Iowa’s largest LGBTQ advocacy group is encouraging individuals to show up to the Capitol on Monday for HSB 242, a bill repealing gender identity from the civil rights code and defining words such as “sex,” “gender,” “woman,” “man,” “female,” “male,” etc.
One Iowa called it a “dangerous bill” and said they need people to show up in support of transgender Iowans.
“Tensions will be high,” they said. “The threat of arrest and police violence is always present, but we want to be clear that, especially now, extremist alt-right violence is also possible.”
OneIowa said that “white LGBTQ+ allies” are needed in case the “threat of violence arises.”
“Using your privilege to create physical separation between LGBTQ+ (especially black, indigenous, people of color and undocumented people) community members and harm is a way to keep our community safe,” they wrote. ”
The group also encouraged people to wear face masks to protect their identity.
“Wearing face masks not only to protect your health, but also your identity,” they wrote. “Finally, move with the understanding that concealed carry is legal at the Capitol.”
