House Republicans delay transgender non-discrimination bill

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — House Republicans delayed a debate and vote Thursday on legislation that would add protections for transgender people against discrimination.

Speaker Shawn Jasper had pushed to table the bill, citing concerns that men would exploit the legislation to enter women's restrooms. Tabling a bill means it receives no debate or up or down vote. Democratic Rep. Ed Butler, its prime sponsor, urged his colleagues not to sidestep debate on the issue. The decision to table the measure passed by just eight votes; it could be debated later in the day with a simple majority vote.

"Our job is not to skirt challenging issues but to engage them," Butler told his colleagues.

The bill would've barred discrimination based on gender identity in housing, employment and public accommodations at places such as restaurants or movie theaters.

Eighteen other states, including every other New England state, have similar protections in law. New Hampshire provides protections already based on race, religion, sexual orientation and several other factors.

"We're very disappointed with this morning's vote," Linds Jakows, campaign manager for Freedom New Hampshire, said in a statement. "Our transgender neighbors' lives are on the line, and we deserve an open debate and vote for our safety and wellbeing."

Republican leadership argued that the bill was flawed and could have unintended consequences. The bathroom argument caught fire among conservative lawmakers, mirroring arguments made during similar debates nationally and in states such as Texas and North Carolina.

"This bill is poorly written and raises too many concerns," said House Speaker Pro Tempore Sherm Packard, a Republican.

Jasper had argued the legislation would make it hard for men to protect their wives and daughters if they saw other men entering women's bathrooms under the guise of being transgender. Such situations do not appear to be happening on a widespread basis in states that have similar protections.

Cornerstone Action, a conservative advocacy group that is against the bill, praised the tabling decision and warned lawmakers against trying to revive the bill.

"This morning's vote to table (the bill) is a temporary reprieve for the many New Hampshire voters who have spoken up with their concerns about the bill during the past week," board member Shannon McGinley said.

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By Kathleen Ronayne. Copyright Associated Press - The Gayly 3/9/2017 @ 11:25 a.m. CST