Iowa lawmakers became the first in the nation to approve legislation removing gender identity protections from the state’s civil rights code Thursday, despite massive protests by opponents who say it could expose transgender people to discrimination in numerous areas of life.

Iowa's Republican-controlled legislature passed a bill on Thursday that would remove protections for the transgender community even as dozens of protesters opposed the legislation.

If signed by Gov. Kim Reynolds, the Republican-backed measure would eliminate state civil rights protections for transgender Iowans.

Iowa lawmakers passed a bill Feb. 27 that would end nondiscrimination protections for transgender people amid massive protests at the Capitol.

Iowa lawmakers became the first in the nation to approve legislation removing gender identity protections from the state's civil rights code, despite massive protests