Iowa Passes Law Protecting LGBT Iowans from Discrimination

Iowa Governor Chet Culver signed a bill last week prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, public accommodations, housing, education and credit practices.

According to the National Lesbian and Gay Task Force (NGLTF),

Iowa is one of four states that passed nondiscrimination bills this year protecting members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. Three states (Colorado, Iowa, Oregon) passed sexual orientation and gender identity/expression protections and Vermont passed a gender identity/expression nondiscrimination bill. The Colorado bill is awaiting signature from its governor, who has pledged to sign it.

While this is a big victory for democracy and equality for Iowans, far too few states have such protections. In more than 30 states, it is legal to fire someone simply because they are gay. In more than 40 states it is legal to fire them or refuse to hire them or refuse them promotion on the basis of gender identity.

Civil rights organization are promoting the Employee Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) as a federal law to prohibit job discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

You can write to your member of Congress and Senators asking them to support ENDA using this e-action tool.