Iowa Adapts to New Name Policy

Students across Iowa have had to face a new policy requiring teachers to prohibit students from expressing a different gender identity without the written consent of their parents.

 According to Senate File 496, “If a student enrolled in a school district requests an accommodation that is intended to affirm the student’s gender identity from a licensed practitioner employed by the school district, including a request that the licensed practitioner address the student using a name or pronoun that is different than the name or pronoun assigned to the student in the school district’s registration forms or records, the licensed practitioner shall report the student’s request to an administrator employed by the school district, and the administrator shall report the student’s request to the student’s parent or guardian.” 

This policy has drastically impacted young students across Iowa as they struggle with what this means for them and their classmates. 

CJ Olson-Daniel, a sophomore at Roosevelt High School, stated, “Luckily, for me, my parents are very accepting and affirming, so they have been able to put CJ in as a nickname next to my legal name. Unfortunately, I have friends that can’t tell their parents, because their parents might have adverse reactions to the idea of them being trans. I’ve seen it be a struggle with my friends who can’t tell their parents, and can’t have their real name be said.” 

This new policy, put into place on May 26, 2023, has come in a long line of anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ+ bills.

 Olson-Daniel continued, “I think that even if the wording isn’t explicitly saying ‘this is for trans kids’, I believe that it is targeted at transgender kids.” 

Senate File 496 was enacted unexpectedly, which led to many students and staff questioning the need behind it. This has proved difficult for staff and administrators, as they have been forced to continue to enforce the law, even if they do not agree with it, or do not understand why it was written. Which in turn has caused distance and tension in essential teacher/student relationships. 

Lindsay Law, Waukee School District Equity Director, expressed, “Students I’ve spoken with see it as discriminatory legislation and said they are embarrassed Iowa would pass this kind of a thing… Laws are designed to protect our safety, to protect our rights as citizens against the discrimination and abuse from others and to reflect the needs of the community… There are voices in this legislation that represent a hyper-partisan viewpoint, which I believe does not accurately reflect the needs of our entire community.” 

Most students have not been able to seek help from their teachers, because teachers are no longer allowed to be the safe space they need. This can and has directly impacted the well-being of a lot of students and their overall safety. With school no longer being a safe space for many trans students, it has called into question how they will be affected when home is not a safe space, either.

Lois Brass, a retired principal from Des Moines commented, “They’re trying to destroy public education bit by bit and they’re doing it by attacking marginalized groups, as though they don’t deserve the same rights, or the same freedoms or the same consideration as other students… I envision a lot of kids being abused, getting depressed and I think it will up suicide rates in that population. I see more kids killing themselves and it’s sad. It’s very sad.” 

The overall impact of Senate File 496 has been devastating for a multitude of students, educators, and families across Iowa, and will continue to impact them as the school year progresses. Some families have chosen to relocate out of state due to the abundance of anti-trans bills that have been passed. Numerous students have consulted school counselors, frantically asking what they need to do to graduate early so they can leave Iowa. That is how impactful and dangerous this policy has been, and will continue to be. Senate File 496 has proved incredibly dangerous for many students, and will only continue to directly impact their lives and safety inside and outside of school.