Nebraska state senator Machaela Cavanaugh has become the first lawmaker in the state to filibuster every single bill from consideration in protest of LB574, also known as the “Let Them Grow Act”. The bill seeks to ban gender-affirming care for everyone under 19 and penalize providers of that care. According to the Washington Post, the senator has been filibustering for seven weeks, discussing not only the topic at hand but also her love of potatoes, Easter Sunday, and other topics that come to mind.
Filibusters are relatively rare in most state legislatures, but are common in Nebraska as a way of forcing compromise on bills. The state only has one chamber, a 49-member Senate with 32 Republicans and 17 Democrats. While it only takes a simple majority to pass a bill in the chamber, 33 votes are required to break a filibuster, and supporters of LB574 do not have the necessary votes, Democratic lawmakers have said.
Cavanaugh’s filibuster brings attention to the plight of trans youth, as the Let Them Grow Act seeks to prohibit gender-affirming care for individuals under 19, with penalties for providers of such care. The bill has been met with opposition from LGBTQ+ advocates who claim it is an attempt to erase their existence and legislate hate.
Despite pausing her filibuster at the end of March, Cavanaugh’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. Now, a group of lawmakers has pledged to join her in filibustering the bill, according to the Associated Press. The senator’s actions have been viewed as a display of true allyship, with others urging progressive lawmakers to take note.
Thus far, 136 bills have been introduced in state legislatures around the country that seek to ban or limit gender-affirming care, with 13 states having enacted laws that ban medication and surgical care for trans youth, according to the Movement Advancement Project. Additionally, other states have taken non-legislative steps to ban or restrict care for trans youth, but have not written those bans into law.
Cavanaugh has urged her colleagues to focus on bills that would address the economy and other significant pieces of legislation, instead of prioritizing “legislating hate.” She believes that the people in power need to start making choices that are best for Nebraska, including addressing child care subsidies, food insecurity, and education.
The senator’s actions bring attention to the ongoing battle for LGBTQ+ rights and highlights the importance of allies in the fight for equality. As the Let Them Grow Act continues to make its way through the Nebraska legislature, advocates for trans youth hope that Cavanaugh’s efforts will help to prevent the bill from becoming law.