603 Equality Pledge
Candidate Pledge 603 Equality asks candidates who wish to work with us to sign the Candidate Pledge. Candidates who sign the pledge affirm that they will:
Act as a vocal supporter and champion of trans and queer rights within the state of NH.
Work in opposition to any piece of legislation proposed that would limit the rights of NH’s LGBTQIA+ population as defined by the principles above.
Ensure that their campaign centers the voices and lived experiences of those most affected by discriminatory legislation to best inform policy strategy.
Ensure that, if elected to office, they will continue to push policy that affirms and protects the rights of NH’s LGBTQIA+ population in accordance with the principles above.
The Pledge is a document designed to hold elected officials and candidates responsible to their constituents. This process is not an endorsement, and is not limited to one candidate per race. Instead, this is a tool to accomplish the following:
Hold elected officials and candidates responsible to their constituents
Move the public needle in perception and understanding of trans and queer rights by creating a policy-forward approach.
Create vocal support in the fight for trans and queer rights by enhancing the understanding of relational politics, and the interconnectedness of political issues and civil rights causes.
Create opportunity for candidates to engage with policy issues in more meaningful ways, including learning directly from underserved communities what issues matter most.
THE PLEDGE
I, __, pledge to the residents of New Hampshire that I will uphold and protect trans and queer rights in our state and beyond. I will center the voices of the most marginalized of the LGBTQIA+ community, seek input, and value the lived experiences of those within the community who are most impacted by legislative outcomes.
Principles:
Furthermore, I commit to upholding the following principles:
All members of NH’s LGBTQIA+ community should have access to affirming environments across all areas of their life. From the workplace, to educational institutions, and inclusion in public life, access to affirming environments can foster greater inclusion, understanding, and empathy, and are a vital part serving the needs of our community.
All members of NH’s LGBTQIA+ community deserve economic safety, which includes protections around housing, workforce, labor, and access to public life regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. This ensures that our community can be active participants within society.
All members of NH’s LGBTQIA+ community deserve comprehensive and accessible healthcare, which includes gender-affirming care, life-saving procedures and services that span psychological, medical, social, and behavioral interventions. Access to these services should not be dependent on economic resources or geographic location.
All members of NH’s LGBTQIA+ community have inherent bodily autonomy, which includes expanded access to gender-affirming healthcare, ban forced surgeries on intersex infants, and outlawing so-called "conversion therapy".
All members of NH’s LGBTQIA+ community have an inherent right to privacy, and that includes the right to live as an out and proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community without having to repeatedly share their lived experiences in public hearings or other public settings in order to advocate for their humanity and other civil rights. A right to privacy also includes an individual’s right to live without being forced to self-identify, out themselves, etc regardless of age or need to access restrooms, locker rooms, or other spaces that are inherently private spaces.
All members of NH’s LGBTQIA+ community deserve educational equity, where TITLE IX, and state and federal education laws protect students from discrimination based on gender identity in classes, athletics, and facilities.
All members of NH’s LGBTQIA+ community are entitled to equal protection under the law, including safety and protection from state violence, discrimination, and civil rights violations.
Actions:
As a signer of the 603 Equality Pledge, I commit to taking the following actions:
Acting as a vocal supporter and champion of trans and queer rights within the state of NH.
Working in opposition to any piece of legislation proposed that would limit the rights of NH’s LGBTQIA+ population as defined by the principles above.
Ensure that our campaign centers the voices and lived experiences of those most affected by discriminatory legislation to best inform policy strategy.
Ensure that, if elected to office, we will continue to push policy that affirms and protects the rights of NH’s LGBTQIA+ population in accordance with the principles above.
Candidates who have signed the 603 Equality Pledge.
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