Members of Nebraska's LGBTQ+ community and their supporters saw positive actions at both the state and federal level this month.

At the state level, LB-575 failed to pass.

The bill would have required Nebraska transgender youth to participate in the sports and use the facilities that correspond with their biological gender, as determined by their chromosomes.

At the federal level, the Department of Education "expanded and clarified" Title IX protections for LGBTQ+ youth.

Johnny Redd, communications manager with OutNebraska, said the Title IX clarification in addition to the failure of LB-575 makes it feel like there's hope for the LGBTQ+ struggle in Nebraska.

"We definitely changed some hearts and minds," said Redd. "There's been these patterns of very hostile legislation towards LGBTQ youth, specifically trans youth. And it's getting more common, so having these Title IX protections that federally protect trans students is really important."

The U.S. Department of Education's "Final Rule Amending the Title IX Regulations" makes it clear that schools are responsible to protect students against all types of sex-based discrimination - including based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

It also requires schools to "respond promptly" to any complaint of sex discrimination, and inform parents and students of their "nondiscrimination policies."

A Washington Post study points to a trickle-down effect of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, which has increased dramatically since 2015.

It found police-reported LGBTQ+ hate crimes against K-12 students more than doubled nationwide in 2021 and 2022, compared with 2015-2019.

But in states that had enacted restrictive anti-LGBTQ+ laws, this type of hate crime had quadrupled.

State Sen. Kathleen Kauth - R-Omaha - introduced LB 575, and the bill behind Nebraska's new law restricting gender-affirming health care for transgender youths.

She said she plans to re-introduce LB-575 next year if she's re-elected.

Redd said these Title IX protections increase the likelihood it would fail a legal challenge, if it became law.

"LB 575 definitely did open up the state to lawsuits," said Redd, "but I feel like the case would be even stronger with these new strengthened Title IX protections."

The ACLU is currently involved with legal challenges to 175 anti-LGBTQ laws.

Executive orders have been issued by Indiana Gov. Mike Braun that restrict state funds from promoting gender identity and ban transgender women from women's college sports.

One order directs the Indiana Commission for Higher Education to enforce a 2020 Title IX rule, not a 2024 rule, ensuring transgender women cannot compete in women's sports. A review in 2026 will assess compliance among Indiana colleges.

Braun's orders follow President Donald Trump's February executive order barring transgender athletes from girls' and women's sports.

"This is crafted to be maybe similar to it," Braun said. "It is crafted by us to address our point of view here in Indiana."

Trump's 2024 campaign promise to "keep men out of women's sports" gained broad support. A national AP VoteCast survey found most respondents believe government support for transgender rights has gone too far.

A separate order requires state agencies to recognize only male and female genders based on birth sex. The Bureau of Motor Vehicles will stop issuing driver's licenses with an "X" gender marker. The Department of Health will challenge birth certificate changes, although courts retain final authority over those requests.

Braun said biological sex is written in humans' DNA.

"Replacing the scientific fact biological sex with the ever-shifting self-reported idea of gender identity as real consequences put women in danger in females-only places like prisons," he said. "It destroys our opportunities for women in sports."

Transgender-rights advocates have said these orders unfairly target a small, vulnerable group. Critics argue the policies prioritize politics over fairness. Legal experts expect challenges, but it remains unclear what legal actions will follow.


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As many nonprofit organizations see a decrease in funding and donations, one charity is stepping up to ensure organizations run by women of color don't suffer unequally.

The Women's Foundation of the South raises funds - and awards grants to programs, services, and resources for Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and Asian women, and girls.

Founding President and CEO Carmen James Randolph said they created the charity to address the funding gap.

"We receive the least amount of philanthropic investment, as well as the smallest share of investment capital to support our businesses," said Randolph. "So, we exist to shift this trend of underinvestment."

She said they are helping 120 organizations across Arkansas and four other southern states. They hope to expand to 13 states by 2026.

A study by the Ms. Foundation for Women shows that nonprofit organizations led by women of color receive about 50% less in funding from charities and foundations.

Randolph said the women are doing more with less.

"More than 50% of women in some of our states, in the south, are living in prenatal care and maternal care deserts," said Randolph. "So, you have nonprofits that are picking up the slack and working to provide these critical services, and they are so deeply under resourced."

She added that although women of color have successfully operated corporations and organizations, they still face what's known as "trust philanthropy."

"And I think in the south you have those issues of trust," said Randolph, "combining with long standing issues with racism and patriarchy where they all combine."

Randolph said they hope to change the economic trajectory of at least 2.5 million women and girls of color by 2031.





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New Mexico's 2025 Legislature will make history next week, convening with the largest percentage of women in the U.S., based on its total number of members.

Female legislators in New Mexico will hold a 54% majority, thanks to voters electing 11 additional women in November, both Democrats and Republicans.

Rep. Joy Garratt, D-Albuquerque, believes issues tackled by lawmakers are more comprehensive when deliberations include women.

"They have the kinds of concerns for family issues, children's issues, educational issues that, of course, many men share as well," Garratt pointed out. "But women -- who still, to this day, receive lower salaries in so many professions -- really need to be seated at the table."

Women hold 44 seats in the New Mexico House compared to 24 held by men, while men still hold a majority in the state Senate, with 26 of 42 seats. The legislature now has 33 Democratic and 11 Republican women. Nevada became the first state to elect a female legislative majority in 2018, but its legislature has 37 fewer seats than New Mexico.

Garratt noted women in New Mexico's legislature range in age from 26 to 78, representing a wide range of lived experiences. In addition, she said 25 of the 33 Democratic reps are women of color.

"That's another under-represented group in our elected bodies that New Mexico has really pioneered," Garratt emphasized. "It's not only that we have these large numbers of women running and winning but we have women of all ethnicities and backgrounds."

According to Garratt, the significant shift in representation is a bit ironic, considering just eight years ago, women were forced to make a long trek just to find a restroom at the Roundhouse. One was finally installed in 2018 near the House chamber.


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