being. SF418 is incredibly cruel and dangerous to transgender and nonbinary Iowans and those that love them. Throughout my ministry I have come to know the stories of many of those Iowans and have ministered alongside them as colleagues and friends. They want the same things all of us want the opportunity to live, love, and work free from harassment and with dignity. This bill is the complete opposite of that. Not only does it strip those basic civil rights protections, it erases their identity from their legal documents, and weakens protections for all Iowans who might not fit into the bills narrowly defined gender norms.Transgender and nonbinary Iowans are a reality, and no bill can change that reality. What this bill would do is to make their reality unnecessarily harder, more dangerous, and remove essential civil rights protections from them and that should never be the goal of legislators. Please do all that you can to make sure this legislation moves no further.

02-25-2025

Ren Hawken

This is a blatant act of dehumanization which will not stop at trans Iowans but be used to push against any difference within the community. Trans, queer, LGBTQIA+ Iowans, Iowans of color, immigrants, and just general members of the community will be harmed by this bill and legislation which it will set precedent for. We do not support this.

02-25-2025

Tyler Budde-Rompot

I vehemently oppose SF418. Trans Iowans deserve to feel safe in our state. By removing gender identity from the list of protected classes, we are creating an environment that isnt safe for many of our most vulnerable citizens. The government is suppose to support and protect the people, not strip away the protections that allow them to live their daily lives. Legalized discrimination has no place in our state.

02-25-2025

April Pearson-Decklever

I VEHEMENTLY OPPOSE SF 418, AND YOU SHOULD TOO. Someone I love very much was violently r*ped in a bathroom. It wasnt a trans woman, and it wasnt a public bathroom. It was her husband, and it was in her own home. He used a shampoo bottle. Proponents of SF 418 argue that transgender people are odds with science. That theyre mentally ill. That theyre a danger to women and children. First of all, theres a biological explanation for why folks brains and bodies dont align; read Touching a Nerve, the Self as a Brain by Patricia S. Churchland, who is a Professor at the University of California and the Salk Institute for Biological Research. Second, a trans people have been around since the beginning of time. If the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results, one could argue that antitrans folks are the crazy ones, because trans folks are not going anywhere, no matter how many times society tries to shut them down. Third, that husband who raped his wife? Hes free, living his life, raising their kids. And the wife? She's dead. If you truly cared about the health and safety of women and children, you would hold violent men accountable, instead of wasting time and money on this ridiculous bill. I VEHEMENTLY OPPOSE SF 418, AND YOU SHOULD TOO.

02-25-2025

Joe Gallo

For most of my sons life, he felt uncomfortable in his own body. He lacked confidence around others. He felt unsafe in many situations. Since coming out as male/masculine, he is becoming the person he was meant to be: comfortable in his body, confident around others and safe. Please dont take that away from him.

02-25-2025

Aoife Stone

I believe that all people have the right to be treated fairly and equally by the laws of our state regardless of their identities or others' beliefs about those identities. I expect my elected representatives to protect those rights. These basic antidiscrimination protections are crucial to ensure all people access to opportunities regardless of who they are or how they are perceived. Further, while the language in this bill seems primarily focused on trans people, the bill jeopardizes sex stereotyping protections for all people that arent included in Iowas sex discrimination statute.

02-25-2025

Kelsey Taylor

I am writing to urge you to vote NO on the Iowa Civil Rights Removal Act that seeks to strip civil rights from trans Iowans. Transgender people are human beings, just like everyone else. They are not predators, violent offenders, or inhuman. They are our neighbors, friends, and fellow citizens.While I understand that some religious beliefs may shape opinions on gender identity, we must remember that this country was founded on the separation of church and state. We are a nation that values freedom as stated in our motto, Our Liberties We Prize, Our Rights We Will Maintain. These are rights that belong to all Iowans, regardless of their gender identity.As we watch the political landscape continue to crumble, with our democracy facing threats from all sides, I know that many of you are grappling with pressure from within your own party. This is reminiscent of the McCarthy era, when brave Republican senators stood up against fascism and antiSemitism, risking everything for the sake of democracy and human dignity. Their courage in the face of fear is something we should all admire.I ask you to be brave, to stand firm in your belief in democracy and human rights, and to listen to the many Iowans who are begging for you to rise above fear and political pressure. The choices we make now will determine the future of our state and our country.For those of you who may not prioritize humanity or the ideals of this democratic republic, I want you to know that we see you. We are watching, and we will hold you accountable. If democracy is to survive, how can we in good conscience allow those who threaten it to retain their positions of power? The higher the rise, the harder the fall. This is not the direction Iowans want for our state.I implore you to vote against any legislation that targets trans Iowans and to remember that upholding the rights of every citizen, regardless of gender identity, is not just a political decisionit is a moral one. It is a decision that reflects the values of democracy, freedom, and humanity.Thank you for your time and consideration.Sincerely,Kelsey Taylor

02-25-2025

Matthieu Biger

"The term 'equal' does not mean 'same' or 'identical'" and "Separate accommodations are not inherently unequal." are sentences that harken back to dark times in U.S. history.For the sake of all your constituents, and, of course, especially those whose identity, rights, and safety this attacks, I urge you to vote no on this bill.

02-25-2025

Anita Johnson

Taking away a group's rights not to be discriminated against is unethical and harmful. Deleting the word "transgender" from the Iowa code may help some to remain in their comfort zone but it is not based in reality and pushes transgender Iowans further to the margins. I would urge Senators to defeat this bill.

02-25-2025

John Fisher

Iowan of 31 years, born and raised on a century family farm. We all deserve the same rights. This is not the Iowa I was raised in. This is not the Iowa my family has fed for the last 120+ years. I only have a few minutes on my lunch break (I am not a teacher) so Im writing this brief comment in strong opposition to this bill. I want to protect my students, my fellow human beings, and the future of our state. We once stood for something and its being eroded with each passing year.

02-25-2025

Amelia Armstrong

Trying to eliminate the words used by a group of people to describe themselves, then making it a crime for them to show up as themselves, looks like an attempt to erase them from being. That is cultural genocide. Think boarding schools for Native Americans, think Holocaust. This is what this legislation would do. Please stop trying to erase our trans citizens.

02-25-2025

Jada Fife

Dear Members of the Committee,My name is Jada Fife, and I am a resident of Union County. Proponents of SF 418 claim to be protecting the safety and rights of "real" women through removing protections for trans people, especially trans women. However, I believe that this bill will in fact harm biological/cisgender women, especially those that also differ from the norm of womanhood. I am biological woman, but I also dress in masculine styles like a tomboy. This bill restricts one's rights based on what women are supposed to look like. SF 418 will encourage people to judge me for entering a women's bathroom. It will make girls like me scared to be themselves. This bill affects the entire LGBT community, harming our transgender sisters and brothers. In a study last year, the Trevor Project showed that trans kids and teenagers were already killing themselves at a higher rate.Removing gender identity as a protected category will deny not only trans people of their Constitutional rights but deny biological women as well. People would now be allowed to discriminated against women who act outside the social roles of womanhood like those who dress more masculine or work in traditionally maledominated career. SF 418 starts the ball rolling down a slippery slope towards removing all the freedoms and autonomy over their bodies that women have enjoyed over the past century.Thank you for your time and service to Iowa,Jada FifeJada FifeUnion County Soil and Water Conservation District Commissionerjadafifeyahoo.com

02-25-2025

Allison Castle

Please oppose Iowa Senate File 418. This bill presents significant concerns regarding human rights, discrimination, and the promotion of hate and oppression.1. Violation of Human Rights:SF 418 undermines the rights of transgender and nonbinary individuals by enforcing a narrow, biologically based definition of sex and gender. This restrictive approach disregards established medical and psychological understandings of gender identity, denying individuals the right to selfidentify and live authentically. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantees the right to equality and freedom from discrimination, rights that this bill infringes upon.2. Open to Discrimination:By removing gender identity as a protected class under the Iowa Civil Rights Act, the bill creates a pathway for discrimination in employment, education, housing, and public accommodations. This exclusion leaves transgender and nonbinary individuals vulnerable to unfair treatment without legal recourse. It undermines the progress Iowa has made toward ensuring equality for all citizens.3. Promotion of Hate and Oppression:The bills language not only invalidates the identities of marginalized communities but also emboldens those who seek to marginalize and oppress. By codifying exclusionary definitions, SF 418 fosters an environment where prejudice can thrive, contradicting the inclusive spirit that should define our schools, workplaces, and public spaces.The Iowa Civil Rights Act was designed to protect all citizens from discrimination, ensuring that every individual can participate fully in society. By stripping protections from genderdiverse individuals, SF 418 violates the intent of the states civil rights framework. Furthermore, the bill stands in direct opposition to Iowas proud motto: Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain. Liberty and rights cannot be selectively applied; they must extend to all Iowans, regardless of gender identity.SF 418 is not only a step backward for civil rights in Iowa.

02-25-2025

Eryn Cronbaugh

Do not strip human beings of basic rights with this bill. There are so many other more important things to focus energy on as a legislative body. Protect human rights and vote no on this bill. There is simply no reason to deny people living as their authentic selves. Vote no.

02-25-2025

Liv Haik

As someone from Minnesota going to Iowa for school and as someone who is nonbinary, I am scared for my fellow trans people. This bill is about perpetuating hate, not protection as they claim it to be. Was the protests not enough? Was the constant cries from the people you represent not enough. Oppose this and change your thinking if you wanna protect your community. Government is supposed to help its country, not hurt it

02-25-2025

Anita Johnson

02-25-2025

Jennifer English

By passing this, you are legalizing hate and discrimination. You are protecting absolutely no one but you will be going directly against the very notion of our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain. There is not one reason you can give that justifies stripping the residents of this state of their basic rights and liberties. Reject SF418 immediately.

02-25-2025

Emma Freel

This is only intended to cause harm to the LBGTQ community. It does nothing to protect children. There was a school shooting 45 minutes away from where I work. Children are dying, and we are for some reason focused on attacking the LGBTQ community. This is a very sad time to be an Iowan.

02-25-2025

Drew Rose

I hope the state will stop the panic of taking our rights away. As a trans man living in Iowa Ive never felt more unsafe than I do this week. I shouldnt need to worry about having to go to the bathroom or worry that I can get fired from work just because Im trans and not under the protections we currently have. Please fight the bigger battles of homelessness and hunger instead of attacking people for just living there lives.

02-25-2025

Liam Mitchell

I am opposed to this bill. It would make it harder for my spouse and I to visit family in Iowa without proper protections. This means that Iowa will lose out on revenue due to less people visiting Iowa. Also, why is the focus on stripping away human rights? Why isn't there a focus on improving the economy?

02-25-2025

Allison Nagel

I am disappointed that instead of finding ways to help make constituents lives better with lowercost housing or better access to food for low income families or clean water, or strengthening public education, this is what our public officials are spending time on. This helps no one. This is needed by no one. And this directly harms fellow Iowans.

02-25-2025

Jill Hogstrom

I respectfully express my opposition to this legislation. Laws that restrict how sex and gender are recognized in vital records and civil rights protections may negatively impact individuals whose identities dont conform to traditional categories. Additionally, limiting educational content related to gender can prevent students from developing a full understanding of human diversity. I believe our policies should be inclusive and evidence based, respecting the dignity of all people while ensuring appropriate protections for vulnerable populations. I urge lawmakers to consult with affected communities, medical professionals, and educators before proceeding with such legislation.

02-25-2025

Dan Junis

The state of Iowa needs to stop infringing on the rights of its citizens and begin to treat trans people as people. The current laws being passed regarding trans rights show that state government regards trans folk as less than human

02-25-2025

K James

I oppose this bill that stands to make Iowa FIRST IN HATE. Do we really want to be the first state to REMOVE civil rights protections from its citizens? Do you really want trans men in women's bathrooms? Do you really think it is imperative to make a vulnerable population MORE vulnerable just because you don't understand it?

02-25-2025

Mike Burt

Please vote against this Bill. I dont understand why Republicans are so caught up in the culture war related to gender. It seems so cruel that persons who have lived in the state when gender affirmation care was legal are now facing legislation like this thank you for considering

02-25-2025

Cadalina Sand [Taxpaying American Citizen]

Please deny HSB 186.Please keep your constituents and fellow humans in mind.Speaking of, please help us keep our Human Rights and Medicaid. We need your help to deny and resist the Cheeto. We appreciate any resistance against him. 3

02-25-2025

John Weyer

As the parent of a transgender young adult, please know that she is a vibrant, smart human being who is ready to be a fully participating and contributing member of society. She is in no way a threat to society. She should be afforded the same civil rights as anyone else. Perhaps like those backing this bill, I do not fully understand being transgender, but I do fully accept her as she is and love her no less. She has a right to be recognized with the same civil rights as any other human being in the United States or any other state currently. She should not be denied any of those current civil rights, no more than we would deny someone else their rights because of their race, color, religion, sex, and national origin under the US Civil Rights Law of 1964. The motto of the State of Iowa "Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain." should be adhered to as is and not changed. I urge the subcommittee to not advance this bill. Thank you. Respectfully, John Weyer

02-25-2025

Hannah Burt

This bill is the stupidest, most bigoted piece of bullshit I've ever seen. Anyone in support of this bill should be ashamed of themselves, but that would require having even an ounce of empathy or human decency, so perhaps I shouldn't be surprised. This sort of thing is what makes me ashamed to be an Iowan.

02-25-2025

Hope Sievers

My name is Hope Sievers and I vote from my last residence in McCallsburg, Iowa. I now live in Toronto, Canada but I visit Iowa very frequently to see family. If this bill passes it will become dangerous for me to visit my family with my trangender spouse. If it becomes lawful for Iowans to discriminate against my spouse, we will limit our visits. We will stop any consideration of moving back to Iowa, and I will be forced to choose between protecting my spouse and going to see my family. Needless to say, any public official who is in favor of this dangerous bill will never get my vote. You should absolutely not move forward with this bill.

02-25-2025

Crystal Jewell [Iowa State University]

If people are worried about seeing a biological man dressed as a woman using a womans restroom, we create genderneutral restroom options. We dont take away peoples civil rights like children with control issues. We dont push them out of our community. Ostracizing people is a serious trauma that creates criminal behavior. Leave people alone and let them express themselves freely. We cant control people no matter how much we try to convince ourselves and our children that we can. This is the problem, we need to let go of the illusion of control of other people. Sincerely,Crystal Jewell, M.S.Mindfulness researcher and neuroscientist

02-25-2025

julie murry

Iowa used to be a leader and an innovator in the U.S. we have now stooped to taking rights away from our fellow citizens. As a woman, saying this bill is protecting me is asinine. My rights are no more important than those of my transgender brothers and sisters. Transgender women have always used the same restrooms as me without my even knowing it and I have not noticed or cared. Unfortunately this bill would affect them in so many other ways that is unconscionable. It spreads hate and allows transphobia. We are already pushing away our young adults to other states that are more welcoming with better opportunities. Lets do better!I strongly disagree with this bill. Iowa rights are for everyone, not just a few depending on viewpoints of a few!

02-25-2025

Zoe Rand

This hateful bill which attacks the marginalized 0.95% of our total population is making trans people a scapegoat for the true issues this state has. Meanwhile, 11% of our population is in poverty. We have the second highest rate of new cancer in the country due to chemical exposure and runoff. The food crisis has spread food pantries and community fridges thin and forcing every day citizens to action when our government should be. Shame on this bill, and shame on anyone who supports it because you fear and hate what you dont understand.

02-25-2025

Catherine Larson

Vote no on this bill! Do not make Iowa the first state to take civil rights AWAY from its residents. Get your heads out of the sand and listen to your constituents! Read the comments, read your emails, listen to the phone calls and the voicemails being left. Iowans do NOT WANT THIS. We want a state that is safe and kind to all of its residents. Stop pushing people out! These politicians are not representing their constituents and they should be ashamed and voted OUT!

02-25-2025

Kelsi Tedesco

This feels like a giant waste of time and money for our government. These rights should be protected for our neighbors who are vulnerable enough to live their truth or want to. The science is there to back it up and it feels as though our government wants the ability to discriminate and censor out of fear, personal vendetta, or a desire to mix church and state. I am deeply ashamed of our elected officials inability to serve all Iowan citizens and the level of bullying that is at hand.

02-25-2025

Anastasia Bender

I am writing to express my strong opposition to Iowa Senate File 418. This bill presents significant concerns regarding human rights, discrimination, and the promotion of hate and oppression, while also contradicting the values expressed in Iowas state code and motto, Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain.1. Violation of Human Rights:SF 418 undermines the rights of transgender and nonbinary individuals by enforcing a narrow, biologically based definition of sex and gender. This restrictive approach disregards established medical and psychological understandings of gender identity, denying individuals the right to selfidentify and live authentically. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantees the right to equality and freedom from discrimination, rights that this bill infringes upon.2. Open to Discrimination:By removing gender identity as a protected class under the Iowa Civil Rights Act, the bill creates a pathway for discrimination in employment, education, housing, and public accommodations. This exclusion leaves transgender and nonbinary individuals vulnerable to unfair treatment without legal recourse. It undermines the progress Iowa has made toward ensuring equality for all citizens.3. Promotion of Hate and Oppression:The bills language not only invalidates the identities of marginalized communities but also emboldens those who seek to marginalize and oppress. By codifying exclusionary definitions, SF 418 fosters an environment where prejudice can thrive, contradicting the inclusive spirit that should define our schools, workplaces, and public spaces.4. Contradiction of Iowa Code and Motto:The Iowa Civil Rights Act was designed to protect all citizens from discrimination, ensuring that every individual can participate fully in society. By stripping protections from genderdiverse individuals, SF 418 violates the intent of the states civil rights framework. Furthermore, the bill stands in direct opposition to Iowas proud motto: Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain. Liberty and rights cannot be selectively applied; they must extend to all Iowans, regardless of gender identity.In conclusion, SF 418 is not only a step backward for civil rights in Iowa but also a direct affront to the values of equality and dignity that our state and nation hold dear. I urge legislators to reject this harmful bill and instead focus on policies that promote inclusivity, understanding, and respect for all citizens.

02-25-2025

Judith Duenas

Vote no. Stop stripping away the rights of Iowans, what an embarrassment this is for the state. Remember as you comply to tyranny and hatred that the world is watching and knows your name as you gleefully betray your people.

02-25-2025

Darren McNabb [Pearson]

This bill is as hateful as it is ignorant. It is a solution in search of a problem. This has nothing to do with men in women's sports and everything to do with cramming your Christofascist propaganda down our throats. The EO from the president, along with your bill, shows that you understand literally nothing about the complexity of human biology. You are ignorant and hateful and I am so fucking sick of your hateful bullshit. Fuck you.

02-25-2025

Justin Henke

Denying rights to the Trans, non gender specific, LGBTQ+ community is not just an injusticeits a betrayal of the very principles of equality and human dignity. The fact that every person on this planet shares 99.9% of their DNA is a powerful reminder that we are all part of the same human family. To single out a group for discrimination is not just cruel; its irrational.No ones freedom or safety is threatened by allowing trans, non gender specific, and LGBTQ+ individuals to live openly and without fear. The real danger comes from legislation that legitimizes persecution, dividing a society that should be united in compassion and respect. To strip people of their rights based on who they are is to deny them their humanity. And when we do that to any group, we diminish our own.

02-25-2025

Norman Friedrich

I oppose SF 418. I believe it will increase the amount of discrimination that will occur toward real people living in Iowa. Iowans should not have to go into hiding because of their gender or gender identity.This bill would allow someone to be discriminated against because of their gender identity and I oppose seeing that happen.

02-25-2025

Andrew Thompson

To the Members of the Subcommittee,I have been an Iowan all my life and I will be an Iowan all my life. But recently it seems as if the state that was so proud for its stance on gay marriage has quickly turned its back on marginalized communities. This bill furthers that trend as it seeks to only make the lives of Iowans, particularly the most vulnerable among us, even harder. As an attorney and a resident of Davenport, I am writing to express my deep dissatisfaction and disapproval of the proposed bill concerning sex and gender. I urge you to reconsider its advancement.My primary concern lies with the bill's potential to negatively impact the rights and wellbeing of transgender and gender nonconforming individuals in Iowa. The redefinition of "sex" and "gender" for statutory construction, as well as the limitations it seeks to impose on vital records, appear to be aimed at erasing or marginalizing the existence and identities of transgender Iowans. This flies in the face of established legal precedent and evolving societal understanding of gender identity.Furthermore, the proposed changes to the Iowa Civil Rights Act regarding gender identity are deeply troubling. These changes threaten to strip away crucial protections against discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations, leaving vulnerable individuals exposed to prejudice and harm.Finally, I am concerned about the bill's provisions relating to school curricula and "gender theory." These provisions could stifle open and honest discussions about gender identity in schools, and create a chilling effect on educators who seek to provide inclusive and supportive environments for all students. As legal professionals, we have a duty to protect the constitutionality of civil rights, and the proposed bill may lead to discrimination that violates the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.For these reasons, I strongly urge you to reject this misguided and harmful legislation.Sincerely,Drew

02-25-2025

Michele Hinz

Don't you know anyone who will be face the serious negative consequences of this bill? Don't you care about them? I'm white, straight, cis and elderly, but many people I know, like, even love, would be hurt by this. Not to mention all the people I dont kno but can still care about. Why so mean and smallminded?

02-25-2025

Michele Hinz

02-25-2025

Eric Menzel

I believe the government should not have any say in the personal beliefs, feelings, or understanding of ones own body or fulfillments. If an individuals identity is a particular way, they should have the right to freely express themselves however they believe that to be without fear of harm or ridicule. It is no business of anyone else, much less the government.

02-25-2025

Michael Powers

I am completely against this attempt to make the trans community 2nd class. This will allow anyone or business to discriminate based on someones gender identity. I am utterly disgusted by the politicians Steve Holt and Samantha Fett who are pushing this fascist bill.

02-25-2025

Brigitte Cornelius

Under the Bill of Rights as well as the now "uncommon" human decency, we ask that you vote NO on SF418. ALL people, no matter the color, size or country of origin or whether male, female, or whatever (yes, it's possible, was in High School biology class or should have been) Ask a farmer, my dad knew, children's hospitals know. All have rights,talents, intelligence that need our laws protecting EVERYONE. No discrimination or pointing fingers. Then you are showing your hateful ignorance.

02-25-2025

Justin Conrad

Dear Subcommittee Members,Help or Harm. That is the fundamental question we must ask when considering Senate File 418. Does this bill help Iowans by simplifying legal definitions and ensuring fairness, or does it harm Iowans by creating unnecessary government restrictions, increasing bureaucracy, and interfering with personal and business decisions?The role of legislation is to solve problems, reduce government overreach, and support economic and personal freedom. Before moving forward with SF 418, I encourage careful consideration of how this bill helps Iowans and where it may create unintended consequences.How SF 418 May Help Iowans:1.Standardized Definitions in LawThe bill establishes clear statutory definitions of sex and gender, which some may argue reduce legal ambiguity and ensure consistency across Iowa law.2.Privacy & Safety ConsiderationsSF 418 maintains sexbased distinctions in public facilities like restrooms, shelters, and locker rooms, reinforcing the idea that separate accommodations do not mean unequal treatment.3.Simplified Data CollectionPublic agencies would be required to categorize individuals strictly as male or female, ensuring uniformity in reporting for public health, crime statistics, and economic data.How SF 418 May Harm Iowans:1.Government Overreach & Bureaucratic BurdensThis bill mandates how Iowans must be recorded on official documents, potentially limiting individual freedoms and creating unnecessary legal conflicts for those who already have updated documents.Individuals who have previously updated their birth certificates, driver's licenses, or other state documents may now face legal confusion, costly corrections, and additional government red tape.2.Legal & Economic ConsequencesPotential legal conflicts with federal law could lead to lawsuits against the state, costing taxpayers money in litigation.Businesses looking to expand in Iowa may reconsider investment if state policies increase legal liabilities or restrict hiring flexibility.Other states that have passed similar laws have faced significant economic losses:North Carolinas House Bill 2 (HB2) resulted in $3.76 billion in projected economic losses, with major companies such as PayPal and Deutsche Bank canceling expansion plans. The NBA moved the 2017 AllStar Game out of Charlotte, and the NCAA relocated championship events. https://apnews.com/article/e6c7a15d2e16452c8dcbc2756fd67b44?Indianas Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) led to more than $60 million in lost convention revenue for Indianapolis alone, with a reported $250 million economic impact statewide. https://www.wfyi.org/news/articles/visitindysaysrfrafalloutcostcity60m?These cases show that similar policies have led to real financial harm, affecting jobs, tourism, and economic growth.3.Increased Restrictions & Legal Risks for SchoolsSF 418 creates uncertainty for teachers by restricting what topics can be discussed without clear guidelines. This could expose schools to legal challenges over common classroom discussions.A single parent complaint about an offhand classroom discussion could result in a school district being forced to defend itself in court, draining taxpayer dollars meant for education.Iowa already faces teacher shortagesadding legal risks and restrictions on classroom discussion will only drive more educators away, making it harder to fill positions and maintain quality schools.4.Unintended Impact on All StudentsSF 418 assumes students will not discuss identity issues among themselves, which is unrealistic. Children ask questions.Banning open, ageappropriate discussions in school doesnt mean students wont talk about these topicsit only means theyll turn to social media, peers, or unreliable sources instead of having trusted educators available for guidance.Censorship in classrooms does not stop curiosityit just limits the ability of teachers to provide factual, thoughtful responses.Schools should equip students with critical thinking skills, not restrict what topics they are allowed to engage with.5.All Iowans Could Be Vulnerable to DiscriminationBy removing legal protections, this bill does not just impact one groupit leaves any Iowan vulnerable to discrimination based on assumptions or perceived identity.A person does not have to identify as transgender to be refused service, employment, or housing under this billthey only need to be perceived as different by an employer, landlord, or business owner.For example:A woman with short hair and masculine clothing could be denied service because someone assumes she does not conform to traditional gender norms.A man with long hair or soft features could be harassed at work or refused a promotion under the assumption that he does not fit a "male appearance" standard.A teenager questioning their identity could be denied school services, creating an educational barrier for a child simply trying to navigate life.Iowa has long stood against discrimination in all formsthis bill opens the door to widespread misapplication that could affect people far beyond its intended scope.Why This Matters for Iowas SchoolsTeachers should not be put in the impossible position of avoiding natural student questions, fearing lawsuits over common discussions, or abandoning their ability to teach students how to think critically.Iowa schools should be focused on preparing students for the real world, not micromanaging conversations. This bill takes local control away from parents, school boards, and teachers, increasing legal risks and government overreach where it is not needed.A Call for Practical SolutionsAt its core, this bill is not just about terminology, its about government control over personal and business decisions. If SF 418 is truly intended to help Iowans, we must ask: who benefits, and at what cost? If the bill creates confusion, increases legal and bureaucratic burdens, and reduces Iowas economic competitiveness, then we must ask whether the benefits outweigh the risks.Rather than advancing onesizefitsall mandates, I urge you to consider policies that prioritize individual freedoms, reduce government interference, and allow businesses, local governments, and families to make decisions that best serve their needs.Thank you for your time and your dedication to policies that promote prosperity, efficiency, and fairness for all Iowans.Sincerely,Justin ConradAmes, Iowa

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02-25-2025

Holly Moore

We are not a state the restricts are reduces rights; we are a state that respects and honors humans in their individuality, and in their complete right to self determination. These assaults are not simply against trans people. They are assaults against our own humanity. Please stop this bill in its tracks. The dehumanization of any one of us dehumanizes all of us.

02-25-2025

Cat Fribley

My name is Cat Fribley, and I am an Iowan writing to express my strong opposition to HSB242. This bill seeks to remove essential protections for transgender Iowans, a move that not only undermines their rights but also fails to enhance the safety of women's spaces, an erroneous argument being made by lawmakers and supporters of the bill. In fact, evidence indicates that such measures may inadvertently compromise the safety and wellbeing of all Iowans.The assertion that restricting transgender individuals' access to facilities aligning with their gender identity will make women's spaces safer is not supported by evidence. Research consistently shows that inclusive policies do not increase safety risks in public restrooms or changing areas. A study by the Williams Institute found no link between transgenderinclusive nondiscrimination laws and incidents of safety or privacy violations in public facilities. Conversely, transgender individuals often face significant harassment and violence when denied access to appropriate facilities. Forcing them to use facilities that do not correspond with their gender identity can lead to increased vulnerability and victimization. This not only endangers transgender people but also fosters an environment of fear and discrimination that affects everyone.It's crucial to recognize that the predominant sources of violence against women are not transgender individuals. The World Health Organization reports that approximately 1 in 3 women globally experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, most often perpetrated by intimate partners. This statistic underscores the need to address the real sources of violence rather than targeting marginalized groups who are not responsible for these offenses.Enacting HSB242 would not only strip away vital protections for transgender Iowans but also perpetuate harmful myths that divert attention from the true causes of violence against women. By promoting discrimination and exclusion, this bill could create a more hostile environment, making it more difficult for all individuals to feel safe and respected in public spaces.I urge you to consider the evidence and oppose HSB242. Protecting the rights of transgender individuals aligns with our shared values of equality and justice and contributes to the safety and wellbeing of all Iowans. Let's focus on policies that address the real sources of violence and work towards a more inclusive and safe society for everyone.

02-25-2025

Rachel Koppenhaver

Vote against this bill! Transgendered individuals are humans too who deserve protections against discrimination in the state of Iowa! There is never a good enough reason to take an individuals rights of protection away for jobs, housing, education, etc.

02-26-2025

Jael Walker

I am strongly opposed to this bill. I firmly believe there is no world where rolling back civil protections for a specific group of people leads to something good. Frankly, the current obsession with the genitals of other people is intrusive and ridiculous, and acting as if that is a morally sound decision is even more so. To claim gender identity isn't a protected class will harm just as many women who don't look "feminine enough" as it will transgender people; probably more, considering transgender individuals represent such a small fraction of the population. This is not speculation but a proven, verifiable fact, cisgender (not transgender) women have been mistaken for trans women and verbally berated or even physically assaulted. How does allowing people to feel comfortable attacking women for not looking like what they think a woman should look like, help women? Iowa deserves better than this.

02-26-2025

Nathan Lunsford

I am against this bill. According to the Williams Institute, 7,100 Iowans identifies as transgender. With the rising hate for this small group they need to continue to be a protected class under the Civil Rights Act of 1964."Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." MLK Jr.

02-26-2025

Jeff Beck

I urge all legislators to oppose SF 418.Iowa SF 418, which seeks to remove protections for transgender individuals, stands in stark contrast to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Jesus consistently emphasized the importance of caring for and protecting marginalized communities. In Matthew 25:40, He said, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." This powerful statement underscores the significance of treating all individuals, especially those who are vulnerable, with compassion and respect.Furthermore, in Mark 12:31, Jesus taught, "Love your neighbor as yourself." This commandment calls for unconditional love and acceptance of all people, regardless of their gender identity. Removing protections for transgender individuals goes against this fundamental principle of love and inclusion.By opposing Iowa SF 418, we uphold the values of empathy, kindness, and justice that Jesus championed. It is our moral duty to ensure that all individuals, including transgender people, are treated with dignity and respect, and are afforded the same protections and rights as everyone else.

02-26-2025

Mitch Smith

I am writing to today with deep concern and a sincere request to the Iowa legislature about an issue that is incredibly important to me and many others: the protection and advancement of transgender rights. All Iowans should be treated fairly and equally by the laws of our state, and should have the opportunity to earn a living and provide for themselves and their families.Ensuring that trans people are treated with dignity and respect is not only a matter of basic human rights, it creates a more welcoming snd compassionate Iowa. Thats the Iowa I knew when I moved to Des Moines in 2011.Transgender people are our friends, neighbors, family and coworkers. When it comes to being able to earn a living, having a place to live, or being served by a business or government office, they should be treated like anyone else and not be discriminated against. Please vote against HSB242.

02-26-2025

Edmer 164 Colchester Drive

Gender identity and respecting transgender people is not only a moral imperative but also an economic necessity. Discrimination against transgender individuals contributes to unemployment, underemployment, and health disparities, increasing reliance on public assistance and healthcare systems. Workplaces benefit from varied perspectives, higher employee retention, and increased productivity, driving economic growth. When transgender individuals are supported, they can fully participate in the workforce, boosting consumer spending and tax contributions. Moreover, reducing discrimination lowers healthcare costs linked to mental health crises and job instability. Embracing inclusivity strengthens economic resilience, fosters innovation, and creates a more prosperous and equitable society. Therefore, I encourage you to oppose this bill.

02-26-2025

lauri coffman

You couldnt be more hateful. If people arent hurting you or costing you $$$ then stop your hate. Too many of you who are being paid by us taxpayers are sickened by your hate. Try working on something that will help all Americans instead of all your bullshit. Stop all your fing government waste by all this asinine nonsense. Bringing up all these asinine bills is a massive waste of $$$. You should be fired. STOP your HATE for once. And trying to sneak all your bullshit in under the radar speaks volumes. You have zero compassion, you obviously hate Americans, and youre massive cowards.

02-26-2025

George Walton

Please do not pass this harmful legislation. It will pave the way to open discrimination against Iowa citizens. If you insist on passing this in Iowa, please next move change our state motto so that it is accurate. Here is a draft to save you some work, Iowa, where liberty is paid lip service and rights are legislated away.Please stop harming Iowans.

02-26-2025

Katy Herbold [Sidekick Coffee & Books]

Sidekick Coffee & Books is against bill SF 418. As an independent bookstore and a privately owned business, we value the right to free speech and conduct business with this right in mind. Not only is this legislation disgusting and inhumane, but it also infringes on my ability to run my business. Pointing out that the proposed legislation is cruel should be enough to stop it, but with the current political climate it seems necessary to reference the impact on business interests. Business owners: first they are coming for trans people, and if you say nothing then it will eventually be something else that you value in your business. Be brave and do not only what is good for business but good for humanity. Trans people are people!Katy Herboldshe/herSidekick Coffee & BooksFounder

02-26-2025

Leo Clark

To Whom it May Concern:I write to you today as a husband, father, son, brother, teacher, writer, an artist,an individual who values the fundamental rights of all people to live authentically and without fear of discrimination.I strongly oppose any legislation that seeks to restrict an individuals right to selfidentify or that removes protections for those who do. It is not the role of government to dictate personal identity, particularly when such expressions do not infringe upon the rights of others. Laws that target specific groups based on their identity or personal choices undermine the very principles of freedom and equality that our society should uphold.Furthermore, I oppose any legislation that diminishes protections for individuals who identify differently than you or me. Every person deserves equal protection under the law, free from the threat of discrimination or harm. While personal beliefs may vary, no one should be denied the right to live without fear of persecution.To be clear, enacting laws that strip rights from specific groups based on their identity inherently devalues their humanity, treating them as lesser members of our society. This is not the path of justice or equality.I urge you to vote against SF 418 and any other legislation that seeks to marginalize or diminish the rights of any group, particularly members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community. Iowa should stand for inclusivity, dignity, and fairness for all.Thank you for your time and consideration.Sincerely,Leo ClarkHe/Him

02-26-2025

Jean Kaul-Brown [An Iowa Citizen]

SF418 is not want Iowans want. VOTE NO. This bill would make Iowa a less welcoming place, and strip Iowans of their civil rights which is completely unacceptable. There is no justice in this sort of legislation advancing. Do not advance this bill.

02-26-2025

Corey King

Considering all the actual problems the people of Iowa are facing, this bill is a waste of time, energy, and resources. Instead of focusing on what Iowans actually need to be happy and healthy this bill is slated to segregate and diminish a minor group of the Iowa population.

02-26-2025

CoriAnn Theroux [The Green Dragon Bookshop]

I am writing to you today to ask you to reject SF418, a bill that would remove basic protections for transgender Iowans and create complications for other Iowans who do not fall neatly into the bills narrow definitions. All hardworking peopleincluding those who are transgendershould be treated fairly and equally by the laws of our state, and should have the opportunity to earn a living and provide for themselves and their families. If someone cant rent an apartment or get a credit card simply because of who they are, we cant expect them to be able to compete on a level playing field with their peers. These basic antidiscrimination protections are an important part of any meritbased system, allowing people to access opportunities regardless of who they are or how they are perceived. Further, the bill jeopardizes sex stereotyping protections for nontransgender women that arent included in Iowas sex discrimination statute. Transgender people are our friends, neighbors, family and coworkers. When it comes to being able to earn a living, having a place to live, or being served by a business or government office, they should be treated like anyone else and not be discriminated against. Please vote against SF418.

02-25-2025

Alice Shirey

Vote NO to SF 418As a pastor and person of faith, I cannot think of a more cruel and unChristian action than to rip away civil rights from some of the most vulnerable and oppressed Iowans.Shame on you.Please reconsider your vote.The last people in this state who are "dangerous" are trans and LGBTQ people. How do I know Many of them are my friends, my neighbors, my colleagues, my fellow citizens.There is no reason for this legislation. It will not make anyone not gay. It will not make anyone less transgender. It will only make people suicidal and possibly kill themselves.This is horrific. Please stop scapegoating those that Jesus told us to care the most for.Sincerely,Alice Shirey

02-25-2025

Olivia Symmonds

You are attempting to legislate discrimination. You are attempting to bully a group that only makes up .3% of our Iowa population, because you have convinced your constituents that the trans community is the source of their problems. The biology is bad, the science is wrong, and this bill is despicable.

02-25-2025

Joan Moad

I cannot believe this hateful bill appears to be fast tracking through the legislature. Are you even listening to your constituents? This is not the Iowa I grew up in. Please stop manufacturing issues and debate legislation that will uplift and enhance the lives of ALL Iowans,like our cancer rates and water quality. Reject this hate mongering, divisive bill.

02-25-2025

Kathleen Curtis

I have lots of friends in the LGBTQ community. Please stop the harassment of these poor minorities, especially trans people. Legislation should not, and must not be used to intimidate, harass, and strip rights, and privileges from law abiding sentences. my question would be, what are you all afraid of?

02-25-2025

William? Gerth

Civil rights are for everyone. Removing a class of people from the Civil Rights act as those people are under unprecedented attack is immoral, unconscionable, and not a hallmark of good governance. Iowa has an obligation as a state in this union to protect and defend the rights of ALL of its citizens.What liberties does this law prize? What rights does it maintain?! None. Leave the civil rights act as is and support trans people.

02-25-2025

Griffen Clark

This bill is nightmarish and disgusting. Trans people exist, trans people are real, trans people are human, and they are a minority and deserve the same level of civil protection as any other marginalized group. This bill does not help anyone. It only hurts those that are most vulnerable and condones hate and discrimination.

02-25-2025

Common Sense

Please dont take the lack of comments encouraging this bill as lack of support. Iowans FULLY SUPPORT SENSIBLE LEGISLATION and we're tired of ridiculous policies that cater to a miniscule percentage of the population who, by all accounts, suffer from mental health issues. We wouldn't think of agreeing with an anorexic that she's 'fat' and needs to diet and exercise so why would we indulge vulnerable children suffering from gender identity disorder?

02-25-2025

Michael Barnotes

It is beyond disturbing that so many conservative politicians care more about the sexual behavior of total strangers than they do the realworld concerns of their constituents. Believe me when I say that LGBTQ folks think less about their identity and genitalia than the GOP does. Will someone please explain to me what is up with this obsession? We all just want to live our lives in peace. This bill is garbage and does nothing to help the people of Iowa. Its a shameful waste of taxpayer resources.

02-25-2025

Stanzy Hahn

I am commenting to oppose this bill. It is unnecessarily cruel that while Iowans are struggling with food insecurity, housing, and medical costs, that the priority of the state legislature is to remove protections from its own citizens. Not to give anything, not to prevent anything, but to take away. Hating a group of people you dont understand so much that you would make sweeping policies to harm them is an outrage and to even entertain this bill as an elected official is shameful. You may believe that queerness is a choice (its not), but you also have a choice will this governing body protect ALL Iowans, or will it cherry pick and exclude the most vulnerable.

02-25-2025

TeAhnna Eicher

Let people be. There are so many more important things we need to worry about. Stop the hate and division. Focus on healthcare, childcare, education, bringing down costs, the list goes on. Stop waisting time and let people be who they want.

02-25-2025

Judy Russell

Dear Congressman. I'm sorry for those of you who haven't made the effort to understand the science behind our DNA. I'm sorry for those of you who do not respect the findings of our American Medical Assn. and American Psychological Assn. that verify transgenderism. I'm sorry that some of you won't find compromise and support ALL Iowans rights. I'm sorry that you feel legislation is necessary to control a small population in our state. I'm sorry that some of you don't hold "Love one Another" to your own thinking. I'm sorry that some of you no longer believe in our constitution and that human rights include everyone.PUT THIS ON PAUSE. Educate yourselves. DO BETTER. Lives depend on it. Meet and talk with those who identify as transgender. It may be someone you love.

02-25-2025

Kristina Ehlers

This bill serves no public good, helps no one, and protects nothing. It is very important that we do not remove protections and the ability to change vital records from transgender humans. With heightened tensions, an already marginalized group of people are subject to even more discrimination and violence. Removing gender identity from the civil rights act will legalize this form of hatred, restricting members of the Iowa community from being able to apply for jobs, places to live, just because of someone else's opinion of them. I am offended as a woman that the reasoning I am most given to justify the bill is for my protection. There is no danger in sharing a restroom or locker room with anyone identifying as a female. They are there to do the same thing that you are. Though the research and evidence exists of their legitimacy, there are those who wish to erase gender identity because they don't believe in it. This bill is a statement more than any other excuse, the transgender community has been through enough with the bills already in place, prohibiting restroom use, medical treatment, and participation in sports. This is a display of power, no need to do the research, talk to doctors, look at studies, study real facts. Just remove their identities and dehumanize them by turning people's lives into a "theory". These are real humans that will not go away once you sign their rights away. I am ashamed to live in a state that would turn their backs on their citizens, but because a person is not something you can just sign or pray away, I will stay right here and continue to fight for myself, my son, my family, and friends.

02-25-2025

Rachel Regenold

I oppose this bill. I care about Iowans, including those who are trans. They need to be protected rather than vilified. I am appalled this legislature is focusing on this rather than issues that will actually help Iowans, like mental health and public education.

02-25-2025

Chelsea Jones

have lived in Iowa my entire life, and I am deeply troubled by what our elected officials are doing to our state. SF 418 represents yet another assault on Iowans rightsthis time targeting the very identity and dignity of LGBTQIA+ community members. By redefining sex and gender terms for statutory construction and stripping protections under the Iowa Civil Rights Act, our legislators are erasing the identities and undermining the safety of those who need our protection the most.This bill is part of a broader pattern of policies that take away essential rights from Iowans. Alongside the alarming push for a sixweek abortion ban, these measures show a blatant disregard for personal freedoms and privacy. Every Iowan deserves to be respected and to live without fear of having their rights stripped away.While the redirection of tax dollars to private schools through vouchers is also concerning, it is merely one facet of a much larger issue. When our public institutions are weakened and marginalized communities are targeted, the whole fabric of our society suffers.Iowa should be a place of inclusion, respect, and opportunitynot a state where personal freedoms are under constant attack. I stand against these harmful policies and urge our leaders to prioritize the rights and dignity of every Iowan.

02-25-2025

Steve Sheppard

Supporters of this bill apparently have the capacity to take away the rights of others. Apparently, they do NOT have the capacity to reverse the roles and understand how this legislation will damage so many others. They need to ask themselves, "What did a gender issue ever affect you?" I'm betting that the answer is "nothing." Please do not pass this bill. Gender is not an abomination. Taking away rights is.

02-25-2025

Tracy Lucht

For shame. This bill is unconscionable. I dont know what else to say. I dont recognize my state anymore. We used to value individual rights, education and common sense. Now we amplify misinformation, codify ignorance and trample on human rights. Where does it stop?

02-25-2025

Edward Brown

This bill is a disgrace and it makes me ashamed to have lived most of my life up to this point in Iowa. This bill would affect many people I know and love. This a horrible precedent to set and it makes me sick that, of course, it is Iowa setting the standard. We can do so much better.

02-25-2025

Cole York

Do not pass this bill! My partner is nonbinary and i have multiple friends who identify as trans and nonbinary and this will only hurt them even more and make them more discriminated against. Passing this bill will do nothing but hurt an already discriminated minority group. All of the queer people that I have met throughout my life have been the sweetest, kindest, and most down to earth souls and they do not deserve this kind of treatment.

02-25-2025

Michelle Tesdall

As the parent of a trans child, this law is abhorrent, and a complete distraction from passing legislation that ACTUALLY benefits and protects Iowans. Ignoring science in order to fulfill a political agenda is hypocritical at best, and wildly dangerous to our gender nonconforming Iowans. They di not deserve the ostrasizing that will absolutely result from this bill. They deserve the same protection as all other Iowans.

02-25-2025

Ellie Borrenpohl

As a Christian, this is NOT right. Why would you ever want to repeal protections for a minority group that faces violence and health issues? The suicide rate is too high. The bullying rate is too high. Leave them alone.

02-25-2025

Tracey Jones

My wife and I moved here to Des Moines from Texas a little over a year ago due to my wife's programming job with Wells Fargo. I have since enrolled at DMACC and plan to finish my studies at Iowa State University, or at least, that's what I had planned to do before this bill was introduced. You see, my wife is transgender. We love it here in Iowa, we have been welcomed by friendly locals, and we were giving real thought to buying a house here and settling down. But if we can legally be discriminated against during our home buying process, then we can't in good conscience stay here in a place where we are apparently unwelcome. We are good, honest, hard working people, and we have more in common with other Iowans than you might think. We have no wish to indoctrinate children or whatever other lies you may have heard. We just want to live. This bill will be of no benefit to Iowans and may indeed cause collateral harm even to cisgender (nontrans) Iowans. I question why the state legislature is wasting time on this when you could be doing things that actually positively affect your constituents.Many of my friends back in Texas have started moving away as the state of Texas has begun to pass similarly regressive, discriminatory laws, and Texas is now seeing a brain drain effect as many doctors, lawyers, engineers, and other professionals move away from a place that would hinder equality for all. If Iowa follows the same path, you will experience the same brain drain here as your constituents that have the means to leave begin to do so. Please think about the effects that this bill could have on all Iowans, not just transgender Iowans, and do the right thing and vote against its passage.

02-25-2025

Chloe Sabre

This bill is a dangerous and vile step backwards for Iowa. I want to be proud of the state I live in, and while I love my community, it is increasingly difficult to see myself and my spouse staying in Iowa when our leaders and legislators propose bills that target marginalized and vulnerable groups in such bad faith. What if I had children who were gay or trans? I do have LGBTQ+ family that at one point I excitedly spoke to about living in Iowa not anymore. How can I in good conscience stay in a state that not only refuses to protect them but actively seeks to harm them? And make no mistake college graduates and skilled tradespeople with the ability to leave are watching legislation like this and actively seeking employment outside of our state to protect themselves and their families from this bill and others like it. It may not be today, or tomorrow, but if we continue to lose people in Iowa due to the reckless decisions of our legislators it will eventually harm our economy, our businesses, our healthcare facilities, our schools, and our communities. Our communities and the vulnerable people this bill targets will feel it first but this type of legislation has a negative impact on all Iowans. There is no good reason for this bill except for the hate and fear some people mistakenly hold in their hearts for people who are not like them and whose challenges they have chosen not to understand. I am begging our leaders to do the right thing and vote NO to SF418. Iowans are watching. We are waiting. Please do not let us down.

02-25-2025

Lynn Moyle

I'm respectfully requesting that the subcommittee vote NO on this bill. TransIowans are being cruelly discriminated against for something that is no more in their control than the color of their skin. Removing their civil rights protection could result in their inability to obtain employment, housing, etc. If the civil rights act conflicts with the newer antitrans laws then maybe consider amending those laws to bring them into conformity with the civil rights act.

02-25-2025

Nicholas Sels

Hormones and Human Sexual OrientationJacques Balthazart 1,Author informationArticle notesCopyright and License informationPMCID: PMC3138231 PMID: 21693676AbstractMany people believe that sexual orientation (homosexuality vs. heterosexuality) is determined by education and social constraints. There are, however, a large number of studies indicating that prenatal factors have an important influence on this critical feature of human sexuality. Sexual orientation is a sexually differentiated trait (over 90% of men are attracted to women and vice versa). In animals and men, many sexually differentiated characteristics are organized during early life by sex steroids, and one can wonder whether the same mechanism also affects human sexual orientation. Two types of evidence support this notion. First, multiple sexually differentiated behavioral, physiological, or even morphological traits are significantly different in homosexual and heterosexual populations. Because some of these traits are known to be organized by prenatal steroids, including testosterone, these differences suggest that homosexual subjects were, on average, exposed to atypical endocrine conditions during development. Second, clinical conditions associated with significant endocrine changes during embryonic life often result in an increased incidence of homosexuality. It seems therefore that the prenatal endocrine environment has a significant influence on human sexual orientation but a large fraction of the variance in this behavioral characteristic remains unexplained to date. Genetic differences affecting behavior either in a direct manner or by changing embryonic hormone secretion or action may also be involved. How these biological prenatal factors interact with postnatal social factors to determine lifelong sexual orientation remains to be determined.Most people are sexually attracted to individuals of the opposite sex; they are heterosexual. There is, however, a significant minority (310% according to many estimates) of men and women who are exclusively attracted to individuals of their own sex; they are homosexual. Intermediate forms of attraction also exist, and as early as in 1948, Kinsey et al. (1) were classifying sexual orientation in seven distinct categories ranging from completely heterosexual to completely homosexual. Sexual orientation (heterosexual vs. homosexual) is a behavioral trait that displays one of the largest degrees of sexual differentiation, given that 9097% of individuals of one sex display an attraction that is different from that of the other sex.The mechanisms that determine human sexual orientation have been the subject of heated controversies. These discussions often focused on homosexuality proper, because this orientation is less common and thus sometimes considered wrongly as abnormal. It must be noted, however, that trying to understand the origins of homosexuality or heterosexuality essentially represents the same question.Under the influence of a variety of theories ranging from Freudian psychoanalysis to social constructivism, sexual orientation has been, and often still is, considered as being the result of social experiences during early childhood, in particular improper interaction with one's parents (dominant or possessive mother, distant or absent father). The newborn baby would in this context be sexually neutral; his/her sexual orientation would develop on a tabula rasa and could go either way as a function of postnatal social interactions only. This interpretation ignores, however, a vast corpus of data concerning both animals and humans demonstrating that the prenatal endocrine environment has profound and irreversible effects on a variety of morphological, physiological, and behavioral features of an individual.Because male and female embryos are exposed to a different hormonal milieu during specific phases of their intrauterine life, male and female newborns are substantially different on the day of birth. I summarize here the main principles that govern sexual differentiation identified by experimental studies in animals. Then I discuss to what extent these principles could also determine sexual differentiation of brain and behavior in humans and finally review evidence derived from epidemiological and clinical studies, suggesting that sexual orientation is a sexually differentiated behavioral feature that is most likely influenced, like other sexually differentiated features, by the prenatal hormonal environment. I do not mean to say that the postnatal social environment has no influence on sexual orientation, but based on currently available data, these social influences seem to play only a minor role, possibly via interaction with prenatal endocrine effects.Sexual Differentiation of Sex and Courtship Behaviors in AnimalsMany behaviors in animals are sexually differentiated and produced preferentially or exclusively by one sex. Estrogens are often unable to activate femaletypical behaviors (e.g. receptivity) in males, and vice versa, testosterone does not reliably activate maletypical copulatory behavior in females even after its conversion to estradiol (2). It was originally believed that these sex differences resulted from the presence of different hormones in the two sexes: testosterone in males and estradiol (plus progesterone) in females (3). The seminal work of Young and coworkers (4) demonstrated that, to a large extent, these differences result from the early exposure of embryos to a different endocrine milieu: a high concentration of testosterone for male embryos in mammals and a much lower (lack of?) exposure to sex steroids in females (Fig. 1). These differentiating (organizing) effects usually occur early in life, during the embryonic period or just after birth and are irreversible.Fig. 1.Fig. 1.Open in a new tabIn mammals, early exposure to testosterone produces a male phenotype: the behavioral characteristics of the male are strengthened (masculinization) and the ability of males to show behavior typical of females is reduced or lost (defeminization). The female phenotype develops in the apparent absence of hormone action (or in the presence of very low estrogen concentrations). These spontaneous differentiation processes occurring during early development of animals can be entirely reproduced by experimental manipulations (via castration, injections of agonists or antagonists) of steroid concentrations in embryonic or newborn animals. The figure shows that after such treatments, neonatally castrated (CX) males behave like females, whereas females treated early in life with testosterone (T) or its aromatized metabolite estradiol (E2) behave like males. Experimental animals considered are those shaded in blue (genetic males) or red (genetic females). Other subjects represent only the test stimuli.It is not the type of adult hormone (androgens or estrogens) that determines the behavior that will be expressed (male or female typical), it is the nature of the neural substrate on which this hormone acts (the sex of the animal and associated embryonic exposure to sex steroids). Recent studies also show that genetic mechanisms called direct, because they are not mediated through the action of sex hormones, influence some behavioral differences between males and females (5).These organizing actions of sex steroids on behavior are paralleled by irreversible changes in brain structure. Embryonic sex steroids differentiate the size of several brain structures (see Ref. 6 for a general review on this topic), including the sexually dimorphic nucleus of the preoptic area (SDNPOA). This group of cells is five to six times larger in male rats than in females, and this difference results almost exclusively from the action of testosterone during late embryonic life and the first days of postnatal life. Once acquired, the sextypical size of the SDNPOA cannot be altered in adulthood by steroid hormones (7, 8).Partner Preference and Its Control in AnimalsThese organizing effects of embryonic sex steroids specifically concern the type of behaviors that will be displayed by adults. More recent studies demonstrate that similar principles also contribute to determine the sex of the partner that will be the target of these behaviors. Unlike other aspects of human sexuality that have no equivalent in animals (e.g. gender identity), sexual orientation can be studied in nonhuman animals by offering them a choice between a male or female sexual partner. Recording the time spent with each partner and the type of behavior displayed toward them will provide a measure of a behavioral phenotype (sexual partner preference) that represents a reasonable (although imperfect) model of human sexual orientation.The sexual preference of a male for a female is controlled, like the expression of maletypical sexual behavior, by the medial part of the POA. Experimental lesion of this brain region causes a reversal of the males' preference in rats and ferrets: after surgery, they prefer to spend time with other males rather than with sexually receptive females (9, 10).This preference for a partner of the same or the opposite sex is also determined by prenatal hormones and can be reversed by hormonal treatments during early development (weeks preceding or immediately after birth depending on the species) (1115). The preference determined at that time subsequently appears to be a stable characteristic of the individual. Like the type (male or female typical) of sexual behavior displayed in adulthood, sexual partner preference seems to be determined by sex steroids during embryonic or early postnatal life. Exposure to testosterone (or its metabolite estradiol) induces maletypical partner preference (preference for a female over a male sex partner), whereas in the absence of high concentrations of these steroids, a female pattern of mate preference will develop (preference for male partner).Sexual interactions between same sex partners (male mounting another male or female mounting another female) are observed quite frequently in a broad variety of animal species (16, 17). Often, these behaviors are expressed only when a suitable partner of the opposite sex is not available due to captivity (zoo or other captive populations), or when a skewed sex ratio in the population, or the presence of dominant males is preventing access to females. These behaviors do not represent a true same sex preference but serve as an outlet for sexual motivation in the absence of suitable partners of the opposite sex.A case of spontaneous same sex preference has, however, been described and studied in detail. It concerns a sheep population in the western part of the United States. A significant fraction of rams in this population (8%) mate exclusively with other males when given a choice between a male or female partner. Various factors that could explain this maledirected sexual behavior, such as rearing in single sex groups, which is common in sheep, were ruled out (see Ref. 18 for review), and studies then focused on endocrine and neural aspects of this preference for males.The SDN of the ovine POA (oSDN), a structure that is approximately three times larger in males than in females and contains about four times more neurons, was shown to be significantly smaller in maleoriented rams (MoR) than in femaleoriented rams (FoR). The oSDN also contained fewer neurons and expressed aromatase at reduced levels in MoR compared with FoR (19). The features of this nucleus therefore correlate with sexual partner preference: subjects attracted to males (females and MoR) are similar and distinguished from subjects attracted to females (FoR).Roselli et al. (20) demonstrated that the volume of the oSDN is already larger in males than in females around the end of embryonic life (around d 135) and differentiates under the influence of testosterone in males. Embryonic treatment of females with testosterone between 30 and 90 d of gestation results in a masculinized oSDN in females (18, 20). Furthermore, the size of this nucleus is no longer modified in adulthood by castration or treatment with testosterone (21). If the small size of oSDN in MoR is determined like in females by a relative lack of early exposure to testosterone, it might represent (one of) the cause(s), and not a consequence, of their atypical sexual attraction. This nucleus is indeed located in the center of the POA, a region involved in the control of sexual behavior and maletypical partner preferences, and it would in this scenario differentiate before subjects had an opportunity to express their sexual partner preference. This unfortunately remains impossible to prove with the current technology, because it is not possible to measure the volume of the oSDN in a male embryo and to know at the same time what would have been his later partner preference.In conclusion, these studies demonstrate that sexual orientation in animals is a sexually differentiated feature like other sexually differentiated behaviors or morphological characteristics. Maletypical sexual orientation is controlled at least in part by the POA (like sexual behavior), and it differentiates under the influence of pre/perinatal sex steroids.Many Sex Differences in Humans Are Organized by Embryonic Sex SteroidsDo these endocrine mechanisms demonstrated in animals have any significance in humans? The answer to this question should be considered in two steps. 1) Do we have any evidence that sex steroids are, in humans like in animals, implicated in the sexual differentiation of morphology (e.g. genital structures) but also of brain (e.g. SDNPOA) and sexual behavior? And 2) are there any data indicating that embryonic sex steroids have, like in animals, organizational effects on sexual orientation in humans? The answer to the first of these questions is clearly yes, and there is probably no need to elaborate on the arguments supporting this conclusion especially in an endocrine journal. To just briefly restate the obvious:Sex steroids (testosterone, estradiol, progesterone) are present in the human plasma in concentrations similar to those observed in other mammals.Receptors for these steroids are present in humans, and their brain distribution is similar and even nearly identical to the general pattern observed in vertebrates.Testosterone action during embryonic life clearly controls the differentiation of maletypical external and internal genital structures.Sex differences in brain structures have been identified, although their control by embryonic steroids is usually not established at this time.Physiological or behavioral differences between men and women are too numerous to be summarized here (22). These differences are complex in nature, and their origin is more difficult to determine than for differences in genital morphology. Learning, education, and expectations of society clearly play an important role in the genesis of behavioral and even sometimes physiological differences. Nevertheless, quite often, these environmental factors build on and amplify smaller, sometimes minor, differences caused by biological factors that were already present at birth. Many physiological and behavioral differences are thus rooted in biology. This is quite obviously the case for many sexually differentiated diseases related to brain function (e.g. anorexia nervosa affects 93 women for every seven men; Gilles de la Tourette syndrome affects 90 men for every 10 women) (see Refs. 2224 for an extensive list of such differences). How would education or society induce such differences? But many behavioral differences also probably depend to some extent on biological mechanisms often already acting during prenatal life (e.g. increased aggressivity and greater interest in maletypical activities in girls prenatally exposed to high androgen concentration due to congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) (see Refs. 25, 26).A Hormonal Theory of HomosexualityThe second question (do embryonic sex steroids affect sexual orientation in human?) is obviously more difficult to answer for a variety of reasons, such as the intrinsic difficulties in assessing in a reliable manner the sexual orientation of a subject, the long latency between embryonic endocrine events potentially controlling sexual orientation and its overt manifestation in adulthood, and finally, the complete impossibility for ethical reasons of manipulating the process.Many studies have analyzed the potential influence of steroids on human sexual orientation. They have clearly established that sexual orientation is not affected by activational effects of steroids in adulthood. Gonadectomy does not influence orientation nor does adult treatment with androgens and estrogens. Furthermore, numerous studies have clearly established that plasma concentrations of sex steroids are perfectly normal (typical of the gonadal sex) in both gay men and lesbians (27).Organizational effects of steroids are by contrast more likely to be implicated. Sexual orientation is a sexually differentiated function that might depend, like many other behavioral characteristics, on variations in the early (fetal) exposure to sex steroids (androgens and also possibly their estrogenic metabolites). Exposure to a high concentration of testosterone during a critical phase of development would lead to a maletypical orientation (attraction to women), whereas a lower embryonic exposure to steroids would lead to a femaletypical orientation (attraction to men). There would be a critical concentration of testosterone required to masculinize this feature like other aspects of behavior in animals and humans (see Fig. 2).Fig. 2.Fig. 2.Open in a new tabTheoretical model illustrating how fluctuations around an average concentration of testosterone (T) during embryonic life could lead to a homosexual or heterosexual orientation.On average, male embryos are exposed to higher concentrations of testosterone than female embryos, but these concentrations vary around a mean value for various reasons (environmental, genetic, etc.). Male subjects at the lower end of this sexspecific distribution could thus acquire a femaletypical orientation (and be gay), whereas females at the high end of the concentration curve would acquire a maletypical sexual attraction and be lesbian. Even if they are not attracted by the same specific individuals, females and gay men share an attraction for men, whereas males and lesbians share an attraction for women.It has been argued that such a theory is impossible, because it would imply that homosexual men have feminized (or at least less masculine) genital structures whereas lesbians should have experienced some masculinization of genital structures similar to what is observed for example in CAH girls. Although detailed attention has been given to this possibility, no data supporting this idea have been collected, and if anything, penises of gay men are possibly larger than in heterosexual men, suggesting that, contrary to the theory in its simplest form, they would have been hypermasculinized (these data are, however, based on self measurements, and it has been argued that homosexuals may have been excited more than heterosexuals by the view/manipulation of their own penis, thus biasing these measurements).Recall, however, that genital structures and the brain (supporting behavior) presumably differentiate at different times during embryonic life (see Ref. 28 for supporting evidence in rhesus monkeys). It is therefore possible that the hormonal imprinting that takes place at these two time periods is substantially different. A male embryo could for example be exposed to high (male typical) concentrations of testosterone during the first three months of gestation (and have perfectly masculine genitalia) but then experience a (temporary?) drop in testosterone concentration during the final maturation of the brain and thus fail to develop a maletypical sexual attraction.Alternatively, the differentiation of sexual orientation could diverge from genital morphology, because steroid action in the brain may be affected while remaining normal in the genital skin. Remember that to produce its effects, testosterone must often be metabolized in its target structures (aromatized in the brain, 5reduced in the genital area), bind to specific receptors, and then activate complex intracellular signaling cascades, eventually leading to changes in protein synthesis and/or neural activity. Any aspect of this complex suite of actions could be deficient in the brain but not in the periphery, leading also to a discrepancy between somatic sex differentiation and sexual orientation.Although this theory remains speculative (and is likely to remain unproven due to the logistic difficulties mentioned before), two types of evidence suggest that it contributes substantially to the control of sexual orientation in humans.Atypical Sexually Differentiated Characteristics in Gays and LesbiansPractical reasons make it nearly impossible to determine the hormonal milieu to which an individual was exposed during his/her embryonic life. We must therefore rely on indirect evidence. A number of sexually differentiated morphological, physiological, and behavioral characteristics seem to be irreversibly influenced by embryonic hormones in humans like in animals. Many studies have quantified these features comparatively in homosexual and heterosexual populations to research whether homosexual subjects had been exposed to atypical hormonal conditions during their development. Positive results were obtained in a number of these studies.The sexually differentiated characteristics that have been studied in this context include variables that could be secondarily affected by homosexuality e.g. performance in cognitive tests (see Ref. 29) or physiological responses to the smell of androgenic or estrogenic steroids produced by males or females (30, 31). These traits were shown to be significantly different in homosexual and heterosexual men and/or women, but we shall not review them here in detail, because they do not represent conclusive evidence for exposure to an atypical endocrine milieu during embryonic life (see Refs. 3234 for detail).In contrast, other morphological and physiological features are clearly influenced by prenatal testosterone, and it is difficult to conceive how they could possibly be affected secondarily by adult sexual orientation. We briefly discuss three of these traits that are significantly modified in gays or lesbians.The ratio of the lengths of the second (index) to the fourth (ring) fingers (2D:4D)The 2D:4D is significantly smaller in men than in women. This ratio was shown by two out of three studies to be masculinized in CAH women exposed to an excess of androgens in utero and also masculinized in females of a variety of mammalian and even avian species by injection of androgens during embryonic life. This ratio has therefore been used as a biomarker for embryonic exposure to testosterone in the human fetus (35), although a number of studies have questioned its reliability (e.g. Ref. 36). Multiple studies in humans have shown that this ratio is masculinized (smaller) in lesbians compared with heterosexual women. Although there have been occasional failures to replicate this effect, and its significance has been questioned (e.g. Is the effect size meaningful? Does it reflect differences in bone length or in fat accumulation) (37), it has been confirmed by several metaanalyses of available data (e.g. Refs. 35, 38), suggesting that lesbians have, on average, been exposed to higher than typical concentrations of androgens during development. Interestingly, most studies have failed to detect a corresponding feminization of this feature in gay men, and surprisingly, some studies have even reported a lower (hypermasculinized) 2D:4D ratio in some gay men (39). A modification of the length of long bones (arms and legs), a feature also supposed to be influenced by early exposure to sex steroids, has been reported in gay men (40).Otoacoustic emissionsOne set of studies also investigated the physiology of the inner ear and more specifically the small noises produced in the cochlea (presumably) by movements of the tympanic membrane, the socalled otoacoustic emissions (OAE). OAE are produced either spontaneously or in response to short noises in the environment (e.g. clicks). These OAE are more frequent in women than in men as well as in females compared with males in a variety of animal species. In animals, OAE are masculinized (decrease in frequency) after embryonic treatment of females with androgens. OAE were shown to be significantly less frequent in lesbians compared with heterosexual women, again suggesting that these lesbians were exposed to higher concentrations of androgens than usual during early life. Similar studies assessing other aspects of acoustic physiology (e.g. auditory evoked potentials) that are also sexually differentiated confirmed a masculinization of these traits in lesbians (41). Interestingly, feminization of these features was never observed in gay men, and some studies even reported hypermasculinization of these traits.Brain structuresSeveral brain structures have also been shown to be different between homosexual and heterosexual subjects, and in this case, studies focused almost exclusively on males. The first of these differences concerns the suprachiasmatic nucleus, the central clock of the organism, that was shown to be significantly larger in gay men than in heterosexual subjects (42). However, this nucleus is not sexually differentiated in a control heterosexual population, and its links to reproduction are only indirect. The significance of this difference and potential relation with sexual orientation are thus difficult to assess.The size of the anterior commissure, measured in the midsagital plane, was reported to be larger in gay men than in heterosexual control subjects (43). This difference is more interesting for the purpose of the present discussion, because the size of this commissure is known to be larger in women than in men. However the size of this commissure has no obvious relationship to sexual orientation (it could relate to functional lateralization), so the meaning of the difference between homosexual and heterosexual men remains difficult to interpret.Finally, researchers from the laboratory of Roger Gorski (who had identified the SDNPOA of rats) at the University of California, Los Angeles (Los Angeles, CA) discovered in the human POA a nucleus they called interstitial nucleus of the anterior hypothalamus number 3 (INAH3) (a member of four cellular condensations of the POA) that was significantly larger in men than in women (44). Subsequent studies showed that INAH3 is significantly smaller in homosexual men than heterosexual men, so that its size is essentially equal to what is observed in women (45). An independent study based on different brains confirmed the reduced size of INAH3 in male homosexuals compared with heterosexuals, although the magnitude of the difference observed in this replication was lower than in the original study and not statistically significant (46). In this study, homosexual men also had a greater cell density (more cells per unit volume) but a similar total number of neurons in INAH3 than heterosexual men: neurons were more densely packed, potentially because they formed fewer synapses (during development?).The mechanisms that control the development of this nucleus in humans are unknown, but INAH3 volume does not seem to depend significantly on hormonal status in adulthood (47). In rats and sheep, the size of a potentially homologous nucleus located in the same part of the POA (SDNPOA in rat, oSDN in sheep) is irreversibly determined by embryonic sex steroids. Moreover, lesions of this nucleus in adult male rats or ferrets modifies sexual partner preference, an animal model of sexual orientation. If the same mechanisms control the development of INAH3 in humans, the smaller INAH3 of gay men could then be a marker of deficient exposure to androgens during ontogeny and even be a cause of the modified sexual orientation. Alternatively, the small INAH3 of gay men could also be a consequence of their sexual orientation.Clinical StudiesA potential implication of the embryonic hormonal environment in the control of sexual orientation is also supported by studies of various clinical disorders that affect the endocrine system during fetal life. In some cases, these early endocrine disruptions lead to a complete sex reversal, so that, postnatally, subjects are raised assuming a sex (gender) that is opposite to their genetic sex. For example XY subjects with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome are born with female genitalia and are typically raised as girls at least until puberty, when the absence of menstruation leads to medical examination and diagnosis. These subjects usually have a female gender identity and a femaletypical sexual orientation (they are sexually attracted to men) (48). These cases demonstrate that sexual orientation is not necessarily associated with the genetic sex but tell us little about the role of prenatal hormones vs. postnatal environment, because both concur to produce a femaletypical orientation.The same confusion is potentially associated with the 5reductase deficiency affecting XY men who are born with genital structures that are not masculinized and are often raised as daughters. The rise in plasma testosterone associated with puberty later masculinizes (at least in part) the genital structures, and these individuals usually conform to a male gender and maletypical sexual orientation. It has been argued that the relative ease with which these subjects apparently change gender and (presumably) sexual orientation at puberty despite having been raised as females was related to their exposure to androgens during embryonic life (testosterone secretion is apparently normal in these subjects, it is only its 5reduction that is deficient) (49, 50). However, the condition of these subjects is usually known from birth, so that their sex of rearing was not necessarily unequivocally female. Furthermore the obvious social advantages related to adopting a male gender identity in the societies where this 5reductase deficiency frequently occurs and was studied raise additional questions about the reasons underlying the rapid and easy postpubertal change in gender orientation, identity, and role.In other clinical conditions, however, the prenatal endocrine environment may push sexual orientation in a direction opposite to the effects of postnatal social environment. These cases therefore provide a more useful test of the role of either type of factor. Three such clinical conditions are important to mention here, because they are associated with a significantly increased incidence of homosexual orientation.Congenital adrenal hyperplasiaGirls exposed in utero to abnormally high levels of androgens not only show masculinization of genital structures and of a variety of behavioral traits (e.g. aggressive play), but they also display a markedly increased probability of interest or participation in homosexual relationships in comparison with control females or to unaffected sisters (5153). Some studies reported up to 3040% of CAH girls having some form of homosexual attraction compared with 10% or less in control populations. Because the endocrine defect was corrected soon after birth, genital structures were surgically feminized, and these girls were presumably raised as girls, these data therefore suggest that prenatal androgens are involved in the determination of sexual orientation in women. This effect of prenatal androgens could be mediated through a direct action on the brain as well as through an indirect action on the genitalia that would secondarily induce an overall reduction of sexual activity and interest in sex in general, or more specifically of heterosexual activity. Although genitalia are surgically feminized at birth, they still do not have an ideal structure in some women and therefore allow little or no penetrative heterosexual relationships. These modified genitalia could also induce a general aversion toward sexual activity (see Ref. 26 for a more detailed discussion of this issue).Treatment of pregnant mothers with diethylstilbestrol (DES)Between 1939 and 1960, about 2 million pregnant women were treated with DES in Europe and the United States to prevent spontaneous miscarriages. This treatment turned out to be ineffective and also to have detrimental longterm consequences, but one of the unexpected outcomes was that girls born from these treated mothers showed a significant increase in nonheterosexual (bisexual or homosexual) fantasies or sexual activity, whereas the socialization of these subjects was fundamentally consistent with their genetic female sex (54, 55). The reproducibility of this effect has been questioned, but if the effect of DES is real, which will be difficult to confirm given that this treatment has been abandoned for a long time, it would indicate that estrogens as well as androgens (testosterone) are able to masculinize sexual orientation. This would fit with rodent data, where many effects of testosterone on sexual differentiation are produced after conversion into estradiol by aromatase in the brain, but would be in conflict with other data from humans that assign a prominent role to androgens in sexual differentiation. Note, however, that in rhesus monkeys, fetal exposure to DES was shown to increase adult mounting behavior although not to the maletypical level (56).Cloacal exstrophyComplex genitourinary malformations occasionally occur during embryonic development resulting in the birth of XY males who, in addition to various malformations of the pelvis, have no penis. These subjects have normal testes and were thus presumably exposed to a maletypical pattern of androgen secretions before birth. Typically, in the past, these subjects were assigned a female sex, submitted to vaginoplasty, and raised as girls. Followup studies have demonstrated that in a significant number of cases (about half), when adults, these subjects chose to adopt a male identity, gender role, and maletypical sexual orientation that presumably relate to their embryonic exposure to androgens (57, 58).Altogether, these clinical cases are consistent with the idea that embryonic hormones play a substantial role in determining adult sexual orientation. It should be noted, however, that these changes in sexual orientation as a result of embryonic endocrine disruption always only concern a fraction of affected individuals (usually a maximum of 3040%), so that at least 6070% of subjects in these conditions retain the heterosexual orientation consistent with their gender assignment at birth.Genetic and Immunological Factors?If embryonic hormones affect adult sexual orientation, then what is the cause of the endocrine changes that result in an atypical orientation in some subjects? Based on retrospective analysis of men born in Berlin during World War II (with all the problems that are potentially associated with such an approach), it has been suggested that exposure to chronic stress might be a critical determinant (5961), but to our knowledge, these data have never been replicated and are considered unreliable by some authors.Individual genetic differences could affect the synthesis of steroid hormones or their activity in the brain of the embryo, although to date, no evidence for such a mechanism has been obtained despite active research (6264). Alternatively, studies in mice indicate that genes located on the sex chromosomes contribute in a direct manner to the sexual differentiation of brain and behavior (5). Various arguments suggest a significant genetic contribution to sexual orientation. Whether this partial genetic control is mediated by alterations of steroid action or more directly by a sexually differentiated expression of specific genes has not been determined.Multiple epidemiological studies have demonstrated a correlation between concordance of sexual orientation and genetic relatedness. For example, if a boy is gay, between 20 and 25% of his brothers will share this sexual orientation, compared with 46% in a control population. Similarly, lesbian women have a greater probability than heterosexual women of having a homosexual sister.Twins studies indicate that this correspondence in sexual orientation probably does not reflect a communality of postnatal experiences (psychosocial factors) but rather genetic similarity. Several studies indeed demonstrated that there is a better agreement of sexual orientation in monozygotic (identical) twins than in dizygotic twins (fraternal twins conceived from different ova and sperm) (65). If a dizygotic gay twin has a brother, there is on average a 15% probability that the brother will also be homosexual, but this probability rises to 65% in monozygotic twins (66). Overall, these studies suggest that in social conditions typical of Western societies, 5060% of the variance in sexual orientation in humans has a genetic origin.Although this genetic contribution was identified many years ago, the responsible gene(s) remain(s) unknown. Sexual orientation in men tends to be transmitted through the matriarchal lineage: a gay man has a higher probability of having gay men among his ancestors on the maternal side (uncles, cousins), than on the paternal side. This was originally interpreted as a sign of inheritance through gene(s) located on the X chromosome, and one study identified a linkage with markers located in the subtelomeric region of the long arm of the X chromosome, a region called Xq28 (67). This association with Xq28 was replicated in one subsequent study (68) and in another set of data that were not published in a peerreviewed journal (see Ref. 69) but not in a fourth one (70). A metaanalysis of all these data strongly supports (P 0.0001) the existence of this linkage (71). More recent studies have suggested that the differential heritage through the matriarchal lineage could also be the result of epigenetic modifications of the expression of genes located on several other chromosomes (71, 72).In summary, the existence of a genetic contribution to the control of sexual orientation is now firmly established, but the specific gene(s) that are implicated in this process have not been identified so far. Whether or not this (these) gene(s) affect sexual orientation by modifying steroid secretion or action during ontogeny has also not been determined.Finally, to complete the picture of biological factors affecting sexual orientation, it should be noted that the factor most reliably associated with homosexuality in males is the presence in the family of older brothers born of the same mother. The incidence of homosexuality increases by 33% for each older brother and is accompanied by a small but statistically significant decrease in weight at birth. These effects do not appear to be explained by differences in education or family background and may be the result of accumulation of antibodies in the mother during successive pregnancies against one or more proteins expressed specifically by the male brain. This interpretation currently remains an untested hypothesis and the specific antigenic proteins underlying this phenomenon have not been identified. Candidate proteins have, however, been suggested as potential target(s) for this immune reaction based on their distribution and properties (73). Whether this effect involves hormone actions is unknown.ConclusionsThere is thus substantial evidence suggesting that sexual orientation, and homosexuality in particular, is influenced before birth by a set of biological mechanisms. These mechanisms include genes that affect sexual orientation by currently unidentified mechanisms and hormonal actions classically mediating sexual differentiation. Our current understanding of these prenatal factors admittedly suffers many limitations. For example, all embryonic endocrine disorders that have been associated with an increased incidence of homosexuality have a limited effect size and never affect more than 3040% of subjects. Furthermore, all identified correlates of homosexuality that suggest exposure to an atypical endocrine environment during ontogeny in gays and/or lesbians are only weakly associated with sexual orientation and often are modified in a reliable manner in one sex only (2D:4D ratio, OAE in women) or have been studied only in one sex (INAH3 volume in men). They are statistically correlated with sexual orientation but are unable to predict it accurately due to the large variance in this relationship.The limitations of the results probably relate not only to the complexity of the behavioral trait under consideration but also to methodological difficulties specific to their study, such as the long latency between putative hormone actions and their effects, the absence for ethical reasons of truly experimental studies, and the taboos associated with human sexuality. One should also consider that gays and lesbians probably do not constitute homogeneous populations. In addition to the obvious gradation between heterosexuality and homosexuality that was already recognized by Kinsey et al. (1, 74), some lesbians display obvious male characteristics (butch), whereas others do not (femme), and the same dichotomy exists in gay men. These differences are unfortunately rarely taken into account in experimental studies.Despite these limitations, I believe that biological studies suggest a significant contribution of genetic and hormonal factors in the control of sexual orientation. In contrast, alternative explanations based on features of the postnatal environment, such as relationships with parents, social interactions, or early sexual experiences, although they are widely accepted in the public, are not usually supported by quantitative experimental studies. It is clear, however, that none of the biological factors identified so far is able to explain by itself the incidence of homosexuality in all individuals. Three possibilities can be contemplated to explain this failure.Either there are different types of homosexuality. Some forms could be determined by genetic effects, others by hormones, and yet others by the older brothers effect and the associated immunological modifications.Or the effects of different biological factors interact to varying degrees in each individual, and it is only when several of these predisposing factors are combined that an homosexual orientation is observed.Or finally, all biological factors that have been associated with homosexuality only become effective in conjunction with exposure to a given (as yet unspecified) psychosocial postnatal environment. The postnatal environment would in this scenario play an important permissive role, but it is then surprising that no quantitative study has been able so far to formally identify aspects of this environment that play this limiting role in the control of sexual orientation. It has, however, been suggested that embryonic hormones may directly affect aspects of juvenile behavior (e.g. play behavior) and that this in turn could condition the development of sexual orientation (75, 76).Current knowledge does not allow discriminating between these interpretations (see Ref. 34 for a more detailed discussion). It is clear, however, that biological factors acting during prenatal life play a significant role in the control of sexual orientation and that homosexuality is not, for most people, the result only of postnatal experiences or a free choice. It is often an awareness that presents itself to the individual during their adolescence or early adult life. The acceptance of a nonheterosexual orientation in a minority of subjects is often the cause of significant psychological distress and social isolation. In contrast, heterosexual orientation emerges with the individual often being unaware of the underlying process. There is no question of choice here. Data presented in this review strongly suggest that most human beings do not choose to be heterosexual or homosexual. What they choose is to assume or not their orientation and eventually reveal it openly. Sexual orientation represents a highly complex behavioral trait under multifactorial control that includes genetic, hormonal, and presumably immunological determinants potentially acting in concert with the social postnatal environment. More interdisciplinary research is needed to better understand this fascinating aspect of human behavior.AcknowledgmentsThis work was supported by the National Institutes of Health Grant MH50388 and by the Belgian Fonds de la Recherche Fondamentale Collective 2.4537.09.Disclosure Summary: The author has nothing to disclose.FootnotesAbbreviations:CAHCongenital adrenal hyperplasia2D:4Dratio of the lengths of the second (index) to the fourth (ring) fingersDESdiethylstilbestrolFoRfemaleoriented ramINAH3interstitial nucleus of the anterior hypothalamus number 3MoRmaleoriented ramOAEotoacoustic emissionoSDNsexually dimorphic nucleus of the ovine preoptic areaSDNPOAsexually dimorphic nucleus of the preoptic area.References1. Kinsey AC, Pomeroy WR, Martin CE. 1948. Sexual behavior in the human male. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Co; DOI PMC free article PubMed Google Scholar2. Goy RW, McEwen BS. 1980. Sexual differentiation of the brain. Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press Google Scholar3. 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Exotic becomes erotic: interpreting the biological correlates of sexual orientation. Arch Sex Behav 29:531548 DOI PubMed Google ScholarArticles from Endocrinology are provided here courtesy of The Endocrine SocietyFollow NCBINCBI on X (formerly known as Twitter)NCBI on FacebookNCBI on LinkedInNCBI on GitHubNCBI RSS feedConnect with NLMNLM on X (formerly known as Twitter)NLM on FacebookNLM on YouTubeNational Library of Medicine8600 Rockville PikeBethesda, MD 20894Web PoliciesFOIAHHS Vulnerability DisclosureHelpAccessibilityCareersNLMNIHHHSUSA.govTell us what you think!

02-25-2025

Michael Smith

The ones in favor of this bill are hypocrites they want to preach about the Bible and Jesus and yet they put forth this bill. I guess they don't really believe in the teachings of Jesus and turning the other cheek. Shame on all of you in support of stripping rights from your fellow humans

02-25-2025

Katelyn Hughes

This bill serves no purpose other than to suppress and erase the trans citizens in our state. A reminder of our state motto "Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain."In no way does this bill or any like it reflect the values of the above motto or this state that I was born in and used to be so proud of.But, as native born Iowan and a generally all around helpful person with a "can do" attitude, I'm willing to offer insight into areas I encourage our legislators as to what could be done to truly improve Iowa and see it to a better, brighter future. Right now, we face an uncertain future for small farms and ag business with less and less young people interested in pursuing a life of farming and who could blame them? With a lack of any real response (more of a denial actually) from our leadership in regards to climate change, who would choose to pursue a career that relies on clean air, soil and water when we can't promise how long they will exist? Not to mention the fact that Iowa's farm debt has been on a steady increase since 1991 and the White House's withholding of federal loans and grant funds have led to Iowa farmers being owed roughly 9.6 million in funds for conservation work done last year, with another 86 million left in doubt that was promised Iowa and Midwest farmers under a fiveyear "climate smart" agriculture initiative.While we're on the topic of draining resources, how about retaining our educated people in this state? I've observed this personally as the only one of three women born and educated in this state that still resides here. My sisters have no plans to return. Iowa now ranks 9th worst out of the 50 states in being able to keep students in the state after graduating college. Again, who could blame them for leaving? Iowa is losing footing on its education ratings as we struggle to fill teaching positions in schools and our public schools being stripped of funding after being already chronically underfunded for years. Do you want to send your kids to a school with increasingly less resources, teachers and now books on the shelf thanks to SF 496? I wouldn't think so.Speaking of getting nowhere fast, Iowa has the highest number of structurally deficient bridges in the entire country. In 2019, Iowa received a "C" grade by the ASCE. In 2023, the grade remained unchanged. Iowa is now 44th in physicians per capita and 2nd in cancer incidents and rising. We rank dead last for the number of state psychiatric beds per 100,000 residents. Likely directly related to this lack of mental health services, our unhoused population has seen a 56% rise since 2023. These issues alone are enough to drive one to drink oh, and we do! Iowa is 4th in the nation for binge drinking and 6th in heavy drinking. I'd suggest switching to the healthy alternative of water, but the widespread contamination in our taps means we could get hit with anything from nitrate due to fertilizer leaching from fields to our rivers and lakes, to radium and arsenic. What a cocktail!Want kids? We're currently enjoying a childcare crisis in which the number of childcare businesses has dropped 60% in the last 10 years. Did you know Iowa's economy loses $1.1 billion annually due to child care challenges? Also we have the lowest number of OBGYNs per capita. Don't want kids? See previous note about OBGYNs and contraception access having worsened in Iowa since 2017 thanks to a rejection of federal funds for family planning services and clinics, such as Planned Parenthood, and the implementation of the staterun "Family Planning Program". This naturally led to an increase in abortions (after a steady decline up until 2018 Fun fact!) until Iowa passed its 6week abortion bill in July of 2024. It's funny how this state likes to shoot itself in the foot like that, but also unsurprising given that the state has seen a 59% jump in gun deaths from 2012 to 2021. 20% higher than the national average in the same duration of time. To highlight the problem by another means since money seems to really talk in Iowa lately gun deaths and injuries cost Iowa $4.2 billion each year, of which $53 million is paid by taxpayers.Also our life expectancy? Down two years since 2019. Since I like to find the silver lining in everything (it's my Iowan nature, after all), I guess that means I get to enjoy two less years of dealing with this cornbread battered bullshit.

02-25-2025

Rob Faux

I am frustrated that Iowa's legislature is wasting valuable time and resources with legislation that will do nothing to fix any of the problems we are actually facing in this state. Instead, it has become clear that there are people who are intent on bullying and demonizing a very small population of individuals that do not fit traditional binary gender identification. The Iowa I believe in is big enough to accept that some people are different. And, as a farmer, I can tell you that I have observed in the animals that we raised, individuals that are not clearly defined as male or female. Studies in genetics support this observation. As much as we might like two categories because it is easier on our brains to split things into two rather three or four or more, real life doesn't match this bill's definitions.Like any population, there may be an individual or two that causes problems. But the actions of the one or two does not define the whole. Unfortunately, the movement to pass this bill has blown the issue well beyond where it deserves to be. In the end, I stand with those who are clearly being targeted by this effort. I am disappointed that this bill is even being considered.

02-25-2025

Anna Solan

The continual assaults by members of Iowa's legislative bodies and governor needs to stop. To try to strip away inherent and existing human and civil rights of Iowans is an absolutely reprehensible act and a complete disgrace to the foundational elements of our democracy and the power you have been temporarily entrusted to use on behalf of ALL constituents you serve. Trans people exist. Intersex people exist. They inherently deserve to fully, freely exist in safety and with the freedom and protections everyone else deserves in order to move and live and direct their lives without fear of their safety or infringement upon their rights, their dignity, their humanity, their right to pursue life, liberty and happiness and to express themselves fully as they are. How dare you try to erase fellow humans with the power you currently hold? Those who have done such things in the past all throughout history have not been the heroes, they have been violent, hateful, cruel people, without fail. Without. Fail. The existence of these fellow citizens and human beings is undeniably proven to be scientifically and biologically natural and always have been. They are not new to the human experience, they are not new to history, they are not new to nature. The ignorance and bigotry of those who are trying to force these discriminatory and dangerous laws into being is repulsive and vile, and I suspect largely hinges on personally held religious beliefs which are stories certain humans choose to believe in and live by that cannot and MUST NOT be forced upon all citizens to live by. Or, if the reason laws like this are being drafted is rather due to bigotry, fear and a deep ignorance of people who are "other" than you may be that shame is your own. How dare you try to enshrine such low and lazy, discriminatory assessments of your fellow humans upon all of us as "the law of the land"? These definitions are embarrassingly incorrect according to decades upon decades of science, research, documented history & lived experience for eons. It is an immoral bill from any angle which will only serve to cause harm and strip human rights from fellow human beings. Each of us are born with inherent rights it is not your job, nor are you empowered with the right to "award" or "withhold" those rights from any human being. What ghastly hubris is it that makes you apparently think THAT is how you are to wield the power you have been given? I ask you, who else in history has had that mistaken view of themselves? It was never the "good guys". Never. Everything about this bill alongside several others of a similar aim that other ghoulhearted public "servants" are simultaneously working on to assault and inflict fear, grief, and hopelessness upon the citizens of Iowa is foul and bigoted from the very start. This outrageous, discriminatory, fallacious bill should go no further and those who have drafted it and signed on to it are an absolute ghastly embarrassment to the majority of the people you have been entrusted to represent.

02-25-2025

Gus Raymond

After careful and repeated reading of this bill and its House companion, as well as listening to the committee hearings so far this week, I still fail to see how the authors can fail to see the blatant avenue for antitrans discrimination they are creating with this bill. I am left to draw no other conclusion than that is the actual intent, rather than the drummed up statements about "protecting women." There already exist protections for women in this state, there already exists legislation banning trans women and girls from sports, there are various pieces of legislation that address the issue of bathrooms...not one of you has been able to explain how removing an entire class of people from wage, workplace, housing, and other discrimination protection defends someone else, let alone your daughters, granddaughters, and wives, specifically. I just want you to know that as a trans man living in this state I see through your rhetoric. We all do. If we could rely on "Iowa nice" to keep people from discriminating against others we wouldn't need civil rights protections for anyone but we clearly do. I am a human being, worthy of basic dignity and respect just like you. You are actively harming us, but I think you are already well aware of that already.

02-25-2025

Jared Breakenridge

This cant continue! Everyone deserves basic human rights. We need to be protecting these individuals, many of them have already gone through so much and now they are being attacked by their own government. Its disgraceful!

02-25-2025

Elizabeth Richter

Judge not lest ye be judged. Jesus said to love one another. Please be Christian and leave people alone. Jesus always went to help those that struggled. If you care and you cant help them, please at least leave them be.

02-25-2025

Jennifer Santiago

I am leaving this comment to vehemently oppose this bill. Transgender people are people who should be allowed to live peacefully in Iowa. Pushing this bill through puts peoples lives at risk. It is really disappointing that being the first state to take away the rights of its citizens appears to be the goal. Transgender people are our neighbors, our coworkers, our children, and our friends. Please have the decency to care about them.

02-25-2025

Stacy Davi

Job 12:710 "But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind."Just because you are uncomfortable with people and lifestyles that may differ from your own does NOT give you the right to take their rights away. SHAME! SHAME! SHAME! Jesus is ashamed of you.Sex is different than Gender. I have neighbors and friends who are in the trans community and are very good, kind people who do not deserve this treatment.

02-25-2025

Robert Jenicki

Thank you for introducing this bill and bringing common sense back to our government and culture. I understand equal rights and agree wholeheartedly. However, extreme views and a lack of accepting basic reality has brought embarrassment to our country.

02-25-2025

Marisah Richards

I vehemently deny this bill. It will only cause harm to an already marginalized community of people. It will also only cause negative consequences and impacts, to not only those it directly impacts, but those indirectly impacted as well.

02-25-2025

Nancy Dunn

I am writing to express my concern regarding HSB 242. As a mother with an adult child who identifies as transgender I am disheartened that Iowa legislators are considering removal of civil rights protection from a group of Iowans. I believe your job is to represent ALL Iowans. I am concerned that this will allow discrimination against transgender Iowans in education, housing, employment, and more. We no longer permit discrimination based on race, religion, sexual orientation, or disability. Why remove this group from protection and open them up to being treated unfairly? Iowa needs a strong workforce, not another reason for folks to leave the state or to be denied employment. It makes me heartsick and I hope you will vote against HSB 242.

02-25-2025

Melissa Rogers

Why are you stripping rights from HUMAN BEINGS??? Doesnt sound very love your neighbor to me. Why not spend your time on things that are actually threatening Iowans like food insecurity? I am opposed to this bill and if you want to see Iowans turn on you, keep up what youre doing. Your days in office are numbered.

02-25-2025

Dylan Jacobson

I think the freedom to express our identities in our own way is vital to liberty. Supporting our LGBTQ allies and friends as a protected class with liberty to express themselves openly and securely is a must for Iowa. Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain, can only be true if we treat our whole community with dignity and security.Do not support this bill.

02-25-2025

Tiffany Steinle

Please vote no on billSF 418! This bill is full of discrimination. We have a state full of Transgender people who are counting on us to do the right thing. Transgender people are regular people. Who want to work, be part of the community, and be accepted. Transgender people are not the best people the are carrying, kind, smart, educated, and compassionate. I don't see why they need to have there basic human rights taken from them. Would you like this to happen to you. Do not be the bully. Show iowa that you stand with all humans. Transgender or not show the young Transgender children that you accept them. Show the Transgender adult that they matter. Show all people that iowa is the best state to come to and live. Please do NOT pass the SF 418 bill.

02-25-2025

Tiffany Steinle

02-25-2025

Annie McCabe

Every person in our country deserves equal protection under the law. This act strips our fellow citizens of their basic civil rights. This is not what Iowa stands for. We don't believe that we have to agree with everyone to respect their right to live as they see fit. I live in a small town, but I know of a few trans people in town, and they add to our community in a variety of ways. Stripping them of their rights would be unconscionable.

02-25-2025

Alexandria Jared

I strongly oppose this bill and Im extremely frustrated at the hateful actions republicans have brought forward. You do not hold the voice of the people in Iowa. You do not get to dictate how we navigate through life. Transgender Iowans deserve the same rights as everyone else. This makes me literally sick. Its disgusting that you think it is ok to discriminate against and I wouldnt put it past me if these republicans themselves have personally harassed trans people. Republicans are very very ignorant.

02-25-2025

Paula Stageman

This bill takes away human rights and is pure discrimination. The passing of this bill will only create more hate and attacks on this community. Our community has been welcoming to the LGTBQ community and it will suffer in many ways when they move out of state if this bill is passed. Each person should feel safe and welcomed in their community. Let them be!

02-25-2025

Timothy Tucker [Journalist]

It is unacceptable to remove a person's civil liberties. This affects children and teenagers who studies have shown are at heightened risk of suicide and mental illness because of being mistreated.Your bill offers no protections to formerly protected class of marginalized individuals.It's said to affect at least 100,000 Iowans. This is unacceptable. Please vote in the best interests of Iowa residents instead of dictates from Trump.

02-25-2025

Rachael Kelly

This bill, and any legislator supporting this,is so abhorrent and wrong that I simply cannot stomach calling myself a lifeling Iowan. I will do EVERYTHING in my power to make sure ever person that supports this bill is not reelected and is publicly shamed into oblivion. Removing civil rights protections from humans?!? Is this for real?? Shame on every single one of you. Shame on the disgusting hate you spew. Shame on your very souls that could dehumanize people in such a disgusting way. I wish someday your protections can be removed from you and that you feel every ounce of hate you've put out into the world.

02-25-2025

Angela Sutton

This bill is one of thee most egregious examples of hate and bigotry Ive ever seen! Trans people are people too! We dont need protection from trans people! We need to be protecting them, not making their existence illegal! The republicans and this administration are who we all need saving and protection from! This is inhumane, gross and disgusting and you all should be ashamed of yourselves!! Whether you like it or not, trans people have been around since the beginning of mankind and theyre not going anywhere and will NOT be erased! You all are a disgrace and an embarrassment to the human race. You are Trumps puppet and he will come for YOU next! You are showing future generations that everyone hs to fit in your tiny box of expectations and this bill will have severe repercussions that will take decades to repair. You are destroying this country and its future generation of citizens and leaders. This IS *illegal* AND most certainly *unconstitutional*!! You remember that thing? The constitution? Yea then vote accordingly! The death of every trans person who feels like their country turned their back on them, will be on YOUR hands and you will reap what you sow, so sew wisely. You are choosing to go after a marginalized group that is less than 1.6% of the total US population. We have bigger issues that need addressed that affect 100% of the population! Make it make sense!! If you vote for this bill to pass I certainly hope you dont expect to go up for reelection because your constituents will not vote for you! You are not for the people if you pass this bill. You would be the exact opposite. You took an oath now honor that and DO NO HARM!!

02-25-2025

Rae Mosier

This bill is utterly disgraceful. Its appalling that, instead of focusing on the real issues Iowans face like lack of affordable housing and ensuring children have access to food over the summer you muppets are targeting transgender people, a vulnerable group that already faces violence and discrimination.Transgender rights are human rights! Stripping them away will only contribute to the crisis of suicide rates in the transgender community. As a cisgender white woman, I stand with transgender people in their right to live freely and safely.This bill is a stain on our states history. Do not pass this bill.

02-25-2025

Ann Pelelo

Stripping ANY Iowan of rights does NOT make Iowa a better place. Please please read the science about gender identity and about sex. NOT protecting those we have said we will legally protect is discriminatory and divisive. And, quite frankly, shameful. We can do better here in Iowa.

02-25-2025

Ann Pelelo

02-25-2025

Shane Tully

This bill is written to strip the rights away of an already marginalized group of people. I do not understand how this is being brought up in the year 2025. Have we not learned by now that we are all equal, and this bill is truly just hinting at the fact that the representatives in government do not want us to be equals. My trans sibling took their life because of people that pick or bully on those that are different. This bill is just the same making trans invididuals not seen and being pushed to the side. We should be lifting people up. Not tearing people down. We should be focused on issues that will help people, not tear away their identity.

02-25-2025

Nick Jared

Im lease do not pass this piece of legislation. It will directly affect the lives of those who have had to fight for their beliefs in order to not be bullied, prosecuted or ostracized. I have family that this will directly impact and could distrust their professional life. I have not lived in Iowa for a decade now. But the Iowa I grew up in always felt like a safe space for all. Women, Children, the LGBT community, those of all religious beliefs. Im come from Cedar Rapids with one of the oldest mosques in the country. Womens rights, Gay Marriage and many civil rights were fought and improved in our state before so many other states. If this happens, I will officially be ashamed to be from Iowa and maybe may never return. The same may go for many of my family members left there. Know that you are on the wrong side of history this time.

02-25-2025

Ola Carnahan

I am a cisgender woman who has lived in Iowa for almost 10 years. Taking away protections for transgender people is an affront on our human rights and a dangerous precedent that will been seen as a mistake by many. I know transgender men, transgender women, and nonbinary individuals who have lived in this state and are planning to move away because they no longer feel safe in our communities when they should have a right to be here like any one else. This proposed change does not make me feel more safe as a cisgender woman, it instead makes me fear for the rights for other marginalized groups. Transgender women, transgender men, and nonbinary individuals deserve to have their lives treated with the same respect anyone else is granted.

02-25-2025

Madison Vinchattle

I strongly oppose this bill, as it seeks to erase and invalidate the existence of transgender and nonbinary individuals in Iowa. Stripping gender identity from civil rights protections and restricting how sex and gender are recognized in law and education is harmful, unnecessary, and discriminatory. This bill would not only put marginalized communities at greater risk but also set a dangerous precedent of government overreach into personal identity and medical realities. I urge legislators to reject this bill and focus on policies that uphold equality, dignity, and respect for all Iowans.

02-25-2025

Janessa Carr

SB418 is a misguided proposal that does more harm than good. It fails to consider the real needs of my trans friends & family and sets a dangerous precedent. I encourage lawmakers to reject this bill and focus on policies that truly support and uplift our communities.

02-25-2025

Barry Groos

Human rights should be applied equally. This is being judgmental and cruel and marginalizing people not recognized for their existence. This does not align the values of being in the upper Midwest and being a Christian. do the right thing and recognize people as people, regardless of anything else

02-25-2025

Aaron Fuller

The problem with the world is, by thinking being trans is a CHOICE! If malformations can happen in utero to ALL organs of the body what makes you think the reproductive system is just left out? Babies are born with extra chromosomes, extra toes/fingers, missing toes/fingers, cleft palates, webbed toes? You mean to tell me the same thing can't happen with the primary sex organ whether it developes in utero or not?People with XY chromosomes could be missing their growth whereas someone with XX could have growth leading to the disconnect between brain and body. You guys are too busy spewing hate to educate yourself on actual possibilities just "they are different ew" in all reality. Your hate is gross. To spend all this time hating 1% of a population obsessing over peoples genitals is GROSS. The bottom line, there is ACTUAL science behind being transgender not just someone wanting to "be someone else" those detransitioners, saw a TikTok and thought it'd be cute. I was 4 years old shaving my head and tearing up Barbie dolls and never grew out of the "Tom boy" stage bc I was a boy. Obviously yall need to regulate trans population. If someone is prehormones then they should not be allowed to participate in the sport they wish. Just like anyone else with a medical condition. HOWEVER, once someone actually is on hormones such as a trans WOMAN she can participate in women's sports. && if you guys educated yourself just a tiny bit on how the body works you'd understand. But let me educate you a little. When a born male, begins gender affirming care with estrogen, testosterone starts to decrease and muscle mass begins to fall drastically, fat redistribution happens and begins following more of a female pattern such as in the arms, legs, and face whereas a male holds it in his gut. They also begin growing breasts. They also take testosterone blockers to really bottom out testosterone which is your sole argument on"they are stronger" blah blah blah. They aren't if they are post hormones there are no different than again, what's in there pants which is what so many of you all are obsessed with so weird. Not to mention these people are poked literally every other week to make sure their levels are equivalent to a biological woman. Meaning if you were to take the lab results of a regular woman and compare that to a trans woman there wouldn't be differences hormonal wise. You guys stand on uneducated arguments. To serve ALL the people of Iowa, trans included, you can find a ways to better regulate trans life rather than eradicate it. You want to act like it's"for the women" but some of you last year were voting to take women's rights away? Lets be honest for a second its not "for the women" it's "against the trans. No one cried this hard over the first girl quarterback or the first male cheerleader. Transgenders who call Iowa their home deserve to feel safe. We do not get extra protections rather than, someone cannot deny us for simply being who we are.

02-25-2025

Hunter Gillum

My name is Hunter Gillum and I am writing to you today to ask you to reject SF418, a bill that would remove basic protections for transgender Iowans and create complications for other Iowans who do not fall neatly into the bills narrow definitions.All hardworking peopleincluding those who are transgendershould be treated fairly and equally by the laws of our state, and should have the opportunity to earn a living and provide for themselves and their families. If someone cant rent an apartment or get a credit card simply because of who they are, we cant expect them to be able to compete on a level playing field with their peers. These basic antidiscrimination protections are an important part of any meritbased system, allowing people to access opportunities regardless of who they are or how they are perceived. Further, the bill jeopardizes sex stereotyping protections for nontransgender women that arent included in Iowas sex discrimination statute.Transgender people are our friends, neighbors, family and coworkers. When it comes to being able to earn a living, having a place to live, or being served by a business or government office, they should be treated like anyone else and not be discriminated against. Please vote against SF418.

02-25-2025

Micaela Jurgensen [Union Operator ]

Please STOP this ATTACK on US!! We are citizens of the USA and Iowa i pay taxes. My Transgender Brother and Sister are HUMANS WE all BLEED RED!! We need to be free just like you all. We are not pedophiles, we or most of us DONT want to play in WOMENS SPORTS OR MALE SPORTS!! We just want to be FREE AMERICANS. PLEASE DONT TREAT US LIKE THE NAZI'S TREATED the JEWISH PEOPLE

02-25-2025

Tamara Mahl

It makes me so sad that the state of my birth and what I had considered my home is considering removing others' civil rights. Unfathomable. At a minimum we definitely need to throw out our state motto. Please vote no, as your constituents have made very clear is their overwhelming request.

02-25-2025

Jill Purcell

There bill is cruel and unwanted by Iowans. Will this improve our healthcare? Clean our water? Feed our children? Increase jobs? This job does nothing but drive people away from Iowa. Please remember you were elected to serve Iowans, not Donold Trump or Kim Reynolds.

02-25-2025

Cameron Fahrney-Day

This bill is built on a lie and rejecting all work done by sociologists and biologist. It weapons othering tactics to attack an already vulnerable group under the guise of protecting kids and women. This is the exact excuse Hitler used to attack trans other queer people in Germany. He out right said "the most dangerous jew" was Hirschfeld. Nazis don't belong in America. Oh, and source https://www.mediamatters.org/sexualharassmentsexualassault/comprehensiveguidedebunkedbathroompredatormythMaybe you'll learn something.

02-26-2025

Angelo Rossi

This is a regressive, antiscience, and prodiscrimination bill, which is being pushed undemocratically against the will of Iowans. It will not improve the livelihood of anyone living in the state, and will instead only serve to drive others away. It does nothing to benefit us Iowans materially and only encourages ignorance, bigotry, and backwards thinking.

02-26-2025

Allen Elledge

Stripping an unfairly maligned group of Americans of their basic human rights is evil and antiAmerican. Any public servant who would do so has no business being in public service. Before you vote I would suggest that you all read and ruminate on the Gospel According to Matthew, Chapter 25 Verses 31 through 46.Be decent. Stop viciously mistreating LGBTQ Americans.

02-26-2025

Amy Miles

Not since the Jim Crow era have we seen such direct assaults on a person's biological makeup. I want to express my deep concern over the committee's proposal to strike references to gender identity from our Civil Rights Acta law designed to protect all marginalized Iowans.This proposal is not merely a change in wording; it is an attempt to erase legal recognition for trans Iowans, denying them the right to have their identities accurately reflected on vital documents and to access facilities that correspond with their true selves. Such measures do not uphold the promise of equal treatment. Instead, they echo a past when a narrow biological definition was misused to justify segregation and discrimination.It is profoundly ironic that a law meant to safeguard the most vulnerable is now being rewritten to exclude a segment of our community that has long faced discrimination and violence. By removing these protections, we risk undermining the very foundation of equality upon which our Civil Rights Act was built.I urge you to stand against this revision. Let us preserve the full protections that affirm the dignity and rights of every Iowan, ensuring that no one is left behind or dehumanized by a reductionist view of biology.

02-26-2025

Virginia Frisch

Please vote NO!! The fact that this bill is even on the table is absolutely abhorrent. For anyone who feels an LGBTQ+ person is a threat and/or doesn't deserve to be protected as a human being in this country just shows how uneducated, ignorant and unchristian some people are. I don't know what God you worship but it isn't our God. The hate crimes and discrimination that continue to happen to a population that just wants to be their best self is appalling! If you pass this bill, that would only increase. You should be ashamed. My kids and Grandkids live in Iowa and if this is the way you operate, they need to get out of that state. Maybe you should be directing your energy toward the single, powerful, white man who is raping and sex trafficking woman and children. Or start taking seriously the cancer that is happening in your state, to children no less. Your rates are off the chart but no one wants to touch the farmer and chemicals he uses polluting the water and land. Really?! This is your fight!?

02-26-2025

Chris Billing

As a registered Republican and a parent of a transgender adult I think this bill should be voted down. The fact that this bill was even put up for consideration shows an unchristian narrow view that it currently being spread by small minded individuals. You were elected to represent all Iowans not just right leaning Republicans. Do your jobs and protect all Iowans from any kind of discrimination!

02-26-2025

Chris Billing

As a parent of a transgender adult I think this bill should be voted down. The fact that this bill was even put up for consideration shows an unchristian narrow view that it currently being spread by small minded individuals. You were elected to represent all Iowans not just right leaning Republicans. Do your jobs and protect all Iowans from any kind of discrimination!

02-26-2025

Peggy Henderson

Please do not pass a bill that will further endanger the life of my dear, sweet nephew. It is difficult enough for a trans kid to make their way through their teen years without removing the few protections that the law currently allows. His very life could be at stake. Please vote No!

02-26-2025

Peggy Henderson

02-26-2025

Peggy Henderson

02-26-2025

Sara Bigelow

Other than people do not get drag. What does it do to you? What actual harm has their been shown in studies that is hurts or confuses children? Drag performers remind kids what Mr. Rodgers and Levar Burton preached which is we are special and we can do whatever we put our minds to. Just because there are a few who it bothers what right do you have to take this away from everyone?

02-26-2025

Kassi Schuppe

As elected officials, it is your duty to serve all Iowans, including trans Iowans. All Iowans should have the right to live here as their true authentic self and not be discriminated against because of their gender identity.

02-26-2025

Jennifer Hansen

What kind of times are we living in where a group of protected people are in danger of having their civil rights stripped? We are talking about LGBTQ+ protected rights! We are talking about our fellow Iowans our fellow American citizens! LGBTQ+ people have always existed and will continue to exist. They are an important part of the human population, just as everyone else. We are at the top of a dangerous and slippery slope by even entertaining the idea of removing these rights. What is happening to Iowa? I don't recognize the leaders in my state as caring for all and am so incredibly disappointed in how they are treating it's citizens. Please, please don't pass this act. Let's set an example for the rest of the country not to conform with the current hateful administration and show some compassion for ALL!

02-26-2025

Sarah Poole

I call for an opposition to SF 418. SF 418 is a harmful and unjust bill that directly targets the transgender community, subjecting them to unnecessary hardships and uncertainties. By deliberately introducing measures that complicate access to essential services and protections, this bill exacerbates the struggles of transgender individuals, many of whom already face significant challenges due to discrimination and societal stigmas. Intentional barriers that make life harder for transgender people are not only cruel but also violate the principles of fairness and human dignity. It is imperative to stand against this legislation, as it undermines the rights and wellbeing of an already vulnerable group, fostering an environment of hostility and exclusion.

02-26-2025

Dana Sloter

Iowans made clear at the HSB 242 hearing earlier this week that we the people do not support this bill. It is cruel and immoral to treat our trans friends and neighbors as less than human. Please actually listen to us and maintain protections based on gender identity by voting no on SF 418.

02-27-2025

Johnny Rogers-Smith

Transgender Iowans comprise about 0.22% of the state population. I have yet to hear of any thoughtful, factbased reason why such a small minority of Iowa citizens should have civil rights protections denied or repealed. Indeed, no group of Iowa citizens, large or small, should ever be systematically targeted for denial of civil rights the way that transgender. Iowans have been.This bill is simply another unnecessary, senseless attack on a small minority of Iowans, and it should be stopped.

02-27-2025

Ashley Noonan

Greetings,Iowa has always been ahead of the game with civil rights, from racial integration in schools to ensuring voting rights for all Iowans. SF 418 is a step backwards from Iowas longstanding tradition of building relationships with our neighbors, across differences and without judgement. Its a step towards fear of difference. As a parent of preschool and elementary students and a third generation Iowan, its another piece of legislation that turns my attention to greener pastures of other neighboring states across the river where we arent legislating the fears of a small minority at the expense of the continuation of Iowas longstanding tradition of kindness and acceptance in community.Please shut these divisive pieces of legislation down before everyone moves away.

02-27-2025

Elizabeth Behre

Please do not vote for this absolutely hateful and disgusting bill. There are literally thousands of Iowans who count on the gender identity protections in the Iowa Civil Rights Act to protect them from housing discrimination, employment discrimination, and other forms of discrimination that can completely derail an individual's life.On a personal level, it is worth noting that in 2021 I became the first out transgender person to graduate from the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Program at Des Moines University. Since that time I have completed a pediatrics residency, and am now completing a fellowship in pediatric endocrinology at one of the best children's hospitals in the United States. In the last eight months I have become absolutely fascinated by diabetes, published a paper on the topic, and have applied my previous experiences coaching football to helping my child and adolescent patients with diabetes achieve better control of their condition and better health overall. I firmly believe I never would have gotten to where I am now if it weren't for the very protections I was afforded from the Iowa Civil Rights Act while in medical school. I was protected, and now all of society (not just trans people) get to reap the benefits of that protection. Remember there are thousands of others still in Iowa with their own talents and gifts that are better able to flourish because these protections exist. Please do not take those protections away. Kill this terrible bill now!

02-27-2025

S Miller

This is such a hateful bill. Why are we sending Iowa back in time? Why are wasting time on a bill to bring Iowans down? Wouldn't it make more sense to spend your time on something more important and productive like figuring out why Iowa ranks #2 state for cancer? Shouldn't focusing on this would be more beneficial for ALL Iowans! Christianity is suppose to be about being kind to each, Iowa supposedly prides itself on being kind to people. This bill is anything but kind!

02-27-2025

Ames Mitchell

No. On all versions of SF 418This bill is not a solution to any problem posed by Iowa's embracement of diversity it is creating more conflict and potential for violence. Folks who have transitioned and look like the " opposite sex" will be required to enter into their originally assigned spaces.This means that in practice you will be forcing people, who know themselves to be men, who look like men, (but were not assigned male at birth) INTO the female spaces you believe you are protecting. As in if you fully disagree that trans people even exist,and you believe that this law is being made to "protect women and girls" Then, you believe transmen to be women and fail to see how this law will force women (who fully present as men) into spaces that will violently reject them. This proposal fails to see that by its own definition it is forcing confrontation and assault potential on the very bodies it is "protecting." You could be solving a cultural problem by sculpting out a 3rd gendered facility option. You could have developed committees weighing solutions offered of the public. But you didn't, in spite of public outcry, in spite of every human story shared, you've chosen to ignore the option of compromise because discriminating feels like the quicker fix. You are mistaken and removing protections is wrong.No on this bill.

02-27-2025

Allison Ritchie

I am writing to you today to ask you to reject this bill that would remove basic protections for transgender Iowans. All hardworking peopleincluding those who are transgendershould be treated fairly and equally by the laws of our state, and should have the opportunity to earn a living and provide for themselves and their families.As you KNOW if someone cant rent an apartment, buy a home, or get a credit card simply because of who they are, we cant expect them to be able to compete on a level playing field with their peers. These basic antidiscrimination protections are an important part of any meritbased system, allowing people to access opportunities regardless of who they are or how they are perceived. Transgender people are our friends, neighbors, family and coworkers in our communities. When it comes to being able to earn a living, having a place to live, or being served by a business or government office, they should be treated like anyone else and not be discriminated against. Please vote against this.

02-27-2025

Cati Kalinoski

To begin to oppose this bill is to wade through emotions I never knew I had about my home state. Growing up, I saw my state as a safe haven for all and even when they fumbled with how to be there for each other, good will brought each other together. With this bill, the illusion of nicety has vanished. A dark undercurrent that has been going through our state has been emerging to hurt and further marginalize its people. Ultimately, the strings that tie us together are being cut one by one by the very people entrusted to represent us. This is a dreadful use of that power. You can no longer be shocked when people leave. You can no longer be amazed when Iowa Nice is actually cold, demeaning, and exclusionary. We can no longer be surprised by whats happening. Stripping rights away from some is stripping right away from all. I shudder to think who you are coming for next. This bill isnt doing what you think its doing, republicans. Or worse, maybe it is. We, the people you represent, will fight this with all we have and we will never be quiet standing up for the most vulnerable of us. If you vote for this, I hope you never see peace throughout your days.

02-27-2025

Mari Hunt Wassink

I oppose SF 418 because it strips basic civil rights from Iowas citizens by removing gender identity from the protected groups under Iowas Civil Rights Act. Our state moto includes Our rights we will maintain. This is a step backward in securing and maintaining our rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness that every Iowan (including Iowans with gender identity disorder) is entitled to. In addition, the bill contains language that harkens back to Jim Crow Era segregation practices by claiming separate but equal as Plessy v. Ferguson did. This sets a dangerous precedent against civil rights protections and is also a step backward from the ways our state has always championed integration and civil rights even ahead of federal progress on these issues. I urge all legislators to vote against this dangerous bill.

02-27-2025

Roxi Beck

I am a person of faith appalled by SF 418 and calling on the legislature of Iowa to oppose this bill. SF 418 is designed to DIRECTLY discriminate and remove the freedoms that we, as Iowans, hold dear. Iowas State Motto is Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain. But if this is passed, we will be the first to remove an entire class of people of civil rights protections. Appalling, shocking, and an indescribably terrible day for Iowa. This bill was introduced in the same spirit in which other antitrans bills have been introduced around the country. Transgender people, and transgender children in particular, have become a political punching bag, when instead, they should be treated as Gods beloved and holy children.As a Christian, I am impelled by the example of Jesus to treat all people with love and dignity but to especially care for those who are marginalized by religious establishment and society. Today, transgender children are marginalized by religious establishment AND society. They are outcast from basic experiences we want all of our children to have: the chance to participate fairly in society, the promise of dignifying healthcare, the right to use a safe bathroom, and so much more.While some supporters of antitrans legislation hope that marginalizing trans people aligns with their religious values, my faith clearly stands against that notion. Our charge as Christians is simple, as told by Jesus according to the Gospel of Mark: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.Roxi BeckPolk City, IA

02-27-2025

Katie Baird [Katherine Baird]

I am an Iowan who has trans family members and friends. I find this bill abhorrent. I am demanding that you to reject HSB242, a bill that would remove basic protections for transgender Iowans and create complications for other Iowans who do not fall neatly into the bills narrow and not scientifically accurate definitions. INTERSEX PEOPLE EXIST! All hardworking peopleincluding those who are transgendershould be treated fairly and equally by the laws of our state, and should have the opportunity to earn a living and provide for themselves and their families. If someone cant rent an apartment or get a credit card simply because of who they are, we cant expect them to be able to compete on a level playing field with their peers. These basic antidiscrimination protections are an important part of any meritbased system, allowing people to access opportunities regardless of who they are or how they are perceived. Further, the bill jeopardizes sex stereotyping protections for nontransgender women that arent included in Iowas sex discrimination statute. I am so disappointed in Iowa Republicans for pushing a hateful and discriminatory agenda under the guise of Christianity. JESUS WOULD EVER EVER DO THIS. Transgender people are our friends, neighbors, family and coworkers. When it comes to being able to earn a living, having a place to live, or being served by a business or government office, they should be treated like anyone else and not be discriminated against. Please vote against HSB242.

02-27-2025

Katie F

Many have expressed anger on this bill, which, is more than understandable. I, however, want to cabin my thoughts to the logical outcomes, many of which are left unsaid. Legislators, this will hurt your reelection chances for districts that are purple or even red. It will make national news for the extreme views it codifies, cementing what the rest of the nation views as radical flyover country, unworthy of visiting. It will lead to brain drain for our professionals, many of which leave Iowa already in search of a kinder environment to practice, especially our physicians. It will be looked upon as a cautionary tale in the future. And perhaps most importantly to you, It will not lead to a cheap talking point for your constituents; people care about equality about being proud of our people and the kindness Iowa supposedly espouses. Youre effectively digging and marking the grave of Iowas oldest sensibility today.

02-27-2025

Val Y

Iowa has always been on the forefront of civil rights with burning of bare and same sex marriage legalization. Please please keep Iowa safe for trans members of our community who pay taxes and have families! They are not hurting anyone, unlike the law! VOTE No Please!

02-27-2025

Emma Young

The removal of rights, discriminately, against a population that is already marginalized is a gross and obvious act of hate. Legislation such as this can only be taken for what it is: uneducated fear of a minority that threatens the bedrock of what allows you to keep the meager control you have over Iowans. This law will not benefit you, only make your lives harder while significantly impacting the lives of thousands of children and humans living to improve this state that hates them.

02-27-2025

Marla Mayberry

Oppose SF418 I stand in solidarity with my friends in the trans community. No one should have to worry about being fired, denied housing or educational opportunities because of their gender identity.As an Iowan, where the state mottos is "Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain," it is terrible our Legislature is even considering HF 583. It is contrary to the values we hold most sacred as Iowans. I ask you do not make Iowa the first state in the nation to repeal civil rights protections for its citizens.

02-27-2025

Brett Norris

This bill, and others like it, are a gross misuse of legislator time and energy. Stripping the rights of vulnerable individuals should never enter your agenda, let alone take priority. Gender identity is critical to the lives of many Iowans, and to incorrectly label gender as a synonym of sex, and force compliance with that definition, is detrimental to the health and wellbeing of those Iowans. There are real issues facing the people of this state, like homelessness, healthcare affordability, public employee layoffs, rising costs of living, public education funding, and many more. To spend time backing this hateful, overbearing, harmful bill is an afront to the oaths that you all took upon entering office. A person's gender identity is no one's business but their own, and it harms no one. Do not be so frail as to try to control something that has nothing to do with you. What happened to your "conservatism"? This is disgraceful.

02-27-2025

Cindy Carrillo-Ramirez

We cannot let this bill pass. To do so would be a direct attack on human rights, and thats not what Iowas legacy should be. The existence of trans, nonbinary and intersex people has always been here and will always be here after we are gone and it hurts no one. Trans people are not a danger to anyone. But by stripping away civil rights protections from trans people, you are putting them in danger and hurting them. Its unlawful and inhumane and we cant let this happen.

02-27-2025

Jamie Niman

As Iowans, my family and I absolutely oppose SF418. This bill poses significant dangers to transgender and gender nonconforming individuals as well as anyone perceived as such. My wife is an example of the latter, having gone through a double mastectomy because of breast cancer. Many survivors choose to stay flat after surgery since implants require longer recovery and pose an increased risk to infection, which is especially dangerous when chemotherapy needs to follow. Chemo has caused her hair to fall out. When in public, she receives scowls from people when she attempts to use the women's restroom. Gender identity needs to remain a protected class for everyone; for those who do not fit gender norms, intentionally or not, and for children who need a welcoming educational environment so they don't have to experience discrimination. Mental health supports are already abysmal in Iowa. Please do not add impact to a burdened system. We need to do more to support protections regarding gender identity. We certainly should not be repealing civil rights.

02-27-2025

Abby Fliehler

As a long time educator and coach, I have walked beside young people on their journey to adulthood in many ways. My classroom and teams were a place where I was intentional about creating a space for all to feel safe. All children, all people, deserve a place without judgement to grow up and thrive. I supported my trans student's transition throughout middle school and high school and watched this brilliant human grow into a college student. We will lose brilliant young people like this when they are threatened with less rights after college, housing rights, employment rights, medical rights. Iowa will continue to have an exodus of those who know they are not seen as full citizens and for those who do not support it. We are sanctioning hatred and bigotry in the name of protecting young girls. Unfortunately, I have also stood beside young women affected by sexual assault and sexual harassment. NONE OF THESE YOUNG WOMEN WERE IMPACTED BY TRANS WOMEN. THEY WERE VIOLATED BY CIS MEN AND BOYS. And when they told their story, THEY WERE NOT BELIEVED. No one was trying to create laws to remove the rights of the athletes, family members, coaches, and others who violated those girls rights to be safe. It is a false narrative that this is for protection, if we were serious about this we would create a world where girls and women don't walk around feeling unsafe all the time. The attack on transIowans is way to push the Christian Right agenda that is the true minority and not the opinion of the majority of Iowans. Our elected officials should be voting for all Iowans, not just those who lined their pockets. The blurred line between church and state is blurring the lines of who is considered a citizen and that is blatantly wrong if not evil. You are sending the message to a minority of trans Iowans that they are not worthy of full rights, that they are not fully human. For this population, especially the young people, who already suffer bullying and mental health crises, this law will only create more violence and deaths for this population. These are humans trying to live their lives, this isn't about bathroom safety, this isn't about protecting women, this isn't about being a good Christian. This is about hating something you don't understand and not taking the time to learn, understand and listen. You should be ashamed of your ignorance and your laziness to truly help the children and people of Iowa and you should be spending your time passing laws that help people instead of wasting time on laws that take rights away from a group. Iowa should not be first in hate and state sanctioned bigotry. If this law passes, we will be and I'll join other Iowans that are embarrassed of what our state has become.

02-27-2025

David Harris

Transgender bill should be voted down. This group of fellow Iowans do not deserve this unfair attack for just being who they are. Look at the number supporting them. Have the courage to not let a Governor dictate how you should votelisten to those that know this community of fellow human beings. VOTE NO!

02-27-2025

Brianne Page

As a native Iowan with many family and friends in Iowa, I STRONGLY OPPOSE this action. Trans individuals are no less a person than anyone else and should have the same rights as anyone. Removing their protections from the Iowa Civil Rights Act would be a travesty and would send a message that some citizens are not valued as a whole and individual person. Civil rights are for EVERYONE. No exceptions.

02-27-2025

Sharon Wendel

I am deeply saddened at the path this effort is taking. I have yet to understand how another persons gender can affect others. Living next to, working with transgender people is not like the common cold; you won't get sick from it or miss any days of work, school or other social events. It won't change where you shop, worship or recreate. I am ashamed with our elected officials who have turned this into fear mongering. When did we change and not embrace differences? Do we all want to look, act and be exactly alike? I for one do not. Shame on everyone who supports this.

02-27-2025

Sarah Price

I OPPOSE THIS BILL. I think that removing gender identity rights from Iowa law would be the WRONG decision to make. As a woman, I do not believe that trans people in anyway harm me or other women from living our lives. They deserve to have the same rights and protections as the rest of us regardless of how they identity. I never have felt threatened by a trans woman or man and do not care what bathroom they use. I would strongly encourage our Iowa lawmakers to focus on real important issues such as homelessness, poverty, lack of food security, investigating and fixing our water pollution, investigating and fixing our cancer rate, and other actual issues. If we really want to protect Iowa women, we can start by passing a strong maternity and paternity leave policy for parents, pass stronger laws protecting victims of domestic abuse, restore a womens right to choose for her reproductive options, support for Planned Parenthood, and encourage wider access to birth control. Stripping Iowa transs people of their rights will never help Iowa succeed and will only hurt everyone else in the process. I strongly oppose this bill.

02-27-2025

Andrea Layne

As a licensed mental health counselor specializing in working with LGBTQIA+ clients, I urge you to oppose Iowa Senate File 418. This bill would strip critical protections for gender identity, putting transgender, genderqueer, and nonbinary individuals at greater risk.As a queer woman, the spouse of a nonbinary person, and a close friend to many transgender and genderdiverse individuals, I have seen firsthand how affirming gender identity positively impacts mental health. In my work, I support clients through complex challenges, including accessing genderaffirming care, which is often lifesaving. Studies show that transgender youth face alarming rates of suicide, with 42% of transgender and nonbinary youth seriously considering suicide in the past year. Removing protections will only worsen these crises.Discrimination in healthcare, education, and employment profoundly harms mental health and quality of life. Affirmation fosters wellbeing, while rejection leads to distress, depression, and suicidal ideation. People need safety and belonging to thrive.I urge you to stand with transgender, genderqueer, and nonbinary Iowans by voting against SF 418. Protect the rights, dignity, and wellbeing of all Iowans.

02-27-2025

Amy Weismann

This bill is inconsistent with the purpose and intent of the Iowa Civil Rights Act. It would in fact bring into question protection of other characteristics that are mutable, such as religious faith. It furthermore undermines the ability of the State of Iowa to redress longstanding, ongoing and empirically verified marginalization and discrimination against a discrete class of people. And most fundamentally, this failure to protect is a direct result of a refusal to recognize the existence of actual human beings who have an identity that is not aligned with their sex assigned at birth. This is entirely untenable as a matter of law.

02-27-2025

Brit Donahue

The Declaration of Independence We hold these truths to be selfevident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. I am so saddened to see our world go so backwards. 3

02-27-2025

Desi Wheeler

02-28-2025

Makaylah Riggan

The new bills hurts so many that I know and love and will forever change everyones lives! The point was not made and all the republicans are so downright disrespectful for not listening and not paying attention to anything any of us had to say or even the democrats as yall were sitting there playing with hair, playing on computers, and just plain old not listening and showing any attention. Im sorry that yall dont understand which yall dont have to just coexist with everyone as you always have been because it dont matter they will still be around and still be trans and non binary! Holt you are even worse for not answering anyones questions and being down right disrespectful because you know that they would have shut you down at every avenue and made their point as you had none! Im proudly married to a trans man and that will never change! You are putting me and our family at risk with this bill! Im still gonna be a proud Iowan at the end of the day but you guys really need to open your eyes and see the bigger person! Have your own thought process and stand on your own! Ask questions, get to know these people you are personally attacking! Makes me sick!

03-01-2025

Natalie McGee

Removing protection for transgender individuals is the most unchristian, ignorant, bigoted thing you can do to citizens. I do not fear trans people i should have feared white men, like you with power over me and my daughters teachers, coaches, pastors, bosses. Every woman has experienced lecherous behavior at the hands of a man sometimes in her life. This fear mongering by men like you is the real danger. Shame on you. Let transgender people live the life they want They aren't hurting you and aren't hurting me. This bill is an embarrassment to our state, and so are you!

03-01-2025

Prudence Reid

I have never in my life been so ashamed to be an Iowan.Shame on you.Thou shalt not bear false witness to thy neighbor Exodus 20:16You have broken the 9th commandmentYou are not Christians. I dont even have a name for what you are. Heartless comes to mind, though.

04-13-2025

Joy Cummings

Dear Senators and Respreseantives: I feel we don't need to pass a bill that limits a person ability to control their own sexual identity. We are suppose to stand for freedom not control. I feel our country and the people who are representing us are trying to limit our rights as adults and many of ours basic huma. Rights. I am on May 28 this yr a 78 yr old woman marrid to same the same Man for almost59yrs and definitely not gay in any way. I have friends who are most originally male or female Who at birth was the opposite. There is no pressure from them. Plus I was professional nurse in mental health for 39yrs and many of those who recognize they are bisexuality or gay goes thru much self doubting and even self hating when they 1st realize they are not the male or female they were born designated at birth but mentally they identify as opposite. Truly sometimes we even find out from their inner body this is true. I will admit not often but there is a small percent. Truly allow people to maintain the freedom to me themselves with their sexual orientation. This is freedom. Again I ask you to protect our rights and freedom and not pass law limiting them as long as we cause no harm or try to push our feeling and beliefs on to someone else. I truly feel this is what is happening not only on sexaul orientation but on many rights of our Constution and our country. Thankyou for reading my thoughts. Sincerely Joy B.Cummings

09-08-2025

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09-08-2025

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09-08-2025

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09-07-2025

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09-07-2025

Akash Amir [erefdg]

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09-08-2025

nick potter [travel]

Yes. Southwest offers senior discounts for passengers aged 65 and older. However, these discounted fares are not published online and must be arranged by calling Southwest s customer service at 18666303050 or +18777657884. A reservations agent can confirm eligibility, explain availability, and apply any discounts that apply to your booking. Southwest Airlines provides special senior discounts for travelers aged 65 and older through their Reservation lines at 18666303050 or +18777657884.