442 - Fairness for Girls

The Wording

A vote “FOR” will amend the Nebraska Constitution to provide: (1) Schools must expressly designate each athletic team or sport as one of the following based on biological sex: (a) Males, men, or boys; (b) females, women, or girls; or (c) coed or mixed; and (2) Athletic teams or sports designated for females, women, or girls shall not be open to students of the male sex. The amendment would apply to all athletic teams or sports sponsored by public schools or postsecondary educational institutions, and private schools or educational institutions whose athletic teams or sports compete against public schools or institutions.

A vote “AGAINST” means the Nebraska Constitution will not be amended in this manner.

Shall the Nebraska Constitution be amended to provide: (1) Schools must expressly designate each athletic team or sport as one of the following based on biological sex: (a) Males, men, or boys; (b) females, women, or girls; or (c) coed or mixed; and (2) Athletic teams or sports designated for females, women, or girls shall not be open to students of the male sex? The amendment would apply to all athletic teams or sports sponsored by public schools or postsecondary educational institutions, and private schools or educational institutions whose athletic teams or sports compete against public schools or institutions. 

(   )   For

(   )   Against

Our Explanation

The amendment would apply to all athletic teams or sports sponsored by public schools or postsecondary educational institutions, and private schools or educational institutions whose athletic teams or sports compete against public schools or institutions.
 
The object of this petition is to amend the Nebraska Constitution to establish constitutional protections for sex-separate athletics to ensure equal access to athletic opportunities for females.
In the 2025 Legislative session, the “Stand with Women Act” was passed.  One section states, 
 
“(3) Physical differences between males and females have long made separate and sex-specific sports teams important so that female athletes can have equal opportunities to compete in sports while reducing the risk of physical injury;” 
 
Those who support this initiative point out that the "Stand with Women Act" is only a law so somebody could override that in the future. This initiative would make the law harder to override by putting it into the Constitution that biological sex needs to take priority over gender identity when it comes to athletics.
 
Those who oppose the initiative consider it unfair to trans athletes.  They see it as setting up more bullying.  They think it unfair to have "girls" have to prove their gender when "boys" wouldn't have to.