Des Moines, Iowa — Republicans in the Iowa Senate have approved a bill to ban Iowa medical professionals from providing gender transition prescriptions or procedures to minors.
Republican Senator Jeff Edler of Marshall County is the bill’s sponsor.
Edler says Republicans were surprised to learn these interventions were available in Iowa for minors.
Senate Democrats voted against the bill. Senate Democratic Leader Zach Wahls of Coralville says it would outlaw care that prevents suicides.
Senator Pam Jochum, a Democrat from Dubuque, says this and other bills Republicans are advancing are motivated by fear of the unknown.
Also, last (Tuesday) night, Republicans in the Senate voted to require that K-through-12 students use the bathroom that matches the gender on their birth certificate. Senator Cherielynn Westrich, a Republican from Ottumwa, says the bill applies to locker rooms as well.
Senator Liz Bennett, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids, says this bill will make school scarier for a small group of kids.
A similar bill is eligible for debate in the Iowa House.
