New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu has signed two significant measures into law that will restrict transition-related care for transgender minors and bar some trans students from competing on school sports teams aligned with their gender identities. These measures, H.B. 619 and H.B. 1205, are set to take effect in the coming months, marking a significant shift in the state’s approach to transgender rights.
H.B. 619, which will come into effect at the beginning of next year, prevents transgender minors from undergoing transition-related surgery and prohibits physicians from referring patients for such procedures out of state. However, it does not ban other forms of gender-affirming care, such as puberty blockers and hormone replacement therapy. Governor Sununu emphasized that these laws are meant to reflect a balanced approach that aligns with the values of New Hampshire’s parents.
“The vast majority of Granite Staters share in this approach — because it is fair, balanced, and void of political considerations,” Sununu stated. He asserted that the measures aim to uphold safety, fairness, and common sense for all citizens.
H.B. 1205, which will require students in grades 5-12 to compete on school sports teams that correspond with the gender marker on their birth certificates, is set to take effect next month. Supporters argue that this law is necessary to ensure fairness in sports, citing concerns about physical advantages.
New Hampshire now joins 23 other states controlled by Republican governors and legislatures that have implemented similar restrictions on transition-related care for minors. According to the Movement Advancement Project (MAP), a think tank focusing on LGBTQ rights, New Hampshire is the 26th state to enforce such laws.
In addition to these new laws, Sununu vetoed legislation that would have barred transgender individuals from using bathrooms and locker rooms matching their gender identities. This decision aligns with his previous support for anti-discrimination protections for transgender residents, which he reinforced in a statement.
Critics, including families of transgender minors and advocacy groups, have expressed deep concerns. The Tirrell family from Plymouth, New Hampshire, voiced their fears about the long-term implications of the healthcare measure. Their daughter, Parker, who is 15, has been receiving gender-affirming care and is worried about potential future restrictions.
“This particular bill seems to us that it’s a little bit of them getting a win on the scoreboard against this marginalized population rather than enacting legislation that truly has any meaningful effect,” Zach Tirrell commented.
Advocacy groups like the New Hampshire Women’s Foundation have also expressed disappointment, emphasizing the need for leaders to focus on pressing issues like the mental health crisis among youth, particularly girls. They argue that transgender, nonbinary, and intersex individuals deserve equitable treatment in all aspects of public life.
While some of these measures in other states are being challenged in court, it remains to be seen if New Hampshire’s laws will face similar litigation. The Supreme Court’s upcoming ruling on a Tennessee measure prohibiting gender-affirming care for minors may set a precedent affecting these laws nationwide.
For families like the Tirrells, the prospect of further restrictions poses a significant challenge. They have expressed a willingness to relocate if Parker’s access to necessary medical care is jeopardized.
“Anytime there is a bill or law in place that prevents us from providing care for Parker, we’ll have to pull up those roots and think about moving somewhere safe,” Sara Tirrell stated, highlighting the ongoing struggle for transgender rights and healthcare access in New Hampshire and beyond.