The bill does not define the word, only declares that “equal” no longer means “same” or “identical” within the state of Iowa for transgender people.

In attempting to write transgender people out of all legal protections in Iowa through definitions, the state legislature seems poised to undermine the very concept of equality itself.

Many of those who advocated against the Iowa bill showed up wearing such pink triangles to raise awareness of how they would be designated “separate” and denied equal protections.

Despite heavy opposition with more than a hundred people who showed up against the bill, the house education committee passed it through on a party-line vote.

With less than 24 hours’ notice, the bill had a hearing announced, was heard, and passed, leaving little time for the committee or the state to properly vet its staggering implications.

In the coming days, Iowa legislators will grapple with the meaning of words as this bill moves to the full house floor.

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