On the heels of the House passing marriage equality legislation (the Senate will take up the bill next) comes a bit of good news for our Ts: “By a single vote, the New Hampshire House today reversed itself and passed a bill that bars discrimination on the basis of gender identity. The proposal was dubbed the ‘bathroom bill’ by its opponents. The bill, House Bill 415, allows individuals to bring actions at the Human Rights Commission when they feel they have been discriminated against on the basis of their sexual identity, or the way they express it, such as with their clothing or makeup. Gov. John Lynch did not endorse the bill after its passage. His spokesman, Colin Manning, said, ‘We have a comprehensive anti-discrimination law here in New Hampshire. We are not convinced that the concerns raised by the supporters of this legislation aren’t already covered under existing law.’ … Early in the debate, Speaker of the House Terie Norelli, D-Portsmouth, took the unusual step of leaving her podium and speaking in favor of the bill. She said she was disappointed in debate two weeks ago, and by ‘the muddying of the waters’ on the issue.” [Union Leader]
New Hampshire House OKs Transgender Anti-Discrimination Bill
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Renee
This is just great news!
Alec
What an obnoxious statement from the governor’s office. I don’t know what he means by “comprehensive anti-discrimination law,” but it undeniably doesn’t cover gender identity in NH. He’s also an attorney, so he knows better.
atdleft
@Alec: Agreed. I’m not really liking Gov. Lynch right now. First he got cagey over marriage equality, and now he won’t even endorse comprehensive non-discrimination. I don’t have a good feeling about New Hampshire right now, but I hope we see change soon.
Btw I know this is a little OT, but does anyone have updates on SB 283, the domestic partnership bill in Nevada? I know the Senate Commerce & Labor Committee is supposed to vote on it today. While it’s not marriage, I’m a little impressed that the proposed DPs will be open to both queer couples and straight couples, just like the “PACS” civil unions in France. Still, I hope this passes & it’s a first step toward marriage equality in Sin City. đ
BrianZ
I am excited and glad to read this. I hope that this is able to move forward to become law.
Equal rights for all. What’s so difficult about that?
rogue dandelion
new colors to the emerge in the rainbow over new england each passing day
joshua
I hope that in the future more laws will come about to protect the other law abiding citizens of the trans community like me. This law is not about “men” or “women” using the wrong bathroom.. its about trans identified individuals having safety in our own state.