Jenner & Block, Lambda Legal, and ACLU of Iowa Challenge Law Targeting LGBTQ+ Youth
News
November 29, 2023
In partnership with Lambda Legal and the ACLU of Iowa, Jenner & Block filed a lawsuit to block SF 496, a sweeping new law that went into effect this fall in Iowa with wide-ranging implications for LGBTQ+ students’ academic experience, safe school climate, and mental health. The law targets LGBTQ+ youth and requires school districts to ban books.
The law forbids any program, curriculum, promotion, or instruction relating to gender identity or sexual orientation in grades K-6, bans books with LGBTQ+ or sexual content with an explicit exception for the Bible, and requires teachers, counselors, school psychologists, and other staff to report students to their parents or guardians if a student asks to be referred to by names or pronouns that align with their gender identity. Penalties for violating portions of the law start January 1, 2024, and administrators, teachers, librarians, and other school staff will be subject to disciplinary action, which could include being fired or losing a license. Hundreds of titles have already been removed from school libraries, and school districts have taken down safe space stickers and removed references to LGBTQ historical figures from library displays. The law also has forced student groups for LGBTQ+ students and their allies to stop meeting.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of eight Iowa students and their families affected by the law, and Iowa Safe Schools, a non-profit organization supporting LGBTQ and allied youth.
The Jenner team includes Partner Laurie Edelstein, Associates Daniel Echeverri, Anna Lyons, Effiong Dampha, Kate Mather, and Joshua Armstrong, and Paralegal Evan Harrington.
Related Attorneys
Related Locations
© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.
News
November 29, 2023
In partnership with Lambda Legal and the ACLU of Iowa, Jenner & Block filed a lawsuit to block SF 496, a sweeping new law that went into effect this fall in Iowa with wide-ranging implications for LGBTQ+ students’ academic experience, safe school climate, and mental health. The law targets LGBTQ+ youth and requires school districts to ban books.
The law forbids any program, curriculum, promotion, or instruction relating to gender identity or sexual orientation in grades K-6, bans books with LGBTQ+ or sexual content with an explicit exception for the Bible, and requires teachers, counselors, school psychologists, and other staff to report students to their parents or guardians if a student asks to be referred to by names or pronouns that align with their gender identity. Penalties for violating portions of the law start January 1, 2024, and administrators, teachers, librarians, and other school staff will be subject to disciplinary action, which could include being fired or losing a license. Hundreds of titles have already been removed from school libraries, and school districts have taken down safe space stickers and removed references to LGBTQ historical figures from library displays. The law also has forced student groups for LGBTQ+ students and their allies to stop meeting.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of eight Iowa students and their families affected by the law, and Iowa Safe Schools, a non-profit organization supporting LGBTQ and allied youth.
The Jenner team includes Partner Laurie Edelstein, Associates Daniel Echeverri, Anna Lyons, Effiong Dampha, Kate Mather, and Joshua Armstrong, and Paralegal Evan Harrington.
Related Attorneys
Related Locations
© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.
News and Insights
Podcasts
Partner Laurel Loomis Rimon Discusses Fintech Enforcement, Debanking, and Regulatory Risk on Fintech Layer Cake Podcast
Partner Laurel Loomis Rimon was featured on the Fintech Layer Cake podcast, where she discussed how fintech enforcement and prosecution actually work in practice, and what exposes fintechs and banks to regulatory risk.
July 15, 2026
Publications
Supreme Court Clarifies Scope of Private Rights of Action Under the Investment Company Act, Private Equity Law Report
Partners Charles Riely, Todd C. Toral, and Martin Glass authored a guest article for Private Equity Law Report examining the US Supreme Court's June 11, 2026, ruling on the scope of private rights of action under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
July 14, 2026
Publications
Emily Loeb Discusses Congressional Oversight Preparedness in Bloomberg Law
Partner Emily Loeb, co-chair of Jenner & Block's Congressional Investigations Practice, spoke with Bloomberg Law article about how companies can prepare for potential oversight exposure ahead of this fall's midterm elections.
July 7, 2026
Publications
In New York Law Journal, The True Lender Doctrine and the OppFi Decision
Partners Jeremy Creelan, Michael Ross, Megan Poetzel, and Laurel Loomis Rimon, and Associate Molly Oberstein-Allen authored an article for the New York Law Journal examining the "True Lender" doctrine in light of a May 2026 California decision that provides the most detailed judicial framework to date for evaluating bank-nonbank lending partnerships.
July 1, 2026
Event
Partner Michael Vernick to Speak at NACUA's 2026 Annual Conference
On July 1, Partner Michael Vernick will speak on a panel at the National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA) 2026 Annual Conference in Nashville.
July 1, 2026