Just your average trans country girl (Yes I grew up on a farm) trying to make her way in the big city…lawyer, activist and all around BAB Vice Chair
@aplahealth
Five years ago I sat down and did an interview with David Ono the anchor of ABC 7 News in Los Angeles. I spoke of my life and my transition. If you want a sense of what it’s like to be trans and transition.
This is how legislators who respect human rights are greeted. The ones who choose to use the power of government to intrude into personal, family and medical lives of others have to slink out the back door.
I went through a McDonalds drive-thru for lunch today. After I paid the young lady said have a nice day and closed the window. She then opened it back up and said “I just wanted you to know that I think you are really pretty.”
The kids are alright!
We will be watching to see how the other senators respond to this in the morning. We used to have respectable individuals who served in the legislature and we will see if there are any left. There is no defense to these vile comments and the disrespect shown to Sen Cavanaugh.
Tonight one of my colleagues read a rape scene from a book inserting my name repeatedly. It was gross, disrespectful, and beneath the Nebraska Unicameral.
@ErinInTheMorn
She was on the committee that heard the testimony on the bill (LB574). I got to speak with her after I testified against the bill and she has the back of the trans kids of Nebraska. We are very lucky to have her and a number of other Senators who are fighting for the kids.
Hypothetically speaking is Nebraska ready to elect a trans person to serve in the legislature?
#NeLeg
Farm kid who graduated from a rural high school
UNL and law college grad
Neb Army Guard Vet
Former legislative aide
Former staffer for Virginia Smith
Retired prosecutor
?????
Nine years ago I totally changed the direction of my life and publicly announced my transition. While it hasn’t always been an easy road to travel, my life is significantly better because of that decision. Transition improved my quality of life as it has done for many tans people
This is my 62nd birthday. I’m extremely thankful that I have made it this far in life. I never thought that I would be this old. For years I was unhappy and depressed. Eight years ago I transitioned and my life has gotten exponentially better. Gender affirming care is amazing.
Waiting on my flight to Lincoln. See you at
#neleg
where we will stop LB 574. Let these senators know that that they are not medical professionals and they need to stay out of the medical decisions of families, patients and doctors.
I’m a Nebraska trans woman. The voices of trans people and others in the queer community won’t be silenced. I’m proud to stand with my community as we face hostile government agents who seek to use the power of government to make our lives harder. We won’t be erased. Love wins.
As we continue to celebrate Pride Month, check out
@nebstonewalldem
in this awesome pic representing
@NOH8Campaign
.
Photos feature subjects with duct tape over their mouths, symbolizing their voices being silenced by hate legislation around the world.
#NebDems
#VoteBluein2024
A big win for the kids in Plattsmouth with the extremist school board member getting recalled. Tremendous effort was put in to educate the voters and it shows in the results. It wasn’t even close. Congratulations to the recall committee 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🇺🇸
Heading back home to Omaha to make sure that LD 31 has a change in representation this next election. My state Senator believes I should be required to use the boys bathrooms at all the public schools in Nebraska. Kauth is an extremist who needs to be sent packing.
It was a long day with some very emotional testimony. Not a single medical provider testified in favor of these regulations but many testified against them. Patients, parents and providers deserve to have the right to determine what is the appropriate care in their circumstances.
It is exactly that. It’s why I’m coming back to defend my community from these Christian extremists. They view it as a religious social issue and not a medical issue.
Bus?? Naw, I flew into Omaha and rented a car. And unlike the people brought in from out of state no one paid for my multiple trips. I came home to fight against this bill because this is such an important issue. Important enough to retire and move back earlier than I had planned
No, Paul. There were no busses bringing people in. These were the people of Nebraska showing up that I have seen time and time again showing up against the opposition. The only people that bring people from out of state is Kauth
In 2021 there were 105 new HIV infections diagnosed in Nebraska. At a cost of $5,000 a month for treatment that’s over $500,000 a month in increased medical costs. Needle exchanges drop the rate of new infections and help people get off of IV drug use. It’s cost effective.
Yeah we’ll override that :)
Pillen cites a lot of misinformation in his reasoning for vetoing the bill, but my colleagues understand that LB 307 is tailored to the needs of Nebraskans through input of local experts, stakeholders and practitioners.
#NELeg
Headed back to Nebraska to lobby against
#LB574
. We are now to the point of having to fight an abortion ban and a ban on trans youth gender affirming care in one bill.
I received a call this morning from some poor gal who wanted to know if I would be voting for Kauth for the LD31 seat because she had “kept her promises.” I told her I would when hell froze over. She said that was great. Maybe she missed the sarcasm….vote for
@MaryAnn4NE
LD31.
@JinkiesJerrica
You are rocking girl! I was 53 when I started HRT almost 7 years ago. I’m now 60 and loving my life so much. The picture on the left is the day I started on estrogen. Safe to say it has done wonders for me on so many levels.
He’s talking to the parents of the kids who spoke to Senators Riepe and Brandt. Something that Kauth refused to do. Her hate was defeated by love 🩵🩷🏳️⚧️🩷🩵
The highlight of my 2023 was buying a house in Omaha and becoming a Nebraskan again. I’ve been encouraged to run for office and I am weighing my options. One thing I know is 2024 is the year of
#OutWithKauth
Let’s make her
#oneanddone
I made it back to LA late last night to make it to the USC Gould School of Law graduation ceremony this morning to see my youngest son get his law degree. He is my third child to graduate law school following in the footsteps of his older sisters.
@vince_powers
My mom was a state GOP rep from the 3rd District for years. She was a trailblazer. She would never have done something like this. I remember when Nebraska Republican Women had class. I worked with some of them. Virginia Smith and Kay Orr
Merry Christmas to all my family and friends. This has truly been a remarkable year. Moving back to Nebraska and getting called a man by my state Senator wasn’t on my bingo card for 2023 but here we are. Here’s to seeing this is her last year in the Nebraska legislature.
Spending my birthday gathering signatures for
@SOSNebraska
and
@POR2024
in western Nebraska today. If you are in Dundy County and want to sign I will be at the museum.
Arrived back home in Omaha in time to see this amazing sunset as we landed. Nebraska has the most amazing sunsets. Just one of the many reasons why I love Nebraska.
When I turned 18 in 1979 I registered to vote as a Republican and for the last 44 years I remained one. When I obtained my Nebraska drivers license today I changed my voter registration and registered as a Democrat. It felt good to distance myself from a party I don’t recognize.
Rule 2 Sec. 7(b) of your rules state that “no member shall use profane or abusive words when speaking to or about another member”. By inserting
@senatormachaela
he crossed the line. He violated your rules in an inappropriate manner and he needs to be held accountable.
My own party, the
@NEGOP
, now opposes censuring Sen. Halloran for describing a graphic rape with Sen. Cavanaugh as the victim. He even called it a “how to” guide for rape.
If you talked about raping a coworker at YOUR job, would you expect to have professional consequences?
I became a Nebraska resident again today after 37 years in California. I ran into the amazing
@OutNebraska
team returning from a conference. I’m glad that Abbi and Aryn were the first people I got to see here. We have a lot of work ahead of us to protect the LGBTQ+ community.
Today I got to do something I haven’t done in Nebraska since 1986 - I voted in a Nebraska election! I voted for people that are not H8’ers. It was especially gratifying to get to vote for
@MaryAnn4NE
who will be a much better legislator than the current occupant of the seat.
Had a great time on a panel with two other LGBTQ lawyers at the OUTLaw meeting at the UNL Law College today. It was nice getting back to my school and seeing all the changes that they have made over the last few years. I’m looking forward to working with our future lawyers more.
I officially became a homeowner in Omaha yesterday. I left Nebraska as a new law school graduate in 1987 and I’m returning home after a successful 35 year career as Los Angeles County deputy district attorney. I want to give back to the state that gave me the tools to succeed.
When I graduated high school in 1979 I was awarded an ARMY ROTC scholarship that paid for full tuition, books and fees and provided a monthly stipend. I was recruited by USC and MIT. I elected to get my education in Nebraska. All my education was from Nebraska public schools.
For Transgender Day of Visibility I traveled by bus to LAX, flew to Phoenix and walked around the airport there and then flew home to Omaha. Looking forward to getting more involved as the legislative session winds down and the election season heats up.
Getting ready to do a presentation to the San Diego Bar Association as part of their Dialogue on Diversity series. I’m speaking along with Mia Yamamoto about what is happening in relationship to transgender rights today.
I recently received the fall issue of the
@UNLCollegeofLaw
Transcript. I was surprised to see my admission to the US Supreme Court bar announcement in the ALUMNotes section. I am very proud to be a graduate of both UNL (BA in Political Science) and UNL College of Law. GBR
Wishing all my fellow Veterans a blessed day. 20 percent of transgender people have served in the military, which is double the percentage of the U.S. general population. We show up! We fought for your right to hate us and we will not be erased or discriminated against!
Don’t tell anyone I submitted my Declaration of National Delegate Candidacy to the
@NebraskaDems
today pledging to be a Biden delegate. I am also considering running for the CD2 Elector position if I get elected as a state party convention delegate by
@NebDouglasDems
next month.
I have met
@MaryAnn4NE
numerous times and know that she will represent those of us in LD31 with compassion and respect and do what is right for all Nebraskans. I can’t wait to vote for her and bring some normalcy back to our representation.
Dear Nebraska: ready for new leadership in LD31?
A leader who believes healthcare decisions belong to patients & their doctors, not politicians; who knows strong public schools are critical for a thriving democracy.
Meet
@MaryAnn4NE
& donate $20.24 at .
Earlier tonight I announced that I will not be running for the legislature in LD31. It was a very difficult decision because I had so many people encouraging me to run. I am proud to endorse
@MaryAnn4NE
who will be a much better representative for LD31 than the current senator.
Today, we testified in support of LB906– a bill that would take action to oppose child labor violations in our state.
This bill responds to a recent federal investigation that discovered more than 30 children (ages 13-17) were employed to clean NE meatpacking facilities in 2022🧵
Yesterday
@senatorblood
asked some questions of Senator Kauth about an interview that she had done. This is where she expresses her extreme displeasure of people who transition while claiming to have sympathy for them.
@ZachWendling2
@NE_Examiner
Parents don’t “trans their kids” they parent their trans children. We need to protect their right to access appropriate gender affirming healthcare. We need to get the government out of families health care decisions.
Do Tennessee lawmakers not know that taxpayer-funded school vouchers are already going to Islamic schools TODAY?
If you are going to fund religious schools, you CANNOT limit it to Christian schools!
Happy Father’s Day to all the amazing men and women who celebrate being a dad. Being a dad has been one of my greatest honors and I am extremely proud of all of my kids. All 5 are college graduates and 3 have also graduated from law school.
The cost of needle exchanges is far less than treating an infection for HIV or other diseases that are transmitted when sharing dirty needles. There is a reason why this bill had overwhelming bipartisan support. Hopefully the Governor does the right thing.
Exciting News! Today marks a significant milestone for LB307, my priority bill focused on harm reduction and Syringe Service Programs (SSPs). After overwhelming bipartisan support, LB307 has successfully passed the final round of debate.
#NELeg
Read the State Constitution Senator - Article III Section 1 says - “The people also reserve power at their own option to approve or reject at the polls any act, item, section, or part of any act passed by the Legislature, which power shall be called the power of referendum.”
@NebraskaMegan
I’m retiring after 35 years as a prosecutor and I’m planning on moving back to Nebraska. I worked in the unicameral as a legislative aide in the early 80’s and have always loved the institution. I’m not sure where to live. District 31 seems like it might be a lovely place to live
At the USSCt Tuesday morning with.
@ChrissieSeeB
for the admission ceremony for 12 trans lawyers to the Supreme Court bar. Sponsored by
@translawyers
it was the largest group of trans lawyers ever admitted to the bar. I was proud to help sponsor this group of lawyers.
I just received this text message from the Kauth campaign. This is incredibly insulting. She has been anything but a uniting force. She has refused to acknowledge me when I have said hello to her. She refused to meet with other constituents. She is not what we want in a senator.
@TheRigLib
@Alucolliee
@AriDrennen
I prosecuted a case where a white male killed a black trans woman back in 1989. He was convicted of second degree murder.
It was an honor to support Vice President
@KamalaHarris
today in a meeting with the Nebraska DNC delegates. We unanimously voted to support her. Thank you President
@JoeBiden
for your leadership and dedication to our nation and for having the courage to do what is incredibly hard
Sen. Brewer to Sen Halloran - “you were doing really good until you spoke”
Actions have consequences and Sen Halloran needs to be held accountable for his.
HOLY PATTERN OF FOUL BEHAVIOR!
#NELEGAFTERDARK
@NebraskaMegan
dropping
#facts
! Link to full transcript of Halloran asking if he should go commando in front of girlscouts. Wow.
This is what democracy looks like. This was a fight that will go down in the history of our state as a turning point. We don’t need decisive unneeded cultural war legislation eating up the entire session. Thank you to those senators who stood up for the kids.
To all the Nebraskans who contacted senators to oppose LB 574—thank you! In our state’s unique
#unicameral
,
#WeThePeople
are the Second House. Your engagement with the
#NEleg
matters. Raising your voice makes it known that Nebraskans won't ever give up fighting for our rights.❤️
No visit to the Nebraska State Capitol is complete without stopping and saying hello to Cameron. Has the Legislature officially recognized Cameron yet??
We need to get this on the ballot this November. Women have a right to make their own reproductive healthcare decisions without undue government overreach interfering with those decisions. There are so many medical reasons why a woman has to seek the termination of a pregnancy.
Nebraskans deserve the freedom to make their own decisions about pregnancy and abortion. Will you join our campaign to protect the right to abortion in Nebraska? To add your signature, find us at these dates + times or check the link in our bio for more signing opportunities.
An excellent post and link to a story about trans sports participation. It really does come down to should trans people be allowed to exist in society. It is a fight for our existence.
Great day in Omaha taking care of a couple of things. I didn’t get to see as much as I would have liked but I did have a great talk with some other people who are also tired of government overreach into the private medical decisions between doctors and patients. Coming back soon.
So Chloe Cole was rushed into medical transition 7 months after starting with a gender psychologist and after seeking out a different endocrinologist because the first one didn’t want her to start HRT. She wanted the second opinion. Its not the providers rushing kids…
Last year my state Senator said that we owe everything to our veterans. Apparently that respect doesn’t apply to transgender veterans. She’s on the record saying she will refuse to acknowledge my legal sex because it makes her “feel bad”. She’s an extremist and bad for Nebraska
My friend Alyssa says it so well. We weren’t shoving anything down anyone throats. We were just trying to exist with the same rights as everyone else. We are now under a coordinated and well financed attack in multiple states. It’s an effort to make it illegal to be trans.
I feel the rage and defiance in this but I don't agree with this. I don't want those who hate me, those who attack us, those who wish we didn't exist to be uncomfortable with us.
I want them so comfortable with us that they'll leave us alone to live our own lives.
#PRIDE
1/
An excellent examination of the the real facts and statistics behind the alleged dramatic rise in FTM transitions. Trans kids exist and we always have. It’s just that now there is more information and services available to help.
🧵next time someone raises fears of "the rising number of 'young girls' transitioning," send them this essay – it provides the real statistics and critiques their sexist & ableist framings. no-paywall, pls share widely & give it "claps"!
#trans
#LGBTQ
Welcome to Omaha
@pwcdanica
Welcome to Omaha Sen. Danica Roem.
Join us tomorrow for the
@nebstonewalldem
Lavender Gala in Lincoln. The link for tickets.
This is what will happen to countless women, some of whom won’t survive, thanks to the reversal of Roe. These restrictions do nothing to protect the health of women. Reproductive healthcare is not the job of government. This is government overreach.
“This is in no way, shape or form saying you cannot be transgender.”
That is next. Her partner in this legislation, The Family Research Council, has made it clear that they are committed to eliminating the rights of trans people to exist in society. It’s already happening.
The “author” of the bill, Sen Kathleen Kauth, cites claims that were specifically found to be not true after a trial in front of a federal judge. Among his findings of fact: the treatment is not experimental and that ADF recruited experts were not qualified to offer testimony.
It was great hearing
@TonyVargas
speak about his vision for how to represent Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District. We need him in Washington. I can’t wait to vote for him. It was also great getting a chance to talk with so many people tonight. Change is coming.
Last April I was set to help pitch a legal drama to a studio. Then the WGA strike hit - meeting canceled. It looks like we are getting another shot to pitch it. We have an amazing trans writer, an amazing story and a production company with a development deal with the studio. 🤞🏽
This is what people are not getting. Trans people are the canary in the coal mine. They are using us to establish the right to deny healthcare and they will not stop with us. They have clearly laid out what they intend to do and they are going full speed to do it.
“It may be that the day will come when people say the birth-control pill was a mistake.”
Their attacks on trans youth are setting up favourable precedents that they can use against everyone else. Abandoning trans folks is shooting yourself in the foot.
@StopTweetingMia
I didn’t listen to any of that nonsense and began transitioning at 53. I had minimal FFS at 54 and have been on HRT for 8 years now. I may not be a cute youngster but I look pretty good for being 61. Don’t let anyone tell you it’s too late.
Happy Pride 2024
On my way to Hastings for the
@NebraskaDems
State Convention. With the help of the
@nebstonewalldem
I hope to do something special for the queer community in Nebraska and the nation.
#pride2024
For my Nebraska friends
@senatormachaela
is showing incredible support for the trans youth. Help her out by making your support known to your state senator. Don’t bring hate to the state.
I want to thank everyone for taking time to take notice of what is going on in Neb. I hope our Trans youth here in Nebraska and across the country take heart in knowing that there are grownups in the room (more than just me) fighting for you!
This is very much my experience. My being trans isn’t an issue for people 99.99% of the time. Really it’s random internet people and my state Senator who want to make it an issue. I’ve not had anything but positive experiences with the people of Nebraska since my return.
A morning thread 🧵
“Cis people think about me being trans way more than I think about me being trans.”
If there is something I take away from 2023, it’s this thought.
Looking forward to being in Omaha tomorrow and doing some exploring around town. What are some of the places I should look visit besides my new neighborhood?
I’m showing up at 11:00 and I’m going to talk with a couple of senators to try to bring some sanity to this madness. One vote will bring some integrity back to the institution.
Our loud presence the other day rattled them. We need EVERYONE to show up tomorrow. Take off work if you can. Get a babysitter. Find a ride. The debate could start earlier, so come when you can.
Be loud, proud, and peaceful.. .tell the Nebraska Leislators
#NoToLB574
.
#neleg
Starting out on my almost 1,600 mile return trip to Omaha. I had a bit of a late start today because I had 6 cases in court this morning. I’m looking forward to seeing the all the different sights along the way.
My office staff surprised me yesterday with belated Christmas gifts. I received a beautiful pair of earrings and a necklace. I’m blessed to have an incredibly talented and dedicated group of employees who do tremendous work while we are short staffed. Many thanks to my AFS family
When I arrived at work today I discovered that I had received my award of recognition for having served the People of the State of California and the County of Los Angeles for 35 years. My anniversary date was in May. Almost my entire adult work life has been as a LA prosecutor.
@AriDrennen
As I stated to the USSCt in an Amicus brief.
“Being able to look in the mirror and being happy with the reflection I see has been magical. I no longer dislike the person looking back at me and that has made life worth living.”
Finally got my Proud Owls Floating Feathers jersey. Looking forward to finally joining the
@ProudOwlsOMA
to see a
@Union_Omaha
game soon. I used my old HS football number.
She knew in March that she wouldn’t get her Sports and Spaces Act out of committee. She told Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council on his show that she would be back with more in the 60 day session. In the last 6 years only 5 trans kids have applied to participate in sports
As she should.. she’s crying about getting some d*ck shaped confetti sent to her. She thinks we’ll all be fine “The summer cools everybody down”. We will not forget what you have done and what your intentions are for the next session. This woman is a straight up psychopath.
Happy Pride 2024
This was a special night for me back in 2018 just 3 years into my transition. I was invited to a birthday celebration prior to an event we all were attending. These amazing women fully welcomed me into their circle. It was the first time I truly felt accepted.
@ErinInTheMorn
I am going to Nebraska on Monday. I am going for 5 days to lobby against this and the other anti-trans bills proposed. I worked as a legislative aide there in the 80’s and am a graduate of UNL and the law school there. OutNebraska is coordinating opposition.
Happy Pride 2024
Having some fun at the
@NebraskaDems
Street Party. Day 2 of the convention had some interesting moments and some memorable ones. I’m honored that my fellow delegates elected me to be a delegate to DNC in Chicago. Thank you
@nebstonewalldem
for your support.