DES MOINES – The House Education Subcommittee advanced House Study Bill 158 on Tuesday, which, as it stands, would prohibit transgender people and drag performers from speaking or performing in front of minors.
Hundreds of protesters joined both online and in person to speak with lawmakers and chant within the capitol walls. Each speaker in support or against the bill had 90 seconds to speak.
Before the bills advancement, Iowa Rep. Helena Hayes, R. New Sharon, acknowledged that the bill is broad and the language needs to continue to be worked on.
Later, in a press conference, Iowa Rep. Elinor Levin, D. Johnson, said that the bill comes from a belief that drag is inherently obscene. “No one in the drag community wants to hurt anyone,” said Levin.
Although an overwhelming majority of those in attendance to speak were against the bill there were still a handful of contestors.
Danny Carroll from The Family Leader shared that this was not the Iowa he remembers.
Iowans for Freedom moderator Oliver Bardwell stood up in applause following the decision to advance the bill
Lonika LaReese Knight, who has performed in drag since age 11, met with Rep. Hayes for several minutes after the meeting. Knight showed and explained photographs that detailed previous competitions and experiences. Knight was one of the several people in opposition of the bill to give a 90-second statement. “I told myself I wasn’t going to cry,” said Knight.
The 2025 Iowa legislative session is set to conclude on May 2.
