Iowa City School Publicly Against Controversial Transgender Bill

The Iowa legislature has made steps to pass a bill that would affect student-athletes in the state.

Get our free mobile app

Iowa House representatives passed a bill on Monday that could change how some student-athletes play sports. The piece of legislation will require student-athletes to compete in their desired sport under the gender assigned to them at birth, according to a report from KWWL. 

It was passed in the Iowa House on Monday, February 21st with a count of 55 to 39. Lawmakers added an Amendment that would lump in university athletics, even though the initial piece of legislation only applied to kids from K-12.

The official political material entitled House File 2416 reads, "only female students, based on their sex may participate in any team, sport or athletic event designed as being for females, women, or girls."

Reports say that Governor Kim Reynolds will approve this bill once it reaches her desk. Reynolds claims this is a "fairness issue."

One Eastern Iowa school spoke out against Iowa lawmakers. The Iowa City Community School District reacted strongly to the news of this bill being passed in the Iowa House. In a statement on social media, officials said,

"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."

In a series of tweets, the statement encourages people to take action.

"An attack on transgender students is an attack on civil rights. Now is the time to contact your local State Senator."