GLSEN Hails New Hampshire's Passage of Trans-Inclusive Non-Discriminat

NH Passes Trans-Inclusive Protections

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Joanna Cifredo Media Relations Manager Joanna.Cifredo@glsen.org 646-388-6575

GLSEN Hails New Hampshire's Passage of Trans-Inclusive Non-Discrimination Protections 

Transgender Educators in New Hampshire Are Now Protected by Under New Law

NEW YORK, NY (June 8, 2018) – Today, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu signed legislation expanding existing civil rights protections in employment, housing, and public spaces to include transgender people. The following statement can be attributed to Sarah Munshi, GLSEN State and District Policy Manager. Regarding the passing of HB1319, Munshi said:

“Today’s historic victory couldn’t come sooner for New Hampshire’s transgender community. In too many states, transgender Americans face harsh discrimination and are treated as second-class citizens when they seek help.

New Hampshire now joins a growing number of states who have passed protections against discrimination on the basis of gender identity. In doing so, the state has also sent a powerful message to transgender educators and their families that they are seen, welcomed, and worthy of protection. Today, transgender educators in New Hampshire can focus on teaching and supporting their students instead of fearing the loss of their livelihood for merely being who they are.

By passing this bill, New Hampshire became the final state in New England, and 19th state, along with D.C. to provide explicit civil rights protection for  LGBTQ individuals. While the state has protected residents from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation for years, HB1319 represents a crucial step in protecting the rights of all LGBTQ New Hampshirites.

GLSEN is grateful to have worked with our coalition of partners on the ground who are leading the charge, such as Freedom New Hampshire who helped make this historic day possible. We would also like to commend the leadership of legislators in both parties and to Governor Sununu for ensuring that the rights of transgender New Hampshirites were a priority this legislative session. Proving that protecting transgender people is not a partisan issue, it's the right thing to do and now, in New Hampshire, its the law.”

Governor Sununu also signed HB 587 into law banning conversion therapy for minors, a dangerous and debunked practice that purports to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. In regard to HB 587 Sarah Munshi said the following:

“GLSEN is grateful for the work of countless local advocates that led to this victory, as well as the leadership of New Hampshire's’ legislators who passed HB 587 by a wide bipartisan margins, becoming the first state with a fully GOP-controlled government (in both chambers along with a GOP governor) who pushed to ensure this priority was recognized in this legislative session. New Hampshire joins 13 other states and the District of Columbia that also have laws or regulations protecting LGBTQ youth from conversion therapy. We are excited to celebrate this victory for young people in New Hampshire, and we stand ready to work diligently with advocates in all states to promote similar legislation to protect LGBTQ youth.”

 

About GLSEN

GLSEN works to create safe and inclusive schools for all. We envision a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or gender expression. Each year, GLSEN programs and resources reach millions of students and educators in K-12 schools across the United States, and our network of 39 community-led chapters in 26 states brings GLSEN’s expertise to local communities. GLSEN's progress and impact have won support for inclusive schools at all levels of education in the United States and sparked an international movement to ensure equality for LGBTQ students and respect for all in schools. For more information on GLSEN’s policy advocacy, student leadership initiatives, public education, research, and educator training programs, please visit  www.glsen.org.