Today, on March 3rd, Iowa became the 11th state to prevent transgender girls from participating in sports. Bill HF 2416 bans all transgender girls from participating in women’s sports at high schools, colleges, and universities. According to the new law, school-sponsored athletic events must be classified as men’s, women’s, or coeducational sports, and female athletes must be cis-gender women to compete. But the law does not include an equivalent limitation for men’s sports.

In addition, the law allows cis-gender student-athletes that feel like they have been “directly or indirectly” harmed by the school violating the new legislation, have the right to a private cause of action for injunctive, mandamus, damages, and declaratory relief, against the educational institution or organization.

On February 21, The bill passed through the house 55 to 39, taking it to the Senate when on March 3,  it passed 31 to 17.

Republicans claim the purpose of the bill is to prevent transgender women from taking away “athletic opportunities” from cis-gender athletes. “Today, by passing this measure, we send a message to the nation that Iowans will not put common sense aside for wokeness,” said Sen. Jesse Green during a hearing. Rep. Skyler Wheeler claims “Girls and women are being displaced from their teams by transgender athletes identified as male at birth.” He continues, “It is shameful that it happened. It never should have happened. And it better never happen here.”

In response, democrats argued that there was no example of unfairness in Iowa. “There is no, no crisis and no threat to girls’ sports. Girls’ sports don’t need to be rescued,” said Rep. Art Staed. Rep. Mary Mascher stated the bill isn’t about “right and wrong, but life and death,” adding that transgender people are 40% more likely to kill themselves and claims this will likely increase suicide rates. Rep. Eric Gjerde called the bill detrimental to youth, adding “To all trans youth in IA; you are loved, you are valued, your rights matter.” 

Many organizations are opposed to the bill, according to The Iowa Torch, those groups include the Iowa Public Health Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association of Family and Marriage Therapy, AFL-CIO of Iowa, Iowa Association of School Boards, Iowa Mental Health Counselors Association, Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, Orchard Place, One Iowa, Iowa Safe Schools, Planned Parenthood, Urban Education Network of Iowa, Rural School Advocates of Iowa, ACLU of Iowa, Episcopal Diocese of Iowa, Iowa State Education Association, Des Moines Public Schools, Iowa Mental Health Planning Council, Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Apple, Inc., School Administrators of Iowa, Interfaith Alliance of Iowa, and Human Rights Campaign.

The Iowa City Community School District responded by saying they were “strongly opposed to HF2416.” In a tweet from the district’s account, they stated “This proposed bill will not detract us from our commitment to ensure every member of our school community is valued and respected regardless of gender identity and sexual orientation.” Adding, “Now is the time to contact your local State Senator.  #ProtectTransYouth.”