The New Hampshire House voted this morning to expand the state's anti-discrimination law to include transgender people.
The bill, which now goes to the Senate, would ban discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations based on someone's gender identity in addition to the protections that already exist based on sex, religion and sexual orientation. Lawmakers tabled a virtually identical bill last year, leaving New Hampshire the only New England state without such protections.
The bill passed 195-129.
Supporters, including a lawmaker with a transgender grandson and a lawmaker who is agender, argued the bill was long overdue and said it could save lives by preventing suicide. Some opponents focused on the fear of predatory men molesting women and children in public restrooms, while others argued for further studying the issue.
We thank the lawmakers who voted today to move New Hampshire one step closer toward passing these crucially important protections into law. No person should be fired, evicted, or denied service just because of who they are, and it is far beyond time that the Granite State’s non-discrimination protections include transgender people. We call on the New Hampshire Senate to swiftly pass this bill and send it to Governor Sununu’s desk for his signature.
--Marty Rouse, Human Rights Campaign
Today’s bipartisan vote demonstrates that New Hampshire is ready to truly become the Live Free or Die State. The House of Representatives just voted to move New Hampshire forward by updating our state’s laws to protect transgender people from discrimination. Granite Staters from all walks of life have gotten the opportunity to meet their transgender neighbors and have come to understand that HB 1319 is about making sure that everyone has the opportunity to truly live free. We are so grateful to the bipartisan coalition of New Hampshire House members who voted to champion opportunity for all, and we urge the Senate to send HB 1319 to Governor Sununu’s desk.
--Linds Jakows, Freedom New Hampshire