Headlines from the Granite State
HRC endorses Pappas
The Human Rights Campaign’s political action committee has announced its endorsement of US Congressman Chris Pappas of New Hampshire for US Senate.
“Chris Pappas is a fighter for equality who has never forgotten his roots,” said HRC President Kelley Robinson.
“Throughout his career, Rep. Pappas, New Hampshire’s first openly-LGBTQ+ member of Congress, has championed equality—from introducing and passing the Equality Act through the House of Representatives to enacting the Respect for Marriage Act into law — while advancing protections for New Hampshire’s LGBTQ+ community.”
Said Pappas, “It’s an honor to have the endorsement of the Human Rights Campaign, which has been at the forefront of the fight for LGBTQ+ equality. No one should be discriminated against because of who they are or whom they love, and I will always stand up for the rights and freedoms of LGBTQ+ individuals in New Hampshire and across the country.”
DEI ban on hold
On September 4, the federal court in New Hampshire temporarily blocked, for most public-school districts, a law banning DEI programs pertaining to race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and disability in New Hampshire K-12 public schools, public and private universities, and public entities.
The anti-equity, anti-inclusion and anti-diversity law in New Hampshire became effective on July 1, after being signed into law by Gov. Ayotte in late June. The groups who filed suit argued it radically contradicts federal civil rights laws that protect the rights of students with disabilities, violates the First Amendment rights of educators and students, and is unlawfully vague and ambiguous under the United States and New Hampshire Constitutions.
“We welcome this interim order as it protects the ability of educators and educational institutions to carry out their professional duties and continue providing trusted educational programs in New Hampshire,” said Hannah Hussey, GLAD Law staff attorney.
“More importantly, it ensures that students can continue to receive a quality, well-rounded education and the skills they need to succeed in our ever-diversifying world. As this case moves through the court, we’ll continue to show how HB 2’s vague bans on programs related to race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability unlawfully chill and censor vital initiatives that ensure equal educational opportunity for female students, LGBTQ+ students, students of color, and students with disabilities.”
More: gladlaw.org
Hassan visits MTC
In September, US Senator Maggie Hasaan stopped by Manchester True Collaborative, New Hampshire’s first LGBTQ+ community center, for a tour and to deliver remarks.
“My biggest message to people is if you have a child who, regardless of who they are or what their sexuality is or their identity is, none of us want that person singled out or bullied,” she said.
Hassan also spoke of her work to maintain funding for the 988 suicide and life crisis line, and bringing back the dedicated LGBTQ services at the line, which were discontinued in July.
More: manchestertrue.org
Trans care ban
Back in August, New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed into law House Bill 377, which “prohibits health care providers from prescribing puberty blockers and hormone therapy for people under 18 when the medications are used by transgender youth as part of gender transition,” as described by the Boston Globe. “The new law includes an exception so young people who are already accessing these treatments can continue to do so after the ban goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2026.”
“These laws are merciless, cruel, and painful for transgender young people, their families, and their doctors,” said Courtney Reed, policy advocate at the American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire, in a statement after the bills were signed into law, adding that “the ACLU will continue fighting to ensure all people have the dignity and equality they deserve and the freedom to shape their own futures.”