States with anti-LGBTQ+ laws suffer economic, personal losses
A Letter From Iowan Gordie Felger
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Iowa became the first state ever to remove civil rights protections for its citizens. On July 1, it will be legal to discriminate against Iowans in housing, employment, lending, and civic life based on gender identity. In effect, a whole class of people no longer exists in the eyes of the state.
The civil rights exclusion marks the latest in a growing list of Iowa’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws. Most target minors: team sports, transition health care, school restroom bans, and the forced outing of gender-nonconforming students. Unlike these earlier laws, the civil rights exclusion applies to minors and adults.
Unsurprisingly, states with anti-LGBTQ+ laws risk losing population. Almost 19 percent of LGBTQ+ adults have considered moving to a new state. Among transgender and nonbinary youth — the most targeted populations — that number climbs to about 45 percent. Another 4 percent of both groups have already moved. Additionally, some non-LGBTQ+ parents relocate to protect their LGBTQ+ children.
That ongoing population drain translates to economic losses. One cost is a decline in workforce. Iowa already faces a critical worker shortage. About 59,000 Iowa workers are LGBTQ+. They contribute to the state’s economy by paying local and state taxes. They spend their earnings on goods, services, and entertainment. Some own businesses that hire other workers. When they leave Iowa, their money and businesses go with them.
There’s also a loss to the tourism and business travel industries. Shoshana Goldberg of the Human Rights Campaign said, “30 percent of LGBTQ+ adults … have avoided, canceled, and/or refused to travel to states with anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.” People don’t go where they feel unwanted or unsafe. And visitors’ bureaus, like Cedar Rapids Tourism, have to work harder to attract LGBTQ+ travelers.
Another aspect hits at a far more personal level. When people move away, families fracture. Friendships fade. Communities fragment. Four people from my small friend group left Iowa. One I’ve known for more than 20 years. Two more have one foot out the door. This is not theoretical. I see it happening.
I hear the fear in their voices. See it in their eyes. People are justifiably scared. Their futures are uncertain. They fear a loss of civil and legal rights. They fear for their safety or that of their children. Their government is hellbent on legislating them out of existence.
What’s it all for?
Some Republican lawmakers will tell you that these laws are urgently needed for public safety. Some claim that full civil LGBTQ+ rights somehow infringe on their own freedoms.
The first blatantly anti-transgender law in Iowa passed in 2022. After that, the floodgates opened. Most of those bills don’t become law. But enough pass each year to make Iowa increasingly dangerous for the LGBTQ+ community.
Hmmm … so, the existence of LGBTQ+ Iowans was not an urgent safety concern before 2022? Did LGBTQ+ people suddenly sprout into existence in recent years? Or has there been a massive uptick in crimes committed by LGBTQ+ people? No, none of these is true!
Quite the opposite. LGBTQ+ people have always existed. They always will. No matter how much some want to deny them. And LGBTQ+ people are far more likely to be crime victims than perpetrators. The constant verbal and legislative attacks all but guarantee an increase in hate crimes.
Anti-LGBTQ+ laws are not about public safety. They’re about driving LGBTQ+ people away or shoving them back in the closet. Not protection but control. Isn’t that the real purpose?
Iowa lawmakers, how much economic loss are you willing to accept over your legislated discrimination?
Gordie Felger
Hiawatha, Iowa
This originally appeared in two parts on Felger’s Substack, wtfiowa.substack.com.
Letters From Iowans is a part of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative. We encourage you, our subscribers, to share your perspective in this column. To make your voice heard, use this form to send us your essay:
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In terms of travel advisory, I'd say Iowa is hovering between Reconsider Travel and Do Not Travel for LGBT folk. Why would you ever want to move here or live here under these conditions.
We retired and left Iowa in 2012, to follow children/grandchildren out-of-state. We love Iowa, but would not move back after what the current and recent legislatures and governor have done to ruin the state.