I've got exciting news I hope to get out to Lincoln PFLAG members. We've prepared a second-parent adoption bill that would allow people to adopt children, regardless of their marital status. This fixes the statutory hole that the Nebraska Supreme Court held in the case "In Re Luke" meant that same sex parents couldn't adopt each other's children because only married couples could jointly adopt.

At present time, we have one senator, Lowen Kruse of Omaha, who is willing to sponsor the bill. We'd like to see other senators sign onto the bill as well to give it additional precedence, but so far no other senators are willing to do that. If every member of Real Families would contact their senator and tell them they want to see support for the bill (which is NOT yet introduced as we hope for another sponsor or two), that would be immensely helpful. Time is currently of the essence: the bill will be introduced next week, so the request to senators should be something like this:

"I understand Senator Kruse is introducing a bill to allow two people to jointly adopt children, regardless of the parents' marital status. As your constituent, I strongly encourage you to sign on as a co-sponsor of this bill because its very important to allow all children to have the protection of two legal parents. If you are not able to sign on as a co-sponsor, I still wish to know if you will support the bill as it advances."

Members of PFLAG can locate their senators phone number or email address at: www.nebraskalegislature.gov

Even if no other senators sign on as co-sponsors, we at least have Senator Kruse's commitment to bring it forward, and that means a public hearing will be scheduled for public testimony. That would be another point at which we'd hope Real Families would either attend the hearing or send letters to describe how important it is to have two legal parents.

Let me know if you've got questions and feel free to forward this email. I'm also contacting PFLAG in Omaha and Hastings, as well as CFEP and Real Families of Omaha. If you know other groups that we should contact, let me know. Thank you!

Amy Miller
ACLU Nebraska Legal Director
941 O St. #706
Lincoln, NE 68508
(402) 476-8091

---

An anti-bullying bill (LB 205-See Attachment) "requiring schools to adopt a bullying policy" has now been officially introduced to the 2007 State Legislature by State Senator Gwen Howard and several co-sponsors. This Bill has been assigned to the Education Committee. The Public Hearing date is scheduled for Tuesday, January 30, 2007, beginning at 1:30 p.m. at the State Capitol, 14th and K Streets, Lincoln, NE, in Room 1525.

I would like to encourage all of you to testify at the public hearing. If you are interested in testifying, please call Senator Howard’s Office, 402-471-2723 or the Citizens for Equal Protection (CFEP) Office, 402-398-3027 to notify them of your intention. If unable to testify at the Hearing, I encourage you to contact your state senator to encourage him/her to support LB 205; contact information can be obtained from the Nebraska Legislature Website: www.nebraskalegislature.gov.

Introducers/Co-Sponsors to LB 205:

Adams, Greg
District 24
402-471-2756
gadams@leg.ne.gov

Ashford, Brad
District 20
402-471-2622
bashford@leg.ne.gov

Avery, Bill
District 28
402-471-2633
bavery@leg.ne.gov

Howard, Gwen
District 9
402-471-2723
ghoward@leg.ne.gov

Hudkins, Carol
District 21
402-471-2673
chudkins@leg.ne.gov

Kopplin, Gail
District 3
402-471-2627
gkopplin@leg.ne.gov

Kruse, Loren
District 13
402-471-2727
lkruse@leg.ne.gov

Nantkes, Danielle
District 26
402-471-2720
dnantkes@log.ne.gov

Preister, Don
District 5
402-471-2710
dpreister@leg.ne.gov

Thank you for your continued interest and support in making our Nebraska schools a safe learning environment for all Nebraska students, including those students who are part of minorities based on race, religion, gender, sexuality, and/or physical or mental ability. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.

Sincerely,
Michael Gordon
Nebraska Anti-Bullying Task Force
402-398-3027
info@cfep-ne.org

Source: Michael Gordon, CFEP

Attached File:
LB 205 - Bullying Bill  (9 KB)

---

A new official United Methodist "Reconciling Community" through the Reconciling Ministry Network has been formed in Grand Island. The group called Open Hearts hopes to create "safe places" for persons of faith and persons of all sexual orientations/genders. They will meet on Sunday, January 21, 2007 in the parlor of Trinity UMC, in Grand Island at 3:00pm, 5th and Elm.

The program for the afternoon is "Stories of Sacred Worth." A member of Trinity UMC will be sharing her story as a transgender person of faith - along with others who have written stories for this new project of Nebraska Statewide Reconciling Network.

Attendees may bring snacks to share, and there will be a special reconciling offering. Join this event - all are welcome! For more information please email Maureen Vetter at mvetter@charter.net. For more information about the Reconciling Network visit their website at www.RMNetwork.org.

---

Planning is underway for a GLBT-related radio program in Lincoln. Those interested in working in a volunteer capacity as production assistants (i.e., researchers/writers), technical help, music coordinators, casual contributors, etc. are encouraged to send an email message to tmcclain123@wmconnect.com or david.sontos@yahoo.com. Please describe any related experience you may have had or indicate your willingness to learn.

---