I am appalled that the New Hampshire legislature is considering bills that would make discrimination legal. At least two bills under debate — SB38 and SB268 — do just that. SB38 states that “nothing in RSA 5-C:87, RSA 260-263, RSA 354-A or any other law or regulation shall mean that it is unlawful discrimination based on sex or gender identity.” While the wording is convoluted, the intent is clear: This bill would make it lawful to discriminate. Does the legislature truly intend to sanction discrimination and enshrine it into law?

Furthermore, both SB38 and SB268 are based on the false premise that gender is strictly binary. While this may have been a widely-held belief in the past, our modern understanding of genetics proves otherwise. Genomic research has shown that biological sex and gender expression exist on a spectrum, something many people have long known from lived experience. This legislation promotes harm. In what way does enabling discrimination on any basis improve our community? These bills are dangerous, outdated and fundamentally unjust. I urge you to contact the main sponsors of these bills, Sen. Avard and Sen. Lang, to find out why they want to take New Hampshire in this direction. Contact your own senators and representatives to urge them to oppose anything that legalizes discrimination.

I implore the legislature to stand on the side of science, fairness and human dignity for every person. Discrimination should never be legal in New Hampshire.

Jeanie Holt

Concord