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New Hampshire Governor Signs Bill Making Gender Identity Protected Class

June 9, 2018

New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu signed a bill outlawing discrimination in housing, employment, or public accommodations because of gender identity.

“Discrimination — in any form — is unacceptable and runs contrary to New Hampshire’s Live Free or Die spirit,” said Sununu, a Republican, according to The Union Leader.

New Hampshire House Bill 1319 adds gender identity to the list of protected classes in New Hampshire, which were previously race, color, sex, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, religious creed, national origin, and sexual orientation.

Opponents of the bill say there might be bad unintended consequences.

“By enshrining in the law an ideology that denies the truth of an integrated human person, we would be undercutting laws that bar discrimination based on physical characteristics. Would a shelter for abused women be forced to hire a male staff member who identifies as female?” said Shannon McGinley, of Cornerstone Action of New Hampshire, according to The Union Leader.


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