New Hampshire Passes Bill Attacking Transgender Equality, Awaits Governor Chris Sununu's Signature

The New Hampshire legislature passed three different bills attacking transgender equality last Thursday, and those bills will now head to Republican Gov. Chris Sununu's desk. The bills include HB 1205 and HB 1312, which passed the New Hampshire Senate along party lines.HB 1205 prohibits girls from participating in school sports teams that correspond to their gender beginning in fifth grade. All girls would be required to submit a birth certificate or "other evidence" of their gender at birth, which the LGBTQ+ organization GLAD says could include a genital exam. The bill also allows parents to sue their own school, the other school, the state board that regulates school sports, and states that believe transgender students are allowed to play sports.

Parent Sarah Huckman testified against the bill on behalf of her transgender daughter. She said, "She's a very social, gregarious person, and sports are definitely one of the best things for her mental health." She added that her daughter competes in cross-country, Nordic skiing and track and has been accepted by the other girls on her team. She is now concerned that HB 1205 could jeopardize her daughter's health.

HB 1312 requires schools to notify parents two weeks before discussing sexual orientation and gender identity and labels such discussions as "objectionable material." Democrats say the scope of the bill is so broad that it could even ban books depicting heterosexual couples. According to a report in the Los Angeles Blade, "This bill is one of the reasons no one wants to go into teaching." said State Senator Lou D'Allesandro, a former teacher.

"If schools are going to teach these sensitive subjects, parents should be empowered to review the material and make informed decisions about their children's education," said state Sen. Tim Lang, a supporter of the bill.

HB 619 also passed, which prohibits buttock surgery on transgender youth, even though minors do not undergo gender-affirming genital surgery. In addition, there is no evidence that anyone in New Hampshire has undergone such surgery as a minor.

"Today, the Senate has turned its back on New Hampshire values and sent an extremely harmful message to all New Hampshire young people. lGBTQ students have a right to learn without being targeted in school," said Chris Erchull, an attorney with GLAD. "Transgender students need to have the opportunity to participate in sports for the same reason other kids do: to learn basic life skills as part of a team to which they feel they belong," Erchull added. Eltschul added. "That's what we want for all young people - to be able to learn, grow and feel a sense of belonging. That's why our state and federal laws make it clear - and the courts have recognized - that singling out transgender students is wrong."

Gov. Chris Sununu has not yet said whether he will sign the bills, but he has made statements against transgender rights in the past. "I fundamentally don't think that biological boys should participate in women's sports. I think it's dangerous," he said in March.