Meeting Public Comments

Patty Koester []

Please allow our children to go an excel at math and reading and science . Lets focus on these not one ideology . Please vote yes !

Carrie Wright []

I am in favor of this bill. These subjects dont need to be introduced on a broad scope to all kids at this age.If needed, parents should be the ones to decide what to say in accordance with their beliefs.

Mandy Gilbert []

Thank you for recognizing the issues in education and the need to protect children against ideologies that deny science. Back to the basics in Iowa education.

Scott White []

I encourage you to pass this bill. Schools are not a place to teach our children about sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Just a reminder: biology doesnt lie. The path for success in education does not bear on personal pronouns, or the notion of gender dysphoria. If we start on that path, it does not end well. Classical education should teach U.S. history (not the revisionist sort), english, mathematics, science (biology, chemistry, physics) and government. It is alarming how many children of high school age are utterly ignorant of our countrys legislative system.

Ashleigh Sheehy []

Please vote Yes to Bill SF 159. Prohibiting the inclusion of gender identity or sexual orientation in school instruction for K8 children is extremely important. School instruction is for learning the core subjects, not agendas. Including civil penalties and strict regulation around these matters will be vital to its success.

Patty Armstrong [Retired]

Please vote Yes to Bill SF 159. Prohibiting the inclusion of gender identity or sexual orientation in school instruction for K8 children is extremely important. I have grandchildren in public school and truly believe school instruction is for learning the core subjects, not agendas. Including civil penalties and that strict regulation around these matters will be vital to its success.

Heath Long []

Yes for this bill. It is not the role of the state to indoctrinate our youth into strange and dangerous ideologies. Take a look around. How has it been working out? Let's get back to math, english, history and civics. Leave the parenting to parents. I say this as a homeschooler with empathy for those who are being damaged in our schools.

Mandee S []

Please pass this bill!

Katie Brown []

My children's identity is found in Christ. Teaching them about gender identity is completely against our religious beliefs, and SHOULD NOT BE DONE IN SCHOOLS! I also don't need the schools help teaching about kindness,empathy, or how to treat others we use the bible for that as well! Leave parenting to parents!

Loree Horn []

I support this bill; however, I would suggest this be extended through grade 12.

David Alexander [David A]

I support this bill. Children deserve their childhood. They trust us to protect their innocence. Pass the bill.

Jocelyn Krueger []

Do not pass SF 159. I am an Iowa parent of four and I am also transgender. There are several LGBTQ members of our family and extended family. We, our family is not evil or bad or dangerous, as other commenters to this and other legislation have stated or implied. LGBTQ identities are not a mental illness. LGBTQ people are not mentally ill. This bill is ill. It is a sick attack on some of the most vulnerable members of our community. LGBTQ identities are going to come up in the classroom because there are LGBTQ people there with LGBTQ families. Children learn to write by writing about their families. They solve story problems about people and families. They share what they did over the summer with their classmates. Our 2nd grader shared about our family camping trip, our pets, and going to the bouncy house and fair at the Pride Festival. Kids ask each other questions about all their various stories and families. Not allowing some children to talk about their families or themselves excludes those children from a gateway to learning, as they are unable to make a connection between their stories and writing, or their stories and math, or any number of subjects. Do not pass SF 159 for this bill is also sloppy and written in a way that would leave unintended consequences even for its supporters. As written, a school, say a private school, could not say there are only two genders as that is also instruction on gender identity. A school could not correct or insist on any pronoun use in the classroom, as that is instruction on gender identity. Identities that are not trans identities are also gender identities. Teachers would not be able to mention to mention their partners, not just LGBT teachers, but strait teachers too. Oppositesex attraction is a sexual orientation. If programs, curriculum, material, tests, surveys, questionnaires, activities, announcements, promotion, or instruction on LGBTQ identities are not allowed, than programs, curriculum, material, tests, surveys, questionnaires, activities, announcements, promotion, or instruction on heterosexuality or a binary gender system are not allowed either. Do not pass SF 159 and put LGBT Iowans at risk. As debate over this and similar legislation has come up over the last couple of years, as a transgender Iowan, I have seen and had directed at me an increasing amount of hate and an increasing violent tone to that hate. I have fellow Iowans just down the road from me watching this debate, watching you legislators for answers, and telling me that they are ready to come get, come take care of the LGBT people in their, our communities, and that they are just waiting for the word. While I hope that you do not pass SF 159 or other legislation targeting trans people, I have no allusions that you will listen to me. Yet maybe those neighbors down the road implying violence will listen to you. If youre going to pass this bill, can you at least say these three things and help tone down the violence and violent threats directed at transgender Iowans. Can you tell them, can you say, There are transgender Iowans. Transgender Iowans belong in our communities. Dont kill your trans neighbors.

Jennifer Santiago []

Please vote No on this bill. Passing this law will encourage hatefulness and fear toward the LGBTQ community and is not an example of small government.

Elissa Frost []

I want to support public schools and teachers. Unfortunately, they seem to be very focused on social & emotional instruction. Unless a childs behavior is causing teachers difficulty in the classroom, they should have no need to be involved in these arenas of a childrens upbringing. Parents should be made fully aware of what curriculum is being taught and any interventions (social, medical, or otherwise) that are taking place in schools. If teachers or administrators are concerned for the childrens safety at home, they are mandatory reporters and should follow proper procedure. This bill helps support the 14th amendment and as a constitutional conservative I fully support this bill.

Keegan McAllister []

Children of LGBT parents should be allowed to talk about their families like anyone else. Vote no.

William Hruska []

Shouldn't this be protected under free speech? Forcing people to hide who they are because other people don't want them around is segregation. Seems very similar to black segregation. Some people don't want guys around, so they must hide that they even exist. Putting our heads and our children's heads in the ground doesn't do anything but continue ignorance, fear, and hate. Jesus said to love our neighbors. The Pharisees responded, "Who is our neighbor?" Jesus' response was everyone. Christ's command to love ones neighbor didnt end at racial, ethnic, sexual or political boundaries. The duty to love ones neighbor included the stranger and the outsider.

Dessie Sliekers []

Please vote NO on this harmful, hurtful bill. Not only is this exclusionary to LGBTQ kids who are just trying to exist, it's harmful to all kids, as they have a right to know and learn about their bodies. Statistically kids who are properly educated about sex education go on to make smarter, safer decisions for themselves. Teaching sex ed is far from an LGBTQ agenda and certainly won't indoctrinate kids to the cause. However, properly teaching INCLUSIVE sex ed will help kids in the LGBTQ community grow to become adults rather than feel isolated, erased and alone and potentially lead to self harm. Please vote NO on this bill. If anything, ad a provision for parents to opt their kids out if they really feel so strongly against inclusion.

Steve Shaner []

Vote no on this bill; passing it would be a terrible mistake for all Iowans.Every time we tell teachers what they can and cannot teach, we limit the potential of their students and demean the institutions of our society. Keep our state government out of the role of surveilling educators.

TJ Mealey-Motz []

Vote NO. We need to spread love and not hate. Learning about the alphabet mafia doesn't make your kid(s) GAY.

Christina Nanoto []

Please vote no on this bill. It will save lives. No one is trying to force these views on kids, we are just trying to provide a safe environment for the ones who feel diffent. Like they don't fall into social norms. But they need someone they can safely talk through these feelings with so they can understand what they are going through. That's not always a parent. That's a cause of child suicide. Please don't take away this small sense of security. It's already scary enough.

Nat Hall []

Vote NO on this bill. Hate has no place in our state. This whole bill is rooted in FEAR. The legislature seems fixated on the erasure of LGBTQ folks. As an ally I will fiercely stand up and say that all students and families deserve to be safe in their schools and communities. Looking at the comments and the lobbyist declarations, this bill plays to a small group of people who have some deeps fears of those who are different than them. The majority do not want this!! In addition, banning 'instruction, et al.' of sexual orientation as defined in 216.2 includes HETEROSEXUALITY too. So be sure to stay on top of that. The legislature simply cannot make a law that discriminates against and excludes and entire class of people, who are your constituents. What a disgrace this bill is VOTE NO.

Lisa Coffey [https://www.data2bio.com]

Vote NO to SF 159We need to allow children to feel safe in school and to be able to express themselves as they learn who they are. Children need to understand that they may not be identical to most others in their life and that's ok. Teaching that we are a binary is harmful and forces them to feel like if they do not fall in 1 of 2 boxes there is something wrong with them. Allow teachers to teach. Allow teachers to teach based on helping the students that they have in their classrooms. Allow teachers to be advocates and compassionate to the young persons they are teaching. Allow teachers to do their jobs & be the compassionate people they are

Justin Sliekers []

Vote NO. This is unnecessarily exclusionary of an already marginalized group of people and will ultimately do undue harm via ignorance

Zach Donohue []

Please do not pass this law. Our children must gather as much knowledge to help them understand the things they and the people in society are going through. Forbidding that knowledge will not make things better.

Lindsey Ellickson []

Given that schools struggle with addressing my kid that I advocate for with their proper pronouns, I just want to quash any myths that schools are somehow indoctrinating kids to become trans. In fact, going to public schools is the place where my kid has been less comfortable with being out, due to harassment and bullying, and even lack of respect from teachers. That cannot change without teaching people that LGBT exist, and deserve equal respect. Please vote no on 159. Also, just want to add, if school choice was really the reason for the vouchers, my choice is a safe and affirming school for my kid. This law would take that choice away from me.

Jennifer Allen []

LGBTQ children, parents, and teachers belong in our schools. This bill seeks to legally sanction bullying and discrimination. Please don't make Iowa known for hate. Vote no.

Amber Barber []

All of our families need to be represented. To ban representation of LGBTQ families it hurts our communities. This is not about doctrine being taught. This is about erasing our place in schools. Lgbtq families and parents exist and are Iowans just like everyone else.

Melissa McAllister []

My name is Melissa McAllister. I am a small business owner and resident in Ankeny, Iowa. I volunteer weekly in the schools, working with students directly. I am writing you to beg you to vote no on SF 159. This bill is incredibly dangerous and harmful to students who are in the LGBTQIA+ community. LGBTQIA+ youth are already at a higher risk for selfharm; they are already ostracized by their peers, feel little to no support from their community, and, for some, even from their families. Our youth need what protection they do have from the schools right now to continue. I am the parent of a trans daughter. My daughter often feels unsafe at school with her peers and experiences bullying on a fairly regular basis. Making it illegal for teachers to advocate for her, and even to purposely out her, is cruel. Violence and bullying overwhelmingly affects kids in the trans community and undereducating their peers will only increase that. As a mother I am filled with fear for my daughter each day she goes to school. I am grateful for the supportive teachers she has. I know it can be hard to understand something you have not directlly experienced. I beg you to recognize that our LGBTQIA+ youth are just thatkids who are trying their best to survive and thrive and just be themselves in an otherwise unaccepting world. I beg you to let them keep what protection and safety they still have.First of all EVERYONE has a sexual orientation so the straight staff would be breaking this allllll day long, but we all know they arent the targets here and wont be punished. This would ban our GSA for 8th graders while their 9th grade peers could attend. This would put K8 queer staff members back in the closet. This will discriminate and endanger our queer students and staff and those from queer families. I beg you to vote NO on advancing this bill.Melissa McAllisterAnkeny, Iowa

Johnna Joy []

Hello, my name is Johnna Joy. I am from Atlantic, writing to you as both a parent of a transgender child and queer Iowan myself. My daughter is in first grade, and comes from a two mom family. SF159 would ban speaking about families like ours in my childs classroom, and classes all across the state.Gay marriage has been legal in Iowa for 14 years now longer than any elementary and middle schooler has been alive. We deserve to have our families and children just as represented in classrooms as our heterosexual and cisgender counterparts. Because, to be clear, the education we are talking about here has nothing to do with anatomy or sexual activity, it is not Sex Ed "sexuality" is really a misnomer in many ways it is things as simple as Some kids have two mommies! and how to treat everyone with basic respect. All this age appropriate education does is improve the safety and mental health of LGBTQ students and families.We already deal with the societal effects of the lack of LGBTQ education in public schools: Othering, bullying, threats, and outright hatred towards us, simply for existing as ourselves. HF8 would prevent educators from even properly addressing bullying in their classes. Our children and families MY child and MY family, deserve the basic dignity of education that promotes empathy and the embrace of differences in our communities. My daughter deserves to be understood, represented, and respected just the same as her cisgender peers. We deserve safety.We do not deserve to be treated as "unmentionables" we are normal families, not an "agenda". I am coming from a small rural town. I love my town passionately, and I want to see it thrive and grow but Iowa cannot thrive if we push folks away and out of it, which is exactly what antiLGBTQ legislature like SF159 will do. Only the gracious embrace of the spectrum of humanity will do that. I encourage you all to consider the additional economic toll all the antiLGBTQ bills will have on Iowa, which is already struggling.Just as a reality check: the VAST majority of Iowan schools do not have LGBTQ cirriculum already. Although they should! School is to prepare kids for the world, and the world is diverse REGARDLESS of your opinion about it!My wife and I grew up in a world with zero representation or education on LGBTQ folks, in conservative christian homes where our families never educated us on anything LGBTQ either. Guess what? We are still gay and trans. No laws, no bills, no stifling will get rid of us. No attempts trying to remove us from public life will. All it will really do is make young lgbtq folks more likely to get bullied, and put ALL Iowan students at a disadvantage compared to states that are not censoring education and FREE SPEECH.STOP politicizing us, we are people, not a political football.Please, do not support this bill that would only further harm Iowans.

Jen Stout []

Please vote no on this discriminatory bill. All Iowas children deserve to see themselves and their families represented in our schools. The harm that will come to LGBTQ+ students by removing representation will be catastrophic. Data shows increased risk to LGBTQ+ youth in areas of self harm, suicidal ideation, and homelessness. ALL children must be supported, represented, and valued.

Sara Ferneding []

Please pass this bill. Schools are getting off track with all of the SEL & LGBTQ ideology teaching. They need to quit grabbing for our kids. Parents need transparency from the schools & teachers. Secrets have no place in the classrooms. Secrets are behaviors of groomers & predators. This bill will help guide teachers back to academic education which is what we are sending our kids to school for in the first place. Not gender/sexuality indoctrination. This bill also keeps parents in control of their children & not teachers who "think" they know better than the parent. I would also like to see this bill extend to K12.Thank you for your support!

Adam Ezzio []

I know you will vote with your hate filled, crunchy old straight white people hearts and there is nothing I or anyone can say to change your minds. You lead with oppression, selfishness and ignorance. The tallys are already in and you win in YOUR eyes, but you are fastly becoming the minority and you are terrified.and we are thrilled. My LGBTQIA2S+ family does not care about you and your hate. We have eachother and will teach whoever will listen, our stories of oppression and self loathing and self hate. Brought on by hyperitical religious zealouts. We WILL prevail. You WILL fail in the long game. Be sure of that. Good luck living with yourselves when they publish who voted yea or nay. I hope it comes back to you 10 fold.

Jillian Stark []

Vote no. This bill effectively erases the existence of LGBT parents and students. It sends a message that this group of people is inherently perverted and evil, and should not be worthy of even acknowledgment in a public sector. That sentiment could and should not be further from the truth, but ideologues with an agenda continue to push this propaganda relentlessly. Nearly all kids know their sexual orientation and gender identity far before 9th grade. I know I did, and Im certain many of the people supporting this bill did as well (knew they were heterosexual and not transgender that is). Many of us LGBT people were relentlessly bullied and beaten in school because of being othered, some even driven to the point of suicide. This bill essentially encourages such discrimination and violence by codifying the erasure of LGBT kids and teens, sending a message to them that they dont belong.We exist, that is reality, and there should be nothing wrong with letting children know what reality is. Should we ban teaching the existence of races other than caucasian because of racists complaining, or religions other than Christianity because of certain Christians complaining? Of course not, that would be ignoring reality and be the epitome of narrow minded bigotry. Some believe that educating children on the existence of gender or sexual minorities is sexualizing children or grooming them. Does teaching kids that heterosexual relationships exist constitute sexualizing them as well? Or grooming them into relationships with adults? Heterosexual people have sex as well, and perhaps allowing teaching that heterosexuality exists will cause heterosexual children to commit sin by being promiscuous and having sex out of wedlock. Of course, thats ridiculous, but supporters of this bill are essentially making the same ridiculous claim against LGBT people. If your kid isnt gay or transgender, learning that these things exist isnt going to suddenly make them gay or transgender. It hurts no one. But censoring the existence of trans students and parents in public school does hurt them. The far rights holy crusade against sexual and gender minorities is based on lies, untruths, and is dangerously out of control. The United States is NOT a theocracy, and Christian morality (especially this hypocritically twisted version of it) should not be codified into law at the expense of an already unjustly vilified minority.

Nathan Paul []

This bill needs to be stopped. It's being driven by scared and ignorant parents who refuse or are incapable of having discussions on sensitive topics with their kids. There are not classes dedicated to teaching kids and trying to punish teachers who do is big government at its finest. Stop creating laws where problems don't exist.