Gov. Reynolds signs 'Bathroom Bill' and gender transition procedures bill into law
On Wednesday, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed several bills into law, including two major bills impacting transgender Iowans.
One law will restrict which bathrooms transgender Iowans can use. The law will now require students only use bathrooms or locker rooms that correspond with the sex listed on their birth certificate.
The other will ban gender transition procedures for anyone under the age of 18 in Iowa. The law bans puberty blockers, hormone therapies and other related surgeries for Iowans under the age of 18.
Both laws go into effect immediately.
"I've got a child. And the State Legislature is very clearly saying to the child, 'You don't have the same rights that your other kids have,'" Matt McIver said to vlog.
McIver is a Des Moines father of a transgender child who came out right before his 12th birthday. "This bill strips away my rights as a parent to get medical care for my kid. The standard of medical care across the board in this country, you know, it makes me worried. Noah said to me point blank. 'I don’t want to go to Minnesota,' but that’s what we’re looking at," McIver said.
During a scheduled news conference Tuesday, Reynolds defended her support for the plans, saying she believes the bills are necessary to protect children.
"I believe that the science isn't conclusive to support what we're potentially doing to our kids. These are irreversible. We don't even understand the long-term effects," Reynolds said. "I'm a parent. I'm a grandmother. I know how difficult this is. This is an extremely uncomfortable position for me to be in. You know, I don't like it, but I have to do what I believe is right now is in the best interest of the kids."
Courtney Reyes, executive director of One Iowa told vlog that there is a 180-day grace period for young Iowans currently receiving gender transition procedures. This allows them to figure out their next steps.
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In response to the ban on gender transition procedures, the ACLU of Iowa Executive Director Mark Stringer issued a that reads, in part:
"With gender-affirming care, it should be parents, doctors, and mental health professionals who make these decisions — not politicians trying to score political points by throwing transgender kids under the bus.
"Parents of transgender children are doing their level best to keep their kids alive. These parents deserve every tool at their disposal to create a future for their children. That should include the option of gender-affirming care, which is endorsed by every major medical association."
In response to the law that would restrict bathroom usage for transgender Iowans, Des Moines Public Schools announced Wednesday that students can submit requests that would allow for more privacy when they use the restroom.
The statement reads, in part:
"Iowa Senate File 482 was signed into law today, and goes into effect immediately, requiring students, employees, parents, and visitors to use bathrooms, changing rooms, and other facilities as defined in the law, in accordance to their biological sex. As a public school district, DMPS is required to comply with the law, including those over which people may have strong feelings or be deeply divided.
"Under this new law, any student who, for any reason, desires greater privacy when using the restroom, changing rooms, and other facilities defined in the law, may submit a written request to their building principal, which must be signed by the student’s parent or guardian. The building administrator will evaluate the request and will, to the extent reasonable, offer alternative arrangements consistent with the new Iowa law. DMPS administrators are finalizing guidelines and will be meeting with our school leaders tomorrow to present and discuss this information."