In the current 2022 legislative session, Nebraska joined 36 other states to introduce an academic gag order that would apply to public schools and public postsecondary institutions. These attacks on academic freedom seek to forbid teaching about race and sex in ways that suggest any systemic or historic problems in American culture with respect to these categories. The Nebraska bill introduced in January 2022 is LB 1077, which can be found on the Nebraska Legislature website at
One of several problematic aspects of the Nebraska bill is the forbidding of teaching topics or concepts that cause a person to feel “discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress on account of the individual’s race or sex”. To forbid teaching a subject because it may cause psychological distress is highly problematic since a consensus on standards of proof does not exist and is inimical to free inquiry. To avoid controversy, a faculty member will likely remove many important topics from the curriculum. Removing subjects from the curriculum simply because they may cause students psychological distress is to destroy the concepts of education for the common good and open inquiry that is necessary for a democratic society.
The Executive Committee of the Nebraska State Conference of the AAUP submitted testimony critical of LB1077 when it was discussed by the Government, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee of the Nebraska Legislature on February 24, 2022. The testimony can be downloaded at
NE State Conference of AAUP Executive Committee Testimony on LB1077
Here are some helpful links to remain updated on the educational gag order issue from an AAUP perspective:
AAUP listing of active Education Gag Order legislation
AAUP Statement on Legislation Restricting Teaching about Race
AAUP FAQs on Educational Gag Orders
AAUP Issue Summary: Educational Gag Orders: Legislative Interference in Teaching About Race
Additional academic freedom resources available on the Doane AAUP website can be found at