For every bigoted House Bill in a red state, a blue state makes one more quiet step toward lasting progress.
This week, House Bill 1319 was passed, which added gender identity to the text of New Hampshire’s preexisting anti-discrimination laws. This means that individuals who define themselves as transgender or nonbinary are now protected from unfair treatment when it comes to housing, employment, or medical services.
“The momentum behind the fight for equal rights in New Hampshire is growing as lawmakers and citizens alike continue to assert the importance of this transgender-inclusive legislation,” said GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis in a statement. “Faith leaders, local businesses, public safety officials and now the New Hampshire House of Representatives are collectively calling for fairness and freedom for all by working to ensure transgender people have the same vital protections against discrimination granted to all people of New Hampshire.”
Human Rights Campaign National Field Director Marty Rouse commented on the victory, noting: “No person should be fired, evicted, or denied service just because of who they are, and it is far beyond time that the Granite State’s non-discrimination protections include transgender people. We call on the New Hampshire Senate to swiftly pass this bill and send it to Governor Sununu’s desk for his signature.”
