CONCORD, NH – On January 3rd and January 4th, LGBTQ+ safety and inclusion advocates will hold a rally at the statehouse to urge state representatives to reject two bills from the previous session that may harm transgender Granite Staters as well as two other bills that could improve the quality of life in New Hampshire. The House Calendar’s bills are anticipated to be voted on later January 3rd or January 4th if they are discussed by committee in chronological order, as is typically the case.
Bills that are retained
In addition to re-legalizing anti-LGBT conversion therapy, HB 619 would outlaw care for transgender adolescents. Additionally, it significantly restricts transgender, intersex, and gender nonconforming students’ ability to express themselves in public institutions. This government specifically expanded the clauses law in NH in 2019 to include protections for transgender people. These safeguards may be violated by this bill, which would also subject transgender and gender nonconforming students to a setting in the classroom where they are unable to be their true selves.
The equality safeguards in New Hampshire, which were updated in 2018 to protect transgender people from discrimination in employment, housing, and public spaces, would be undermined by HB 396. By categorizing “biological sex” (an undefined term) as preeminent, HB 396 incorrectly assumes that a person’s birth sexual orientation should be the only factor determining how they relate to the outside world. Expecting strict alignment for everyone is absurd, despite the fact that a person’s birth sex normally fits into common classifications in restrooms, sleeping areas, and sports. Excluding transgender individuals from sex-separated facilities and activities that are appropriate for their gender identification can seriously undermine social norms and harm them. A bathroom guideline based on birth sex, for instance, may force a man or woman to use the same restroom, or even worse, it may prevent some people from using the restroom at all. It is cruel and unfair to exclude trans people from significant facets of everyday life, and it also serves no justifiable purpose.
HB 368 may make New Hampshire a safer state for transgender people who move there from states where providing care to them has been made illegal. By preventing other states from entering New Hampshire and demanding personal health information and adherence to their laws, HB 368 may protect the independence of the state’s law enforcement and health care providers.
A certified signature from a healthcare provider may be permitted under HB 264, which would do away with the bureaucratic requirement that a judge approve names and gender changes on birth certificates. People who identify as trans require reliable identification. Uneven IDs occasionally endanger trans people’s safety. The problem of court involvement in this process should be lifted by legislators because it is impossible and pointless. The load on the legal system is also superfluous. Judges are not qualified to judge a person’s sex, and in fact, they currently rely on what their physician says. There is no justification for mandating courts perform the task of determining sex for identification documents.
The New Hampshire Senate Education Committee will hear evidence on SB 341, a bill that closely resembles HB 10 and SB 272, which were tabled and eternally postponed by two seats, both, at 9 AM on Wednesday, January 4. SB 341 requires all public school employees to respond “completely and honestly” to parents’ requests for information about their child, despite the fact that it makes no specific mention of gender or sexuality. According to the language of the bill, school personnel must submit a report to him or her with “good faith determination” in order to avoid endangering the student’s safety or putting them in danger of physical harm, abuse, or neglect. This word is predicated on the false belief that DHHS will address claims of abuse, neglect, or potential injury. Additionally, the bill mandates disclosure to parents regardless of whether a student specifically disclosed personal information to an employee of the school, compels school staff to reveal information that could be overheard, and undermines trust between students and teachers.
According to Linds Jakows, the founder of 603 Fairness, “Last season, New Hampshire lawmakers well rejected all assaults on LGBTQ Granite Staters.” “Social attacks on LGBTQ people, particularly transgender youth, are on record in our day and age.” New Hampshire may dismiss the made anger against transgender people and permit us to live in peace with this perilous surveillance.
Students who identify as LGBT+, especially transgender youth, are subject to unparalleled bullying and attacks. Kids should be fully accepted for who they are in our public schools. If students are subjected to damaging, unnecessary scrutiny, they may be free to learn and succeed. We are aware that LGBTQ+ youth’s suicide risk is significantly reduced when they have access to one good, affirming adult. To refuse our children the support they need in school is to put an already vulnerable population at risk. – Executive Director of Seacoast Outright, Heidi Carrington Marsh
“Equal rights are a basic human principle, not some opportunity.” Everyone deserves to
live honestly without worrying about being judged, regardless of gender identity or sexual preference. In a world where love knows no bounds, this champion acceptance, understanding, and inclusivity. In 2023, we saw a lot of dangerous legislation, and in 2024, there will be even more dangerous legislation that targets our LGBTQ+ community. We’ll always hold hands and stand by your side. – Julian Fuentes, Political Director, Democracy NH, Rights &
All residents of New Hampshire, including LGBTQ+ Granite Staters, have the right to live in dignity and without violence, abuse, or prejudice. By thwarting numerous mean-spirited attempts to separate communities and unnecessarily single out LGBTQ+ people—especially trans youth—for unfair treatment, our legislature has consistently upheld these fundamental principles of fairness and freedom. It’s past time to put an end to these pointless parliamentary assaults on New Hampshire residents who identify as LGBTQ+. – Attorney with GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders (GLAD), Chris Erchull
LGBTQ+ Granite Staters should not be subjected to discrimination, intimidation, or violence and should live their lives honestly and openly every day. We urge legislators this year to keep voting against bills that are intended to attack these crucial rights and to continue supporting bills that protect them because New Hampshire has repeatedly demonstrated that LGBTQ+ people belong. – Courtney Reed, ACLU of New Hampshire policy advocate
“Both team members and LGBTQ students are members of our public school communities.” Along with their friends and neighbors, they belong in our common schools and classrooms. Like we expect for any other student, LGBTQ children deserve a safe, respectful learning environment free from harassment, intimidation, and prejudice. Any act that prevents LGBTQ students from attending their local public schools and its activities should be rejected, we urge legislators. – President of the AFT- NH, Deb Howes
