Senate Leader Mike Gronstal’s prepared opening remarks on Civil Rights Bill

Senate File 427 is about ensuring more opportunity for all Iowans.

This legislation is designed to ensure that all Iowans can contribute to society.

Specifically, Senate File 427 adds sexual orientation and gender identity to the Iowa Civil Rights Acts.

What does this mean?

It means that we are taking a big step to address the concerns of some of our biggest employers in Iowa, who want more workers, a more diverse workforce, and a more qualified workforce.

According to the Des Moines Business Record, Principal Financial Group Inc., which employs 16,000 people worldwide, 7,600 of them in Greater Des Moines, has policies protecting employees from harassment and discrimination based on their sexual orientation that dates back 16 years.

Earlier this year, the Des Moines-based insurer added gender identity to its non-discrimination policies.

Jim DeVries, Principal's senior vice president of human resources, said gender identity wasn't added at the request of an employee or because an issue had been raised, but because the company likes to be progressive and proactive.

Creating an inclusive atmosphere is "good for employees, good for customers and good for shareholders," DeVries said. "It's smart from a business standpoint, but historically, we do this because we think it's the right thing to do."
At a time when we are facing a workforce shortage in our state, we should be encouraging – NOT discouraging – people from staying in Iowa or moving to Iowa.

In the 21st Century, a healthy vibrant economy must include a diverse workforce. That means we must embrace skilled, talented workers – regardless of their race, gender, religion, disability or sexual orientation.

Some might ask: If some private employers and some of our biggest cities in Iowa have already adopted similar anti-discrimination language, why does the state Legislature need to do anything?

The Iowa Civil Rights Commission may have put it best when they stated:

“We no longer wish to see our children, neighbors, co-workers, nieces, nephews, parishioners or classmates leave Iowa so they can work, prosper, live or go out to eat. Our friends who are gay or lesbian know the fear and pain of hurtful remarks, harassment, attacks, loss of jobs or housing simply because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Only nine cities – Ames, Bettendorf, Burlington, Cedar Rapids, Clinton, Davenport, Decorah, Des Moines, Dubuque and Iowa City – currently prohibit discrimination in employment, housing, credit, education and public accommodations based on sexual orientation. Iowans throughout the state deserve equal protection under the law.”