The Iowa Standard sent three questions to each legislator regarding the incidents at the Pella, Jefferson and Sioux Center swimming pools and gender identity. This is Republican Rep. Henry Stone’s response:
1. What are your thoughts on this situation involving the Pella Aquatic Center?
I believe what happened in both the Pella Aquatic Center and Sioux Center is completely out of line and should not be allowed. That goes beyond what an expectation of a parent with children there – it just shocks me. I cannot believe that we are even talking about this here in Iowa. But, it is what it is and we’ve got to fix that. It should not be allowed. It’s completely out of line.
2. Should individuals, minors included, be allowed to wear swimwear based on their gender identity rather than body parts?
Absolutely not. Obviously, there are males and females who do complete gender reassignment and you couldn’t tell if it was a man or a woman. But I say that because it’s a man or a woman – not minors. There are men who look like women after complete gender reassignment surgery and vice versa. I think at that point if you look like a woman, then you know, I can’t say you couldn’t be there in a bathing suit that’s appropriate for a woman. But minors, absolutely not. I don’t believe that they’ve gone through the complete gender reassignment and when they have their genitalia and they’re exposed in the bathrooms, in the changing rooms, that leads to a whole host of other problems. What happened in Pella is not what we represent and that’s not what we want here in our state.
3. Do you support removing sexual orientation and gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights code?
I do. Absolutely. I think that should be a priority because a lot of these issues are stemming from that. We’ve gone over what the federal mandate is for states. Obviously, a lot of us weren’t in the legislature when they passed that back in 2007, but there comes a time when we’re moving in the right direction and in this case moving in the right direction is removing that from the Iowa Civil Rights code.
VIEW PREVIOUS ANSWERS BELOW:
Rep. Salmon responds to TIS legislative questionnaire on Pella pool incident, policy
Rep. Wills responds to TIS legislative questionnaire on Pella pool incident, policy
Rep. Thompson: In Pella pool situation, it is on legislature to remedy the matter
