New Hampshire bans gender-transition surgery for minors despite protests

New Hampshire has recently taken significant steps in restricting rights for transgender individuals, as Governor Chris Sununu signed several bills into law that have sparked intense debate and controversy across the state and beyond.

On Friday, Governor Sununu, a Republican, approved legislation that prohibits health professionals from performing gender-transition surgeries on minors. This landmark law also imposes disciplinary actions on doctors who refer minors to other providers for such procedures. This move makes New Hampshire the first state in the Northeast to implement such a ban, marking a notable milestone in the conservative movement’s efforts to limit transgender care for minors.

In addition to the ban on gender-transition surgeries, Governor Sununu also signed into law a measure that prevents transgender athletes from participating on school sports teams that align with their gender identities. This legislation joins another bill signed by the governor, which grants parents the authority to opt their children out of any public school instruction related to sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

However, not all proposed bills received the governor’s endorsement. Governor Sununu vetoed a separate bill that aimed to allow businesses and public entities to segregate bathrooms, locker rooms, and athletic teams based on biological sex.

The enactment of these laws underscores a growing national trend where states are increasingly deliberating and passing legislation that affects transgender individuals. Most states that have implemented bans on gender-affirming care for minors have done so within the past year, reflecting a contentious debate over transgender rights in state legislatures across the country.

The response to these legislative actions has been swift and impassioned. Advocates for transgender rights, including organizations like GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders, have condemned Governor Sununu’s decisions. Chris Erchull, a senior staff lawyer at GLAD, expressed concerns that such laws perpetuate discrimination rather than addressing equity and inclusion.

Legal challenges are expected to follow, mirroring lawsuits filed in numerous states that have enacted similar bans. Courts have delivered varied rulings on these matters, adding layers of complexity and uncertainty to the legal landscape surrounding transgender rights.

New Hampshire now joins at least two dozen other states in restricting or outright banning gender-transition medical care for minors, the implications for transgender youth and their families remain profound.