The first public hearing on 2018’s “gender identity” bill for New Hampshire (HB 1319) will be at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 31 in room 208 of the Legislative Office Building. Among the considerations facing policymakers are the privacy concerns raised by HB 1319.
It’s more than just bathrooms
Laws and policies that add sexual orientation and gender identity classification mean that when a man asserts he is a female, he must be treated as a female for all purposes. But these laws and policies that allow men to claim a female identity go far beyond bathroom access, including:
- Showers. Students often need to shower after P.E. class or sporting events. HB 1319 would allow males to shower alongside their female classmates.
- Changing areas. Whether changing for P.E., a school musical, or a sporting event, students should not be required to disrobe in the presence of the opposite sex.
- Overnight lodging. When students take overnight field trips or travel for sports tournaments, they often share hotel rooms. Roommate assignment on the basis of biological sex would be replaced by assignment on the basis of a student’s “gender identity.”
- Sports teams. Separate teams for boys and girls create a level playing field. Under gender identity laws like HB 1319, biological males would have a legal right to compete for spots on girls’ teams (and compete for girls’ scholarships).
- Dorm rooms. Gender identity laws would extend to roommate assignments in college residence halls.
