At a time when policy makers in Nebraska are playing politics with transgender students, it is heartwarming to see one entity, the Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education, indicate strongly that all students, including transgender students, should have the opportunity to get a great education:
All Nebraska citizens deserve reasonable and affordable access to postsecondary education opportunities appropriate to their individual needs and abilities, unrestricted by age, culture, disabilities, religion, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, socioeconomic status, or geographic location.2016 Strategic Plan Update
Over a decade ago while attending college in Nebraska, I had the amazing opportunity to promote LGBTQ-affirming policies on over 800 college campuses through an internship in Washington D.C. The most rewarding part of the experience was learning from leaders on college campuses around the country who were doing work each and every day to make it so the next class of LGBTQ students had a better experience.
Returning to school in Nebraska, I conducted a climate study during my senior year, the results of which eventually led to gender-neutral restrooms in many campus buildings.
The leadership of students and faculty on campuses around Nebraska means that several schools in Nebraska have strong nondiscrimination policies, cover transition related healthcare, or have gender-inclusive housing.
There’s much more work that remains to make the values expressed by the Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education a reality. Organizations like the Queer Nebraska Youth Network are building the leadership amongst LGBTQ students and youth in Nebraska.
You can help by joining us in telling Governor Rickett’s to stop playing politics with transgender youth.
Or share the stories of transgender Nebraskans who participated in our Transgender Voices project.
