Date: Tue, 6 May 1997 17:24:59 -0700
From: brater@afmss4.sanders.lockheed.com (Brian L. Rater)
Subject: *QP-ED*: NH Legislature passes Civil Rights Bill!!!!!!
 
Granite State's civil rights laws by a vote of 13-9.  The House had already 
approved the measure on a vote of 205-125.  The measure now goes to Governor
Jeanne Shaheen, who is expected to sign the measure.  Once signed into law,
New Hampshire will become the 10th state to enact such legislation.
  The bill would simply add the phrase "sexual orientation" to the state's
existing civil rights laws. This would make it illegal to discriminate in 
employment, housing and public accomodations based on sexual orientation.
Current law already exempts small businesses, people who rent out a small
number of housing units, religious organizations and nonprofit organizations.
New Hampshire's civil rights laws allow up to 180 days for a complaint to be
filed with the state's Human Rights Commission.  All complaints go through the
commission, not the court system.
  The bill was first introduced in 1994 where it passed the House by 95 votes,
but failed in the Senate by 3 votes.  In 1996, the bill was reintroduced, but
was sent to study by the House and was not voted upon.  This year, the bill
has
been endorsed by over 50 churches including the Roman Catholic Bishop of 
Manchester, the Episcopal Bishop of New Hampshire, and many other churches
and religious leaders including Unitarian-Universalist, Church of Christ, 
Baptist churches, Jewish synagogues and the American Friends Service
Committee.
The bill has also been supported by NH NOW, the NH Women's Lobby, the AFL-CIO,
NEA, the State Employees Association, NGLTF, HRC, PFLAG and many many other 
organizations.
  The gay, lesbian and bisexual community of New Hampshire is especially proud
and thankful for all of the hard work that so many people have put into making
this happen.  Passing this type of legislation in a rural, conservative state
like New Hampshire has been a mammoth undertaking.  The very large number of
calls and letters being received by the Senators have run 100-to-1 in our
favor,
causing even some of the most conservative legislators who had opposed the
bill 
in the past to reconsider their opposition.
  We also look forward to the passage of Maine's civil rights bill very soon.
Best of luck in becoming the 11th state! ;)
 
Brian Rater
Treasurer, Webmaster
Citizen's Alliance for
Gay and Lesbian Rights (CAGLR)
New Hampshire