Iowans call on Reynolds to reject 'unjust' transgender health amendment

Updated: 10:57 PM CDT Apr 29, 2019 Laura Terrell Anchor/Reporter

A transgender action group is calling on Gov. Kim Reynolds to reject an amendment to the Health and Human Services budget bill that takes away state funding for sex reassignment surgery.

Demonstrators tried to walk into Reynolds’ office around 2 p.m. Monday but a staff member said they had to come back with an appointment.

Tobias Gurl, who participated in the demonstration, said the amendment was a last-minute, underhanded attempt to hurt transgender Iowans.

“She and her staff will not tell us when the bill will be signed,” Gurl, said. “We believe it is her obligation to meet with us over this.”

The group, put together by the First Unitarian Church, said the ban was sprung on Iowans last-minute on Friday, giving citizens no chance to voice their opinions before the vote.

“This is a fundamentally unjust addition to the bill handled in an undemocratic way that is bad for Iowa citizens,” Gurl said.

Republican lawmakers added the amendment to Health and Human Services budget bill, saying taxpayers shouldn't be on the hook for sex reassignment surgery.

“To me, that says that the people who put that amendment forward don't see me as a human being,” said Aidan Zingler, a transgender Iowan. “They just see me as a dollar sign to get rid of.”

Zingler said sex reassignment surgery is not an elective procedure.

“A lot of my trans friends of color, they live on Medicaid,” Zingler said. “They rely on it. They want to be able to get these life-affirming surgeries because it alleviates their pain and it's lifesaving for them.”

They said they plan to wear all black this week to protest.

“It just hurts so much that it means an increased risk of suicide,” Zingler said. “Over 40% of trans people have tried to commit suicide because they could not receive health care.”

The governor's office issued the following statement to KCCI:

"The governor appreciates and will consider all feedback from Iowans on the various pieces of legislation that is now on her desk. In the coming weeks, she will review each bill with her policy team and then make a decision.”

The group will meet with the governor's office on Tuesday at 8 a.m

Republican Sen. Brad Zaun issued the following statement to KCCI:

"The legislation that was passed bans the tax payers from paying for a sex change operation for Iowans on the Medicaid system. It did not change the civil rights code in regards to not discriminating against transgender, gay or lesbian Iowans."