Thread by @iowasafeschools

🧵 THREAD: The Iowa Senate is debating SF 482 - the "bathroom bill". Tune in here: legis.iowa.gov/dashboard?view…

We begin with Senator Cherielynn Westrich's comments. She is the bill's primary sponsor.

"all children deserve privacy"

Her comments were brief. Moving on to Sen. Quirmbach's comments. Talks about a memorable quote from his early career.

"Gee, I really wish the adults would back off and let the kids figure it out"

Indicates that this is applicable today as well.

Sen. Quirmbach notes that school districts have been able to successfully accommodate the safety and respect of all students. States that the bill is "unnecessary and counterproductive".

Sen. Quirmbach - "I am not aware of any significant problems generated by students"

He is aware that the engagement of adults on this issue has made the topic "inflamed, contentious, and disruptive to education".

Finishes his comments by stating that students don't need adults inflaming things.

On to Senator @LizBennettIowa. Refers to the bill as establishing the "Iowa Potty Police".

@LizBennettIowa indicates that this bill would encourage harassment of butch women in restrooms.

Emphasizes that there have been ZERO cases of inappropriate conduct from trans people in Iowa restrooms.

@LizBennettIowa points out that this bill would affect parents who are at student performances/on the school grounds.

Trans men and trans women who present as such will be forced to use the incorrect restrooms due to this legislation.

@LizBennettIowa mentions the brutal murder of Brandon Teena, a trans man murdered for their gender identity.

Reading a letter from a constituent: "All we want is to be treated like human beings".

@LizBennettIowa mic drop - "we don't need the potty police, we just want to pee in peace".

Please tune in here to watch this debate unfold for yourself: legis.iowa.gov/dashboard?view…

@SenClaireCelsi begins her comments by mentioning the bill's language which empowers anyone to complain about restroom access "incidents", as the complaint is investigated by the Iowa Attorney General.

Administrators and teachers do the best they can to accommodate students.

@SenClaireCelsi "bathroom bills like this have been around for a long time"

Students who are bullied much more likely to drop out, become homeless, or even worse.

States that @IowaGOP leadership is seeking to marginalize trans youth.

@SenClaireCelsi states this bill empowers #MomsForIllteracy to file frivolous complaints against trans kids.

@SenClaireCelsi is now reading a letter from a constituent.

"I recently moved back to Iowa from Colorado". The constituent indicated that many LGBTQ families have fled to states like Colorado.

Now Senator Chris Cournoyer is speaking.

Speaking as a former school board member.

States that school board members around the state are contacting her about this issue asking for guidance. Notably, the Iowa Association of School Boards is in fact opposed to this bill.

@SenClaireCelsi asks Sen. Westrich to yield for questioning.

Celsi brings up Title IX, asks Sen. Westrich to clarify how this doesn't violate Title IX.

Sen. Westrich picks one case based on old precedent that sided with Florida on this issue. Celsi mentions countless others...

which disagree.

The two are now debating the language of the bill regarding the attorney general's involvement.

Back to final comments from Senator Westrich.

She assures the senate that this bill will not allow bullying. "The intention of this bill is to protect the privacy rights of all kids" (even though this bill would out transgender kids).

Doubles down stating that all kids will be safe and cared for (just not transgender students).

She moves the bill for final passage. Final vote coming.

SF 482 passes the Iowa Senate on a party line vote, 33/16. It now moves onto the Iowa House for consideration.

Contact your state house representative to let them know that you oppose this bill: legis.iowa.gov/legislators/fi… #ialegis