Judge blocks parts of Iowa law banning school library book, discussion of LGBTQ+ issues

A Federal Judge suspends Iowa law banning books and prohibiting LGBTQ+ discussions in schools

Judge Stephen Locher’s preliminary injunction has paused the enforcement of an Iowa law that restricts some books from school libraries and prohibits teachers from discussing LGBTQ+ topics. The law, approved by the Republican legislature and Governor Kim Reynolds, bans books depicting sex acts and forbids teachers from discussing gender identity and sexual orientation with students through sixth grade.

Locher has blocked the enforcement of both these provisions, stating that the ban is “incredibly broad” and has resulted in the removal of history volumes, classics, award-winning novels, and even books designed to educate students about avoiding sexual assault. He said that this part of the law is unlikely to satisfy the constitution’s requirements for free speech.

In addition, Locher mentioned that the provision prohibiting any discussion of “gender identity” and “sexual orientation” in elementary school was “wildly overbroad”, and let stand a requirement that school administrators notify parents if their child asks to change their pronouns or names, stating that the plaintiffs did not have standing.

Many other similar laws, predominantly backed by Republican lawmakers, have prompted legal challenges. Iowa’s measure has been challenged in two separate lawsuits on the grounds of violating free speech, equal protection rights, and the first and 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause.

Lawyers for both lawsuits have argued that the law is broad and confusing. Daniel Johnston, from the Iowa attorney general’s office, stressed that the ban is being applied too broadly and that educators should look for text or images that meet Iowa’s definition of a sex act when deciding whether to remove books.