Iowa’s state Senate passed a bill Monday to extend civil rights protections to gay, lesbian and transgender people in the state, despite opposition from business interests.
The bill adds the words “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to a list of protected characteristics under Iowa’s Civil Rights Act. Democrats have long supported expanded protections, and they now control the Senate, the House and the governor’s office.
The chamber passed Senate File 427 on a bipartisan 32-17 vote. It moves now to the state House of Representatives, where Iowa Equality board president Sandy Vopalka expects it to have a tougher time.
Read more Gay News from GXR.
