New Hampshire Democrat Defends Anti-Transgender Stance Amid Party Backlash
Rep. Jonah Wheeler of New Hampshire reiterated his opposition to transgender ideology and supported legislation protecting sex-segregated spaces, drawing sharp criticism from fellow Democrats.
New Hampshire State Representative Jonah Wheeler, a Democrat from Hillsborough, posted a video denouncing transgender ideology and defending legislation that preserves sex-segregated bathrooms, locker rooms, sports teams, and prison facilities. The clip, shared by J.K. Rowling, argued that redefining gender weakens legal protections for women and that medical transition harms individuals, referencing cases such as Jon Skinner and Prisha Moseley.
Wheeler, running unopposed in the upcoming primary, has attracted national attention for diverging from his party, with fellow Democrat Heath Howard likening his stance to Jim Crow-era segregation. The debate intensified after Republican Governor Kelly Ayotte vetoed House Bill 1442, which sought similar exemptions to the state’s anti-discrimination law. Wheeler previously supported a comparable bill, HB 148, and continues to face criticism from party members who view his position as contrary to progressive values.
Why it matters
The story highlights intra-party conflict over transgender rights and the future of sex-segregated policies in a swing state.
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