- Multiple letters to the editor accused Ashley Hinson of voting against LGBTQ protections, which could damage her standing among equality-minded voters (Courier).
- Hinson voted against the Equality Act, citing religious liberty concerns, a position that may alienate LGBTQ advocates and civil rights supporters (Gazette, 2021).
- She consistently argued that the Equality Act would harm religious freedom, asserting that existing laws already protect against discrimination—an argument open to criticism from those who believe current protections are inadequate (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, 2022, Gazette, 2022).
- Hinson publicly supported a bill to ban transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports, a stance that may be seen as discriminatory toward transgender youth (Gazette, 2025).
- Her rhetoric on “biological differences” and claims that trans inclusion “sets back” women’s sports by 50 years could be viewed as exclusionary and detrimental to her appeal with moderate and younger voters (Gazette, 2025).
2021: Letter Writer Claimed Ashley Hinson Voted Against LGBTQ Protections According to a letter to the editor published in Courier, "Hinson voted against LGBTQ protections." [Letter to the Editor - Courier, 8/24/21]
2021: Letter Writer Marcia Buttgen Claimed Ashley Hinson Voted Against LGBTQ Protections According to a letter to the editor published in Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, "Hinson voted against LGBTQ protections." [Letter to the Editor - Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, 8/24/21]
2021: Letter Writer Marcia Buttgen Asserted Ashley Hinson Voted Against LGBTQ Protections According to a letter to the editor published in Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, "Hinson voted against LGBTQ protections." [Letter to the Editor - Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, 8/24/21]
2021: Ashley Hinson Voted Against the Equality Act Citing Religious Liberty Concerns According to a letter to the editor published in Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), "when given the opportunity to fight against discrimination, she voted 'no' to the Equality Act, stating it undermines the 1st Amendment and threatens religious liberty. Hinson failed to protect the rights of LGBTQ Iowans." [Letter to the Editor - Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 3/21/21]
2022: Hinson Opposed The Equality Act Citing Religious Freedom Concerns According to Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, "In a separate statement, Hinson argued the Equality Act which adds sexual orientation and gender identity to federally protected classes would impinge on religious freedom, and that 'there are already existing legal protections for those who have experienced discrimination under federal law.'" [Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier (IA), 11/2/22]
2022: Hinson Opposed Equality Act Due To Concerns About Religious Freedom According to The Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), "In a separate statement, Hinson argued the Equality Act — which adds sexual orientation and gender identity to federally protected classes — would impinge on religious freedom, and that 'there are already existing legal protections for those who have experienced discrimination under federal law.'" [Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 11/2/22]
January 2025: Ashley Hinson Supported House Bill To Ban Transgender Athletes From Girls' Sports According to Gazette, "Iowa Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson of Marion praised passage of a House GOP-led bill that would bar transgender athletes from participating in women's and girls' sports at schools and institutions receiving federal funds as a victory for protecting the 'integrity of girls' sports.'" [Gazette, 1/16/25]
January 2025: Ashley Hinson Stated Female Athletes Deserve Fair Playing Field According to Gazette, "I believe female athletes who are passionate about their sports and train and practice hard should have the opportunity to compete on a fair playing field," Hinson said Thursday during a conference call with reporters. "Ignoring the biological differences between men and women and allowing biological boys to compete against girls is unfair, and it sets the progress made in women's athletics and girls sports back 50 years." [Gazette, 1/16/25]