Newsletter for week of September 22, 2024

Sep 23, 2024

5 min read

Welcome to

Rainbow Parents of Nebraska!

You are receiving this email because you gave us your information through our QR code or by going to our website.

Thanks for wanting to be more involved to protect the queer kid(s) in your life.

Previous week’s emails can be found here:

https://www.rainbowparentsofne.org/blog

Rainbow Parents Candidate Spotlights

We have chosen to spotlight 10 candidates from across the state who are running for the Nebraska State Legislature. These are folks who have either stood with us in the past, who have been strong allies to the LGBTQ+ community in their previous work, or who impressed us with their answers to our survey. Over the next few weeks in our newsletter and on social media, we will feature each of these candidates, but please feel free to check our website for the current full list, which we will continue to add to as we learn more. Take a close look at all 10 of these spotlight candidates and consider how you might get involved to donate your time or money to any or all of them. If your favorite candidates aren’t listed here, we encourage you to reach out to them to discuss their views on the issues that matter to you.

Priority Spotlights

Of all the amazing candidates we are spotlighting this election, Rainbow Parents have identified Mary Ann Folchert (D 31), and Senator Jen Day (D 49), as our highest priorities. Please especially consider how you can volunteer or donate to these crucial campaigns.

Senator Jen Day represents District 49 and is up for reelection. A mom, an entrepreneur and business owner, a wife, an activist, and even a competitive weightlifter, she is an independent voice in the unicameral who stands up for regular Nebraskans. She has also been a fierce advocate for transgender children in the unicameral, strongly opposing both LB 574 and LB 575 during 2023-2024 (the 108th Legislature). She has also previously introduced legislation to support same sex marriage and opposed book bans that disproportionally target LGBTQ+ and BIPOC children. Rainbow Parents have been grateful for the many ways that Senator Day has listened to and partnered with our families when our children were under attack. She states, “Additionally, it is important to advocate for policies that will create equal rights in housing, employment, etc by creating a protected class for the LGBTQ community.” She firmly believes that medical decisions should be made by individuals and “those that practice medicine, not politicians.” Senator Day’s reelection is one of Rainbow Parents’ top priorities. The campaign suggests that we follow and promote her social media, sign up on her website to donate or volunteer to canvass on a Sunday afternoon, or write postcards to help reelect this passionate, empathic, and hard working senator.

Mary Ann Folchert entered the District 31 race in the Spring of 2023, after joining with many of us to fight against LB 574, which was introduced by her opponent, Senator Kathleen Kauth. Mary Ann was one of the first challengers to announce her candidacy, as she felt strongly about stopping the culture war attacks and focusing on the real problems facing our state. If elected to the unicameral, she states, “I will advocate for and support the LGBTQ+ community by fighting policies that seek to take away individual rights and promote instead policies that expand and protect individual rights. I will also advocate by attending events, connecting with folks, listening to their stories, and using my voice to support the LGBTQ+ community.” Further, she argues that, “Under no circumstances is a politician more qualified than a patient and their doctors to make healthcare decisions. Medical decisions belong between patients and their doctors.” Mary Ann is a mom and a former teacher, as well as the caregiver for her adult brother with intellectual disabilities. Her combination of pragmatism, empathy, and tenacity make her an inspiring candidate. Because of how amazing she is, and also because her opponent has represented the biggest threat to our kids in the unicameral, supporting Mary Ann is one of Rainbow Parents’ top priorities this election. She invites Rainbow Parents and allies to visit her website to sign up to volunteer or donate, and to get details for upcoming events and canvassing opportunities. Upcoming opportunities include sign waving in front of all Millard High School football games and a canvassing event on September 29th.

Action Steps

How are you doing on your 10 actions before election day? Can you log on to Jen Day or Mary Ann Folchert’s websites and/or social media and learn more about them? See if you can help by volunteering for an event, writing postcards, or donating money.
Make a concerted effort to boost the social media of at least 5 of your favorite candidates for any office. Like and comment on your favorite candidates’ social media, so that their posts get seen by a wider audience. This is a great way to support candidates who are not in your area.
Further boost candidate messages by sharing their ads, appeals, and events on your feed and in social media groups you belong to. If you don’t use social media, share information from their websites with your social circles in whatever ways work for you. Feel free to share this newsletter or pass along the Rainbow Parents website!

For other action options, check the Nebraska Democratic Party’s mobilize website. You can see all the events going around in our state, and can even use the filter tab to focus on a specific candidate or area.

Thank you for taking the time to read this week’s newsletter!

Don’t forget, you can find our previous email action items here: https://www.rainbowparentsofne.org/blog

Stay tuned for more action steps from Rainbow Parents of Nebraska next week. If you have questions or suggestions for us, please contact us at the links below!

Mark your calendars:

The Stonewall Bone Ball on October 18th, 2024 at Omaha Firefighters Hall.

Halloween is fast approaching, and the Nebraska Stonewall Democrats want to celebrate with some queer joy for the spooky season! The Stonewall Bone Ball will be a multi-stage event consisting of a dinner with speakers to start the evening, then a drag show and dance party to close out the night. There will also be a costume contest - dress your best! Please click the link to learn how to get your tickets!