The Iowa House of Representatives passed SF538, known as the “Help Not Harm” bill, which protects children from gender-transitioning drugs and surgeries.

The evening before, the Iowa Senate also passed SF538, which will therefore now be sent to Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ desk to be signed into law.

“All Iowans agree that children experiencing gender dysphoria need compassionate help and care,” says Chuck Hurley, vice president and chief counsel for The FAMiLY Leader. “But it’s NOT compassionate to sterilize, castrate, and mutilate children, leaving them scarred for life.”

On Monday, Feb. 20, The FAMiLY Leader filed an amicus – or “friend of the court” – brief with the Iowa State Supreme Court, signed by 62 Iowa state legislators, calling on the Court to reinstate Iowa’s Heartbeat Law, which would protect preborn babies from abortion when their heartbeat can be detected.

Notably, another 16 Iowa senators joined a concurrent brief filed by Iowa Sen. Jack Whitver, making 78 total legislators calling for Iowa’s Heartbeat Law to finally go into effect.

The FAMiLY Leader lost a dear member of our extended family in 2021. Lucas Vander Plaats, third son of Bob and Darla Vander Plaats, met his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, cheek to cheek and face to face, where every tear and disability were wiped away, on November 22, 2021. He was 28 years old.

Lucas was born with a very rare brain disorder, Partial Pachygyria Lissencephaly, resulting in life-long physical and mental disabilities requiring 24-hour care. Yet Lucas’ life displayed the glory and mighty works of God …

Bob and Donna Red Wing were often quoted in the news media on opposite sides of contentious issues. Bob leads a Christian organization that advocates for public policy consistent with biblical values. Donna was a longtime LGBTQ activist and, in her own words, “a sometimes agitator.” They were natural “enemies” who became the most unlikely of friends.