CONCORD — Transgender residents and advocates filled Representatives’ Hall on Tuesday in support of HB 1319, a bill to explicitly protect transgender people from discrimination in employment, housing and public spaces.
Hundreds have now testified at two hearings in support of the measure. Most who spoke supported the bill, while two people who testified Tuesday were opposed, according to information provided by Freedom New Hampshire, which advocates for equal opportunity and freedom from discrimination for transgender people.
Tuesday’s testimony was emotional, as transgender people and family members shared fears that they experience daily, the toll that discrimination takes on their lives and the positive tangible and symbolic impact nondiscrimination protections would have for them.
This second hearing was scheduled by the House Judiciary Committee when time didn’t allow for more people to testify at the first hearing two weeks ago.
The Judiciary Committee is expected to vote on HB 1319 in the coming weeks and will provide a recommendation to the full House of whether the bill should pass. Gov. Chris Sununu said last month he supports passage of the bill, reiterating strong bipartisan support for the measure. The two-part Judiciary Committee hearing provided an opportunity for a diverse group of advocates to share their support for nondiscrimination protections. The bill has been endorsed by the House Libertarian Caucus, Children’s Legislative Caucus, New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police, Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire, The Women’s Foundation, and the New Hampshire Human Rights Commission, according to Freedom New Hampshire.
“I have been a healthcare professional for 38 years. I am a homeowner, parent, taxpayer, an avid outdoors enthusiast and I have lived in New Hampshire for 31 years. I am also a proud transgender woman,” said Stephanie Cawley of Center Conway. “Even though I live in and love New Hampshire, I chose to work in Maine because I was protected there from discrimination whereas in New Hampshire, I would not have that same level of protection. I want to help make my home state of New Hampshire the best possible state not just for myself, but for all transgender young people children growing up and for everyone else regardless of their race, sex, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity.”
“I’m testifying today on behalf of my transgender daughter Lia, her father and her two sisters because they need to know their home state of New Hampshire will protect Lia’s right to live her life authentically and freely, just like her sisters,” Christy Hegarty of Durham said Tuesday. “She deserves to have the same rights to access jobs and housing as her sisters. She needs to know she’ll receive the same care at our hospitals as her sisters.”
A transgender man named Mason Pasch spoke about the toll that discrimination takes on the transgender community, leading to high rates of depression, anxiety and suicide. “How many of you have begged a transgender friend not to commit suicide, whether or not you succeeded?” Mason asked the crowd. “This is our reality. This is why we need you to protect our community. This is why we are asking you to pass HB 1319.”
“Being transgender is not a mental illness or a choice, and I’ve had the honor of serving transgender patients Manchester Community Health Center and do my part to advocate for all transgender Granite Staters.” said Dr. Laura Fry of the Manchester Community Health Center. “Discrimination, harassment, and violence against transgender people have a serious and detrimental effect on a person’s health and wellbeing. Suicide attempts and successes are alarmingly high, especially among transgender youth. We owe it to transgender people to lighten this load, to tell them that they are our brothers and sisters, and to ensure they are free to live their lives in peace and safety like all of us in New Hampshire.”
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