NEBRASKA -- Twenty Nebraska faith and non-profit leaders are urging Sen. Ben Sasse and Sen. Deb Fischer to support the Equality Act, which is currently pending through the Senate.

Supporters say the bill would expand civil rights protections for black women, the LGBTQ community, and other marginalized groups.

OutNebraska's executive director, Abbi Swatsworth, said it would provide explicit protection against housing and business discrimination.

Swatsworth also noted that she believes passing it in Nebraska would encourage young people and businesses to relocate to the state.

"There are over 600 business that support the Equality Act. A lot of them are Fortune 500 that are looking to relocate [...] Without this sort of law, Nebraska doesn't really stack up well because a lot of them want non-discrimination for their employees," Swatsworth said. 

Swatsworth said one misconception is that it's not a widely supported bill, but she claims it is, noting how many faith leaders expressed support. 

“As people of faith, we are tasked with sharing God’s Word and love in care and service to all,” Rev. Dr. Damon Laaker, Pastor of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church said in a press release. “LGBTQ people are our neighbors, friends, co-workers, and are part of our families. The Equality Act is our commitment to upholding dignity and fairness for all God’s children no matter who they are or who they love.”

“This isn’t a partisan issue, it’s an American issue,” said MaryLee Moutlon, Co-President of League of Women Voters of Nebraska.

An April 20th pdf from American Progress outlined what the bill does:

 A full letter from the organizations is as follows:

 

October 14, 2021 

Dear Sens. Ben Sasse and Deb Fischer, 

As a broad coalition of Nebraska organizations that support dignity and fairness for LGBTQ Nebraskans, we strongly support the Equality Act, federal legislation which would enact comprehensive nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ Americans nationwide. 

We can all agree that all Nebraskans should be free to contribute to their communities and go about their daily lives without fear of discrimination. No one should be at risk of being denied housing or refused service simply because of who they are or who they love.

Nebraska is home to an estimated 67,000 residents who identify as LGBTQ. They are our coworkers, neighbors, family and friends. But because of a lack of statewide protections and critical gaps in federal laws, LGBTQ Nebraskans are vulnerable to discrimination in key areas of life, including healthcare, housing, and federally funded programs and services.

The Equality Act would provide consistent and explicit anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people across key areas of life. These common-sense protections have broad and deep support across lines of political party, religion, demographics, and geography. Public support is at an all-time high, with a strong majority of Nebraskans saying they support protections, including 76 percent of Americans and 62 percent of Republicans.

In recognition of this overwhelming support, we urge all Nebraskans, including our members of Congress, to publicly support the Equality Act. America is ready for these long overdue protections, and Nebraska is ready for the continued leadership of our elected officials to create a fairer, safer place for all LGBTQ people.

Signed, 

ACLU of Nebraska 
Bold Nebraska
Cause Collective, Inc.
ECLA Nebraska Synod
Episcopal Church of the Resurrection 
First Lutheran Church Lincoln NE
Grace Community
Grace Ev. Lutheran Church
Heartland Gender Identity Connection
League of Women Voters of Greater Omaha
League of Women Voters of Nebraska
Nebraska Appleseed
Nebraska Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence
Nebraska Competes 
Nebraska State Education Association
OutNebraska
Planned Parenthood North Central States
River City Gender Alliance (RCGA) 
Women's Fund of Omaha
YWCA Lincoln