This afternoon by ONE VOTE! 188-187, the NH House of Representatives voted for HB 415, which adds "gender identity and expression" to laws meant to protect against discrimination. According to the Nashua Telegraph:
The final vote of support, 188-187, came after it rejected more than a dozen amendments including attempts to carve out exemptions for religious organizations, private or parochial schools, hospitals, government employers and nursing homes.
House Speaker Terie Norelli, D-Portsmouth, chose this issue on which to speak from the House floor for the first time since winning re-election last December.
She refuted claims this would allow someone to abuse the transgender label, improperly enter a woman’s bathroom and prey on women or children.
The opponents of this bill had blanketed the state with claims that terrible things would happen if this bill was passed. They called it the "bathroom bill." Those of us who were urging our legislators to support equal rights often wondered if we were being completely drowned out by this misleading propaganda. What a wonderful day to find that equal rights prevailed!
The bill was defeated when it came up for a vote after the marriage equality bill recently, but many legislators were not present at that vote, and supporters put it back on the schedule for another vote today. By coincidence, it just happened to be Tartan Day at the State House:
Yes, that's right: Today, a proud tribe that some deride as men in skirts just might debate the rights of a proud tribe that critics decry as . . . men in skirts.
My heartfelt appreciation to all who supported this bill, especially Rep. Ed Butler who sponsored it, and House Speaker Norelli for really getting it right when calling for support for this bill. Now: on to the NH State Senate!