ACT NOW to Support Transgender Iowans

UPDATE: KCCI 8 Des Moines reports the bill is “dead.” According to online article posted at 7:44 p.m. on January 29.

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Transgender Iowans are under attack. I am sharing this information for a dear friend, Andrew Fleming, who has a transgender child and is a huge advocate for transgender people in Iowa and beyond.  We need to rally on this one, friends. If this bill passes, the results would be disastrous and will undoubtedly put peoples' lives in danger.

Taken directly from Andrew Fleming's Facebook Page:

“Facebook Friends & Family – I am asking you for help.
This is what I’ve been dreading.
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[Des Moines] – Today, January 29, Iowa State Representatives Dean Fisher, Anne Osmundson, Terry Baxter, Tedd Gassman, Thomas Gerhold, Phil Thompson, Tom Jeneary, Skyler Wheeler, and Sandy Salmon released HF2164, a bill which seeks to repeal all protections for transgender Iowans and remove them from the Iowa Civil Rights Act entirely. Such legislation would leave transgender Iowans vulnerable in the areas of employment, education, credit practices, housing, and public accommodations. Removing an entire class from a state civil rights statute has never happened in US history.

One Iowa Action Executive Director Courtney Reyes condemned HF2164 in a statement:

“What these Representatives are doing is cynical political theatrics at their worst. Allowing transgender Iowans to be fired from their jobs or denied housing simply because they are transgender is a new low, and they should be ashamed of themselves. Instead of concentrating on jobs, infrastructure, or education they are using the transgender community as a wedge issue in what will be a failed attempt to win votes in the upcoming election.

Transgender Iowans deserve to be protected against discrimination and most legislators know that, which is why the Iowa legislature established such protections in a bipartisan vote well over a decade ago. We urge the Iowa legislature to focus on keeping Iowa a premiere destination for residents and visitors alike. These bills do not accomplish that goal and will be an impediment to Iowa businesses attracting, recruiting, and retaining the top talent needed for our state to succeed.”

ACTION: Write or call your Iowa Congress person and STOP THIS BILL. This will KILL trans people. This is absolutely horrifying.

If you don’t know what to write or say, paraphrasing One Iowa’s statement is possible. Here’s another possible statement one can use:

Dear __________:

Please vote against HF2164, which seeks to repeal all protections for transgender Iowans and remove them from the Iowa Civil Rights Act. This bill will cause immense harm to trans Iowans, and leave us (them) vulnerable in areas of employment, housing, education, credit practices, public spaces, and health care. Discrimination against trans people are at an all time high, and this bill would embolden discriminatory practices that strip trans peoples of their right to exist and thrive. HF2164 would set Iowa back a century – removing an entire class of people from the state civil rights statute has never happened in US history, so please don’t let it happen in Iowa. Don’t let hate drive Iowa into the past. Trans people have a right to exist, to have the same rights as any cisgender person (non-trans person). Please stop bill HF2164 and advocate for the rights of trans people.

Thank you.”

Copy this text. Share it on social media. Write or email your district's state legislators (https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/find). Call the Iowa Senate (515-281-3371) and the Iowa House (515-281-3221) switchboards. PLEASE ACT to defend the rights of transgender Iowans.

ACTION INFORMATION JUST ADDED: Very specific contact information and updates on this topic from Bleeding Heartland can be found HERE.

In addition to taking action on this matter, educate yourself on the LGBTQ+ community and find out how you can help them in other ways. Be the person who creates safe spaces for this demographic in a world that oftentimes marginalizes and casts them out. See this post or visit OneIowa’s website to get started.
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