Lobby days at the Unicameral bring about a variety of people with different political beliefs, backgrounds, and experiences. For many, it’s an opportunity to make their voices heard on issues that affect them; for some, it’s a change to fight for their rights and basic governmental protection against various forms of societal discrimination and oppression. I fell into the latter group as I made my way into the Nebraska State Capitol Building on Wednesday with around 40 other people to meet with our state senators. This particular lobby day was organized by OutNebraska, a Nebraska nonprofit dedicated to advocacy on LGBTQ+ issues and creating a community of civically engaged LGBTQ+ Nebraskans. 

The main focus for the lobbyists was LB627, a workplace nondiscrimination bill that was introduced last year and carried over into the short legislative session. The bill would make it illegal for private employers to discriminate against a potential hire or employee based on their gender identity and/or sexual orientation. In the three different times such a bill has been introduced into the Nebraska legislature, many state senators have retorted that this doesn’t happen in their districts or that they don’t know anyone this has happened to. This is mostly due to the fact that people that this does happen to aren’t going to be vocal about it out of fear of either losing their job or not being able to find another one.  

lobbyists in purple shirts talk to their state senator

I was able to meet with my hometown state senator, Dan Hughes, and tell him my story. When I was 17, I experienced harassment regarding my sexual orientation from a coworker. I didn’t report the harassment, because I thought I would be fired. I was working 50-60 hours a week and this job accounted for about half of those hours, so I couldn’t risk losing it. At the time, my single mother was working a lot, and I worked to support myself and the family. The combined harassment and fear of losing my job due to my sexual orientation hung over me like a dark cloud for the entirety of that summer. It disturbed my mental health and even the ability to do my job properly because of having an unsafe environment to work in.  

My story is not unique and is similar to many more stories of other LGBT+ Nebraskans. Many individuals besides myself shared their personal stories of experiencing discrimination and harassment in their workplace with their senators. We just want to be able to live freely and without fear of discrimination while working to support ourselves and our families. This event was the first of its kind for LBGTQ+ Nebraskans, but it certainly won’t be the last, as we will keep fighting forward for progress and equality. 

Date

Thursday, March 12, 2020 - 3:30pm

Featured image

Photo taken from above and angled down. Nebrakans wearing purple shirts pose in the Nebraska Capitol Rotunda

LGBT+ Nebraskans stand in the center of the Nebraska State Capitol Building Rotunda

Show featured image

Hide banner image

Tweet Text

[node:title]

Related issues

LGBTQ+ Rights

Show related content

Author:
Mar Lee

Menu parent dynamic listing

273

Show PDF in viewer on page

Style

Standard with sidebar

Nebraskans agree that high school activities and athletic events should be a place where being a good sport is the common standard and where students of all backgrounds are treated with respect.

Disappointingly, hateful and racist taunts have been repeatedly directed towards students of color at several recent school-sponsored athletic events.

Comments such as "go back to where you came from" and chants of "build the wall" have been directed at Latinx students in Lexington. Racist remarks resulted in a physical altercation following a girls' basketball game between Lincoln High and Fremont High Schools.

The ACLU of Nebraska is pushing for change with the Immigrant Legal Center, Latino American Commission, LasVoces Grand Island, LasVoces Lincoln, Lincoln Commission on Human Rights, Nebraska Hispanic Bar Association, Nebraska Indian Education Association, Stand in for Lincoln, and the Trinidad Center.

We're asking you to add your voice to those calling for change. 

Sign our petition to tell the Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA) to make school athletic events safer and more welcoming for everyone by collecting data on racist incidents taking place across the state, ensuring penalties are applied to teams repeatedly participating in this kind of conduct, and establishing a public complaint process for people who witness concerning behavior.

Our community has shown incredible support to students targeted by these hateful comments, but we don't want it to stop there. We want to make it clear that hate has no home in our state.

Remember, We the People means all of us. Let's make sure all kids feel safe stepping onto the court, field, or track.

Date

Tuesday, March 10, 2020 - 10:00am

Featured image

Basketball goes through hoop

Show featured image

Hide banner image

Tweet Text

[node:title]

Show related content

Author:
Rose Godinez

Menu parent dynamic listing

273

Show PDF in viewer on page

Style

Standard with sidebar

Pages

Subscribe to ACLU of Nebraska RSS