Fact Check: Iowa was the first state to remove gender identity from civil rights protections
What We Know
On July 1, 2025, Iowa officially became the first state in the United States to remove gender identity from its civil rights protections. This change was enacted through a law signed by Republican Governor Kim Reynolds, which explicitly defined male and female based on reproductive organs at birth and eliminated the ability for individuals to change their sex designation on birth certificates. As a result, transgender and nonbinary residents in Iowa lost protections against discrimination in employment, housing, and other areas of life (AP News, CBS News).
The Movement Advancement Project, an LGBTQ+ rights think tank, confirmed that Iowa is indeed the first state to take such a step, contrasting with the fact that many states still include gender identity in their civil rights codes (AP News, US News).
Analysis
The claim that Iowa was the first state to remove gender identity from civil rights protections is supported by multiple reliable sources, including major news outlets like the Associated Press and CBS News. These sources provide detailed accounts of the legislative process and the implications of the new law, highlighting the significant impact on transgender and nonbinary individuals in Iowa (AP News, CBS News).
The credibility of these sources is bolstered by their established reputations in journalism, particularly in covering political and social issues. The Associated Press, for instance, is known for its rigorous fact-checking and adherence to journalistic standards. The Movement Advancement Project is also a reputable organization focused on LGBTQ+ rights, which adds further credibility to the assertion that Iowa is the first state to enact such a law (AP News, US News).
Critics of the law, including Iowa state Rep. Aime Wichtendahl, have expressed concern that this legislative change will lead to increased discrimination against transgender individuals, indicating a broader national trend toward restricting rights for LGBTQ+ individuals (AP News).
Conclusion
The claim that Iowa was the first state to remove gender identity from civil rights protections is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that this legislative action represents a significant regression in civil rights for transgender and nonbinary individuals in Iowa, marking a notable moment in the ongoing national discourse surrounding LGBTQ+ rights.
