Students across Iowa walked out of their classes on March 1 to protest against a wave of proposed anti-LGBTQ bills. The protest was organized by IowaWTF, a coalition of high school students fighting discriminatory legislation, and the Iowa Queer Student Alliance, a group for LGBTQ high school and college students. Students from 26 high schools and two colleges coordinated the walkouts to take place throughout the day across the state. The protest was aimed at getting the attention of lawmakers who are backing these bills and to educate the students about the impact of these bills.
The students marched from their schools to the Governor’s mansion, which is a few blocks up the street. They carried signs and chanted slogans, demanding that their voices be heard. More than 400 students from Central Academy in Des Moines took part in the walkout. Students from 21 school districts participated in the walkout, including some of the state’s largest school districts such as Des Moines Public Schools, Iowa City Community School District, and Ankeny Community School District.
The students’ main concerns were over the proposed bills that would ban instruction related to sexual orientation and gender identity, and also the bills that target gender-affirming care for minors. The students said these bills would cause depression, anxiety, and bullying in the LGBTQ+ community in schools. One of the bills being proposed would prohibit school staff from withholding a student’s gender identity from their parents if that gender identity differs from the student’s assigned sex at birth. Another bill is seeking to restrict gender-affirming care for minors.
The walkout was an effort by the students to show that they will not stay silent and will continue to fight for their rights. Students from high schools and colleges came together to make their voices heard and show that they will not be silenced. The protest was a message to the lawmakers that the students will not back down until their demands are met.