Iowa's Republican-controlled legislature passed a bill on Thursday that would remove protections for the transgender community even as dozens of protesters opposed the legislation. The bill aims to strip Iowa's civil rights code of protections based on gender identity.

If signed by Gov. Kim Reynolds, the Republican-backed measure would eliminate state civil rights protections for transgender Iowans.

A group of Democrats have introduced a bill to protect diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the military following President Trump’s January executive order to dismantle such

Iowa lawmakers in the state House and Senate approved a bill Thursday that would strip civil rights protections for transgender Iowans from code. The bill heads to the governor’s desk where she is expected to sign it.

Iowa House and Senate lawmakers are likely to vote Thursday on a bill to remove gender identity from the Iowa law that protects against discrimination in areas including housing and employment.

The Republican-backed bill passed both legislative chambers by large margins despite warnings from Democrats that the measure could lead to discrimination and harassment.

Advocates for L.G.B.T.Q. rights said Iowa would become the first state to remove broad protections for transgender people if the governor signed the bill.