New Hampshire’s House of Representatives voted 195–129 to include transgender people in the state’s anti-discrimination law yesterday. The bill now moves on to the state’s Senate, which will vote on it in the coming weeks, and, if passed by both houses, head to Republican Governor Chris Sununu, who has indicated he would sign it into law.
According to a press release from Freedom New Hampshire, HB 1319 lead sponsor Rep. Ed Butler had urged his fellow legislators to support the bill saying, “Fairness and equality are not red or blue values, but rather human values.” A bipartisan coalition stated its support for the bill during debate, including Rep. Erin Hennessy, who cited HB 1319’s endorsement of the New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police and the Business and Industry Association.
“Today’s bipartisan vote to pass HB 1319 demonstrates that New Hampshire is ready to truly become the Live Free or Die State,” said Linds Jakows, campaign manager for Freedom New Hampshire, in the press release. “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.”
Gerri Cannon, Somersworth School Board Member and member of Freedom New Hampshire, echoed Jakows’ sentiments in the same press release: “Legislators and the general public have now heard from business leaders, law enforcement officials, women’s safety advocates, faith leaders, and a wide range of parents, children and transgender people like me about the importance of passing HB 1319. I am a proud transgender woman and I have shared my story of discrimination with legislators in the hopes that our elected leaders will protect people like me from ever having to face discrimination again. Today the New Hampshire House sent the message that discrimination has no place in the Granite State, and I know there are so many transgender folks across the state who will rest easier tonight.”
Anthony Procik, state director for Rights & Democracy New Hampshire, added that “Today’s vote is an example of what happens when folks come together—across political and ideological differences—to uphold the values of our communities and guide the policies of our elected government. This affirming vote is needed now, more than ever, given today’s political climate.”
