LINCOLN- This session, a myriad of proposals have been introduced in the Nebraska Legislature that some see as restrictive for LGBTQ individuals, including bills that place restrictions on what bathrooms transgender youth could use, and which sports teams they can participate in. However, several bills have been introduced to counter these proposals, like one that expands nondiscrimination policies to include gender identity and sexual orientation and another to broaden the definition of marriage.

In response to the more restrictive proposals, state Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh vowed to bring the Legislature to a "screeching halt" unless the bills were revoked. Sen. John Fredrickson, the first openly gay male senator to serve in the Nebraska Legislature, said that several of these more restrictive bills would "chip away" at LGBTQ rights.

"In Nebraska, we haven't seen anything quite as aggressive and bold as what we're seeing this year," said Fredrickson, "so it's an interesting year to start, for sure, given this kind of unprecedented dynamic. But at the same time, we're also seeing some really great, proactive legislation to ensure that the community is protected." Sen. Fredrickson introduced several pieces of proactive legislation, including LB179, which would prohibit conversion therapy in Nebraska, a practice he defined as "deceptive," and LB316, which would remove a provision in state law that restricts people with sexually transmitted diseases from getting married.

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