Statement from Liz Canada, Advocacy Director of Planned Parenthood New Hampshire Action Fund in Response to Gov. Sununu’s Signing of Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation

“Governor Sununu's decision to sign three anti-LGBTQ+ bills marks a major departure from New Hampshire's core values of civil liberties and personal freedom, and today, Sununu became the first governor in modern New Hampshire history to codify discrimination against the trans community into law. Let's be clear: the politicians pushing these measures do not champion freedom or safety but rather seek control over our bodies.

These discriminatory laws will have devastating effects on trans individuals, particularly teenagers, who already face significant discrimination. These bills shamefully deny trans people autonomy over their own bodies and ban health care providers from providing honest and accurate information -- tactics taken from the national anti-abortion playbook.

This fight is far from over. Transgender people are no strangers to baseless persecution and have always relied on the strength of our communities, families, and one another. This moment is no different, and voices in defense of freedom and bodily autonomy will continue to grow stronger in the face of these attacks.”

Overview of the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bills:

• HB 619: Bans health care providers from making referrals for gender-affirming surgeries for teenagers, as well as the procedures.
  • This bill will go into effect on January 1, 2025.
• HB 1205: Bans transgender girls from playing on girls' sports teams in grades 5-12 and requires all girls to show a birth certificate – or “other evidence” – to be eligible to play, which could include genital inspections.
  • This bill will go into effect 30 days after its signing.
• HB 1312: Requires educators to provide two 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.”
  • This bill will go into effect 60 days after its signing.
• HB 396 (vetoed): Permits businesses and schools to discriminate against transgender individuals (teens and adults) in which bathroom they can use; also allows discrimination in sports and prisons/places of involuntary commitment.

###

Planned Parenthood New Hampshire Action Fund (PPNHAF) is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England in New Hampshire. The Action Fund engages in educational and electoral activity, including voter education, grassroots organizing, and legislative advocacy.

Planned Parenthood of Northern New England (PPNNE) is the largest provider of reproductive and sexual health care across the State of New Hampshire. We serve New Hampshire residents through 5 health centers in Derry, Exeter, Keene, Manchester and White River Junction, VT. Last year we saw more than 11,000 patients at these sites. PPNNE was named a 2021 Guardian of Excellence Award^® winner by Press Ganey, the national leader in health care consumer and workforce engagement. Press Ganey recognizes PPNNE as a top-performing health care organization, achieving the 95^th percentile or above for performance in patient experience, out of more than 20,000 medical practices.