March Madness

It’s now the month of March.?And what’s going on is Madness.?Iowa is in the top 10, but not in a good way, because none of this has anything to do with basketball.

Three days ago, the Iowa State Legislature introduced five new anti-LGBTQ bills.?Iowa was already tied for eighth-most in the U.S.[1] for number of bills attacking LGBTQ rights. Two of the recent bills (HF508 and HJR8) focus on rolling back marriage equality in Iowa.?Another bill, HF482, restricts students from using the restroom that matches their gender identity. Yet another, HSB218, bars state colleges from expending money on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.?I used to take pride in how progressive we were as a state, but no longer.?

Why does this matter to me??Because I’m a gender non-conformer.?That means I don’t look like, dress like or usually act in ways defined for women in our cultural norms.?I have been this way since birth; it wasn’t because I read a book that influenced me.?In fact, I've read many books and come across many well-intended people that told me to reject who I was until I finally found a place, I could fully be me.?That place was right here in Iowa.?But, today, legislative attacks are eroding my sense of inclusion.

The LGBTQ Community: Under Attack

So, let’s take a step back and think about basic human rights.?Undeniable freedoms, rights, and protections … inherent to everyone … without discrimination.?While our political leaders claim they believe in these rights, they act in ways that only support those who align with their own lifestyles.?They say it’s because they’re representing their constituents, but I disagree.?

To clarify, my ability to marry, dress the way I see fit, educate or support my kids the way I see fit and use the bathroom I see fit, does NOT impact your freedoms, rights or protections.?Never have I sought to convert another person to my way of life. Yet, the opposite is true for me. ?But I have spent time in rural Iowa (and grew up in rural Minnesota) and while people didn’t always know what pronouns to use, most were open to getting to know me. My experience doesn’t match the behaviors the so-called political leaders are using to justify their attacks.?

Human rights are the foundation of this nation and are undoubtedly embraced by the people of Iowa.?Freedom of thought, expression and religion. We all should have the right to work, to an education, to an adequate standard of living and to equality under the law, which includes protection from discrimination and from racial or religious hatred. Seems pretty straightforward and without controversy.

Today, these inalienable rights are anything but inalienable for the LGBTQ community broadly, and the Transgender community specifically.??

It's not just in Iowa.?Clearly, we have a community under attack nationwide as opposed to under protection.?Just ten days after the start of the 2023 legislative session, more than 120 bills had already been introduced across the country restricting LGBTQ rights[2] , targeting:

·????????Access to health care for Transgender people

·????????LGBTQ rights in schools and education

·????????LGBTQ freedom of speech and expression

Additionally, bills continue to be introduced to weaken existing civil rights laws and overturn established non-discrimination protections for the LGBTQ community.?

Bills with consequences

To be clear, this legislation puts people at risk. This legislation puts members of the LGBTQ community and their families in real danger:

·????????Of losing their jobs (parents that provide affirming care against proposed state laws)

·????????Of losing access to medically necessary healthcare

·????????Of losing their 1st Amendment right to freedom of expression

·????????Of losing access to public accommodations

Here’s a more dire consequence. In the face of substantial legislation specifically targeting transgender students, more than half of transgender and nonbinary youth considered suicide in the past year and nearly 1 in 5 attempted suicides[3] .?Is that what we want for our children??As I shared before, no amount of legislation will change who each of us are at our core.?We’re either Transgender or not.?We are either LGBTQ or not.?No amount of oppression will alter who we are, but it will impact who will visit us, who will move to Iowa and who will move away.?

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Back to our Iowa roots

Growing up, I was part of a small church made up of a congregation who showed up for each other, including when I needed to come out to my family.?I love where I come from, and I’m deeply saddened that there is a belief that rural communities stand against people like me.?

When I think about Iowans, I think about people who are decent toward each other, people who show up for each other and people who stand up for each other’s rights.?Current legislation is disconnected from our firmly held beliefs: that basic human rights apply to everyone, regardless of race, religion, gender identity or gender expression.?I chose to believe we can stand up to this hate.?But we need to educate ourselves about what’s going on, show support and act.?We can’t sit on the sidelines waiting for someone else to do the right thing.

If you’ve read this far, I’m betting you’re willing to join this effort. There are several ways to get involved.?The Trevor Project is looking for volunteers to work “one on one with LGBTQ young people to help them navigate tough times and to prevent suicide.” Visit https://www.thetrevorproject.org/volunteer/ for current opportunities.?You can also contact your district’s legislators (https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/find ) to let them know how you feel about legislation that is blatantly restricting the rights and lives of Iowa’s LGBTQ citizens.?Lastly, take a minute to connect with someone that isn’t exactly like you, because you might learn something not only about them, but about yourself.?

[1] https://www.aclu.org/legislative-attacks-on-lgbtq-rights

[2] https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/over-120-bills-restricting-lgbtq-rights-introduced-nationwide-2023-so-far

[3] https://www.thetrevorproject.org/blog/the-trevor-project-releases-documentary-short-film-learn-with-love-uplifting-transgender-youth-stories/