The Freedom New Hampshire coalition – currently comprised of Transgender New Hampshire, New Hampshire PFLAG, Rights and Democracy, ACLU of New Hampshire, GLAD and Freedom for All Americans – introduced a comprehensive trans nondiscrimination bill this session. This law will update New Hampshire’s civil rights laws to include nondiscrimination protections for transgender people in housing, employment and public accommodations. State Representative Ed Butler, the lead sponsor of this measure and the 2009 effort, introduced the bill last week on November 18, ahead of the legislative session.

In New Hampshire, as in many states across the country, there are still no explicit protections prohibiting discrimination against transgender people in housing, employment, and public accommodations—places like restaurants, movie theaters or hospitals. No one should live in fear that they will be denied jobs, homes, or service at public places simply because of who they are. It’s time for New Hampshire to pass explicit transgender nondiscrimination protections.

Equality Federation stands with the Freedom New Hampshire coalition in their efforts. Transgender people have needed these protections for a very long time across, and the current political climate makes passing these protections even more urgent.

If the measure is signed into law, New Hampshire will become the 19th state in the nation to provide fully inclusive nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ individuals. The measure will be considered during the next legislative cycle, which begins on January 6.