WATCH: Iowa becomes first state to strip trans civil rights (PT 1) – Cornhole Champions #31

By Amie Rivers

July 2, 2025

Iowa makes devastating history this week—becoming the first state ever to strip away existing civil rights protections from transgender residents.

On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith, Amy Rivers, and Avery Staker cover Iowa’s historic civil rights rollback that removes gender identity protections from employment, housing, public accommodation, and education.

Toss some bags about Trump’s stop at the Iowa fairgrounds… officials debunk water safety rumors amid the ongoing nitrate crisis and a conversation with Democrat Christina Bohannan.

Cornhole Champions is a weekly podcast powered by Iowa Starting Line with music by Avery Mossman and show art by Desirée Tapia. We are a proud member of the Iowa Writers Collaborative.

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*SHOW RUNDOWN:*
00:30 – Zach’s “Par Excellence” Pun Disaster – Tech Out of There Falls Flat
02:49 – Iowa’s Historic Civil Rights Rollback – First State to Strip Existing Trans Protections
04:00 – The Energy of Hope – Trans Community and Allies Unite at State Capitol
06:30 – Beyond Civil Rights – Birth Certificate Changes and “Gender Theory” Language
08:00 – Project 2025 Playbook – Scapegoating as Fascism Facilitation
10:00 – Hope for the Future – Protests Matter, Continued Advocacy Essential

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Amie Rivers

Amie Rivers is Starting Line's community editor, labor reporter and newsletter snarker-in-chief. Previously, she was an award-winning journalist at the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier; now, she very much enjoys making TikToks and memes. Send all story tips and pet photos to [email protected] and sign up for our newsletter here.

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CATEGORIES: POLITICS VIDEO

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