Thursday, March, 20th, was a rough day for a lot of us. However, it began like many other Thursday’s... early. A caucus with colleagues about upcoming bills we would be voting on later in the day, with questions asked about some bills and then answered. One in particular was HB 148, a bill that would allow “classification of individuals based on their biological sex in bathroom facilities and locker rooms, sporting competitions, and detention facilities.” More on that later...
Before heading to Representatives Hall, the Democrat caucus walked as a group outside to the front of the State House where we greeted dozens of people in opposition to this proposed legislation. Many were holding signs, chanting and thanking us as we walked through the crowd, making our way to the entrance into the State House. It was a profound moment, one that brought tears to a lot of us as we walked inside.
Now, back to the bill which was sponsored by 14 Republicans, most with ties to the extremist groups Liberty Alliance and Young Americans for Liberty (YAL). This bill is meant to roll back the protections for transgender people that were enacted in 2018 by RSA 354-A, “Law Against Discrimination.” This bill prohibits them from competitions and/or facilities that don’t line up with their biological birth gender. It also allows for discrimination and abuse to a very small percentage of people in NH. Fun fact: In 2024, Gov. Sununu vetoed legislation that was similar to this one.
When HB 148 came up for a vote later in the day, speaking in opposition of it for the minority party was a first term representative named Alice Wade from Dover. Her speech was eloquent and from her heart. She spoke of a conversation she had at the end of election day on Nov. 5th outside her polling place with a Republican man. They were both greeting voters and holding signs. Rep. Wade introduced herself and they chatted awhile before the man expressed that he hadn’t been participating in politics as he had lost a child the previous summer and didn’t have the energy for it. They continued to chat when the man asked Rep. Wade if she was transgender, to which she answered in the affirmative. The man then proceeded to tell her how he had lost his child, a transgender man, to suicide. He told her while he didn’t understand what it meant to be transgender, he was proud of and loved his child deeply. He regretted not understanding his son more.
Rep. Wade kept her speech in the direction of the Republican majority as she explained how overwhelming it is for trans people to go through life knowing there are those who are hostile to their very existence and that transitioning six years ago is what helped to save her life. She implored that side of the hall to not vote in favor of passing the bill noting that there were more than 50 people who came and gave in person testimony opposing the bill, where there were only about ten people who showed up in support. There were 2,910 people who went on line opposing this bill, with only 206 on line who supported it. It was a challenge to keep our tears in check. To see and hear the entire 5 minute speech by Rep. Wade, click here and scroll to the 5:18:20 mark.
Her heartfelt words of hope, understanding and inclusivity fell on deaf ears and hard hearts. The bill passed 201-166.
Stay the course, Rep. Wade, as we continue to shine the light on those whose hate-filled bigotry is spurred by their fear of you.