Two bills will be coming up for a vote soon in Concord, HB396 and HB619. Both pieces of legislation are an attack on the rights of LGBTQ people. HB396 would permit segregation based on "biological sex" rather than gender identity in schools, prison settings, and other spaces, violating the rights and safety of transgender people under state and federal law. This move will only increase discrimination, harassment and probable violence they already face.
HB 619 would prohibit certain healthcare for transgender youth, by unfairly targeting and discriminating against transgender and gender non-conforming people in violation of New Hampshire law. This healthcare, better known as gender-affirming care, is widely recognized as the only evidence-based approach to addressing the physical, mental, and emotional needs of transgender youth.
On the flip side, there are two pieces of legislation meant to further advance LGBTQ rights. HB368 would assist in easing the process of changing a person’s gender on their birth certificate while assuring their identification documents are affirming, precise and valid.
HB264 is meant to protect patients and providers from civil lawsuits. All across the country we have seen many elected officials make efforts to dangerously restrict access to crucial gender-affirming healthcare services and resources. Additionally, attempts are being made to criminalize this care that is being made available across state lines.
If you would like to urge your representative to vote against HB396 and HB619, while telling them to support HB368 and HB264 please contact them here. Takes only a moment to do . . .