DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A federal appeals court ruled Monday that Iowa may proceed with implementing legislation that limits educators’ ability to discuss LGBTQ+ subjects with elementary students and removes certain materials from school libraries and classrooms.
The ruling overturns previous temporary injunctions issued by a lower court that had blocked enforcement of the legislation.
Iowa’s Republican-controlled legislature and Governor Kim Reynolds originally passed the legislation in 2023, stating it would ensure educational content remains appropriate for students from kindergarten through high school. Legal challenges have been ongoing for three years, with lawsuits filed by the Iowa State Education Association, major book publishers, prominent authors, and Iowa Safe Schools, an LGBTQ+ advocacy group.
The legislation was active during portions of the 2024-2025 academic year until March, when a federal judge reinstated a temporary halt on the book removal provisions, which prevent materials depicting certain sexual activities from being available in educational settings. In a separate ruling in May, U.S. District Judge Stephen Locher determined that while Iowa could limit required instruction about gender identity and sexual orientation through sixth grade, it could not restrict broader “programs” or “promotion,” citing these terms as excessively vague.
Iowa petitioned the U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals to reverse both rulings, which a three-judge panel granted on Monday. The legal proceedings will continue in district court while the legislation remains active.
“This is a huge win for Iowa parents,” stated Iowa’s Republican Attorney General Brenna Bird. “Parents should always know that school is a safe place for their children to learn, not be concerned they are being indoctrinated with inappropriate sexual materials and philosophies.”
Iowa’s legislation was part of a broader national movement in 2023, with Republican legislators across the country proposing similar measures to limit LGBTQ+ discussions and regulate bathroom access in educational institutions. Many of these laws have faced legal challenges. The ruling coincides with the Trump administration’s announcement Monday that it has ended agreements from previous administrations that protected transgender student rights.
The Iowa legislation prohibits K-12 school libraries from housing materials containing descriptions or visual representations of six specific sexual acts. State attorneys argued the law provides clear guidelines and that the state has valid reasons to ensure public school materials meet appropriate standards as part of its educational mission.
However, the teachers’ union, along with publishers and authors, contended the law is excessively broad, extending “far beyond obscenity to prohibit any book with any description of a sex act for any age,” according to their legal filing. They also argued that libraries serve as venues for voluntary learning rather than existing solely to support the school’s educational objectives.
The appeals court agreed with the state’s position, determining that the restrictions are clearly defined and that school library materials can be considered part of the institution’s curriculum. Consequently, the court indicated that First Amendment claims from authors and publishers are unlikely to succeed.
The ruling stated: “The First Amendment does not guarantee students the right to access books of their choosing at taxpayer expense.”
The law additionally prohibits “any program, curriculum, test, survey, questionnaire, promotion, or instruction relating to gender identity or sexual orientation.” State attorneys maintained this language specifically targets mandatory school curriculum. Critics argued the law’s vagueness could restrict any school-based information or activities.
“Reading the plain language,” the appeals court decision stated, “we cannot say the State’s assertion is wrong.”
Locher’s May decision had granted a partial injunction, permitting the state to restrict such topics regarding curriculum, tests, surveys, questionnaires, or instruction but not “programs” or “promotion.”
Locher specifically outlined the implications: “Students in grades six and below must be allowed to join Gender Sexuality Alliances (‘GSAs’) and other student groups relating to gender identity and/or sexual orientation.” Additionally, districts, teachers, and students “must be permitted to advertise” these groups.
In overturning Locher’s partial block, the appeals court stated Locher incorrectly emphasized the two terms — program and promotion — when interpreting “an expansive view of the law’s scope.”
Since Iowa Safe Schools and the students requested the court block the law based on its language rather than specific rights violations, the appeals court indicated their challenge will likely fail on its merits.
The appeals court also permitted the state to enforce a requirement that school administrators inform parents when a student undergoes a social transition and wishes to use different pronouns or names at school.
