Transgender Iowans, their allies and supporters protested bills advanced Monday by Republican lawmakers at the Iowa Capitol that would prohibit local governments from protecting transgender residents from discrimination through local civil rights ordinances, and shield parents from child abuse charges for anti-transgender actions.
Iowa House Republicans advanced legislation Wednesday that would expand restrictions on classroom discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity to middle and high schools. It came the samy day Gov. Kim Reynolds introduced a separate measure that would limit local governments’ ability to protect LGBTQ residents through civil rights ordinances.
Iowa middle and high school students would no longer be allowed classroom instruction or school-sponsored programming that references sexual orientation or what state law defines as “gender theory” under legislation advanced Wednesday by Senate Republicans.
Linn County saw a surge in passport applications last year, mirroring both state and nationwide trends.
An injunction blocking Iowa’s school book-removal mandate remains in place, but school leaders say the legal back-and-forth has created confusion and caution in classrooms. A pending decision from a federal appellate court could reshape what libraries and teachers are allowed to do.
Featuring Eastern Iowa women who have experienced powerful paths of achievement for themselves, their families and their communities.
Kendra Weston realized while serving on the board of directors of the Cedar Rapids' LGBTQ Youth Center that there was a great need for legal services and support for the LGBTQ+ community in Eastern Iowa and beyond. They founded Lavender Legal, the only LGBTQ+ legal nonprofit in the state.
The Coralville City Council voted 4-1 Tuesday to adopt an Equal Rights Protection resolution, meant to publicly reaffirm civil rights protection for members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Linn-Mar Community School District says it will improve communication with parents after student-led announcements prompted a federal investigation request from U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson. LGBTQ advocacy groups defended the students’ right to free speech, citing state and federal protections for student journalism and warning that political attacks harm LGBTQ youth.
Iowa U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson is urging a federal investigation into Linn-Mar High School after student announcements marked “Bisexual Plus Awareness Week.” The district says it is reviewing the segment on student-run television programming.
The formal gala features a cocktail hour, silent auction including spa packages, theater tickets and other luxury items, inspirational speakers, dinner and live entertainment. It's a chance to mingle with friends, allies and advocates to honor the strength and resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community.
The Iowa City Council unanimously adopted a resolution Tuesday reaffirming its commitment to protecting the LGBTQ+ community’s civil rights. The move comes after Republican state lawmakers this year passed a bill to change the state’s Civil Rights Act.
The Iowa City school board unanimously voted to restore “gender identity” to a dozen antibullying and harassment policies Tuesday, a reversal of an earlier decision to remove the words to align with a new Iowa law.
CR Pride hosted its four festival and parade in Cedar Rapids on Saturday.
Some Iowa school boards have approved removing “gender identity” from antibullying and harassment policies to align with Iowa law. Others — like Linn-Mar in Marion — have voted down removing “gender identity” from their policies, saying removing it is not required by the law at this time.
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