After just one hour of debate Wednesday night, Nebraska lawmakers passed a bill that restricts transgender participation in K-12 and college sports to a student’s “sex” which is now defined in state law by reproductive anatomy.
Sen. Kathleen Kauth of Omaha testifies on Feb. 7, 2025, in support of her bill, LB 89. (Courtesy: Unicameral Update)
LB 89, also called the “Stand With Women Act,” passed 33-16 on May 28 after lawmakers voted to end debate and proceed to a final vote. The bill now heads to Governor Jim Pillen’s desk.
Sponsored by Sen. Kathleen Kauth on behalf of the governor, the law requires students to verify their sex through a document signed by a medical professional to compete in single-sex sports. Female students may compete on male teams only if no female alternative exists. Coed sports are not affected.
The bill applies to private schools if they compete against public schools or belong to an athletic association.
Supporters, including the Nebraska Family Alliance, a Christian faith-based lobbying group, praised the measure as a way to protect fairness and safety in girls’ sports.
“This is a common-sense approach to protect the safety of women and girls in Nebraska,” said Elizabeth Nunnally of NFA. Executive Director Nate Grasz added that the bill “preserves fairness and opportunities” and prevents injuries or losses caused by allowing transgender girls to compete.
Opponents, including the ACLU of Nebraska, criticized the bill as discriminatory and harmful to transgender youth.
“This ban sends a crushing message to young trans Nebraskans and slams the door shut for some kids to fully participate in their school communities,” said Executive Director Mindy Rush Chipman. “The constant targeting of LGBTQ+ Nebraskans must stop.”
The original version of the bill also included restroom restrictions and broader definitions impacting transgender residents, but those provisions were removed after opposition from Sen. Merv Riepe and others. The bill passed in its narrowed form, focused solely on school sports.
The amount of Nebraska students this bill will effect remains unclear. Anna Baeth, director of research at Athlete Ally, an organization that advocates for LGBTQ equality in sports, estimates fewer than 40 of the NCAA’s more than 500,000 athletes are known to be transgender.