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.

Jackson Lewis, 19, is ready and eager to sit on the nonpartisan Canyons School Board in the south end of Salt Lake Valley. Lewis, who is gay, is also the youngest elected official in Utah. He said winning was a surreal moment, and he will ensure the student perspective is included in education policy discussions and decisions.

Lewis said he's been contacted by folks across his district who are thrilled with his victory and added he's even received messages from people globally who have been paying attention to the recent election, especially in conservative and traditionally 'red' Utah.

"As a gay man, it means a lot to me and it means a lot to the queer students in the district and in Canyons, but even I've spoken to members of the football team, I've spoken to members of the debate team, right? They are all excited about the fact that someone this young, right, is going to be occupying this seat and representing student interests on this board," he said.

The lifelong resident of Midvale and a Hillcrest High School graduate says he is a proud product of the state's public school system and understands the value it holds. Lewis promised to address issues such as chronic absenteeism, increasing teacher pay, and promised to be a "loud" opponent to future book bans.

During Utah's most recent legislative session, House Bill 29 passed and allows parents to challenge books they deem to have "sensitive materials."

Lewis said while he did garner support from younger voters, he also made a conscious effort to connect with older folks who might have been a bit more apprehensive about electing a younger person to office. But he says he found their reception and support to be welcoming and invigorating.

Regardless of who you are or who you voted for, Lewis encourages everyone to get informed and involved.

"You don't have to run for office if you don't want to, if you don't have the time or energy to put into it but just get involved. Know who your elected officials are and make sure that they know who you are too," he continued.

Lewis added that can look like attending local party conventions and meetings, or getting involved at the community level with events of various kinds. He contends Utahns will feel less alone and more connected to their communities during a time of high polarization.


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A New Mexico, LGBTQ civil rights group says a debunked claim by the Trump-Vance presidential campaign that "sex changes" are taking place in schools is being repeated by some state candidates.

Trump has regularly promoted claims that educators are "grooming" or "indoctrinating" children to become gay or transgender.

Equality New Mexico Executive Director Marshall Martinez said the fear tactic also is being used by a handful of Republican New Mexico candidates, who frame transphobic messaging as support for women.

"Regardless of the political stance that people have on trans folks and the issues they face," said Martinez, "when these lies are told in our communities, it hurts the trans people in that community."

Republican former member of Congress Yvette Herrell, who is challenging U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez - D-Las Cruces - has been accused of using coded anti-transgender rhetoric.

She has denied the allegation, stating that "pro-woman" is not anti-LGBTQ.

But Herrell previously voted against bipartisan legislation to protect marriage equality, and supported an abortion ban without exceptions for rape or incest.

Martinez said that research done by Equality New Mexico found 53% of state residents have a close personal relationship with someone who is transgender.

"When these politicians or candidates are spreading lies about surgeries," said Martinez, "and about forcing young people to become trans or pushing an agenda, what they're doing is attacking those close personal relationships we all have."

There is no evidence that gender-affirming surgery has ever occurred at a public school in the U.S, or that a school has sent a student to receive the surgery elsewhere.

Already about half of U.S. states ban transition-related surgery for minors - and where it's legal, it's still very rare.

Transgender young people who experience discrimination have been linked to suicidal ideation and self-harm.

OutNebraska's Prairie Pride Film Festival returns for its 14th year this week.

Johnny Redd, communications manager for OutNebraska, said the festival was started because of a lack of cultural events in the Midwest focused on LGBTQ+ stories. Festival changes this year include adding two additional locations and more fiction films.

Redd noted storytelling through films is both entertaining and one of the most impactful ways to shed light on issues.

"Facts and logic can only go so far, and sometimes just being receptive to a story can really be impactful," Redd explained. "We really love the idea of film as an agent of social change and empowerment, and also just celebration and seeing ourselves on the big screen."

The film festival will be in Lincoln on Oct. 17, followed by Hastings and Omaha on Oct. 19 and Oct. 20, respectively. Redd believes one documentary, "Seat 31," will resonate with Nebraskans because of its parallels to the contentious 2023 Nebraska legislative session. It features Zooey Zephyr, Montana's first openly transgender state legislator, who was censured for her outspoken opposition to a ban on gender-affirming care for minors.

Seat 31 shows what the film's publicity describes as Zephyr's "shocking, funny and joyous" experiences on the bench she makes her "office" after being barred from the floor of the Montana House. Redd called the story timely, saying wounds still linger in Nebraska from the passage of Legislative Bill 574.

"I think it's a very inspiring story," Redd emphasized. "She still wanted to be able to do her job, even if she wasn't allowed on the legislative floor. I think this will be pretty healing, to see a story from another state that went through something very similar to us."

As of 2020, there are more than 270 LGBTQ+ film festivals worldwide.