State of the State

Whenever someone asks me "how are things with the LGBTQ community" or "what is the state of rights for LGBTQ Nebraskans," I often times want to respond back with "can you be more specific?"

The reality is that different parts of our community have different experiences. Only some of the stories are told in the mainstream media. Only some are told by our own community.

By and large, what the LGBTQ community wants is pretty basic: to be treated fairly by government, to feel save and secure in our communities, and to be respected by our families, schools and workplaces.

I asked a few people, with different backgrounds and perspectives, to tell me a bit about the state of the LGBT community to them.

Lisa, a Chicago transplant

I’ve been excited that people care to stand up and demand to be counted and demand to be treated fairly. That people are willing, sometimes at personal risk, and sacrifice to demand equality for themselves, their neighbors or coworkers, that is what gives me the most hope.

This past year I personally found out just how difficult it is to traverse legal issues (e.g. marriage, death, health) and how the patchwork system of “gay” marriage and civil unions across America only make it harder, not easier.

I’ve been proud to volunteer with Outlinc (Lincoln’s LGBT community center) and having an opportunity to be a part of the LGBT community and the greater community of Lincoln and vehicle of change. It gives a face and a voice to my story and the stories of people like me in and around Lincoln.

I’d really like to see anti-discrimination policies to protect LGBT people and their families from job loss, loss of home, etc. In other words, offer the same type of protections given to people due to race, gender, religion, etc.

Carrie, mid 40s, lesbian.

The several deaths by suicide of LGBT or perceived LGBT youth have troubled me. It was more than a year ago, but a young man who lived not far from Omaha took his own life after his parents rejected him. This is a problem that affects every community.

I'm happy about the Heartland Proclamation. I am very hopeful that having vocal supporters of faith will be the boost we need to pass a non-discrimination employment ordinance in Omaha.

We are seeing more support than ever from straight allies. Similar to the civil rights movement, those allies who aren't part of our community will make the difference.

Mark, middle-aged, gay male

Next year I want to see the promoting and nurturing of a growing sense of community. Even in our LGBTQ family, we can experience boundaries between sexual identities, ages, singles and couples. I can understand that some same-gender couples can feel settled and comfortable in their families and neighborhoods, and don’t seek support for their journey; however, their involvement in the larger community can be a help to others.

I’ve been troubled by mean-spirited statements intended to raise fear among the general populace about LGBTQ persons, setting up an “us versus them” mentality. These statements are spoken and written by local political candidates, and by spokespersons purport to represent religious groups, Christianity in particular.

I’ve been excited by collaborations between various LGBTQA community groups and other supportive entities –bridge building. An example is the “Celebration of Love,” event for LGBT couples and persons, co-sponsored by Plymouth Pride Fellowship and Outlinc in July 2011.

I find in my conversations with young adults and students, that sexual orientation, sexual identity, and equal rights and marriage for all persons are a non-issue. Unless they have been taught to hate by adults in their lives, the next generations support equal rights and protections for all. Further, the repeal of DADT forwards the community conversation about fairness and partner benefits.

Blankbody, a genderqueer person who feels my body is my canvas. I'm a therapist, educator, activist, and student of life.

I work on HIV policy and practice, especially within the transgender community, and was very excited to have Indian Health Services, Office of Minority Health and Office of Women's health all incorporate transgender education and outreach with their programs.

The recent spike in transgender violence, especially in Washington DC was very troublesome to me.

I would like to see federal legislation that protects the rights of all workers, especially the LGBT community. Employment non-discrimination act needs to be passed to ensure we can all actively and productively participate in civil society.

I find that my hope and passion often stems from my reading and learning about decolonization of Africa, especially the end of apartheid in South Africa and the civil rights movement in the U.S. The spirit of the domestic black community encourages me to be a better person in the face of discrimination, both overt and subtle.

Brian, a gay christian

If the gay community could find a way to be celebrated in locals churches, praised for their accomplishments in their employments with the passing of ENDA, and protected in their schools by a Nebraska state-wide anti-bully policy that was enumerated for LGBTQ students, I believe then, we would have the support structure in place to reduced the harm and suffering of the gay community.

In this last year, I have become increasingly involved in bettering my local gay community through PFLAG and other local organizations. While I have seen great progress, I have also come into contact with the ideals of gay neutrality. Locals churches and schools try to wander around the subject of homosexuality and gender identity issues by not talking about them publicly or celebrating them openly before their congregations. Most local churches worry more about the bank accounts from tithers than the persecutions that are faced by the gay community. I would say that my local chapter of PFLAG is not worried about monetary contributions but the joy of helping people.

Sadly, most of the gay community doesn't attend from lack of commitment or fear of being to public with their lives. Nebraska is a large state with a diverse population. The communities are usually focused on Lincoln and Omaha. But Grand Island has recently had is first gay pride march over the summer, and the formation of Grand Island Senior High School's first gay-straight alliance. It’s my belief that there is a movement that is pushing progress ahead in this area and I can only imagine what momentum will be seen in the upcoming year.

---

There are some areas that you can help make a real difference for LGBT people in Nebraska during the next year:

• Employment Protections: You can be fired for who you love in Nebraska. Groups in Omaha and now Lincoln are working to expand existing employment protections to include sexual orientation and gender identity. Fair employment legislation at the state level could also be expanded.
• Foster Parenting: Our state is in crisis and children are suffering. We have a pool of caring, loving and qualified individuals willing to be foster parents, but children are being denied the opportunity to be placed in these loving homes.
• Criminal Justice Reform: As a target of intolerance and discrimination anywhere, LGBT and HIV positive people are often at special risk when interacting with law enforcement. Harassment and neglect from those we pay to keep our communities safe is unacceptable, and law enforcement needs continuing education that sends this message.

You can read more about the state of others laws that impact the LGBT community by visiting ACLU Nebraska.

At the end of the day, I don’t want the state of our community to be defined by a list of rights that we have and rights that we want. I want our community to be defined by our capacity to look at the needs of every single member or our community and say we will not rest until each and every one of those needs has been met.

by Tyler Richard