CONCORD, NH — New Hampshire Republican Governor Chris Sununu has signed a bill that would exclude transgender athletes in grades 5-12 from teams that match their gender identity, nearly half in the nation who took similar measures.
The bill, passed by the Republican-led Legislature, would require schools to designate all teams as girls, boys or coed, with eligibility determined based on students’ birth certificates “or other proof.” Supporters of the legislation said they wanted to protect girls from injuries at the hands of larger, stronger transgender athletes.
Sununu signed the bill Friday, saying in a statement that it “ensures fairness and safety in women’s sports by maintaining integrity and competitive balance in athletic competition.” It goes into effect in 30 days.
Megan Tuttle, president of NEA-New Hampshire, a union representing public school staff, criticized Sununu.
“Public schools should be safe, welcoming environments for all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity,” she said in a statement. “Shame on Governor Sununu for signing this legislation that bars students from athletics, which can help foster a sense of belonging that is so critical for young people to thrive.”
Sununu also signed a bill Friday that would ban gender-affirming surgeries for transgender minors, effective January 1, 2025. The service has been available in the United States for more than a decade and is endorsed by major medical associations.
“This bill focuses on protecting the health and safety of New Hampshire’s children and has received bipartisan support,” Sununu wrote.
Sununu vetoed another measure that would have allowed public and private entities to discriminate on the basis of “biological sex” in restrooms and locker rooms for multiple occupants, sporting events and detention facilities. Sununu pointed to a law passed in 2018 that banned discrimination based on gender identity in employment, public accommodations and housing. He said the challenge with the current law “is that in some cases it tries to solve problems that have not occurred in New Hampshire, and in doing so it invites unnecessary controversy.”