Earlier today, Iowa lawmakers passed Senate File 2284, a piece of legislation that would amend the state’s hate crime statute to include crimes committed against people because they are transgender. Across the country, hate crimes against trans people are depressingly common and often not taken seriously by police; in recent years, there have been many headlines about people who were apparently murdered because of their gender identity (update: including the death of a 16-year-old student last week in Burlington).
The Iowa bill, specifically, would add gender identity and gender expression to the list of statuses currently protected under the state’s hate crime statute: race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, age, or disability. Iowans are also protected under the current law if they are targeted for associating with a member of any of those groups.
By a 27-21 vote (PDF), Sen. Charles Schneider, R-West Des Moines, joined all Senate Democrats in passing the bill along to the House, where it will almost certainly die.
Twenty-one Republicans voted against the protections for trans people:
Bill Anderson of Pierson
Jerry Behn of Boone
Michael Breitbach of Strawberry Point
Jake Chapman of Adel
Mark Chelgren of Ottumwa
Mark Costello of Imogene
Bill Dix of Shell Rock
Randy Feenstra of Hull
Julian Garrett of Indianola
Dennis Guth of Klemme
David Johnson of Ocheyedan
Tim Kapucian of Keystone
Tim Kraayenbrink of Fort Dodge
Ken Rozenboom of Oskalooska
Jason Schultz of Schleswig
Mark Segebart of Vail
Tom Shipley of Nodaway
Amy Sinclair of Allerton
Roby Smith of Davenport
Jack Whitver of Ankeny
Dan Zumbach of Ryan
State Sens. Rick Bertrand, R-Sioux City, and Brad Zaun, R-Urbandale, did not cast votes.
According to the Des Moines Register, state Rep. Greg Heartsill, a social conservative, predicted that the hate crimes amendment won’t get much momentum — likely no consideration at all — in the GOP-controlled House.
