The bill passed the Senate with a 27-21 vote. It includes additional, alternative elements defining the various offenses labeled as hate crimes.
Adding gender identity and gender expression to the law would provide transgender Iowans with legal protection from hate crimes.
“The Iowa Senate again came down on the right side of history.” One Iowa (an advocacy group) Executive Director Donna Red Wing said. “For almost a year, we have spoken to Iowans about the need for the addition of gender identity and gender expression to the hate crimes law. Almost 1500 Iowans signed our petition and today the Iowa Senate showed real leadership and a commitment to equality”.
If a person commits an offense classified as a hate crime under the bill against a person or person’s property because of the person’s gender identity or gender expression or because of the person’s association with a person of a certain gender identity or gender expression, the person commits one of the following criminal offenses: assault in violation of individual rights under Code section 708.2C; violations of individual rights under Code section 712.9; criminal mischief in violation of individual rights under Code section 716.6A; or trespass in violation of individual rights under Code section 716.8(3) and (4).
The penalty for a person who commits a hate crime classified as an assault in violation of individual rights under Code section 708.2C ranges from a serious misdemeanor to a class “D” felony depending on the circumstances of the offense.
The bill will now make its way to the Iowa House of Representatives, controlled by Republicans.
15 thoughts on “Legislators advancing bill that would make mis-treatment of transgender people a hate crime”
There’s laws on the books already. We all have protection under them. Why more laws just so we can single out a certain sub group inside a group. Look out for a wave of people who are red headed step children,I’ve had to live with that all my life..my feelings got hurt, i got singled out do I get a law.
I have no anger for these misguided souls but I sure hope the Whitehouse is not promoting it at the same time.
You know that hateing your government is a hate crime? Does that sound right or am I still dreaming the obummer good life?
NADA – I presume you will be in that bag of peckers ?
DICKS a bag of dicks. Jesus are you illiterate too?
I see that our Trump backers are deleting posts on this story. Can’t have any diversity among Donald’s minions.
how do you know it is trump supporters doing it and not just peterless?
How about a law that prevents elected officals from screwing the hard working joe blow – pubic servants exempted. GO TRUMP 2016 !.
Yeah! Joe Blow just wants to be a bigoted asshole to everyone who isn’t like him! waaahh waaaahh People like you are what’s wrong with America
Hate crimes ?? The feds just murdered Lavoy Fincicom that Oregon rancher in Oregon and I’m worrried that little johnny can’t find his pecker?
Hey, what’s your address? I’d like to send you a bag of dicks
These people derserve to live their lives in peace n im glad they will be protected against idiots who judge!!!!
“For almost a year, we have spoken to Iowans about the need for the addition of gender identity and gender expression protection”, and “almost 1500 Iowans signed our petition”. The word has really gotten out. lol With a vote of 27-21, even the government realizes there is something wrong here. The population of Iowa is over 3 million people, so how can 1500 signatures speak for the state of Iowa. This is another government idea, that’s going to open another can of worms.
So what are you saying Allen? You want to be able to tease or assault transgender people without the burden of serious prosecution? This isn’t a can of worms, it’s a simple adjustment to protect vulnerable populations. When rednecks become a distant minority, you too will want them to be protected from abuse and taunt.
I agree with Peter (unusual but not impossible). Good law. It protects a portion of our society that needs protection from people who find humor in tormenting others.