New Hampshire House Advances Anti-LGBTQ Bill to Senate 

Advocates Call For the State Senate to Reject All Bills That Would Set Back LGBTQ Rights

CONCORD, NH – The New Hampshire House today voted 201 -166 to advance a bill that would take away rights from LGBTQ+ Granite Staters, with particular harm for transgender people. 

HB 148 would roll back some of the gender non-discrimination protections passed in 2018, opening the door to discrimination in public spaces, including restrooms. The bills will now go to the Senate. In 2018 New Hampshire became the first U.S. state to pass an update to its nondiscrimination law to include transgender people through an entirely Republican-controlled State House, Senate, and Governor. A bill similar to HB 148 (HB 396) to roll back gender non-discrimination protections was vetoed by Governor Sununu last year. 

LGBTQ+ rights, public education, and child welfare advocates gave the following statements:

Linds Jakows, Founder of 603 Equality, said, “Make no mistake: the majority of New Hampshire state representatives said loud and clear today that they intend to use the law to keep transgender and gender nonconforming people out of public life. This was never about bathrooms or parental rights. It’s about using the power of the state to deny basic freedoms and control our bodies and lives. Trans and gender nonconforming people are powerful and loved, and the overwhelming majority of testifiers and NH residents who signed in to oppose these bills will continue to fight for freedom and safety.”

Heidi Carrington Heath, Executive Director, NH Outright, said, “New Hampshire’s LGBTQ+ youth have a right to access all the spaces and places they need to thrive. They deserve to hear loud and clear from the halls of government that they are valued citizens of the Granite State. Transgender youth are a deeply vulnerable population, and today’s vote on HB148 only causes them further harm. This is not the live free or die way. To our LGBTQ+ youth – especially our transgender youth – we will continue fighting and working for a New Hampshire reflective of your inherent worth and dignity.”

Chris Erchull, Senior Staff Attorney, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD Law), said, “It’s disheartening that House members voted to take away important protections for LGBTQ+ Granite Staters—especially transgender residents—who are our friends, neighbors, and co-workers. Senators should reject this mean-spirited bill, which is part of a broader local and national government initiative to make it impossible for transgender people to simply go about their daily lives. Legislators should be working to make life better for all of the people of New Hampshire rather than passing a needless ‘bathroom bill’ that singles out people who are already vulnerable for more unsafe treatment. Abiding New Hampshire’s values of freedom and fairness means we cannot tolerate any legislation that targets people simply for who they are and says they are unworthy of protection from discrimination.”

Courtney Reed, Policy Advocate at the ACLU of New Hampshire, said, “It is unacceptable to allow discrimination against LBGTQ+ people in New Hampshire law – but that’s exactly what HB 148 would do. We urge the Senate to oppose this dangerous bill, which would undermine the right to equal protection under the law for transgender people. Our state has a proud tradition of respecting the rights of LGBTQ+ people, and it’s time to make that clear once again.”

Devan Quinn, Director of Policy at the New Hampshire Women’s Foundation, said, “Transgender, nonbinary, and intersex people deserve equitable treatment in school, athletics, corrections, and all other facets of public life. These pieces of legislation will move us backward from the progress New Hampshire has made in recognizing transgender people in nondiscrimination law. Transgender women are women, and trans girls are girls. Like all women and girls, they deserve to be treated fairly in all aspects of their lives.”

Louise Spencer, Kent Street Coalition, said: “Transgender, non-binary, and intersex people are Granite Staters deserving of the same rights, freedom, and opportunities as every other person here in the “Live Free or Die” state. That a majority of legislators would vote for a bill that denies our neighbors, our friends, and our families equality under the law is a betrayal, not only of what New Hampshire stands for but more importantly, a betrayal of individuals and communities that deserve our whole-hearted support and respect. We urge the Senate to oppose this bill which is an affront to the humanity and dignity of LGBTQ+ people.”