Marriage and Trans Legislation in NH

Ok, so yesterday New Hampshire’s Senate approved a bill advancing marriage “equality” so it will go back to the House where it should pass again (slight changes were made requiring another vote). If you get your LGBT(Q?) news from the HRC you already know how wonderful the leadership in the Senate and House are “for their leadership in reaching a positive result.”

Bad news? Last week, the NH Senate Judiciary Committee “voted 5-0 to recommend that the full Senate kill the transgender rights bill” which would have added gender identity or expression to the already existing non-discrimination and hate crimes laws. This was after three hours of testimony (from both sides) that had stories of being fired, ridiculed, and physically attacked for being transgender.

I think it’s important to notice what things are advancing and what things aren’t… Bills to allow same-sex couples access to a heterosexual privilege that is classist, racist, and invasive are passing in multiple states, while a bill to protect everyone (though especially Trans people) concerning employment and housing regardless of gender identity or expression is put done. The big argument against the bill? Bathrooms and the safety of children. A woman who testified to the Committee "said that as a mother, she is angry and concerned about her daughter's safety. She wondered what would stop a man who considered himself a woman from using a woman's restroom." Well... If someone identifies as a woman (regardless of genitalia), then she is a woman, not a man. Now, the safety of children is certainly important, but it isn't relevant to the legislation... In the 1970’s Anita Bryant used the “Save Our Children” rhetoric to attack laws friendly to gay men and lesbian women and to pass harmful ones. Thirty years later, people are still using discourses around protecting children to deny equality!

I feel that the LGBT movement is a little off in praising a group for advancing equality a week after they voted against it...