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Diocese of Des Moines slammed for 7 'anti-woke' policies including ban on preferred pronouns in schools

One of the policies stated that if a dress code or uniform exists, students must follow it according to their biological sex

DES MOINES, IOWA: The Diocese of Des Moines recently added seven new policies, which went into effect on Monday, January 16, regarding how it deals with gender identity in its 17 schools and 80 parishes. One of the policies stated that those in churches and schools would not be allowed to use their preferred pronoun. It read, “Any parochial, organizational, or institutional documentation which requires the designation of a person’s sex is to reflect that person’s biological sex. No person may designate a “preferred pronoun” in speech or in writing when related to ministry activities of any kind, nor are parishes, organizations, or institutions to permit such a designation.”

The official policy document also mentioned, “All persons must use the bathroom or locker room that matches their biological sex,” and further stated that students participating in sports and other extracurriculars would be required to participate on teams matching their sex at birth. The document added that if a dress code or uniform exists, students must follow it according to their biological sex. 

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However, the newly added policies didn't go down well with many. Zinnia Jones, a trans researcher, writer, and activist, wrote, "Diocese of Des Moines offers this condescending crap: 'Should someone experience a tension between biological sex and gender, they should know that this interior conflict is not sinful in itself but rather reflects 'the broader disharmony caused by original sin' F**k off?" Jones added, "You're attempting to apply an ancient mythic origin story, taken bizarrely literally, to a situation that requires more recent developments in social science as well as the ability to recognize medical evidence regardless of whether it is 'sinful'. This is going to offer absolutely nothing of value to the trans people attending your church, often against their will because they are being taken there by their families."

Prior to the policies coming into effect, when it was reported that the Diocese of Des Moines was about to enact these "new rules" on January 4, Senator Claire Celsi said on Facebook, "Diocese of Des Moines codifies ostracism of transgender kids. These schools want public dollars and want to treat kids in a way that might cause them to commit suicide. This is not what Jesus would do."

In another post on January 8, she wrote, "Now, the @DMDiocese is trying to shun and exclude people based on their sexual orientation and gender expression. This is clearly NOT behavior that should be allowed in schools that already get $100 million in public taxpayer dollars and are clamoring for more."

According to DailyMail, Keenan Crow, director of policy and advocacy at One Iowa, said, “That sounds like conversion therapy to me. Which we know for a fact not cannot deliver the results that it promises, but in fact it is…a dangerous discredited practice that every major American Medical Association has come out swinging against.”

His colleague, Courtney Reyes, executive director of the LGBTQ+ equality organization, said, "No other members have to fight to be called the correct name, have their correct pronouns used or receive access to the appropriate restroom. Calling this 'compassion' is equivalent to confusing 'hate' with 'love'. You cannot pretend to be compassionate while misgendering people and denying them access to any and all spaces under your control."

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