Hundreds gather at state capitol for 'Trans Day of Visibility'

LINCOLN — As the Nebraska Legislature debates several bills relating to LGBTQ youth, hundreds gathered at the state capitol for "Trans Day of Visibility" Friday evening.

The day is recognized as an international day of observance, something that began 14 years ago.

The rally came as multiple bills have been introduced in Nebraska this year that would affect largely LGBTQ youth, including LB 574, LB 575 and LB 371.

Abbi Swatsworth, executive director of OutNebraska, told the Nebraska Examiner that Friday’s observance was about drawing attention to multiple forms of discrimination that transgender people face daily.

“This is a heavy time for our community, but especially for transgender folks,” Swatsworth said while addressing the crowd.

The rally came on the same day that students at multiple Omaha schools coordinated walkouts in support of transgender students.