Members of the Transit Advisory Commission presented a proposed county resolution on July 23 reaffirming commitment to civil rights and equal protection for LGBTQ+ people, including transgender and gender nonconforming residents.
Sean McRoberts and Dr. Emma Denny, co-leads for the commission's work, told the board the resolution was drafted after months of community consultation and legal review and was intended to be the strongest language permissible under current Iowa law. Denny said the resolution responds in part to attacks on trans rights in other states and recent state action in Iowa, referencing "SF 419." McRoberts said the resolution includes a provision to engage with the county attorney's office about "actively challenge[ing] some of these attacks on our rights," and noted he had consulted the county attorney who expressed no concerns about the proposed language.
Multiple public commenters spoke in favor of the resolution. Claire Reinen told supervisors she supported the resolution and said protecting LGBTQ+ people, and especially trans people, also supports efforts to attract and retain younger workers in the county. Morgan Sauce and Grama McGovern offered public praise for the committee's work and urged the board to adopt the resolution. Supervisors said they would formally consider the resolution at the next Thursday meeting.
The presenters and supporters noted legal limits in Iowa and framed the resolution as a local statement and a starting point to encourage municipalities across the region to act. Staff said the resolution would be placed on the board's agenda for adoption next Thursday.