Let's make our communities safe and pass HB 478

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Subject: Take action to protect transgender rights

There is a state level bill to update New Hampshire’s existing nondiscrimination laws — which currently protect people from discrimination at work, in housing, and in places open to the public — to also protect people who are transgender. This is important because right now there are no express protections in New Hampshire to prevent a transgender person from being fired from their job, denied an apartment or denied service in a restaurant, and otherwise discriminated against simply because of who they are. No one should have to live in fear that they will be unfairly fired, evicted from their home, or refused service at a public place simply because of who they are. It is up for an important vote. Please check out this alert to take action on it: http://act.granitestateprogress.org/letter/lets-make-our-communities-safe-and-pass-hb-478/?source=taf

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Send a letter to your State Representative(s) using the sample language below. You can edit the letter to personalize it or send it right now. Additional facts are listed below the sample letter.

As one of your constituents, I am writing to let you know that I support HB 478—legislation that would add "gender identity" to the list of classes protected under NH's Law Against Discrimination.

At its core, this legislation is about liberty and opportunity. Everyone deserves to work hard, put a roof over their head and participate in public life without constant fear of discrimination—including transgender people.

HB 478 is also about safety. Transgender people are disproportionately victims of harassment, discrimination, and assault. This bill has the support of the NH Association of Chiefs of Police and the NH Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, because these groups know that transgender-inclusive non-discrimination protections improve public safety.

I'm sure you're hearing that this legislation infringes on privacy and puts people at risk. That's just patently false. Already 18 other states and 200+ cities, including 10 in New Hampshire, have passed similar protections (or measures that support these protections), with absolutely no uptick in privacy-related incidents.

Now you have an opportunity to separate fact from fiction, to really hear the stories of the transgender residents and workers across our state—and to vote with your heart in support of legislation to protect them fairly and equally under NH state law.

I urge you to vote OTP "ought to pass" on HB 478.

Other sample points:

This will update New Hampshire’s existing nondiscrimination laws—which currently protect people from discrimination at work, in housing, and in places open to the public—to also protect people who are transgender.

Transgender people are our friends, co-workers, family and neighbors. They work hard, serve in the military, and pay taxes. When they look for a job, look for a place to live, or walk into a business that’s open to the public, they should be treated like anyone else and not be discriminated against.

It’s surprising to realize that there are no express protections in New Hampshire to prevent a transgender person from being fired from their job, denied an apartment or denied service in a restaurant, and otherwise discriminated against simply because of who they are. No one should have to live in fear that they will be unfairly fired, evicted from their home, or refused service at a public place simply because of who they are.

Updating the law is one more tool to help ensure that every person in our state—including those who are transgender—has the opportunity to earn a living, meet their obligations, provide for themselves and their families, and build a better life.

Updating our law would also help our state’s employers—large and small alike—draw the best talent to, and from within, our state by ensuring that workers are judged on their experience, qualifications, and the job they do—nothing more, nothing less.