MEMO: Dangerous Legislative Attacks on LGBTQ+ Granite Staters

Tomorrow, the New Hampshire State Senate is poised to vote on a number of dangerous bills introduced by extreme politicians that threaten the rights, health, and well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals in our state. I encourage you to read the InclusiveNH Op Ed Storybook, which is a story collection of op-eds and letters to the editor that have been published in New Hampshire calling to protect the rights of LGBTQ+ Granite Staters. 

Planned Parenthood believes that all people deserve the freedom to make their own decisions about their bodies and their futures, including their sexual and reproductive health. Gender-affirming health care is a broad service that is different for all individuals, but it is live-saving care and PPNNE is proud to offer this quality, compassionate, non-judgmental service at all 15 health center locations.

Planned Parenthood opposes all bills targeting the LGBTQ+ community; these bills are dangerous and, if passed, would have major impacts on patients’ lives and health. Granite Staters should be able to live their lives authentically and without fear of discrimination.

Planned Parenthood Opposes SB 341. This bill requires teachers to document detailed confidential conversations with students, to meet a high standard of reporting information to parents, with no workable exceptions for possible abuse or neglect. While it does not explicitly name LGBTQ students, we know it would disproportionately affect them, and forcibly out LGBTQ+ students to their parents.

Planned Parenthood Opposes SB 375. This bill bans transgender girls from participating on teams corresponding to the gender they live every day. Transgender kids want the opportunity to play sports for the same reason other kids do: to be part of a team where they feel like they belong. This bill would ostracize and isolate these individuals from their peers.

Planned Parenthood Opposes SB 523. This bill allows a parent to challenge any school material - a book, a handout, a poster, a play or musical - anything offered in school, and gives authority to the principal or school board to ban it outright with no path for any other parent to appeal the decision. The likely result of this bill would be the censorship of any materials that discuss gender identity or sexual orientation. Schools work best when teachers, parents and students work in partnership. They also work best when students feel school is a safe place for them. 

Planned Parenthood Opposes SB 562. This bill allows businesses and schools to discriminate against transgender Granite Staters, rolling back protections signed into law in 2018. Freedom from discrimination at an individual, institutional, and structural level, is crucial to a person’s physical and mental health and wellness. Our laws must work to eliminate the inequities and negative outcomes created and perpetuated by discrimination— rather than reinforcing them. Discriminatory policies, whether they are passed or not, impact the mental well-being of the communities that are targeted by them.

A reminder that in 2018, HB 1319, passed to protect gender identity in New Hampshire, with a 14-10 vote in the NH Senate, including Senator Bradley, Senator Gray, and Senator Innis in support. Governor Sununu signed the bill into law. 

Below are some facts about being an LGBTQ young person in New Hampshire according to 2022 data from The Trevor Project:

• 72% of LGBTQ youth in NH reported experiencing symptoms of anxiety
• 55% of LGBTQ youth in NH reported experiencing symptoms of depression
• 39% of LGBTQ youth in New Hampshire seriously considered suicide in the past year and 10% attempted it.

If you would like to talk more before or after these votes tomorrow, please reach out.