Iowa
Bill expanding Iowa’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law takes another step forward
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A bill prohibiting Iowa’s public K-12 schools from teaching students about LGBTQ-related topics at all grade levels is advancing in the House and Senate as GOP lawmakers consider expanding what critics call the state’s “Don’t Say Gay” law.
The measure would subject all of Iowa’s K-12 students to a law Gov. Kim Reynolds signed in 2023 that bans instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation through sixth grade. The wide-ranging education legislation also ordered schools to remove books that depict sex acts and remains tied up in court.
The House Education Committee voted 14-9, to advance House File 2121, which would extend the prohibition on LGBTQ-related teaching through high school. Two Republicans, Reps. Chad Ingels, R-Randalia, and Tom Moore, R-Griswold, joined Democrats in voting no.
It advanced out of subcommittee in a 2-1 vote earlier Wednesday morning.
Rep. Helena Hayes, R-New Sharon, said the measure pushes educators to stick to core curriculum such as language, English, math and history. She voted with Rep. Wendy Larson, R-Odebolt, to move it forward.
“This very narrow bill, it simply says teachers, please focus on educational topics,” Hayes said. “Please talk about academics, and that’s what we’re asking our educators to do, and that’s as simple as it is. Stay focused on the topic at hand, and that is we want to graduate intelligent, articulate, critical thinkers in this world.”
Rep. Elinor Levin, D-Iowa City, who opposed the bill, questioned why lawmakers would further legislate something that’s already tied up in court and how it helps Iowans afford their daily living costs.
“I am myself queer,” Levin said. “I have been since I was born. It is part of my existence. I experienced no great trauma or abuse growing up. In fact, I grew up in an incredibly healthy and happy family with no direct queer role models. … To pretend that queer people do not exist is neither remarkable nor wise in thinking about how we care for our kids.”
Republicans on a three-member Senate subcommittee advanced their proposal, Senate Study Bill 2003, on Jan. 21. Similar legislation has not advanced in past years, including in 2025 after a House proposal stalled once it passed out of subcommittee. There was no Senate companion bill in 2025.
The bill says that Iowa’s public school districts and charter schools cannot provide “any program, curriculum, test, survey, questionnaire, promotion or instruction relating to gender theory or sexual orientation” to K-12 students.
GOP lawmaker pushes to allow discussion of gender as a ‘theory’
Rep. Jeff Shipley, R-Birmingham, who serves on the House Education Committee, proposed amending the bill and said it may be “fairly appropriate” to discuss gender identity as a theory.
He said there are many legal questions or works of art pertaining to trans people that high school students would be mature enough to debate in a classroom setting.
“I think there’s a lot of things that could sink your teeth into if gender theory is just debated as a theory in the classroom,” Shipley said.
Hayes said the committee would consider amendments but this was already “narrowly tailored to instructional time.”
“A lot of those conversations still happen in other places and school grounds or outside of school grounds,” Hayes told reporters. “I mean, certainly people should have connections and networking beyond just their teaching and beyond just the classroom.”
Existing law still tied up in court
Iowa’s 2023 law, Senate File 496, is being challenged as unconstitutional in a federal lawsuit.
A federal judge initially granted an injunction blocking parts of the law, including the ban on teaching about gender orientation and sexual identity, while the lawsuit is decided.
But the U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed his decision, allowing the law to take effect. Attorneys argued the law’s constitutionality in federal court in January.
Iowa is one of several Republican-led states, including Florida, with similar prohibitions on classroom teaching about gender identity and sexual orientation.
Levin said it would be unwise to extend Iowa’s law while the state’s current court challenges are pending.
“I genuinely can’t think of a reason why we would move forward with this when the previous legislation is tied up in the courts,” she said.
Opponents say sexual orientation, gender identity are ‘immutable’ traits
Like in the Senate’s initial hearing, opponents of the bill outnumbered supporters as people warned lawmakers of the detrimental effects the legislation would have on LGBTQ youth.
Annie Craven, of Urbandale, said she is openly bisexual and was homeschooled and raised Catholic so she didn’t know people with her sexual orientation existed growing up. Craven is running for the Iowa House District 46 seat held by incumbent Republican Rep. Dan Gehlbach.
“That didn’t make me any less queer,” Craven said. “It did make me feel very alone and isolated and different. I resent that gender identity is being touted as political or something that we can debate or theorize. It’s immutable. It caused great harm to me as a person and as a kid growing up to not know that there were other people like me and to think that I was so different and I didn’t understand why.”
Drake University law student Karrecia Crawley said the bill imposes a “sweeping ideology that rushes to conclusions about what is taught.”
“They don’t see the foresight of what happens or what occurs when this bill is passed,” Crawley said. “I don’t believe Republicans will be in power for all that much longer if bills like this keep getting pushed and introduced into the (Legislature).”
Rev. Lizzie Gillman, an Episcopal priest in Des Moines and mother of a high school and sixth grade student, shared with lawmakers that her children’s friends feel they have no adults with whom they can discuss LGBTQ topics after recent law changes targeting LGBTQ rights.
“Jesus never said anything about gender or homosexuality,” Gillman said. “Jesus was all about love. And so what I want to know is that when we marginalize these students at a young age, they can pick it up. … I’d like you to understand whose dignity matters here.”
Supporters asks lawmakers to restore ‘focus’ on academics
Jeff Pitts, with the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition, supported the bill.
“Political indoctrination ought not to be done on the taxpayer dime at public institutions,” Pitts said.
Katherine Bogaards, with Protect My Innocence, supported the measure and said it “gives families confidence that schools will remain focused on academics and age appropriate research-based health education, not topics that confuse or overwhelm the students.”
“Supporting this bill is about preserving family values, respecting parental authority, and assuring minors are allowed to grow up without unnecessary pressure related to sexual orientation and gender identity,” Bogaards said.
Marissa Payne covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. Reach her by email at mjpayne@registermedia.com. Follow her on X at @marissajpayne.
The Iowa Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big with rewards ranging from $1,000 to millions. The most an Iowan has ever won from playing the lottery was $343 million in 2018 off the Powerball.
Don’t miss out on the winnings. Here’s a look at Thursday, April 30, 2026, winning numbers for each game:
Winning Pick-3 numbers from April 30 drawing
Midday: 4-8-6
Evening: 9-8-6
Check Pick-3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick-4 numbers from April 30 drawing
Midday: 1-7-7-2
Evening: 9-5-3-2
Check Pick-4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from April 30 drawing
05-19-21-42-55, Bonus: 03
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Iowa Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 3 (Day): 12:20 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 3 (Evening): 10:00 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 4 (Day): 12:20 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 4 (Evening): 10:00 p.m. CT daily.
- Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Iowa editor. You can send feedback using this form.
SHELBY COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) – A 19-year-old man has died after his motorcycle crashed with a farm sprayer vehicle.
According to the Iowa State Patrol, the crash happened around 7:25 p.m. Wednesday on County Road M16 in Shelby.
Both vehicles were traveling north, with the motorcycle behind the sprayer. The sprayer began to turn left into a driveway, when the motorcycle rear-ended the farm vehicle.
The motorcycle landed in the west ditch of the road.
The driver, Jacob Buman, from Harlan, died at the scene.
The sprayer driver was uninjured.
Copyright 2026 KCRG. All rights reserved.
The Iowa high school boys golf postseason is right around the corner, and the Iowa High School Athletic Association has revealed pairings for tournaments.
Sectionals in Class 1A, Class 2A and Class 3A will all take place on Wednesday, May 13, as qualifiers will advance to districts scheduled for Monday, May 18. The Iowa High School Athletic Association State Golf Tournaments are locked in for May 26-27, with Class 3A and Class 2A together in Waterloo while Class 1A competes in Newton.
Waverly-Shell Rock, Columbus Catholic, Boyden-Hull Are Defending State Champions
Class 4A boys golf took place this past fall with Johnston’s Andrew Johannsen capturing the individual title. Last spring, Waverly-Shell Rock, Columbus Catholic and Boyden-Hull were crowned team state champions.
The Top 3 teams from each sectional will advance to districts, with the Top 3 teams at districts moving on to the state tournament. Also, the Top 2 overall individual players, plus ties, from each site’s non-qualifying teams will join the state field.
Below are the Iowa high school boys golf postseason pairings for each classification.
Iowa High School Boys Golf Postseason Pairings
Tournaments to be played on Wednesday, May 13 (Sectionals); Monday, May 18 (Districts)
Class 3A
At Storm Lake from Buena Vista Golf Course at Lake Creek (Districts hosted by MOC-Floyd Valley at Landsmeer Golf Course)
- Carroll, Cherokee Washington, Denison-Schleswig, Greene County, Harlan Community, MOC-Floyd Valley, Sioux Center, Storm Lake
At Okoboji from Emerald Hills Golf Course (Districts hosted by MOC-Floyd Valley at Landsmeer Golf Course)
- Algona, Charles City, Clear Lake, Hampton-Dumont/CAL, Iowa Falls-Alden, Okoboji, Spencer, Spirit Lake
At Webster City from Briggs Woods Golf Course (Districts hosted by Altantic at Atlantic Golf and Country Club)
- Boone, Des Moines Christian, Gilbert, Humboldt, Nevada, Perry, South Tama County, Webster City
At Knoxville from Pine Knolls Golf Course (Districts hosted by Altantic at Atlantic Golf and Country Club)
- Atlantic, Carlisle, Chariton, Clarke Community, Creston, Glenwood, Knoxville, Winterset
At West Delaware from Pin Oak Links (Districts hosted by Marion at Gardner Golf Course)
- Anamosa, Center Point-Urbana, Decorah, Independence, Maquoketa, Waukon, Waverly-Shell Rock, West Delaware
At Williamsburg from Stone Creek Golf Course (Districts hosted by Marion at Gardner Golf Course)
- ADM, Benton, Clear Creek-Amana, Marion, Mount Vernon, Solon, Vinton-Shellsburg, Williamsburg
At Fairfield from Fairfield Golf Course (Districts hosted by Pella at Bos Landen)
- Centerville, Fairfield, Fort Madison, Keokuk, Mount Pleasant, Pella, Washington, West Liberty
At Oskaloosa from Edmundson Golf Course (Districts hosted by Pella at Bos Landen)
- Ballard, Bondurant-Farrar, Grinnell, Mid-Prairie, Newton, North Polk, Oskaloosa, Saydel
Class 2A
At West Sioux from Hawarden Golf Course (Districts hosted by Kuemper Catholic at Carroll National Golf Club)
- Central Lyon, Rock Valley, Sheldon, Sibley-Ocheyedan, Unity Christian, West Lyon, West Sioux, Western Christian
At Ridge View from Holstein Golf Course (Districts hosted by Kuemper Catholic at Carroll National Golf Club)
- Atla-Aurelia, Hinton, Kuemper Catholic, Lawton-Bronson, Logan-Magnolia, MVAOCOU, OABCIG, Ridge View
At Clarion-Goldfield/Dows from Clarmond Golf Course (Districts hosted by Kuemper Catholic at Carroll National Golf Club)
- Clarion-Goldfield/Dows, Eagle Grove, Emmetsburg, Estherville-Lincoln Central, Forest City, Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn, Pocahontas Area, Sioux Central
At Roland-Story from River Bend Golf Course (Districts hosted by Shenandoah from Shenandoah)
- East Sac County, Manson Northwest Webster, Ogden, Roland-Story, South Central Calhoun, South Hamilton, Southeast Valley, Woodward-Granger
At Red Oak from Red Oak Golf Course (Districts hosted by Shenandoah from Shenandoah)
- MMCRU, Missouri Valley, Red Oak, Riverside, Shenandoah, Treynor, Tri-Center, Underwood
At Clarinda from Clarinda Golf Course (Districts hosted by Shenandoah from Shenandoah)
- Central Decatur, Clarinda, Grand View Christian, Interstate 35, Nodaway Valley, Panorama, Van Meter, West Central Valley
At Tipton from Tipton Country Club (Districts hosted by Mediapolis from Heritage Oaks Golf and Country Club)
- Central Lee, Columbus Community, Durant, Louisa-Muscatine, Mediapolis, Tipton, Lisbon, Wilton
At Davis County from Bloomfield Country Club (Districts hosted by Mediapolis from Heritage Oaks Golf and Country Club)
- Albia, Burlington Notre Dame, Davis County, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont, PCM, Pella Christian, Pleasantville, Iowa City Regina Catholic
At Cascade from Fillmore Fairways (Districts hosted by Mediapolis from Heritage Oaks Golf and Country Club)
- Alburnett, Dyersville Beckman Catholic, Bellevue, Camanche, Cascade, West Branch, Monticello, Northeast
At North Fayette Valley from Pleasant Valley Sports Club (Districts hosted by Columbus Catholic from Gates Park Golf Course)
- Central Springs, Crestwood, Garner-Hayfield/Ventura, MFL MarMac, New Hampton, North Fayette Valley, Osage, Postville
At Denver from Willow Run Country Club (Districts hosted by Columbus Catholic from Gates Park Golf Course)
- Aplington-Parkersburg, Belmond-Klemme, Columbus Catholic, Denver, Jesup, Maquoketa Valley, Oelwein, Sumner-Fredericksburg
At Grundy Center from Town and Country Golf Course (Districts hosted by Columbus Catholic from Gates Park Golf Course)
- Colfax-Mingo, Dike-New Hartford, East Marshall, Grundy Center, Hudson, South Hardin, Union Community, West Marshall
Class 1A
At Boyden-Hull from Rolling Hills Country Club (Districts hosted by Council Bluffs St. Albert from Council Bluffs Country Club)
- Akron-Westfield, Boyden-Hull, Le Mars Gehlen Catholic, Kingsley-Pierson, Remsen St. Mary’s, South O’Brien, Storm Lake St. Mary’s
At Newell-Fonda from Newell-Fonda Golf Club (Districts hosted by Council Bluffs St. Albert from Council Bluffs Country Club)
- Glidden-Ralston, Newell-Fonda, River Valley, Siouxland Christian, West Monona, Westwood, Woodbury Central
At Boyer Valley from Dunlap Golf Course (Districts hosted by Council Bluffs St. Albert from Council Bluffs Country Club)
- AHSTW, Boyer Valley, East Mills, Griswold, Heartland Christian, Council Bluffs St. Albert, Woodbine
At Sidney from Fremont County Golf Course (Districts hosted by Council Bluffs St. Albert from Council Bluffs Country Club)
- Bedford, Essex, Fremont-Mills, Hamburg, Lenox, Sidney, Southwest Valley
At George-Little Rock from Otter Valley Country Club (Districts hosted by Lake Mills at Rice Lake Golf and Country)
- Bishop Garrigan, George-Little Rock, GTRA, Harris-Lake Park, North Union, Trinity Christian, West Bend-Mallard
At West Hancock from Britt Golf Course (Districts hosted by Lake Mills at Rice Lake Golf and Country)
- Clarksville, Mason City Newman, North Butler, Rockford, Saint Ansgar, West Fork, West Hancock
At Turkey Valley from Jackson Heights Golf Course (Districts hosted by Lake Mills at Rice Lake Golf and Country)
- Central Elkader, Lake Mills, North Iowa, Northwood-Kensett, Riceville, South Winneshiek, Turkey Valley
At East Buchanan from Buffalo Creek (Districts hosted by Lake Mills at Rice Lake Golf and Country)
- Clayton Ridge, East Buchanan, Edgewood-Colesburg, Nashua-Plainfield, Starmont, Tripoli, Wapsie Valley, West Central
At CAM from Crestwood Hills Golf Course (Districts hosted by St. Edmond at Lakeside Golf Course)
- CAM, ACGC, Audubon, Coon Rapids-Bayard, Earlham, Exira-EHK, IKM-Manning
At North Mahaska from Prairie Knotts Country Club (Districts hosted by St. Edmond at Lakeside Golf Course)
- Baxter, BGM, Lynnville-Sully, Madrid, Martensdale-St. Marys, Montezuma, North Mahaska, Southeast Warren
At BCLUW from Oakwood Golf Course (Districts hosted by St. Edmond at Lakeside Golf Course)
- AGWSR, BCLUW, Colo-Nesco, Gladbrook-Reinbeck, GMG, North Tama, St. Edmond
At Belle Plaine from Belle Plaine Country Club (Districts hosted by St. Edmond at Lakeside Golf Course)
- Belle Plaine, Cedar Ridge Christian, Central City, Don Bosco, Dunkerton, North Linn, Springville
At Iowa Valley from Marengo Golf Club (Districts hosted by Sigourney from Oskaloosa Golf)
- English Valleys, Hillcrest Academy, HLV, Iowa Valley, Keota, Melcher-Dallas, Sigourney
At Midland from Little Bear Country Club (Districts hosted by Sigourney from Oskaloosa Golf)
- Calamus-Wheatland, Easton Valley, Lone Tree, Bellevue Marquette Catholic, Midland, North Cedar, Prince of Peace
At Mount Ayr from Mount Ayr Country Club (Districts hosted by Sigourney from Oskaloosa Golf)
- Diagonal, East Union, Lamoni, Moravia, Mormon Trail, Mount Ayr, Wayne
At Winfield-Mt Union (Districts hosted by Sigourney from Oskaloosa Golf)
- Danville, Highland, Holy Trinity Catholic Fort Madison, New London, WACO, Wapello, Winfield-Mt Union
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