Cedar Falls Human Rights Commission reviews Iowa laws restricting gender-identity and DEI language

T.W. Ingham, chair of the Cedar Falls Human Rights Commission, told the City Council on Aug. 4 that two state laws that took effect July 1 — Senate File 418 and House File 856 — significantly change the legal landscape for protections tied to gender identity and for the use of certain diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) terms in public programs.

Ingham said SF 418 removes protections for “gender identity” under state anti-discrimination frameworks and makes changes to how certain vital records may be recorded. He described three primary areas of change in the law: restrictions on birth-certificate designations, limits on recognition of surgical transition for document changes, and removal of gender identity as a protected category in specified state application language. Ingham read aloud text from the law about employment, housing, public accommodations and credit, emphasizing that those specific prohibitions listed in the statute are the basis for what the Human Rights Commission must now interpret and act upon.

“My presentation tonight is given as my authority as the chair of the Human Rights Commission,” Ingham said, adding that the commission voted unanimously to let him speak on its behalf. He said the presentation was educational and not intended to promote any official city policy.

Ingham also summarized HF 856, which he described as restricting the use of terms and concepts in public programs and communications. He listed examples the statute identifies as restricted for use by public officials and agencies, including “implicit bias,” “allyship,” “transgender ideology,” “intersectionality” and other terms frequently used in DEI work. He said the law’s language is broad and vague, and that the commission and city staff are still determining how it affects a range of public-policy areas beyond human-rights programming — including housing, economic and infrastructure topics where the same terms sometimes appear.

Ingham urged residents who believe they have been targeted or discriminated against to contact the Human Rights Commission for assistance. He provided an email, tw.ingham@cedarfalls.com, and a phone number, (319) 268-5113, and said the commission’s advocacy committee can help connect people with resources or simply provide support.

Mayor and council members asked no legal questions of Ingham; the mayor directed questions about legality to City Attorney Rogers, and Ingham asked that legal questions be routed to Rogers while he would answer questions about the commission’s response.

Ingham closed by reiterating the commission’s role: “The Cedar Falls Human Rights Commission has one purpose and that is to support and advocate for the rights of the citizens of Cedar Falls.”