LGBTQ

Fifteen years ago on April 3, Iowa became the third state to establish marriage equality. Now, over a decade later, LGBTQ issues are still hotly debated.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law Tuesday evening that supporters say will prevent state and local government from infringing on Iowans’ religious freedom. Opponents of the “Religious Freedom Restoration Act” have said it opens the door to discrimination, especially against LGBTQ Iowans.

There’s a mix of red and blue politics across the Midwest. Statehouse journalists share updates on new and proposed legislation in neighboring states.

The jury found that the state’s case against Tara McGovern wasn’t sufficient to convict them. But that doesn’t mean the acquittal challenges 2021’s increased penalties for protest-related crimes.

Iowa House Republicans voted Thursday to send a bill to the governor’s desk they said will prevent state and local government from infringing on Iowans’ religious freedom. Opponents of the so-called Religious Freedom Restoration Act said it opens the door to discrimination.

Expert readers discuss Alice Walker's The Color Purple for the Talk of Iowa book club.

Political scientists offer context and analysis of the week's political headlines, including the House impeachment of the U.S. Homeland Security Secretary, the special election in New York, Senate advancement of military aid packages and more.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ bill that would define “man” and “woman” based on a person’s sex at birth was amended and approved by Republicans on the House Education Committee Tuesday.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds filed a bill Thursday that would require transgender Iowans to include their sex assigned at birth on their driver’s license and birth certificate and would make other changes that opponents say add up to an attempt to erase LGBTQ Iowans.

Republican lawmakers declined to advance a bill Wednesday that would have reduced legal protections for transgender Iowans.