Earlier this month, New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte vetoed SB 268, a bill that would have rolled back critical nondiscrimination protections for transgender and gender nonconforming Granite Staters and imposed unpopular policies such as bathroom bans in New Hampshire.

In 2018, New Hampshire became the first US state to pass an update to its nondiscrimination law to include transgender people through an entirely Republican-controlled house, senate and governor. The bill she vetoed would have rolled back some of those protections for transgender people in public places, including restrooms, making it harder and less safe for an already vulnerable group of Granite Staters to simply go about their daily lives. 

Governor Ayotte vetoed identical legislation, HB 148, last year. Prior to that, her predecessor Governor Sununu also vetoed a similar bill.

Advocates in New Hampshire made the following statements:

Aimee Terravechia, Executive Director of 603 Equality, said, “This is a huge relief for every transgender or gender nonconforming person in New Hampshire. In a time of unrelenting legislative attacks and misinformation campaigns around transgender people and their rights, Gov. Ayotte’s veto affirms the basic rights and dignity for all Granite Staters. Transgender and gender nonconforming people deserve safe access to public spaces as they go about living, working, and contributing to our communities. Bathroom bans simply have no place in New Hampshire.”

Amanda Azad, Policy Director at the ACLU of New Hampshire, said, “We are heartened that Governor Ayotte has once again vetoed this discriminatory, detrimental, and regressive bill. Laws that allow discrimination hurt us all. Transgender people in our state are our family, friends, and neighbors, and they deserve far better than to continue to weather these unwarranted and deeply harmful legislative attacks. We urge the Governor to veto all anti-LGBTQ+ bills that may reach her desk as a result of the 2026 legislative session.”

Heidi Carrington Heath, Executive Director of NH Outright, said, “This veto is a win for the Granite State, and sends a much needed message to LGBTQ+ youth and families that they are welcomed and valued members of our communities. Today, Governor Ayotte stood in a long tradition of New Hampshire values protecting freedom and individual liberty. Like all youth, our LGBTQ+ young people deserve access to all of the spaces and places they need to thrive, and this veto helps ensure they can continue to do just that.”

Chris Erchull, Senior Staff Attorney at GLAD Law, said, “We’re pleased with Governor Ayotte’s veto of SB 268, which keeps the bipartisan nondiscrimination law passed in 2018 intact and ensures all Granite Staters — including our transgender friends, neighbors and co-workers — continue to have fair and safe access to our public spaces. Though SB 268 will not be the last politically motivated attack on LGBTQ+ people we have to confront in this legislative session, this is a moment worth celebrating—and an opportunity for more Granite Staters to come together in support of fairness, dignity, and freedom for all.”

— from a GLAD Law press release

More: gladlaw.org

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