ST. LOUIS — The League of Women Voters of Iowa (LWVIA) and One Iowa filed an amicus brief on Friday in the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit supporting a partial preliminary injunction against provisions of SF496. First signed in 2023, the law restricts books on LGBTQIA+ subjects in school libraries and the rights of LGBTQIA+ students in schools.

LWVIA and One Iowa previously filed an amicus brief supporting challengers of SF496. The law was blocked by the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit reversed that order and remanded it to the district court for further consideration. On remand, the district court partially blocked the law again, and the state appealed that decision.

LWVIA’s newest brief emphasizes the harmful and discriminatory intent behind SF496 and the open access to information and discussion students need and deserve at school.

“School should be a place where every student can feel safe and be themselves," said Holly Oppelt, president of the League of Women Voters of Iowa. "Students and teachers should feel free to discuss topics that concern their lives without being chilled or punished simply because their words were negatively interpreted by the government. The League of Women Voters of Iowa is proud to fight back against this harmful law and stand up for all our students’ well-being.” 

“LGBTQ students should have all the same opportunities as other students, but they often struggle with harassment and being told they don’t belong,” said Keenan Crow, director of policy and advocacy at One Iowa. “When politicians pass laws to censor information about their lives and their families, it only results in further targeting and exclusion. No one child should receive the message that their family is so shameful that schools can’t even discuss it.”

“Students have a right to feel welcome and safe at their schools, and this includes the right to learn freely," said Caren Short, director of legal and research at the League of Women Voters. Schools should be places where every student is respected, not where they are subject to state-sanctioned discrimination. The League stands with the LGBTQIA+ community, especially students, who must be protected.”

Learn more about the League of Women Voters’ litigation work by visiting our Legal Center to review historic and active federal cases on our docket.  

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