Norelli: "Discrimination Against Transgendered Wrong"

by: Jennifer Daler

Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 08:15:28 AM EDT

I agree with her statement

It's disgraceful that opponents of House Bill 415 have trivialized the very real challenges faced by a small segment of our population -- citizens who have come face to face with losing their job or being denied housing.

Opponents say that we don't need specific laws -- that we should not discriminate against anyone. The fact is that there was a time, not that long ago, when blacks were forced to drink from separate fountains, when signs were posted in shop windows that said "Irish need not apply," and when the physically and mentally handicapped were hidden away in institutions.

Norelli goes on to say how proud she was when the NH legislature added the words "sexual orientation" to the anti-discrimination laws.

She also adds this bit of history:

Ten years ago, I was not a member of the majority party, and that means that Republicans and Democrats stood together. We stood against discrimination. Our current laws state that discrimination because of the color of your skin, the religion you practice or your sexual orientation is wrong. House Bill 415, now in the Senate, would add just four words: "gender identity or expression."

So ten years ago there were enough Republicans who respected civil rights to improve the state's laws. And today, they are in lock step marching backwards to the bad old days, with some Democrats joining them. What happened?

Thank you, Speaker Norelli,for taking a stand and showing positive leadership. That is why you have been and continue to be an excellent Speaker of the NH House of Representatives.