This blog originally appeared at LGBTQ NATION.
The bills undermine trans rights to equal education and health care.
The New Hampshire state legislature passed three bills targeting transgender equality last Thursday. These bills are now headed to Republican Gov. Chris Sununu’s desk.
The bills include H.B. 1205 and H.B. 1312, both of which passed the New Hampshire Senate along party lines. H.B. 1205 bans girls from participating on school sports teams that match their gender identity starting in fifth grade. It requires all girls to submit a birth certificate or “other evidence” of their sex assigned at birth, which the LGBTQ+ organization GLAD says could include a genital inspection. The bill also permits parents to sue their school, the opposing school, the state board that governs school sports, and the state if they believe a transgender student was allowed to play sports.
Sarah Huckman, representing her transgender daughter, testified against the bill as a parent.
“She’s incredibly social and outgoing, and sports have been vital for her mental health,” Huckman emphasized. She noted that her daughter actively engages in cross-country, Nordic skiing, and track, and has received acceptance from her teammates.
Now, she fears that her daughter’s well-being could be jeopardized by H.B. 1205.
H.B. 1312 mandates that schools must notify parents at least two weeks in advance before discussing topics related to sexual orientation and gender identity, categorizing such discussions as “objectionable material.” Democrats argued that the bill’s language is so sweeping that it could potentially lead to the prohibition of books depicting heterosexual couples, as reported by the LA Blade.
State Senator Lou D’Allesandro (D), a former educator, expressed, “This bill is one of the reasons why nobody wants to go into teaching,” as reported by the New Hampshire Bulletin.
“Today, the Senate turned its back on New Hampshire values and conveyed an exceedingly harmful message to all New Hampshire youth. LGBTQ students deserve to learn without facing discrimination at school,” stated Chris Erchull, an attorney at GLAD.
“Transgender students require the chance to participate in sports for the same reasons as other children: to acquire vital life skills as members of a team where they feel included,” Erchull emphasized. “That’s what we desire for all young individuals – the ability to learn, flourish, and feel accepted. That’s why our state and federal laws clearly state – and courts have confirmed – that targeting transgender students for exclusion is unjust.”
Governor Chris Sununu (R) has yet to announce whether he will sign the bills, although he has previously made statements opposing transgender rights.
“I fundamentally don’t believe that biological boys should be competing in girls’ sports. I think it’s dangerous,” he said this past March.
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