New Hampshire Governor Sununu Signs Three Anti-LGBTQ Bills into Law

By now, many of you have heard that that of the 4 anti-LGBTQ laws passed in NH this year, three were signed into law by Governor Sununu. Governor Chris Sununu signed three anti-LGBTQ bills (HB 619, HB 1205, and HB 1312) into law while also vetoing one (HB 396).

ACLU NH writes about the details of the legislation:

The signed bills cover a wide range of issues, from banning access to some forms of healthcare for transgender youth, to a trans-exclusionary sports ban in schools from grades 5-12, and a classroom censorship bill that could stigmatize classroom instruction involving LGBTQ+ people and require schools to give parents two weeks’ notice as well as an opt-out provision for any such content.

NASW NH provides details about each bill:

• SIGNED HB 619: bans health care providers from making referrals for gender-affirming surgeries for teenagers, as well as the procedures. Effective January 1, 2025
• SIGNED HB 1205: bans transgender girls from playing on girls’ teams in grades 5-12 and requires all girls to show a birth certificate – or “other evidence” – to be eligible to play. Effective 30 days after signature.
• SIGNED HB 1312: requires educators to provide 2 weeks’ notice to parents on all curriculum and materials related to gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression, and identifies these topics as “objectionable material.” Effective 60 days after signature

NPR NH covers provides coverage on the bills in this article, Sununu signs bills to ban trans girls from girls sports, restrict gender-affirming surgeries and the likely challenge the legislation in court by the ACLU, LGBTQ rights groups: NH’s trans sports ban, other restrictions could be challenged in court

603 Equality held a rally and vigil after the signing and added this message to their Facebook account:

We are so grateful to the over 100 people who joined us at the state house Sunday night to share how we’re feeling in the aftermath of Gov. Sununu signing 3 bills that are harmful to our community. We will continue working to win back our rights through building more and more community and public support, reaching out to those who are truly listening.

NASW NH recommends taking the following actions:

Contact Governor Sununu and share your disappointment at (603) 271-2121 and governorsununu@nh.gov.   

Pledge to vote for candidates in 2024 who will support bodily autonomy, LGBTQ+ and abortion rights in the upcoming election. 

Connect with LGBTQ+ organizations and funds: @/outright_pride, @/trevorproject, @/ppnne’s Gender Affirming Care Fund, @/603.equality

May we all continue to work together to make NH a safe place for trans, nonbinary and gender diverse individuals and work to overturn these harmful new laws. Thanks to all our community members and allies for working so hard to fight these bills year after year.