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Concord, NH - Today, Manchester State Representative Dick Marston made transphobic and homophobic remarks during a committee hearing for HB238, a bill that would ban the “LGBTQ+ panic defense”, which is legally sanctioned discrimination towards the LGBTQ+ community. In response, New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair issued the following statement:
“Today, during a hearing in the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, state representatives heard a bill that would represent real progress for LGBTQ+ Granite Staters by banning a discriminatory legal strategy known as the “panic defense.”
“While this popular, landmark legislation was being heard, Manchester State Representative Dick Marston made a dangerous, disgusting, transphobic, and homophobic comment that should warrant his immediate resignation from the House and should be condemned immediately by the New Hampshire Republican Party. As a Manchester resident myself and fellow Granite Stater, I am appalled by the homophobia and transphobia displayed by this elected official.
“Time and again the NH GOP and Chris Sununu have shown that they are incapable of holding the members of their Party responsible for their words and actions that routinely target people of color, women, and the LGBTQ+ community. The atrocious behavior that has been demonstrated by a growing number of New Hampshire Republicans has real-world consequences for Granite Staters. Rep. Marston must resign immediately.
“Hate has no place in New Hampshire, and Republicans continue to condone this type of rhetoric among their members -- and it needs to end now.”
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