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Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

Gender, sports, and youth medical policies

2026 ballot measures in multiple jurisdictions address LGBTQ-related rules on marriage definitions, youth gender-related surgeries, and sex-separated school facilities and sports. These debates form part of the wider national culture and education policy landscape that Iowa residents and legislators also confront.

What stance should Iowa take on sex and gender rules in schools, sports, and youth healthcare?

How important is this to you?

Sources

Ballotpedia — https://ballotpedia.org/2026_ballot_measures
Prohibit healthcare professionals from providing surgeries to persons under age 18 for the purpose of “treatment in response to a minor’s perception of sex or gender”
Ballotpedia — https://ballotpedia.org/2026_ballot_measures
Prohibit schools and athletic associations from allowing a student, athlete, employee, or other individual from using a restroom, locker room, shower room, or other private space that is not designated for their sex
Pew Research Center — https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2026/07/23/as-the-2026-midterms-approach-economy-is-front-and-center
Policies related to LGBT people | 37 | 34 | 27 | D+3
Positions on this issue  ·  liberal → conservative
  1. Full gender-affirming care access for minors and self-ID for school facilities/sports
  2. Allow care with safeguards; inclusive facility policies with limited sport case review
  3. Leave most decisions to families, doctors, and local school boards case by case
  4. Ban minor gender surgeries and require biological-sex facilities and sports teams
  5. Broad state bans on gender transition steps for minors and strict sex-based rules everywhere