Legalizing trans discrimination is un-Christian

Recently, the Iowa Legislature removed transgender and nonbinary Iowans from our civil rights code. During the debates of this issue, I heard lovely, caring Iowans come to the defense of their trans and nonbinary neighbors. The vast majority of comments regarding this bill were opposed to its passage.

But, heartbreakingly, I heard a small number of my fellow Iowans defend this cruel legislation. This small minority of Iowans — whose message was amplified above all others in the statehouse — repeatedly cited human biology and their christian faith.

I’d like to remind all of you that arguments citing biology and christian faith were used to deny women the right to vote. Biology and faith were common defenses for the enslavement and racial segregation of Black Americans.

James Baldwin said, “No man is a villain in his own eyes.” Some of you may think this bill was moral and just, but you are wrong. This action by the Legislature placed a dark mark on our state. A mark that can never be erased. The state I love just legalized discrimination against my family, neighbors, and friends. I can think of nothing less Iowan, less Christian, than that.

I’ll finish with a verse from the book so often cited to justify discrimination against trans and nonbinary Iowans: The Bible.

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28

Benjamin Claes

Iowa City