The recent veto of HB 148 by Governor Kelly Ayotte makes one truth clear: New Hampshire must be precise and courageous in defining “woman” in law and truly protect single-sex spaces. While HB 148 had good intentions, it ultimately failed the very women and girls it sought to protect. Governor Ayotte rightly acknowledged that the bill was “overly broad and impractical to enforce,” and the inclusion of “gender identity,” undermined its purpose.
However, if Governor Ayotte truly had reservations about the bill, why didn’t she meet with the sponsor and co-sponsors to get them resolved? Had she discussed her objections directly, there’s a strong chance those issues could have been addressed, paving the way for a law that meaningfully protects women’s spaces
.As a member of the Independent Women’s Network and a coach dedicated to empowering girls, I testified before the House Judiciary Committee to urge a better path. Over 80% of Americans agree that women and girls deserve spaces of their own; this should be a unifying value, not a political flashpoint.
By writing “gender identity” into HB 148, the legislature left a loophole allowing men access to women’s spaces. Beth Parlato of the Independent Women’s Law Center put it best: the bill “fails to safeguard single-sex spaces.”
Defining “woman” based on biological sex is essential to maintain women’s rights and fairness. Lawmakers must remove “gender identity” from any future effort and protect opportunities for New Hampshire’s daughters.
Bronwyn Sims
Nelson