An appellate court has ruled that Iowa can enforce parts of a controversial education law restricting LGBTQ+ topics in schools while legal challenges continue. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit lifted preliminary injunctions that had blocked provisions of a 2023 law signed by Republican Governor Kim Reynolds.
The decision allows enforcement of measures limiting queer-themed books and classroom discussions. The law had been challenged by Iowa Safe Schools, supported by Lambda Legal and the American Civil Liberties Union. A lower court had paused enforcement, but appellate judges said the state can proceed as litigation continues.
In its opinion, the court said lower courts had “engaged in flawed analysis” and interpreted the law too broadly. It also ruled that removing certain books from libraries does not violate the First Amendment.
The law restricts instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation and requires staff to notify parents if a student is transgender. Nathan Maxwell, senior attorney at Lambda Legal said, “This ruling is a setback, but it is not the end of this fight…We will continue to use every legal tool available to protect these young people. They deserve nothing less.”
