Iowa church takes civil rights commission to court to keep transgenders out of bathrooms, showers

DES MOINES — An Iowa church is suing the Iowa Civil Rights Commission for attempting to enforce transgender bathroom and shower rules.

On Mon., July 4, The Fort Des Moines Church of Christ filed a federal lawsuit against the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, alleging that the commission is impeding on the church’s freedom of religion with its interpretation of the Iowa Civil Rights Act. An Iowa law already on the books could allow persons who later identify as the opposite sex to use showers or bathrooms of the sex they now identify with. The commission may try to enforce the rules on churches, prompting the lawsuit.

A spokesperson from One Iowa, an advocate group for the LGBT community, told NIT that “The lawsuit is based on language the commission used in a brochure for general education purposes that the church takes issue with.”

One Iowa Executive Director Donna Red Wing issued the following statement on the lawsuit:

“Do we understand what is happening? They are suing the Iowa Civil Rights Commission for doing its job. These protections have been with us since the 2007 amendment to the Iowa Civil Rights Act added gender identity and sexual orientation as protected classes. It is important that we continue to work towards creating an inclusive environment for all Iowans.

“As a church, they can believe whatever they want. In their bona fide religious activities they are exempt. They cannot, however, break the law when providing public accommodations.”