Laws affecting LGBT lives go into effect in three states

Laws involving the rights of gays, lesbians and transsexuals went into effect on July 1 in Iowa, Vermont and Colorado. Iowa becomes the latest state to protect LGBT citizens in employment, housing and public accommodations. The the law gives the state's civil rights commission the power to investigate complaints of discrimination based on sexual orientation. "[This is] a message that Iowa is a welcoming place that values each of its citizens whether it's in the neighborhood or the workplace," Gov. Chet Culver (D) said in May as he signed the bill. A second law that has gone into effect adds new protections for gay students, adding sexual orientation to the list of items for which students are protected from bullying. Schools now are required to prepare a plan detailing how they intend to protect students and report any incidents to the state. In Vermont, legislation went into effect Sunday barring discrimination against the transgendered. Vermont already had a law barring discrimination against gays and lesbians. A Colorado law banning abstinence-only sex education in schools has gone into effect. Abstinence-only sex education classes have been blamed for failing to curb teen pregnancy, offering any advice on safe-sex practices, and ignoring or condemning same-sex attraction. The new law requires schools to teach sex education based on scientific research and to include information on condoms.