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Iowa state troopers eject LGBTQ youth from Iowa Capitol for using “restrooms that match their gender identity”

LGBTQ students at Iowa capitol on Thursday, March 12, 2020
(Photo from Iowa Safe Schools)

DES MOINES — A group of LGBTQ youth were ejected Thursday from the Iowa Capitol Building for using restrooms they claim matched their gender identity.

Iowa Safe Schools – an organization that “supports safe and nurturing learning environments and communities for LGBTQ and Allied youth” Thursday held their annual Student Day at the Capitol, an event for LGBTQ youth to come and meet with lawmakers about issues impacting the LGBTQ community.  Over 250 LGBTQ youth, advocating for the issues important to them, attended.  Iowa Safe Schools claims that “in the afternoon, the Iowa State Troopers and Capitol Security began to harass and bully LGBTQ youth because of the restrooms they were using.”  Video circulated of a number of youth behind sternly talked to by at least one state trooper.

“The troopers and security forced students from the restrooms. In the end, the state troopers forced every LGBTQ youth out of the capitol for no reason other than transphobia. This is a violation of law. This is a violation of students’ rights. There must be consequences for the troopers and capitol security for harming children.

“At Iowa Safe Schools we will be working with every student impacted by today’s events. Our Executive Director and Public Policy Director will be visiting every GSA to inform the students of their legal rights moving forward. We will be continuing to work to ensure that every student has a safe and supportive environment no matter where they are.

“The Iowa Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination in all public accommodations including restrooms. These actions are clearly in violation of this provision in the Iowa Civil Rights Act.”

One Iowa – the state’s leading lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) organization – Executive Director Courtney Reyes condemned the actions in a statement:

“Iowa law states that Transgender Iowans have the right to access restrooms that match their gender identity. For these troopers to violate these children’s rights is unconscionable. To double down and eject them from the Capitol for asserting their rights under the law is unimaginable. We call on the Iowa State Patrol to issue an apology to these students and commit to training to better inform them of the protections afforded to LGBTQ Iowans so that this never happens again.

To the youth whose rights were violated today — we see you and we will not stop fighting for you to exist in spaces as your authentic self.”

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