LINCOLN, NE – In response to the hate crime at the University of Nebraska Lincoln, OutNebraska executive director, Abbi Swatsworth issued the following statement:
“With all the efforts to legislate our lives at the federal and state levels, our communities’ concerns about personal safety are valid. Queer people should have the right to exist freely without public harm. This is exactly what the queer community has been fearing and it couldn’t come at a worse time when our universities minimize, reduce support, and cut funding for diversity offices on campuses.”
We must acknowledge the gaps in resources and advocacy that many queer students face when seeking support from their institutions—this gap only heightens the vulnerability of our community.
Students should feel safe to be themselves on campus without fear of violence. Our hearts go out to the community and those most impacted by this traumatic event. We see you, we hear you, and we are with you.
If you are a student or other member of campus experiencing harm, please make a report.