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Iowa City proclaims Transgender Day of Visibility; activists press council for concrete protections
Summary
Mayor Bruce Teague proclaimed March 31, 2025, Transgender Day of Visibility in Iowa City. Speakers at the meeting praised the proclamation but urged the council to take legal and policy steps after the state removed gender identity from civil rights protections.
Mayor Bruce Teague read a proclamation Tuesday declaring March 31, 2025, Transgender Day of Visibility in Iowa City and urging residents to celebrate and support transgender community members. The proclamation cited the state action on Feb. 28, 2025, that removed gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act, and it encouraged advocacy to restore protections.
Several transgender residents and advocates accepted the proclamation and addressed the council during the public-comment period, thanking the city for symbolic support while urging concrete action to protect rights and access to services.
Dr. Emma Denny, speaking during community comment, said symbolic support without legal protections is insufficient. "Visibility without protection just puts a target on our backs," she said, and asked the council whether it would "direct our city attorney to be part of this fight" and otherwise take legal or policy steps to shield transgender residents from discrimination. Denny told the council the state law removing gender-identity protections takes effect July 1.
Storma Brink, a local trans activist who said she serves on the board of the Iowa Trans Mutual Aid Fund, echoed calls for action. "We accosted you multiple times... about doing concrete actions that will protect the trans community," Brink said, adding that while the proclamation was appreciated, it "functionally does nothing to protect trans people in Iowa City during a time where we are actively being targeted by state and federal government." Brink asked the council to form a committee and meet directly with trans constituents.
Youth speakers who accepted the proclamation described the personal impact of the state changes and thanked Iowa City for the recognition. Emily Brown said the proclamation made her "proud to live in Iowa City" even as state policies had removed protections.
Council members accepted the proclamation on the dais; no formal vote was recorded for the ceremonial proclamation. Speakers who addressed the council asked for specific follow-up steps including directing the city attorney to explore legal participation, forming a local advisory or response committee, and using municipal platforms to advocate for restoration of civil-rights protections.
