Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Gay rights legislation draws standing room only crowd at legislative hearings

LINCOLN – More than 100 people came to a Judiciary Committee hearing Thursday on three legislative bills on adoptions and foster care by same-sex couples, and employee protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Lincoln Senator Danielle Conrad of Lincoln sponsored LB485, on workplace discrimination, which supporters say encourages more people to work in Nebraska.

Opponents of the bill say it violates their constitutional rights to freedom of religion.

Omaha Sen. Brad Ashford, the committee’s chairman, says the common ground is to have young people grow up healthy and educated, and give people the freedom to work.  

Contact Demetria Stephens at nns.dstephens@gmail.com.