I urge defeat of Bill HB619-FN.
As it stands, the bill:
· Bans gender transition healthcare for minors.
o As the Association of American Medical Colleges stated in 2021, “Efforts to restrict the provision of gender-affirming health care for transgender individuals will… promote discrimination, and widen already significant health inequities,” and that such efforts “undermine the doctor-patient relationship and the principle that doctors are best equipped to work with patients and their families to arrive at shared decision-making.”
· Bans affirmation or education related to being transgender or nonbinary in public schools
o By prohibiting the affirmation of transgender or questioning children by using the name or pronoun that affirms their gender identity, this shows a lack of a basic level of care and respect for who they are, and their feelings of safety in a school setting.
· Changes the definition of conversion therapy in a way that fails to recognize the coerciveness frequently inherent in conversion therapy
o Changing the definition of conversion therapy by requiring that it must be against an individual’s clearly expressed will is concerning, as many minors and young adults are coerced into conversion therapy by parents or guardians upon whom they are financially dependent and are not able to clearly and meaningfully state that it is against their will.
Our society is currently in the middle of an animated — and often irrational — debate about definitions of gender identity and sexuality. Though seemingly new to our times, these topics also captivated ancient cultures, including those from which the Jewish and Christian testaments were written.
I speak as a Christian leader who is equally concerned about the mental and physical health of our younger generations. The State, as it should, has a legitimate interest in promoting the emotional and physical safety of New Hampshire’s children and youth. However, while claiming to promote and protect young persons and their families navigating the changing norms of our increasingly sexualized culture, this proposed bill in its sheer broadness does not promote or respect their freedoms.
The current bill, in its wideness of scope, is an overreach of legislative action that serves only to frustrate and criminalize such free conversation and considered discussion rather that promote it. This proposed legislation threatens to make children and their families collateral damage in a damaging fray of politics.
Instead of this broad-reaching bill, what is most needed in these times is a compassionate, considered discussion that includes respected leaders from the medical, psychological, educational, and religious communities, as well as transgender youth and their families.
In the Episcopal Church, our foundational beliefs are represented in our baptismal vows. As Christians we commit to seeking and serving Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as ourselves, striving for justice and peace among all people, and respecting the dignity of every human being. We believe that God loves us all – no exceptions. Isn't disregarding and ignoring the dignity of persons who identify as LGBTQIA+ a violation of a sacred trust? Let us meet these transgender youth and their families where they are and embrace them as children of God and of New Hampshire.
Bill HB619-FN contains more heat than light to the considered and respectful conversations now underway in our households, in our houses of worship, in our schools, and in our medical and mental health venues. This is a discussion for those venues, not for the floor of the State House.
I urge defeat of Bill HB619-FN.
Sincerely and Faithfully,
The Rt. Rev. A. Robert Hirschfeld
Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire