Governor Maggie Hassan Honors Marriage Equality Anniversary, Highlights Commitment to Fighting for LGBT Priorities in the Senate
Governor Hassan has Been a Strong Supporter of LGBT rights, While Kelly Ayotte has Fought to Move the LGBT Community Backward

 

  CONCORD - As Granite Staters celebrate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month, Governor Maggie Hassan commemorated Sunday's one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage in all 50 states, and outlined key priorities for the LGBT community that she will fight for in the United States Senate.

"A year ago, the Supreme Court made marriage equality the law of the land, delivering a momentous victory for equal rights and inclusion in our nation. I believe strongly in the rights of all people to be fully included in our society, which is why I fought so hard to bring marriage equality to New Hampshire, and I’m proud of our state's leadership in advancing LGBT rights," said Governor Maggie Hassan. "Though we have made important progress, we were reminded by the tragic attack against the LGBT community in Orlando that we still have more work to do to fight for inclusiveness and to ensure that all LGBT Americans can live free from fear with the full dignity, respect and safety that they deserve."

As a State Senator, Governor Hassan led efforts to achieve marriage equality in New Hampshire, and as Governor, she worked to strengthen New Hampshire's marriage equality law to recognize out-of-state marriages and civil unions as of the date they were legally contracted. In 2015, Governor Hassan joined several other states in an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to make marriage equality the law of the land.

In the United States Senate, Governor Hassan will fight for policies to ensure that all citizens are fully included in our civic and economic life, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. She will work to pass the Equality Act, legislation that would provide explicit anti-discrimination protections for LGBT individuals in areas including employment, housing, access to credit and public accommodations.

The Governor will also fight any effort to undermine marriage equality. She will support an increase in critical funding to support prevention, treatment and research in order to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic, which disproportionately affects gay and bisexual men and transgender women. And she will stand against any efforts to prohibit capable, committed LGBT adults from adopting children.

Governor Hassan added, "In the United States Senate, I will fight to end discrimination against individuals in the LGBT community, stand against any efforts to roll back marriage equality and support critical efforts to combat HIV/AIDS. These priorities are essential to building an even stronger future where all people are fully included, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation."

Senator Kelly Ayotte, on the other hand, has been a staunch opponent of marriage equality and LGBT rights. In 2010, Ayotte called New Hampshire’s marriage equality law “unfortunate” and urged activists to try to repeal marriage equality. She also opposed the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and she has even opposed adoption rights for same-sex couples.

"Unfortunately, Senator Ayotte has stood against the rights of LGBT Americans, supporting policies that undermine who we are as an inclusive state and nation. Granite Staters deserve a Senator who will fight for inclusion and progress, and that is exactly what I will do in the Senate," Governor Hassan said.  

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, June 24, 2016
Contact: Aaron Jacobs or Meira Bernstein, Press@MaggieHassan.com