Protesters enter New Hampshire capitol & demand governor protect trans kids

Governor Chris Sununu. Photo: Wikipedia

On Wednesday, a protest broke out in front of the New Hampshire State House over bills targeting transgender individuals.

The activists lined up outside the building, holding signs that say things like “Let Trans Kids Live” and “#letkidsplay.” Their aim is to convince Governor Chris Sununu (R) to veto four bills that threaten transgender youth.

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“Back in 2018, Gov. Sununu chose to do the right thing and protect trans people in NH from discrimination,” said Grace Murray, Political Director of the New Hampshire Youth Movement, referring to when Sununu signed an anti-discrimination bill, HB 1319, into law back in 2018. “Now that several horrifying, discriminatory pieces of legislation have come to his desk, it’s time for him to do the right thing again and veto these bills,” Murray added.

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“NH is the ‘live free or die’ state and those values should apply to all people,” Murrau continued. “Trans people should be allowed to live free in this state without the constant attacks to their rights. Gov. Sununu needs to uphold the freedoms we cherish in NH and veto these bills.”

State representative Alissandra Murray (D) said to NBC 5, “We need him to know that he needs to stand up like he did in 2018. He said it was the right thing to do then, and it’s the right thing to do now.”

The protesters reportedly gave a petition to the governor, however, he refused to meet with them. His refusal compelled the protesters to go inside the building to continue demanding that he veto the bills.

“I think the voices around fairness and safety are being heard not just here in New Hampshire, but all across the country,” Sununu said to NBC 5. “And it’s something we’re going to take very seriously here.”

HB 1205 is a bill that would ban trans girls from 5th grade through the 12th grade from participating in girls’ sports. The bill would require birth certificates as proof of a student-athlete’s biological sex. The proposed law would also allow students and families who believe a trans player is on a girls’ team to sue the school and state.

HB 1312 is a soft “Don’t Say Gay” bill requiring educators to give a two-weeks opt-out notice to parents in advance of any curriculum containing “sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or gender expression.” The bill labels this material as “objectionable.”

The bill HB 619 bans gender affirming surgeries for minors. Notably, gender affirming surgeries are almost never conducted on minors, except in cases where doctors and parents both deem it medically necessary after years of medical care.

These three bills were passed in a single day.

The latest bill to be sent to the governor’s desk is HB 396, a bill that threatens to end the legal recognition of trans people and will effectively ban public bathroom access for trans individuals. Many are concerned that this bill rolls back some provisions from HB 1319, a 2018 non-discrimination bill.

Sununu has a mixed record on LGBTQ+ rights, having previously shot down some anti-trans bills while also opposing a bill that would have made it easier to legally transition.

In March, he said, “I fundamentally don’t believe that biological boys should be competing in girls’ sports. I think it’s dangerous.”

It is unclear how he will vote on these bills.

“The people want Sununu to keep his word,” said Ezra Brown, Community Press Liaison for the New Hampshire Youth Movement. “In 2018, he made it clear: Protecting the rights and safety of trans people is the right thing to do.” 

“We urge him to follow through and veto these dangerous bills. We remember what he did for us before and we’ll remember what he does in this moment. The people have a long memory.”

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