Date: Fri, 16 Feb 96 18:58 PST
From: bdenehy@pisgah.keene.edu (Brendan Denehy)
Subject: NH Civil Rights Bill sent to Study


The New Hampshire Legislature voted 293-35 to send House Bill 1294, which
would add the term 'sexual orientation' to the State's civil rights
legislation, into extended study.  The Judiciary Committee held hearings on
January 18th, heard testimony from many people why this law was necessary,
and from very few people opposed to it. The Committee had a split vote,
with 9 members voting to send it to extended study, and 7 members voting to
send it directly to the house.  Significantly, no members voted 'not to
pass' this bill.

What does this mean?  A subcommittee of members of the Judiciary committee
will be appointed to study the bill and to submit a report to the
legislature next fall.  There will hopefully be hearings around the state
where further discussion of the bill can take place.  Based on the
sub-committee's findings, they may recommend or not recommend passage of
this bill.  If recommended, the bill will be discussed in the early months
of 1997.

One of the reasons cited for the further study of this bill is that there
are two cases currently in the NH court system which will prove that
discrimination exists.  One is a reverse discrimination case against NYNEX,
and the other is a real estate case where the realtor did not attempt to
sell the home of a gay couple.  Governor Merrill has continually claimed
that such legislation is not necessary, and these court cases will see if
he is right.

The New Hampshire Coalition to End Discrimination, which has been
spearheading the passage of this bill, was extremely pleased with the vote.
We believe that further discussion and investigation will prove the need
for this type of legislation.

Further further information about this bill, please contact Brendan Denehy
at bdenehy@keene.edu, or at 603/358-6160.