Post submitted by former HRC Digital Media Manager Helen Parshall

LGBTQ people and allies in New Hampshire are celebrating after a week of wins in the Granite State. Not only were two dangerous anti-LGBTQ bills defeated, but an important bipartisan bill was passed in the House that would would add protections for gender identity into law.

The defeat of HB 1560 and HB 1532 signal important momentum for transgender equality in New Hampshire. HB 1650 sought to deny Medicaid funding for gender-affirming care, and was voted down. HB 1532 would have prohibited gender affirmation surgery for minors, and was also defeated on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, HRC hailed a vote by New Hampshire’s House of Representatives passing HB 1319.  While New Hampshire law has explicitly prohibited discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in employment, housing and public accommodations since 1998, this legislation would extend these critical safeguards from discrimination to include gender identity. The bill now moves to the New Hampshire Senate.

HRC has been mobilizing thousands of members and supporters across New Hampshire in support of HB 1319 along with Freedom New Hampshire, a coalition of national and local advocacy groups that include GLAD, Freedom for All Americans, the New Hampshire ACLU, Transgender New Hampshire, and Rights and Democracy New Hampshire.

These victories show important momentum for LGBTQ people and allies across the Granite State.

Stay tuned to hrc.org/blog for more updates about LGBTQ legislation nationwide.