On June 4, 2025, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen signed into law a measure banning transgender students from participating in girls’ sports, aligning Nebraska with at least 24 other states that have enacted similar legislation.
The law, introduced by Senator Kathleen Kauth, was passed after breaking a filibuster by a single, party-line vote. The original bill also sought to ban transgender students from using bathrooms and locker rooms that align with their gender identity, but this provision was dropped after opposition from a Republican senator. Kauth has vowed to revive this aspect in the next legislative session.
Proponents of the law argue that it protects fairness for cisgender female athletes. Critics, including the ACLU of Nebraska, decry it as discriminatory and unnecessary given that fewer than 10 transgender students have applied to participate in school sports since 2018.
The law has sparked controversy, with advocates like former swimmer Riley Gaines supporting it, and opponents arguing it marginalizes transgender youth and undermines LGBTQ+ rights.
In response to the new law, the University of Nebraska and other Cornhusker State colleges and universities are reviewing their athletic policies to ensure compliance. The law’s impact on recruitment, team dynamics, and student-athlete experiences is still unfolding.
As the legal landscape continues to evolve, Nebraska’s higher education institutions are navigating the complexities of balancing state mandates with institutional values of inclusion and equity.
