Bill would make it illegal for employers to discriminate against those in the LGBTQ community

A new bill would increase protections for LGBTQ Nebraskans in the workplace.

Legislators said the bill’s been proposed a number of times over the last several years. Supporters hope this will be the year it passes.

One of those supporters is Luke Peterson.

When he was 19, he came out to his parents, and Peterson said soon after his boss found out.

“The employer of the establishment I was working at pulled me into his office and told me two things I will never forget,” Peterson said. “First was he didn’t condone my immoral behavior and he found me to be a questionable character.”

Peterson said he was fired shortly after.

LB 627, a bill to prohibit discrimination based upon sexual orientation and gender identity would make what happened to Peterson illegal.

“It’s time to protect and encourage all citizens to stay here,” Pansing-Brooks said. “To say we believe in equality before the law and we aren’t going to fire people for the person they love,” said State Senator Patty Pansing Brooks, who introduced the bill.

She said this protection would also encourage those in the LGBTQ community to stay in Nebraska instead of moving elsewhere, filling a big need for more employees in the state.

Religious entities and businesses with less than 15 employees would be exempt from the bill.

The Lincoln Chamber of Commerce and Omaha Chamber of Commerce testified in support of the bill this year. 24 others also spoke in favor of the bill.

Nine testified against.

One of those is Tom Venzor, executive director of the Nebraska Catholic Conference.

“We think LB 627 is unfair, unnecessary and unjust,” Venzor said. “We all agree everyone should be treated with respect but while it tries to deal with discrimination it creates more discrimination.”

He said the bill will force business owners to go against their moral and religious beliefs.

“These laws create endless litigation and headaches for our society on issues where you have reasonable people, people of good will who have disagreements about tough issues,” Venzor said.

Pansing-Brooks said Omaha has had a similar rule in place that hasn’t lead to an increase in litigation.

Venzor doesn’t think the bill will pass.

Peterson does.

“Every time I see this bill go through it progresses to a better and better place, so I’m hopeful this year it will finally happen.”

The bill is heading to general file and will likely be debated on the floor Thursday.