VIDEOS: Iowans react to LGBTQ discrimination bill going up in flames

On Wednesday, an Iowa House subcommittee for HF 2082 met to hear public comments and debate if the bill should move forward.

If passed, HF 2082 would have removed gender identity as a protected class under the Iowa Civil Rights Act and categorized gender dysphoria as a disability, effectively legalizing the discrimination of trans Iowans. It also would have made Iowa the first state to do so.

By the meeting’s end, a unanimous decision by committee members struck down the bill, but trans Iowans are urging their community to not think the fight is over.

The following are exclusive Starting Line interviews with Iowans who spoke during the meeting and attended the accompanying rally.

Hiawatha City Councilwoman Aime Wichtendahl commends the decision to kill HF 2082 but urges Iowans to continue fighting for trans rights.

@iowastartingline Hiawatha City Councilwoman Aime Wichtendahl commends the decision to kill HF 20982, which would have legalized discrimination against trans individuals, but urges Iowans to continue fighting for trans rights. #iowa #iowalife #iowanews #iowalegislature #transrights #transrightsarehumanrights ♬ original sound – Iowa Starting Line

“We need to be able to shut this down every single time,” Iowa resident Harry Manaligod said in response to the unanimous vote to kill HF 2082 at the subcommittee level.

@iowastartingline “We need to be able to shut this down every single time,” Iowa resident Harry Manaligod said in response to a unanimous vote to kill HF 2082 at the subcommittee level. If passed, the bill would have removed gender identity as a protected class under the Iowa Civil Rights Act and categorized gender dysphoria as a disability, effectively legalizing discrimination against trans people. It also would have made Iowa the first state to do so. #iowa #iowalife #iowanews #iowalegislature #transrights #transrightsarehumanrights ♬ original sound – Iowa Starting Line

Iowa high school student Tyler Pittman calls HF 2082 an “injustice,” but believes in a better future in Iowa because of the unanimous decision to kill the bill.

@iowastartingline Iowa high school student Tyler Pittman calls HF 2082 an “injustice,” but believes in a better future in Iowa because of the unanimous decision to kill the bill. #iowa #iowalife #iowanews #iowalegislature #transrights #transrightsarehumanrights ♬ original sound – Iowa Starting Line

Annie Sarcone, director of the Des Moines Queer Youth Resource Center, credits massive support for trans Iowans for pressuring lawmakers to kill HF 2082.

@iowastartingline Annie Sarcone, director of the Des Moines Queer Youth Resource Center, credits massive support for trans Iowans for pressuring lawmakers to kill HF 2082. #iowa #iowalife #iowanews #iowalegislature #transrights #transrightsarehumanrights ♬ original sound – Iowa Starting Line

Iowa resident Athena Rodriguez shares a bit of her speech she would have used to address the HF 2082 subcommittee. Rodriguez and a group of hopeful speakers were cut off before they could deliver their testimonies during the hearing.

@iowastartingline Iowa resident Athena Rodriguez shares a bit of her speech she would have used to address the HF 2082 subcommittee. Rodriguez and a group of hopeful speakers were cut off before they could deliver their testimonies during the hearing. HF 2082 would have removed gender identity as a protected class jnder the Iowa Civil Rights Act and categorized gender dysphoria as a disability, effectively legalizing the discrimination of trans Iowans. A unanimous decision in the subcommittee struck down the bill, but trans Iowans are urging their community to not think the fight is over. #iowa #iowalife #iowanews #iowalegislature #transrights #transrightsarehumanrights ♬ original sound – Iowa Starting Line