Voices rose and personal digs were exchanged Tuesday as the Nebraska Legislature opened debate on the controversial issue of banning minors from obtaining some gender-affirming procedures.
And there was an offer of a compromise, but bill sponsors are unsure if they can get the proposal, designed to increase support and advance the measure, up for debate amid an emotional filibuster.
State Senator Kathleen Kauth of Omaha is the sponsor of Legislative Bill 574 and says her proposal was about protecting children from “irreversible and often dangerous procedures” to alter their gender — specifically, puberty blockers, hormone therapies and genital or non-genital surgeries.
Opponents, led by Omaha Sen. Megan Hunt, said LB 574 was about “bigotry, discrimination and hate,” and about denying the rights of parents and physicians to determine what’s best for their children and patients.
The Nebraska Examiner reports that Kauth introduced a compromise amendment that would ban surgical procedures but not gender treatments that involve drugs. She says the amendment was an attempt to address the greatest concerns expressed by some senators unsure about voting for the original bill. If adopted, Kauth said, the compromise would lead to the 33 votes necessary to end the filibuster and advance LB 574.
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