CONCORD, N.H. – Supporters of anti-discrimination legislation in New Hampshire will host a rally on Wednesday, January 31 from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. in front of the Legislative Office Building just before the House Judiciary Committee holds a hearing on HB 1319. HB 1319 will provide protections for transgender Granite Staters in employment, access to housing, and public spaces like restaurants, shops, and government buildings. The rally will include a short program at 11 a.m. with featured speakers including advocates, business leaders, legislators, and transgender citizens and their families before they provide testimony to the Judiciary Committee.
WHO: Faith leaders, women’s and anti-violence advocates, legislators, and transgender citizens and their families.
WHAT: Rally and news conference to preview legislative testimony on HB 1319 to protect transgender Granite Staters from discrimination in employment, housing, and public spaces.
WHERE: New Hampshire State Capitol, Legislative Office Building, 33 N State St, Concord, NH 03301
WHEN: Wednesday, January 31. Rally will take place 10:30-11:30 a.m. Short program will take place at 11 a.m. Media availability to follow. Testimony before the Judiciary Committee begins at 1 p.m.
This legislation to protect transgender Granite Staters from discrimination has been enthusiastically endorsed by the New Hampshire Human Rights Commission, New Hampshire Legal Aid, the Children’s Behavioral Health Collaborative, and SEA/SEIU-1984. These organizations join the New Hampshire Women’s Foundation, the Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire, and the New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police.
HB 1319 is sponsored by Representative Ed Butler (D-Hart’s Location) and cosponsored by 14 of his fellow Representatives and Senators, listed below. Rep. Butler is joined by 12 Republican cosponsors, demonstrating strong bipartisan support for this measure. This same legislation (then HB 478) passed the House Health and Human Services Committee in 2017 by an overwhelming margin of 15-2. It was then tabled by House leadership before a full floor vote took place.
Freedom New Hampshire is the nonpartisan coalition of businesses large and small, law enforcement, anti-violence advocates, civic leaders, faith leaders, and transgender residents and their families working to introduce Granite Staters to their transgender neighbors and to make the case for equal opportunity and freedom from discrimination. To learn more, visit FreedomNewHampshire.org.
