Headlines from the Granite State
Respect for marriage
In mid-July, US Congressman Chris Pappas of New Hampshire introduced the “Respect for Marriage Act” with his fellow leaders of the bill in the House of Representatives. Cochair of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, Pappas is the first openly gay Congress person from the Granite State.
The legislation would provide federal protections for marriage equality, which, given the recent reversal of Roe v. Wade, could become vital should the radically right-leaning Supreme Court go after the Obergefell decision next.
“We cannot count on the Supreme Court to defend important precedents and protect our rights, and Congress has an obligation to ensure everyone is treated equally before the law. The idea that we could lose the freedom to marry is chilling to most Americans and runs contrary to our shared values,” said Congressman Chris Pappas in a press release.
“We can’t take anything for granted,” Pappas said. “This legislation would make sure that our government, at both the state and federal level, reflects the diversity, decency and spirit of the American people.”
The House passed the bill 267-157 with 47 Republican votes. By the time this issue went to press, the Senate was expected to vote on it in September. In August, Tammy Baldwin, the openly LGBTQ senator from Wisconsin, told multiple media sources she believes the bill will have the 10 Republican votes necessary to pass it.
Buttigieg tie
In an early New Hampshire presidential primary poll conducted by the University of New Hampshire, out LGBTQ US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg received statistically as much—if not slightly more—support as President Biden among likely voters.
According to a July 26 UNH Survey Center Granite Poll, 17 percent of likely Democratic primary voters in the state would back Buttigieg; 16 percent would choose Biden. The poll’s margin of error is 4.7.
In New Hampshire’s 2020 primary, Buttigieg and Senator Bernie Sanders tied for the top spot, each earning the same number of Granite State delegates.
Summit star
College student Veronica Ashcroft has been reaching as many mountain peaks as she can this summer among the 67 in New England and 48 in New York that make up the “Northeast 115.” And she’s doing it all to increase transgender visibility.
“By taking a trans pride flag up that many mountains in that short of a time, I hope to accomplish two things: to increase trans visibility in the outdoors and to (hopefully) inspire some people in the process,” she says on her web page.
“I believe positive visibility for queer people is one of the most important aspects of pride,” she explains. “My experiences over the last year of transitioning have shown me just how needed pride is.”
You can learn more about Ashcroft and her mission at reddit.com/user/verana115.
History Project
The Seacoast LGBT History Project held its sixth annual exhibition, “Standing Together: Seacoast LGBT Social and Support Groups,” in Rochester through August.
The show explored what social outlets and support were available to LGBTQ people in the region through the decades. “What was the first social group? What bars were available and where were they located? What groups are available now?”
The mission of The Seacoast LGBT History Project is to research, document and preserve the history of gay lesbian, bisexual & transgender people on the Seacoast of NH with emphasis on Portsmouth.
More: Seacoast NH LGBT History Project (Facebook)
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