April 20, 2023
Dear ,
The Senate amended and passed SF496 last night in a long debate where Senate Democrats fought valiantly for LGBTQ kids and public school educators and staff. The bill bounces back to the House and can be considered at any moment during debate. The Discrimination in Education bill attacks Iowa’s LGBTQ youth and misuses our educators and public schools to cause harm to children. Please take action immediately by contacting the representatives listed below. Urge them to oppose SF496 in all forms. When contacting lawmakers, we highly recommend: - Sending individual emails to each legislator listed rather than one mass email. You can use the same language, just send them separately and address your email to the specific lawmaker.
- Be brief. Be civil.
- Share what is most important to you. Include your faith perspective, if that is part of who you are.
The amended legislation now includes: - “Don’t say gay or trans” language regarding all program, curriculum, test, survey, questionnaire, promotion, or instruction for grades K–6 in public schools.
- Requires forced outing of children if a child requests a licensed professional in the school (e.g., teacher, administrator, social worker, counselor, nurse) call them by another name or use pronouns other than what is indicated in school records in order to “affirm” their gender identity. The educational professional must report the request to a school administrator who must then notify a parent or guardian. If a school district or employee violates the law, they could be subject to disciplinary actions by the state. This section will also place some school professionals in conflict with their professional licensure (e.g., school counselors, social workers).
- Allows for the banning of books from school libraries based on a new definition of “age appropriate” that is very broad and would eliminate many classic novels and other books often available in school libraries, particularly at the high school level. If a school district or employee violates the law, they could be subject to disciplinary actions by the state.
- Changes the requirement for parental permission from “opt out” to “opt in” regarding surveys that provide critical information on the health and safety of Iowa’s youth.
- Strikes the requirement to include age-appropriate HIV and HPV prevention instruction in the health and human development curriculum.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?1 – Contact these members of the House. Megan.Jones@legis.iowa.gov
Brent.Siegrist@legis.iowa.gov
Brian.Lohse@legis.iowa.gov
Chad.Ingels@legis.iowa.gov
Michael.Bergan@legis.iowa.gov
Jane.Bloomingdale@legis.iowa.gov
Devon.Wood@legis.iowa.gov
Austin.Harris@legis.iowa.gov
Brian.Best@legis.iowa.gov
Hans.Wilz@legis.iowa.gov
Phil.Thompson@legis.iowa.gov
Gary.Mohr@legis.iowa.gov
Tom.Jeneary@legis.iowa.gov
2 – Contact your representative.
WHAT CAN YOU SAY?Talking points for SF496: - Parents already have many rights and public schools do an excellent job of keeping parents informed. Parents should be encouraged to use the tools available to have open, respectful communication with teachers and administrators.
- The legislation does nothing to further parental rights but instead will harm children who are LGBTQ. For example, not respecting their choice of names and pronouns.
- The forced outing of transgender children who may not be ready to tell their parents is dangerous. Every person who is LGBTQ needs to have the freedom to tell the people with whom they are comfortable sharing and when they are ready. Parents who are not supportive of a transgender child may cause harm to the child if told that information.
- All children deserve to be included and should be respected for who they are, including at school. Public school curriculum and instruction should be inclusive of all children and families.
- Teachers and all educators should be treated with respect and allowed to lead on the work necessary to ensure students receive an excellent education inclusive of all children without the interference of partisan lawmakers with a political agenda.
- Punishing educators for being inclusive of and protecting LGBTQ students is morally wrong.
EMPOWERING IOWANS TO USE THEIR VOICECall, email, and/or text the representatives we have suggested. Find your state senator, representative and other elected officials:
https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/find Legislative emails: FIRSTname.LASTname@legis.iowa.gov
House switchboard: 515.281.3221 Thank you so much for your willingness to stand up and use your voice. Together we can and will make a difference! With appreciation,
Connie Ryan
she/her/hers
Executive Director
Interfaith Alliance of Iowa & Action Fund
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