It’s about fear, not protecting women in Iowa

Republican lawmakers determined to bulldoze transgender Iowans and bury their rights will tell us repeatedly this is all about protecting the rights of women and girls.

Harmful legislation dressed up to be a noble cause. A Capitol classic.

But if this is all about women and girls, as they claim, why did the same Republicans yank away women’s rights to access legal abortion and force women and girls to face the health risks of pregnancy? Protect them but take away their basic right of bodily autonomy.

If it’s all about women and girls, why isn’t more being done to provide prenatal care in rural areas? Why is there no paid family leave? Why aren’t Republicans spending more than a measly $1 million to tackle the cancers taking the lives of women?

If it’s all about the safety of girls, why did Republicans tell schools providing information about HPV vaccines, which can prevent cancer in women, is no longer required?

If it’s all about women and girls, why do we still have a wage gap? Why is there still not enough child care? Why turn down millions of dollars in federal summer food aid for kids?

If it’s all about protecting women and girls, why support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education, which enforces Title IX, prohibiting discrimination against girls and women in educational settings and sports?

If it’s all about women and girls, why did Republicans support Donald Trump, who was found liable for sexual abuse and has been accused of sexual assault by multiple women?

Because it’s not about women and girls.

This is about fear. These rockribbed conservatives with God on their side are frightened of so many things.

They’re scared of strong women who control their own lives. Immigrants frighten them. They’re scared of books, racism, DEI, real American history and college professors. They’re scared a kid might go to college and learn about the world.

And, of course, they’re deathly afraid of transgender people.

They’re a huge, scary threat — lurking in bathrooms and destroying women’s sports. To be clear, there is no evidence any of this is happening in Iowa. The worst thing trans folks have done is defy the white Christian straight ideal these lawmakers hold dear.

So, lawmakers are going to erase civil rights protection for transgender Iowans that’s been Iowa law for 18 years. The bill also seeks to erase all legal recognition of transgender people under state law.

But what choice do these Republicans have? There are an estimated 7,100 transgender people in Iowa, a state with 3.2 million people, and something must be done.

It’s like Charles City, population 7,228, is trying to take over Iowa. Gives you chills, huh?

Republicans want to pass this fast so more people won’t come to the Capitol and yell at them. Why are they so loud?

It’s just their civil rights and existence at stake.

And they’re feeling the pain of being powerless in the face of cruel legislation they can’t stop. They have to understand how miserable this will make their lives.

Iowa’s proud history of leading on civil rights has been tossed to the discount rack. Our new brands are hate and fear. They’re selling like hot cakes.

(319) 298-8262; todd.dorman@thegazette.com