DOES THE LAW PROHIBIT

GENDER-SEGREGATED
RESTROOMS?
No. It is legal in Iowa for businesses to maintain gen-
der-segregated restrooms. The law does require, how- Iowa Civil Rights Commission
ever, that individuals are permitted to access those
restrooms in accordance with their gender identity,
rather than their assigned sex at birth. And, just as S EXUAL
non-transgender individuals are entitled to use a re-
stroom appropriate to their gender identity without
O RIENTATION &
having to provide documentation or respond to inva- G ENDER
sive requests, transgender individuals must also be
allowed to use a gender-identity appropriate restroom I DENTITY
without being harassed or questioned.

DOES THE LAW PROHIBIT SEX

-SEGREGATED LOCKER ROOMS
A Public Accommodations
AND LIVING FACILITIES?
No. Iowa law does not prohibit places of public accom-
Provider’s
modation from maintaining separate facilities for the Guide to Iowa Law
different sexes, so long as they are comparable. The
law does require, however, that individuals are permit-
ted to access those facilities in accordance with their
gender identity, rather than their assigned sex at birth,
without being harassed or questioned.

PLACES OF WORSHIP
Places of worship (e.g. churches, synagogues,
mosques, etc.) are generally exempt from the Iowa For Additional Information:
Iowa Civil Rights Commission
law’s prohibition of discrimination, unless the place of
Grimes State Office Building
worship engages in non-religious activities which are 400 E. 14th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319
open to the public. For example, the law may apply to
Phone: (515) 281-4121
an independent day care or polling place located on (800) 457-4416
the premises of the place of worship. Fax: (515) 242-5840
Email: icrc@iowa.gov
The mission of the Civil Rights Commission is enforcing civil
https://icrc.iowa.gov/ rights through compliance, mediation, advocacy, and
education as we support safe, just, and inclusive communities.
 WHAT IS NOT A PUBLIC  verbal, physical, or written conduct,
Iowa Law ACCOMMODATION?
Any private club or other place which is distinctly private  conduct of a sexually inappropriate nature,
Effective July 1, 2007, the Iowa Civil Rights Act (Iowa by its nature. However, if it offers some services, facili-  physical or psychological abuse,
Code Chapter 216) was expanded to add sexual ties, or goods to the general public, it will be treated as
 repeated remarks of a demeaning nature,
orientation and gender identity to the list of protect- a public accommodation for those services.
ed classes. It is ILLEGAL in Iowa to discriminate  implied or explicit threats,
against a person because of his/her sexual orienta- WHAT IS ILLEGAL  demeaning jokes, stories, or activities, and
DISCRIMINATION?
tion or gender identity.  intentional use of names and
 Refusal or denial of any accommodations, ad-
pronouns inconsistent with a
What do these terms mean? vantages, facilities, services, or privileges on the person’s presented gender.
basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Also A public accommodation provider is
“Sexual Orientation” means actual or perceived het-
any discrimination in providing such services. not generally liable for actions of pa-
erosexuality, homosexuality, or bisexuality.
 Directly or indirectly advertising or publicizing that trons. However, a public accommo-
“Gender Identity” means a gender-related identity of
dation provider can be held liable for These provisions
a person, regardless of the person’s assigned sex at the patronage of persons of any particular sexual
allowing an employee to harass a took effect as of
birth. orientation or gender identity is unwelcome, objec- July 1, 2007.
customer or for failing to intervene in
tionable, not acceptable, or not solicited.
What is a Public Accommodation? sufficiently severe conduct by another patron.
SOME EXAMPLES OF ILLEGAL
 Any place that offers goods or DISCRIMINATION In determining if your own conduct might be unwel-
services to the public for a price.  Providing false information about the availability of come to others, consider these questions: "Would my
(Retail Stores, Restau- The Iowa Code may be seating, tickets, or the availability of services behavior change if someone from my family was pre-
found at
rants, Bars, Night www.legis.iowa.gov/ sent?" "Would I want my spouse or child to be treated
law/statutory
 Refusal to allow an individual to use all the facili-
Clubs, Movie Theaters, this way?"
ties or services of the public accommodation
Banks, Sporting Events, Fitness Centers, Hospi-
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I
tals etc.)  Providing the service in a BELIEVE I HAVE BEEN
separate location or at separate DISCRIMINATED AGAINST?
 Any place offering free services if that place You may file a complaint with the ICRC within 300 days of the alleged
times from that offered to others
receives governmental support or subsidy (Food discriminatory incident. Call (515) 281-4121, or for more information on
discrimination in public accommodations, housing, education, credit, or
Banks, Shelters, Disaster Relief, Civic Festivals,  Harassment , intimidation, or
employment, see our website at:
etc) other demonstration of hostility https://icrc.iowa.gov/
Questions?
 Any state, local, or governmental unit that re- Contact the ICRC for WHAT TYPES OF AC- This guidance document is designed for general educational purposes only and is
more information: not intended, nor should it be construed as or relied upon, as legal advice.
ceives tax support (Police Departments, (515) 281-4121 TIONS COULD BE
ILLEGAL HARASS-
Schools, Mass Transit, Libraries, etc)
MENT?
This guidance document is designed for general educational purposes only and
is not intended, nor should it be construed as or relied upon, as legal advice. Harassment includes, but is not limited to: