Senators have once again introduced a harmful bill that targets transgender Nebraskans and our ability to use public facilities and resources. We’re asking all of us – cis and trans, gay and stright, queer and allied – to speak out against this harmful bill. Here’s what you should know and what you can do to help:
What is the problem?
❌ LB 89 takes the defeated “Sports and Spaces Ban” from last session and expands it to affect all K-12 schools, colleges, and state agencies. Here’s what the bill would do:
- Create new, extremely narrow definitions for sex. Erasing the existence of transgender, non-binary, and intersex people in order to control and exclude anyone “different.”
- Restrict transgender youth, college students, & adults from facilities (ex: bathrooms in schools and government offices / domestic violence shelters) using these new definitions. Blocking youth and adults from the spaces we are most comfortable and safe in.
- Exclude trans people from public life. This bill treats trans youth and adults differently than our peers, ostracizing us and making it harder for us to participate in daily activities like school or work.
❌ LB 89 attempts to define our community in order to exclude us from public spaces. This is harmful not only to transgender and non-binary Nebraskans, but to all of us, opening everyone up to increased public scrutiny and harassment.
How can you help?
The public hearing for ❌ LB 89 is Friday, Feb. 7. We’re asking our community to make your voice heard and submit comments online by Friday, February 7 at 8am CT | 7am MT.
PS: If you want to speak out against the parts of the bill specifically affecting transgender youth, check out our letter writing tips here. (Note: this guide is for the defeated “Sports and Spaces Ban” of 2024)