LGBTQ community rallies in Lincoln on Transgender Day of Visibility

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Members of the LGBTQ community gathered on the Capitol steps Monday to show their support for trans Nebraskans on the Transgender Day of Visibility.

“Today, we are here to draw attention to the discrimination faced by transgender people, to lift up the creativity and resilience of the community and to center trans voices and trans joy,” OutNebraska Executive Director Abbi Swatsworth said.

The rally was also a protest of two proposed legislative bills that would restrict rights for this portion of the Nebraska population:

• LB 574, which would prohibit gender-affirming health care for people under 19.
• LB 575, which would prohibit athletes from participating in sports designated for the sex opposite their sex assigned at birth. The same rule would apply to school bathrooms.

The event was also an opportunity for members of this community to share their stories.

Isabella Manhard began identifying as nonbinary around ninth grade. They believe there are other issues that deserve more attention.

“We could be focusing on broadband, we could be focusing on getting more health care in our rural areas,” Isabella said. “But instead of doing that, legislators and senators are trying to convince these people that these issues matter, which they don’t. These are not Nebraska problems.”

Parents of trans youth also showed their support. Holly Richie’s son began identifying as trans when he was very young.

“He knew from a very young age who he was and from the time he could say no, he was expressing who he was and he has never wavered from that,” Richie said. “He has been consistent and persistent about who he is.”

There were no counter-rallies held.