A Tale Of Two States

This is a story of two states, New Hampshire and Texas. First we have New Hampshire…

N.H. lawmaker to file legislation prohibiting discrimination against transgender people
Concord Monitor
By Ella Nilsen Monitor staff
Thursday, November 17, 2016

One New Hampshire lawmaker is trying to get the state to take concrete action against transgender discrimination during this upcoming legislative session.

Democratic state Rep. Ed Butler of Harts Location plans to file legislation that would update the New Hampshire Commission for Human Rights to make it so state residents cannot be fired from their work or excluded from housing for their gender identity and gender expression.

While New Hampshire citizens cannot be discriminated against for their age, sexual orientation or place of origin, no such protection exists for transgender and gender non-conforming individuals.
[…]
Butler brought a similar bill in front of the legislature in 2009, which narrowly made it through the state House of Representatives but was defeated in the state Senate.

I wish them luck, especially now that Chris Sununu will be the new governor.

Then we look at Texas…

Proposed Bill Would Make Teachers Out Their LGBT Students
San Antonio Current
Posted By Alex Zielinski
November 18, 2016

Texas Republicans are really uncomfortable with LGBT kids.

First, they blocked a federal order to allow trans students in public schools to use the bathrooms that match their gender identity. Now, they want teachers to out LGBT students to their parents, with or without the student’s consent.

Sen. Konni Burton introduced a bill on Thursday – which just so happened to be national Transgender Day of Remembrance – that would require public schools give parents "any general knowledge regarding the parent's child possessed by an employee of the district” and records "relating to the child’s general physical, psychological or emotional well-being."

This may sound vague — and even harmless. But Burton has explicitly said this is a response to guidelines adopted by Fort Worth school district earlier this year, guidelines that banned staff from telling parents about their child's transgender status. The rule was quickly extinguished by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Texas' leader in anti-LGBT policies.

The old Chinese proverb/curse is coming to fruition… “My you live in interesting times”