(Radio Iowa) – A bill that would remove “gender identity” from the Iowa Civil Rights Act has cleared the House Judiciary Committee this (Monday) afternoon. The bill passed o a 13-to-8 vote, with all but one Republican voting yes. The legislation was the subject of a sometimes tense hour-long subcommittee hearing this (Monday) morning. Amber Williams of Aplington, a lobbyist for Inspire Life – a group opposed to abortion, says the bill ensures the of safety and privacy of women.

“Women’s rights cannot exist if the very definition of woman is eroded,” Williams said. “As a society, we have a duty to ensure that women’s spaces remain places of refuge, not controversy.” Paden Sheumaker says the bill will be a dark stain on Iowa’s civil rights history. “Have you ever been discriminated against just for being who you are, just for existing as yourself? I have and I can tell you it is dehumanizing,” Sheumaker said. “It is demeaning, it is disheartening and it is terrifying.”

Chris Morse, who testified against the bill, was escorted out of the hearing when he wouldn’t stop quoting a Bible passage. “Whether you like it or not, this body agreed in 2007 to protect gender queer like myself,” Morse said. “..Removing these protection is, in itself, a violation of our civil rights and it won’t hold up in court.” Brad Lawson of Pleasant Hill urged lawmakers to be bold.  “Let the country know that we, in Iowa, believe in science, believe in sex and not gender identity, that we are male and female and the way someone feels today or tomorrow doesn’t get the same civil rights protections that MLK and others fought so hard for and the way God intended,” Lawson said.

Tamara Scott, state director for Concerned Women of America, urged lawmakers to remove all references to sexual orientation in state law. “It is not your job to codify feelings; to protect perceptions, pronouns or preferences, but it is to bring justice to all of us,” Scott said. “…No one group should have benefit under any other group under the Constitution.” Diane Crookham-Johnson, an Oskaloosa attorney, said in 2024 she helped eight Mahaska County residents confirm their gender identity on legal documents.

“This bill doesn’t impact some unknown person over there,” she said. “This bill impacts people in your districts..and even your most conservative counties of Iowa.” Opponents of the bill chanted and stomped outside the hearing room, prompting the subcommittee’s chairman to pause the hearing for seven minutes as state troopers pushed the crowd down the hallway to reduce noise in the room.

Iowa State Patrol troopers blocked off a section of the hallway outside the subcommittee hearing room. (RI photo)

Two protesters were arrested late this (Monday) afternoon,