2023 March 22, Wednesday
BlairToday Staff
Whether you like it or not, whether you want it to happen or not, and whether or not you think it’s even worth the time it took to write this, the “trans” debate is here. By “here,” I mean, Nebraska. More specifically, on the agenda of Blair, Nebraska’s own, State Senator, Ben Hansen – who believes it should not be legal to for children to have permanent, life-altering decisions made about their bodies.
State Senator Hansen asked State Senator Machaela Cavanaugh why there are laws forbidding sex between a 12-year-old and an adult. He said this question was to draw a comparison between the bill and those laws, which many senators have mentioned in debate, comparing gun ownership, sex, drugs, and alcohol or other issues to LB 574. Cavanaugh said there is no comparison between a crime and a medical decision.
Hansen also said it’s typical to hold off on care “until the science is clear,” and that he always thought the prudent thing was to not perform medical procedures or prescribe medications, but the bill is promoting doing so in the name of mental health care​. Source: Second day of debate on trans health care bill brings personal stories to forefront | Nebraska Examiner​.
State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln, a civil rights attorney, criticized the push for the bill, saying that parents, children, and doctors are not confused regarding gender-affirming care, and accused senators of joining a national push against trans people.
She said, “You’ll throw away the Constitution, you’ll throw away your conscience, you’ll throw away the truth, you’ll throw away this institution to pursue a hateful, divisive national playbook.” She also challenged her colleagues to speak out against the bill, saying, “Don’t follow hate. Be a leader, not a follower. Find an opportunity to move Nebraska forward instead of dragging it into a national muck of hate and harm and divisiveness”​ Source: Second day of debate on trans health care bill brings personal stories to forefront | Nebraska Examiner​.
What is your opinion? Do you think Senator Hansen is right about this? Or, do you believe the state should allow children to have these permanent, life-altering procedures?
These are issues which are before you, whether you want them or not. Your opinion matters and which ever way you believe, you should contact the Senator’s office to let your voice be heard.
