A controversial bill is now Iowa’s newest law, creating a new rift in school sports. The law bans transgender girls and women from playing on designated female teams. The governor calls it a ‘big win, but some say it’s unfair. Those people against the new law say it’s quite the opposite of a ‘big win’.Numerous organizations that have taken a stance against the ban call Thursday “one of the hardest” of their career.With a few quick signatures, Iowa governor Kim Reynolds approves what she calls a ‘victory’ for girls’ sports.“Students who are female according to their birth certificate will be eligible to compete in girls’ sports. Nothing could be more straightforward or common sense,” said Gov. Reynolds. She says biological males have inherent physical advantages.She believes that gives transgender females an unfair advantage in girls’ sports.An Iowa student-athlete spoke in support of the governor’s decision.“A message girls today so rarely get to hear the message that women are so much more than a hormone level, that the things girls love are worth protecting and their hard work and dedication is recognized,” said Ainsley Erzen. Iowa’s ACLU and the LGBTQ support group ‘One Iowa’ says the message they’re getting, is that Governor Reynolds does not care about transgender youth.“It’s a cruel, harmful and unnecessary law that really doesn’t do much but isolate and harm already vulnerable Iowa children, trans kids who want nothing more than to play sports with on teams at school,” said Executive Director of ACLU of Iowa, Mark Stringer.“So here we have an antidote, one of the very few antidotes that we have to the kind of stress that transgender kids are going through on a daily basis. And yet now, the government of Iowa has taken that away from them,” said Director of Policy and Advocacy at One Iowa, Keenan Crow. As for what happens now, Keenan Crow says they cannot promise any litigation because they don’t have attorneys on their staff, but they expect to see some legal action.As for their message for transgender girls and women: “I would say you are loved. You are supported. There is a community that is here for you. We care and we see you for who you are,” said Crow.KETV NewsWatch 7 reached out to the Council Bluffs Community School District for a statement on the new law, a spokesperson says quote, “As a school district we adhere to all laws and requirements set forth”.
A controversial bill is now Iowa’s newest law, creating a new rift in school sports.
The law bans transgender girls and women from playing on designated female teams.
The governor calls it a ‘big win, but some say it’s unfair.
Those people against the new law say it’s quite the opposite of a ‘big win’.
Numerous organizations that have taken a stance against the ban call Thursday “one of the hardest” of their career.
With a few quick signatures, Iowa governor Kim Reynolds approves what she calls a ‘victory’ for girls’ sports.
“Students who are female according to their birth certificate will be eligible to compete in girls’ sports. Nothing could be more straightforward or common sense,” said Gov. Reynolds.
She says biological males have inherent physical advantages.
She believes that gives transgender females an unfair advantage in girls’ sports.
An Iowa student-athlete spoke in support of the governor’s decision.
“A message girls today so rarely get to hear the message that women are so much more than a hormone level, that the things girls love are worth protecting and their hard work and dedication is recognized,” said Ainsley Erzen.
Iowa’s ACLU and the LGBTQ support group ‘One Iowa’ says the message they’re getting, is that Governor Reynolds does not care about transgender youth.
“It’s a cruel, harmful and unnecessary law that really doesn’t do much but isolate and harm already vulnerable Iowa children, trans kids who want nothing more than to play sports with on teams at school,” said Executive Director of ACLU of Iowa, Mark Stringer.
“So here we have an antidote, one of the very few antidotes that we have to the kind of stress that transgender kids are going through on a daily basis. And yet now, the government of Iowa has taken that away from them,” said Director of Policy and Advocacy at One Iowa, Keenan Crow.
As for what happens now, Keenan Crow says they cannot promise any litigation because they don’t have attorneys on their staff, but they expect to see some legal action.
As for their message for transgender girls and women:
“I would say you are loved. You are supported. There is a community that is here for you. We care and we see you for who you are,” said Crow.
KETV NewsWatch 7 reached out to the Council Bluffs Community School District for a statement on the new law, a spokesperson says quote, “As a school district we adhere to all laws and requirements set forth”.
