Nebraska Approves the Divisive Prohibition on Transgender Sportsmen

Legislators in Nebraska approved a contentious bill Wednesday night that would prohibit transgender students from participating in gender-neutral school sports teams.

The state’s single-chamber Legislature passed the measure 33–16, making Nebraska the 27th state to impose this kind of restriction.

“It’s just common sense that girls shouldn’t have to compete against biological boys,” tweeted Republican Governor Jim Pillen, who had originally proposed the bill’s passage.

This month, the “Stand with Women Act,” which was introduced by Senator Kathleen Kauth, was dropped of its restroom restrictions but retained its fundamental prohibition against transgender athletes participating in gender-aligned sports. Senator Loren Lippincott, the bill’s co-sponsor, justified it by stating that “L.B. 89 is not about shutting doors.” It’s important to open the appropriate ones.

There was strong opposition from LGBTQ advocates and policymakers. In response, Sen. John Fredrickson said, “We want to protect women.” We also know, I believe, that this is not the proper approach.

The first openly LGBTQ lawmaker from Nebraska, Sen. Megan Hunt, didn’t mince words: “We’re utilizing our position to punch down. We’re not improving school safety or sports equity. A very small percentage of children are being singled out for survival.

The Nebraska School Activities Association has already complied with the federal edict prohibiting transgender athletes issued by President Trump in 2025. As lawsuits in other states and more federal scrutiny surround gender identification in youth sports, the state joins a national legal and cultural war.