Headlines from the Granite State
Roesener wins
Voters in New Hampshire’s Merrimack County District 22 made history in the 2022 Midterms by electing James Roesener to become the first openly transgender man to serve in their state’s legislature.
In January, Roesener will begin his first term in the Granite State’s House of Representatives. He defeated his opponent, the Republican candidate Dennis Soucy, 55.5 to 44.5, according to Ballotpedia.
“I believe that it is imperative that all individuals have the ability to thrive in New Hampshire,” Roesener stated on the LGBTQ Victory Funds endorsement page.” We need a leadership that is invested in defending the freedom all people by taking away barriers to shelter, education, healthcare, voting, and other basic necessities for a quality life.
“I deeply care about creating a better world for us all. I have set my standards high and will continue to fight for change until enduring solutions can be reached,” Roesener wrote.
“I will be supporting legislation that promotes the wellbeing of all by defending our right to safety, security, and self-determination, regardless of age, race, immigration status, occupation, income, gender identity, sexual orientation, health, or ability.”
Perfect scores
Granite State Senators Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen both earned perfect 100s on the Human Rights Campaigns most recent Congressional Scorecard, which rates both US Senators and Congresspersons on their records of legislative support for LGBTQ+ people.
“We hope the 117th Congressional Scorecard will help you to stay informed on your elected officials’ records on key issues that impact the LGBTQ+ community,” said HRC Interim President Joni Madison in her introduction. “We hope it serves as a valuable tool in holding your elected officials accountable in our shared effort toward achieving equity and equality for all.”
More: hrc.org
A community responds
Members of the Westmoreland United Church of Christ were joined by members of the community in a cleanup after a rainbow flag was vandalized by racist and homophobic messages.
“Pastor Lynn Wickberg said that the sign, installed only weeks earlier outside the Westmoreland, New Hampshire church, was one way the UCC congregation intended to live into being welcoming,” reads a statement from United Church of Christ. “Though volunteers quickly cleaned the sign, new symbols were discovered there the following morning. A state trooper who assessed the damage confirmed that these symbols represented white supremacy groups.
“The church sits in the center of the small town near the local school and town hall, where many pass. Conversations with community members who joined the cleanup efforts led to the idea of holding a vigil on the church steps. Parents made a particular request — that it be held early enough to bring their kids.
“In response, Wickberg and her small, mostly older congregation planned a Nov. 15 vigil ‘to not focus on the hate and the hurt, but to be focused on what we value, what we are striving to live into, what we want children to learn.’”
HRC Municipal Equality Index
New England earned leading scores once again on the Human Rights Campaign’s 11th annual Municipal Equality Index.
In the Granite State, Durham scored 92, Manchester 86, Portsmouth 82, Dover 78, Nashua 75, Concord 69, Keene 67, Derry 60 and Plymouth 44.
The index measures LGBTQ inclusivity in municipal laws, policies and services for LGBTQ people in cities and some other communities with a strong LGBTQ presence across the US. Scores are based on 49 different criteria from employment, housing, credit, education, public services, transgender health care and anti-conversion therapy laws.
More: hrc.org
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