Nebraska bill focused on transgender athletes advances on senate floor

[Jessica_Rose]

Nebraska bill focused on transgender athletes advances on senate floor

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/nebraska-bill-focused-on-transgender-athletes-advances-on-senate-floor/ar-AA1Dqz8O?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=fac5ae8b280b4eb18a1aaa675c255600&ei=48

Story by Sam Cobb (23 April 2025)

After four hours of debate, the "Stand with Women Act," or LB-59 was introduced by State Sen. Kathleen Kouth on behalf of Gov. Jim Pillen.

"This is not a political issue," Kouth said. "This is an issue about common sense, adherence to biology, and established protections for women and girls."

Others said that the bill seeks to balance both safety and thoughtfulness and looks to protect than exclude. Some lawmakers even shared their personal testimonies from community members in their districts.

"Schools are meant to be a safe space for learning," said State Sen. Jared Storm. "My daughter shouldn't have to wonder if another student who is a male is using the same restroom as her."

"We don't get to legislate someone's identity just because some people feel uneasy," said Sen. Megan Hunt. "Feeling uneasy is not harm. That's not danger. That's not the same thing. That's not protection, it's oppression."

"The idea that we need to protect people from this smaller group of people that maybe don't have a voice are, I'm sure, are the same arguments that echoed through these halls when we were talking about segregation," said Sen. George Dungan.

Thirty three votes were needed to move the bill into the next round of debate, that is exactly how many it received, inching it one step closer to the governor's desk.