Iowa

Iowa bill removing gender identity from civil rights code moves forward in key subcommittee

Published

1 year ago

February 25, 2025

Iowa bill removing gender identity from civil rights code moves forward in key subcommittee

DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa Capitol Bureau) -The push to remove additional civil rights protections for transgender Iowans advanced another step Tuesday. A senate subcommittee approved the change which would remove gender identity from the state civil rights code.

There is an urgency by some Republicans to make the change this week. It would remove protections from discrimination for transgender Iowans at work and when looking for a place to rent.

Some Republican legislators also hope that the changes could prevent public funding for gender affirming care for prisoners and Medicaid patients.

With protesters lining the hall outside unable to fit into the room, Iowans got to weigh in on the legislation.

Deb Davis from Johnston says the bill is common sense and protects female spaces like locker rooms and restrooms.

“The rights of biological females need to be protected. I also do not want my Iowa tax dollars being spent on elective hormones and genital surgeries of others,” she said.

Jess Bierling of West Des Moines came out as transgender in 2014.

Bierling says she decided to stay in Iowa after graduating from college because of the current Iowa Civil Rights Act.

“I expected to lose a lot when I came out, including my family, friends, and job. Having my job protected by the Iowa Civil Rights Act made it easier to move forward,” she said.

Kathryn Kueter, from Pleasant Hill, said gender identity being protected in the civil rights code contradicts civil rights given to sex, specifically for women.

“You can’t tell women their spaces and their rights will be protected and then in the same breath allow men, counterfeiting as women to invade those spaces,” she said.

Rev. Betsey Monnot, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa, told lawmakers that transgender Iowans are our neighbors.

“Jesus calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves. It is unthinkable to remove civil rights and legal protections from people that we love,” she said.

The lawmakers on the subcommittee voted to advance the bill in a 2-1 vote. It now goes before the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday at 11:00 a.m.

The full house and senate could both debate this legislation Thursday if they have enough Republican support to pass it.

And since both chambers would be debating the same bill, they speed up the process and could get this sooner to Governor Kim Reynolds for her to sign it into law.

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Iowa

The One Game That Will Define Iowa’s 2026 Season

Published

8 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

The One Game That Will Define Iowa’s 2026 Season

When it comes to the Iowa Hawkeyes 2026 football season, it doesn’t get much bigger than Ohio State coming to Kinnick Stadium.

No one knows at this stage where the Buckeyes will be come Oct. 3, but Iowa has a chance to make an early impression against a team that is no stranger to winning the big one.

Iowa’s B1G schedule couldn’t get off to a worse start as they head to Michigan and then welcome the Buckeyes to Kinnick.

Hopefully for Iowa’s sake, their first three games against Northern Illinois, Iowa State, and Northern Iowa are enough to get them prepared. If not, things could get ugly.

ESPN Believes Ohio State is Iowa’s Biggest Opponent in 2026

The helmet of Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith sits on the sideline prior to the NCAA football game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. on Nov. 29, 2025. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Michigan game will certainly be a test, but hosting the Buckeyes is a different animal. That gives the Hawkeyes an advantage like no other, and if there was ever a time to give OSU a run for their money, it’s in Iowa City on Oct. 3.

“The Hawkeyes haven’t faced Ohio State at Kinnick Stadium since 2017, when Nate Stanley threw five touchdowns as they stunned the Buckeyes 55-24. An early October win over Ohio State could propel Iowa into the Big Ten title and playoff conversations,” Jake Trotter wrote.

To put things into perspective, Indiana and Oregon were the other two teams that had the Buckeyes listed as their defining game in the 2026 season. Shockingly, Iowa was actually selected against a team, that being Minnesota. Seeing as that’s for the Floyd of Rosedale, it makes complete sense.

Iowa Can’t Let Regular Season Opportunities Go To Waste

Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski (10) throws a pass during warmups before a college football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions Oct. 18, 2025 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. | Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Last year was seemingly the Hawkeyes’ first time to actually make the College Football Playoffs. They came up short as their losses to No. 16 Iowa State, No. 11 Indiana, No. 9 Oregon and No. 17 USC all added up. Sure, those were by a combined 15 points, but that doesn’t matter, as it’s bad enough that a three-loss team made the playoffs.

Iowa ended with a bang as they took down No. 14 Vanderbilt in the ReliaQuest Bowl, 34-27. Now, all eyes are on either Jeremy Hecklinski or Hank Brown. One of those men will have a chance to make their first B1G start at the Big House in Michigan.

It doesn’t get any tougher than that, as Iowa is immediately putting their new QB into deep water. They’ll have three games prior to that to get up to speed, but other than that, it’s go time as OSU awaits after their trip to Michigan.

Don’t forget to bookmark Iowa Hawkeyes on SI for the latest news. exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage and more!

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Iowa

Kee High School remembers legendary coach Gene Schultz

Published

20 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Kee High School remembers legendary coach Gene Schultz

MANCHESTER, Iowa — The state of Iowa lost a titan of the prep coaching world this week. Former Kee High School baseball coach Gene Schultz died on Monday at the age of 80.

Schultz spent 45 seasons as the baseball coach at Kee, helping turn the program into an Iowa dynasty. He won 9 State championships (not counting 2 fall titles, which the IHSAA doesn’t recognize in the record books), and took the Hawks to 19 State tournaments, which is also the most in Iowa history.

His 1,754 wins are not only the most in Iowa history, but the most of any high school baseball coach in the country.

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Iowa

Judge calls state response to comments about Charlie Kirk ‘deeply troubling’

Published

1 day ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Judge calls state response to comments about Charlie Kirk ‘deeply troubling’

“A licensing authority’s enforcement apparatus should not be mobilized in response to political pressure to suppress disfavored commentary on a public figure’s death — and this record raises serious questions about whether that is precisely what occurred here,” a federal judge wrote.

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