Thread by @iowasafeschools

THREAD: HF 2416 is up for debate in the Iowa House. We’re live from the gallery #ialegis

Immediately, Rep Wheeler has introduced an amendment redrafting the bill to include colleges, both private and public #ialegis

Rep Shipley attempts to amend HF 2416 to also include “Don’t Say Gay” style language. @KonfrstForHouse calls a point of order for being off-topic in his remarks.

@LizBennettIowa calls a point of order on Rep. Shipley’s amendment for not being germane #ialegis

Point of order not well taken - Rep. Shipley continuing remarks now on his amendment. #ialegis

Of note - Rep. Shipley continually referring to supporting LGBTQ students as “affirming mental illness” #ialegis

Rep. Shipley has now openly compared being LGBTQ as a “spreading cancer that will continue to grow” #ialegis

@HallForIowa calls another point of order for Rep. Shipley’s remarks being off topic #ialegis

Third point of order in what has been a brief debate so far shows how this discussion is going to go #ialegis

Rep. Shipley now expressing concerns about cis female athletes facing “hate” on this topic after referring to trans individuals as being “mentally ill” repeatedly over the last five minutes #ialegis

Final vote on Rep. Shipley’s “Don’t Say Gay” amendment - Reps Jeneary, Shipley, and Salmon are the only ayes #ialegis

Rep. Wheeler’s amendment to enact the bill immediately after Governor’s signature passes. Democrats oppose #ialegis

@repjacoby has “no words” for the innumerable harm this bill will have on children. Questions if the amendment is germane - Rep. Wheeler calls for suspension of the rules #ialegis

Rules have been suspended to continue consideration of Rep. Wheeler’s amendment to allow for immediate enactment #ialegis

Amendment adopted.

Rep. @marymascher begins her remarks quoting IA’s state motto - “Our Liberties We Prize, Our Rights We Maintain”. Emphasizes that this includes the rights of ALL #ialegis

Rep. @marymascher points out how Rep. Wheeler failed to name one example of a complaint against a trans youth in IA sports. She also notes how this legislation will only lead to worse mental health outcomes for trans youth #ialegis

Rep. @marymascher “we should do everything we can to increase participation - not create barriers for trans girls” in sports #ialegis

“No one should be made to feel less than their peers” - @marymascher

@ashlynkeeney quoted by @marymascher. “I’d rather be beaten than have a trans girl be excluded by the sport she loves” #ialegis

From* the sport she loves

Rep. @marymascher is a no vote and urges her colleagues to be a no as well #ialegis

@RepMaryWolfe points out how this legislation could violate Title IX since SCOTUS defined sex as including gender identity in reference to Title VII #ialegis

@RepMaryWolfe requests Rep. Wheeler to yield for questioning. Asks his legislative intent of the bill. Wheeler responds protecting “biological females” from “biological males” #ialegis

Into Rep. @StaedArt’s remarks. “This bill does not represent Iowa” #ialegis

He’s now reading an email from a constituent on the experiences trans Iowans face.

@StaedArt referencing CT lawsuit where multiple cis girls sued over trans girl participation in sports. Points out how one of the cis girls beat a trans girl in competition two days after the lawsuit was filed #ialegis

@StaedArt “this bill is an unconscionable attack on trans children”

Notes that trans athletes have been able to participate in the athletics for years and not a single one has medaled.

@StaedArt - IA needs to focus on real issues affecting children instead of “manufacturing problems” and “finding false solutions” to imaginary problems #ialegis

Rep. Bruce Hunter - “HF 2416 chips away at part of what being a child is all about - to belong” #ialegis

Rep Hunter indicates that this bill will only increase bullying, harassment, and discrimination against trans youth #ialegis

Rep Hunter - “these are children we’re harming. These are little kids.” #ialegis

Rep. Hunter has a message for Iowa’s trans youth - “You are loved. You are valid. You belong.” #ialegis

@MDonahueforIA points out that the slew of anti-LGBTQ bills directly result in negative mental health outcomes for LGBTQ children.

Notes that the IA Girls HS Athletic Union already has a policy in place for including trans students #ialegis

@MDonahueforIA this “Iowa-Not-So-Nice” bill will harm Iowa’s economy and the state’s ability to attract a workforce.

Calls the bill “state-sanctioned bullying” #ialegis

@bweskroe “HF 2416 creates an unwelcoming environment (in Iowa)”. Mentions a story from small business owner who indicated that “Iowa is a laughing stock. Why? Because of this bill and others like it.”

Bills like this hurt Iowa’s reputation and economy #ialegis

@bweskroe mentions an anecdote from an Ames educator and a coach. They’ve never seen a trans athlete or heard of any problems in their combined 50+ years of education experience #ialegiw

“This is the kind of bill that drives highly trained employees away (from Iowa) and makes it harder for them to replace.” - @bweskroe

“Our policies should be inclusive in all educational programming, including but not limited to, athletics.”

@letsbeiowa “trans athletes vary in athletic ability just like all athletes.”

“I’m the proud parent of two children. One daughter and one trans son” #ialegis

@letsbeiowa points out that even the introduction of bills like HF 2416 have catastrophic affects on LGBTQ youth #ialegis

@letsbeiowa “This bill is discrimination. Plain and simple.”

“If this bill becomes law, it will have negative effects on real Iowa children” #ialegis

@letsbeiowa to trans Iowans - “I stand with you, your lives and voices matter.” #ialegis

@KonfrstForHouse - this message is for “The trans kids I know, the trans kids I don’t, and every kid that wants to compete”

“we can all agree that trans kids deserve to be treated with respect. At least, I thought we could agree until today.” #ialegis

@KonfrstForHouse - “If this was really about fairness, we’d be talking about that. But we’re talking about discrimination.”

“Kids who are transgender do not equate to cancer. Kids who are transgender do not have a mental illness. Kids are kids.” #ialegis

@LizBennettIowa “all Iowa kids should be able to participate.”

@ashlynkeeney being quoted by @LizBennettIowa “we can preserve HS girls sports without exclusion”

“There is no valid reason for #ialegis to blanket ban trans girls from athletics”

@LizBennettIowa “these discriminatory bills are being filed across the nation”

Mentions that the same dark money groups pushing discriminatory legislation against other LGBTQ Americans are covertly introducing these bills as well.

@LizBennettIowa points out that the majority party is “Suddenly concerned about the integrity of women’s sports when it gives the opportunity to ban trans girls”

“I want trans kids watching at home today to know that many legislators see you and value you.” #ialegis

@SSteckman - “less than two percent of children in IA are trans. Less than that are trans girls - and even less participate in girls sports” #ialegis

“Shame on us (IA legis)” for further marginalizing children that already struggling. “Purely political”.

@SSteckman “how about we really support sports by funding our schools properly”

Asks why #ialegis is focusing on trans sport participation when they should be focusing on mental health access

@SSteckman - “This bill does not move Iowa forward. It moves Iowa backward.”

Recalls IA’s history of civil rights’ successes before being called on a point of order (rule 10) by Rep Windschitl #ialegis

@SSteckman “there’s so many things we can be proud of in Iowa. This discriminatory bill is not one of them.” #ialegis

@EricForIowa “This legislation is detrimental to all youth”

“To all trans youth in IA - you are loved, you are valued, your rights matter.”

“I will be voting on the right side of history tonight.” #ialegis

Rep. Running-Marquardt asks Rep. Wheeler why this bill is coming up now

She also asks why the bill only addresses trans girls and not trans boys. #ialegis

Rep. Wheeler - the “worst competitive males” might be “ok” competing against the “best competitive females” #ialegis

Rep. Running-Marquardt - “I will stand on the side of fairness and what’s right.”

“We swore to uphold the rights of all Iowans.” #ialegis

@rasforiowa - “when I look at this legislation, I know how it feels to be targeted. I can emphasize with being discriminated against.”

To Rep Shipley - “your comments have lowered the confidence of Iowans in this chamber.” #ialegis

@rasforiowa - “I’m a no, for so many reasons”

“We know better.” #ialegis

Rep. Shipley on trans Iowans - “illness is illness” #ialegis

Rep. @TimiForIowa “let’s be clear - gender dysphoria is a mental health concern. Being transgender is not.”

“This is a nationwide push to bully transgender people.” #ialegis

Rep. @TimiForIowa - “Nobody can go home today and say we passed a good bill”

@phyllisthede - “can you imagine, if this bill is passed, and that young trans person sees it?”

“If you’re uncomfortable with this topic, recognize it. It should not be in the form of a bill.” #ialegis

@repjacoby - asks Rep. Stone to yield (bill sponsor) to a question. Stone refuses.

Jacoby states that trans Iowans aren’t afraid to answer questions. Calls Stone a “wussy” #ialegis

@akoabdulsamad “I’ve spent time with trans individuals to hear from them. How many of you have heard from them?”

Questions why the legislature is making decisions for trans youth when we haven’t talked with them #ialegis

@RepMaryWolfe - the scope of the bill is much broader than was described earlier. Bill includes community colleges, public schools, non public schools, regents.

In other words, the bill does in fact apply to all children #ialegis

@RepMaryWolfe states that this bill is overly broad and violates gender identity protections in law #ialetis

In the final stages of debate now. Floor manager and bill sponsor Rep. Skyler Wheeler is making closing comments on HF 2416 #ialegis

HF 2416, a bill banning trans girls from participating in sports, passes #ialegis

Point of personal privilege from Rep. Bruce Hunter. In his 20 years of service, tonight he saw some of the most dangerous rhetoric from Iowa’s elected officials.

Specifically calls out Rep. Shipley’s comments stating LGBTQ youth have mental illness and comparing them to cancer.

“Rep. Shipley’s comments have no place in the Iowa House of Representatives.”

“We have done harm today.” #ialegis