Some family, friends and neighbors — transgender individuals — face abhorrent vitriol. A core value of the American promise is the protection of everyone’s rights, including the outnumbered, but once again, the legislature seeks to restrict trans rights.

HB 148 is about “permitting classification of individuals based on biological sex under certain, limited, circumstances,” as Gov. Sununu wrote when he vetoed the same bill last year. He stated: “In 2018, Republicans and Democrats passed legislation to prevent discrimination because, as I said at the time, it is unacceptable and runs contrary to New Hampshire’s Live Free or Die Spirit. That still rings true today. The challenge with HB 396 is that in some cases it seeks to solve problems that have not presented themselves in New Hampshire, and in doing so invites unnecessary discord.” The same is true a year later.

Speaking about HB 148, Rep. Wade (Dover) said in the Legislative Office Building: “Just this morning, I used the women’s restroom down that hall. No issues. I have used the women’s restroom for six years in public. No disruptions…. I myself am a trans woman, and I am going to bet that most of you would not have known that unless I had told you.” Proponents of HB 148 support the bill with stories of people supposedly harassing others in restrooms or locker rooms. Such behavior is unacceptable, no matter who does it. Remedies exist to deal with that. Reject transphobia and HB148.

Ned Beecher

Tamworth