With the start of the Nebraska Unicameral's 2024 session this week, guarding against the divisiveness experienced last session is top of mind for many.

Bills limiting gender-affirming care for minors and restricting abortion rights led to an acrimonious 2023 session. Considerable support was shown for transgender youths and their families, however, in part because of the work of OutNebraska. The nonprofit's focus is supporting and "uplifting the voices" of LGBTQ+ Nebraskans.

Abbi Swatsworth, executive director of the group, said advocacy is a core part of its mission and they will definitely have a "presence" at the Unicameral again this year.

"Because everyone deserves a voice in the policymaking process," Swatsworth pointed out. "For so long there was very little representation of LGBTQ people in those spaces."

In a 2022 survey of LGBTQ+ adults by the Center for American Progress, half the respondents reported having experienced discrimination in the workplace related to their identity and a third reported discrimination involving housing over the previous year.

Swatsworth noted for another of its missions, education, last year OutNebraska reached more than 1,400 people with educational sessions on ways to improve the workplace, including entities as varied as nonprofits, large banks and agricultural organizations.

Unlike at least twenty states, Nebraska has no statutes expressly prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation. Swatsworth pointed out although OutNebraska does not provide legal representation, it is "definitely about linkage to resources."

"We have assisted people with contacting the Nebraska Equal Opportunities Commission," Swatsworth outlined. "Or perhaps reaching out to ACLU of Nebraska, or the Lincoln Human Rights Commission, or similar kinds of commissions in their municipal areas."

Swatsworth explained supporting Nebraska Pride celebrations is a large part of another of OutNebraska's missions, celebration. She believes the growing number of them -- with twelve across the state in 2023 -- shows OutNebraska's advocacy and education are having an effect.

"I think just the fact that there is an organization making our presence known at the Capitol and in policy spaces really helps people feel seen," Swatsworth stressed. "They can be more visible in their home community."

No new anti-LGBTQ+ legislation has been introduced for the 2024 session. But a priority bill by Sen. Kathleen Kauth, R-Millard, Legislative Bill 575, would restrict transgender youths' participation in school sports and use of restroom facilities. Swatsworth added it is one of several bills carried over which have "the potential to harm the LGBTQ+ community." OutNebraska's 2024 LGBTQ+ Legislative Day will be held Feb. 12.

For some LGBTQ+ voters in Nebraska, the state's new voter ID law brought up issues in the May primary election and could again in November's General Election.

Johnny Redd, communications manager for OutNebraska, said the group has used Pride Month to focus on voter registration and what the voter ID law does and does not mean. Redd explained one concern they have heard is, what happens if the person's ID picture does not match their appearance or gender expression?

"There is no requirement that requires you to look like your photo. It just has to be a photo ID," Redd noted. "I mean, obviously, if it's like someone of a different race, or something like that, then there's a problem."

Redd pointed out it is not unusual for people to look different from their photo ID, often because of a different hair color or style, or weight gain or loss. But for those who have changed their name, she stressed the name on their ID and their voter registration must match for them to be eligible to vote.

Redd urged people to make sure their voter registration is up-to-date. At the Secretary of State's Voter Registration Portal, people can register, change their address and even change their name in some cases.

Redd added voter roll purging is another reason people should double-check their registration. She said although it is usually billed as "upkeep," in some cases it may be more targeted.

"Specifically, BIPOC and LGBTQ people end up being a huge number of those folks that are purged from voter rolls, for whatever reason," Redd observed. "That's another big one, just showing up and realizing, 'Wait, I'm not even on the list because I haven't voted since 2017,' or something like that."

Nebraska law requires people who've moved to update their voter registration by the deadline indicated by their county election commissioner or county clerk, or they will be dropped from the voter rolls.

A 2022 study identified members of the LGBTQ+ community and their supporters as one of the fastest growing voting blocs in the country.

Twenty years after the first state permitted marriage equality, a majority of same-sex married couples said it had a profound positive effect on their lives.

A new report finds it strengthened couples' relationships, provided legal protections, financial security and greater acceptance among family and friends.

Abbie Goldberg, professor of psychology at Clark University, said marriage equality is part of a public health agenda.

"They have access to health insurance. They are physically and mentally healthier. They're able to share the sort of challenges and work of raising children," Goldberg outlined.

Still, Goldberg said nearly 80% of couples surveyed worry about the future of marriage equality. Supreme Court Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas have both suggested the high court revisit Obergefell v. Hodges, the decision which legalized same-sex marriage in 2015.

The report reveals same-sex married couples are also concerned about what they call an increasingly hostile environment in the U.S. More than 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced since last year, including in New Hampshire, where lawmakers have advanced measures targeting transgender youth.

Goldberg noted concerns are forcing couples to consider relocating to more accepting states, or even outside the U.S.

"It's creating not just legal uncertainty but propelling them to think about the future in ways that require time, money, planning," Goldberg explained.

Goldberg added marriage equality created families and the report details the positives to ensuring people are protected. Almost 60% of participants said marriage provided more stability or security for their children, and often created new in-laws who could help.


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As Pride Month winds down, health advocates want members of the LGBTQ+ community to know about health care options, despite any challenges to obtaining them.

Nearly 8% of U.S. adults identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or some other sexual orientation besides heterosexual, according to 2023 data, which is more than double the number in 2012.

Despite the increase, the group still faces health care disparities. According to a 2023 survey from the health policy organization KFF, LGBTQ+ people are more likely to self-report poorer health, experience higher rates of disability and have more need for mental health services. Those living in rural places face additional challenges.

Kenny Starling, owner of Wyoming's debut drag and theater production company, said health care can feel like a taboo topic, especially for queer people.

"On top of that, the actual health care providers themselves being up-to-date on the information about queer individuals and the resources that should be available to us," Starling pointed out.

Starling noted it took them four months to find a local doctor willing to work with them to obtain Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, or PrEP, an HIV preventive Starling's original doctor had not even heard of. According to KFF, nearly half of LGBTQ+ people have reported a negative experience with a health care provider in the last two years, as opposed to one-third of people outside the group. It includes the provider dismissing patient concerns, making assumptions, thinking the patient was lying and more.

Starling emphasized their theater and drag company has been busy during Pride month. The company uses performances to address health care, talking about it during shows and providing resources in the lobby.

"We alternate between the resources," Starling added. "Be they mental health services or free rapid HIV and STD testing, suicide prevention, access to Enroll Wyoming and health insurance resources."

Open enrollment for health insurance begins Nov. 1 in most states but special enrollment periods apply for those experiencing certain life changes.


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