How and why the Iowa Civil Rights Commission’s process needs reformed
by Sondra Wilson. 11/18/2023
I am requesting that every LGBT+ Iowan and ally (including people care about rights, safety, and equity for BIPOC) carefully read and circulate this article because:
When IRRC administratively closes a case (decides not to investigate), they withhold the evidence sent to them by the business from the victim. Instead they send their assessment of the evidence. This can prevent victims from proving their case within their appeal, as it did in my case.
According to the Story County Attorney’s Office, it is legal for a business to lie to ICRC in order to get away with discrimination
Although Iowa Admin. Code r. 161—3.12(1)(f) If the information indicates a “reasonable possibility of a probable cause determination or the legal issues in the complaint need development” the Commission will “screen in” a case for further investigation.
I will use my case against Reliable Street and Lockwood Café as an example. I filed a complaint with ICRC on April 29, 2022. On Aug. 3 I received notice that ICRC was “administratively closing” my case. The notice included ICRC’s Preliminary Case Review, which described pieces of evidence the President of Reliable Street and Owner of Lockwood Café sent to ICRC. Here is an excerpt which
Here is how ICRC’s process adversely affected my case after filing a complaint against Lockwood Café and neighboring non-profit Reliable Street on April 29, 2022:
On August 3, 2022 ICRC administratively closed my case (decided not to investigate). Instead of sending me the evidence that the businesses sent to them (e.g. text messages), ICRC sent me their their assessment of the evidence. Had they sent me the evidence at that time, I could have easily proved that Lockwood Café Employee #1 lied about me in order to get me kicked off the property, and that someone (either her or the Owner of Lockwood Café) tampered with evidence in order to convince ICRC that I was a sexual predator when in fact I was the victim of very damaging allegations which – especially as a transgender woman – jeopardize my safety.
Instead of sending me the evidence that the businesses sent to them (e.g. text messages), ICRC sent me their their assessment of the evidence.