Statewide, Iowa (RI) – The leader of an Iowa LGBTQ rights nonprofit is encouraging Iowans who want to change the sex on their Iowa birth certificate to do it as soon as possible.
The new state law removing civil rights protections for gender identity also requires new birth certificates to reflect a person’s sex at birth. Max Mowitz, executive director of OneIowa, says transgender Iowans should prepare now, even though the law doesn’t take effect until July 1st.
That process typically takes several weeks. Currently, a notarized affidavit from a physician is required to change the sex on an Iowa-issued birth certificate. It must state the person has gone through treatment to change their sex.
After July 1st, changes to the sex designation on Iowa birth certificates will not be allowed. The wide-ranging new law also bans transgender women from women’s bathrooms, shelters and prisons. Mowitz says some LGBTQ people and families, especially ones with transgender members, will probably move out of Iowa because of this legislation.
Mowitz adds anyone impacted by this legislation should contact OneIowa for resources. The new law removing gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act leaves few protections for transgender Iowans, according to a Drake University law professor.
The act prevents discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodations and more. Some federal laws protect transgender people, but Professor Mark Kende says the Trump administration may render those laws ineffective.
President Trump signed an executive order on his first day in office stating there are only two biological sexes.
