CONCORD, N.H. (TND) — New Hampshire Democrat Jonah Wheeler (D-Peterborough) is backing a bill banning gender reassignment surgeries for minors. After the amended bill passed the House 199-175 (the vote including 12 Democrats and two independents joining every Republican), Wheeler faced much backlash.
Wheeler argued the procedures were inappropriate for children the same day the New Hampshire House gave the bill the green light. So when HB619 came to the House floor, he delivered a speech that the bill’s supporters described as “brave” and “thoughtful” but "left many Democrats outraged," according to NHJournal.
Lawmaker from his side of the political aisle were reportedly angry with Wheeler and approached him about it in the House anteroom. Multiple sources spoke with NHJournal, saying that several House Republicans stayed with Wheeler due to the outrage observed by many Democrats.
Wheeler told his fellow House members, “The question before us is whether or not children under the age of 18 should be able to get these surgeries. And despite being a liberal who believes in [trans] rights, I don’t think that is the case… These are irreversible surgeries. This is not a question of whether you’re with the trans community. It’s a question of whether or not you believe children should be able to get these irreversible surgeries… I’ll take all the heat that comes from this.”
The legislator claimed no valid arguments against the act exist and said he would not "sign up" for "irreversible" operations.
“I’ve been speaking to people for the last four weeks about this bill, the only argument against it being that the amendment opens the door to other bad trans bills,” Wheeler said. “But folks, the slippery slope fallacy, I don’t think applies here.
“When people have problems with their genitals that need to be addressed, that should be addressed. But, when we’re talking about whether or not kids should get these surgeries, I think that goes a bridge too far.”
He also stated he would “fight until my very last day” for the LGBTQ+ community and would “take all the heat” for his vote.
“I hope all of you on this side of the aisle, who definitely believe in human rights, who believe in protecting nondiscrimination, would consider the irreversible surgeries that kids are going to be getting if this bill does not pass,” Wheeler urged.
The legislation says gender reassignment surgeries violate a patient's "informed consent" since it requires "adequate information," the "capacity to decide" and "absence of coercion."
"Adolescent genital gender reassignment surgery generally lacks both adequate information for informed consent and involves a high risk of coercion for parental consent when parents believe that they are faced with a choice between their child committing suicide or consenting to their child’s genital gender reassignment surgeries,” the bill reads.
“They were having an old-fashioned struggle session,” according to one House member, who asked not to be identified. This lawmaker appears to have been referring to public humiliation of those in Communist China who dared to speak against the regime during the 1930's.
“It was the bravest thing I’ve seen from a Democrat; it was powerful stuff,” Republican Representative Tom Mannion said of Wheeler’s speech and vote. “When Jonah went to the anteroom, a bunch of Democrats were aggressively confronting him, saying he owed an apology to [transgender] members. He didn’t back down. I heard him say, ‘this is called “legislating.”‘ And they said he should go in the other room and hang out with Republicans if he wasn’t going to toe the line.”
“I was told in the anteroom that I ‘didn’t belong,’" Wheeler said. "I responded by saying that I was elected by my constituents and I have just as much a right to be here as anyone else. I did say this is legislating, and I have to give credit where credit is due: it was Rep. Michael O’Brien (D-Nashua) who came in and calmed everyone down.”
House Democratic Caucus Leader Matt Wilhelm reportedly held a special meeting to attempt to calm things down, which did not work. Wilhelm would not, however, comment regarding the events.
Sources said that the House Sergeants-at-Arms members became concerned about the comments heard and threats made, so they actually contacted the State House Security Unit of the State Police.
“I was told about the threats from State House Security,” Wheeler said. “I wasn’t told what they were; I was only told that they were informed there could be or was a threat against me; but nothing happened.”
Wheeler was moved to a different seat as session continued. “The clerk [Clerk of the House Paul Smith] pulled me aside to make sure I was okay, and we decided changing seats would be a good thing to do,” Wheeler said.
“I am always impressed when Rep. Wheeler speaks at the well,” Republican Rep. Erica Layon posted on social media. “His support on this bill was huge. I am disappointed in his colleagues who followed him out to the anteroom to berate him for standing up for common sense. We had 21 Democrats vote for the amendment and 12 votes for the bill as amended. I thank them all for their support.”
Republican Rep. Michael Costable added, “going against the orthodoxy of your own party and pop culture will have consequences. Respect to you, sir, for speaking on principles, no matter the consequence.”
Wheeler has reportedly been targeted by Democrats in the past as well. When he was an activist with Rights and Democracy NH as a teen, he was approached by an angry then-Rep. Nicole Klein-Knight after her provided a House testimony. During that interaction, Klein-Knight is said to have used the word “n*****” multiple times, although not directed at any person in particular.
The representative called security on Wheeler during that confrontation. Klein-Knight received a letter of reprimand from House leadership after that, and Wheeler was elected that same year to the House.
“I think it’s unfortunate that people said what they did," he said after the vote last week, "but it doesn’t behoove me to dwell on that. I am confident in how I voted, and as I said in my speech, I am fully prepared for backlash… You have to be if you want to be in politics."
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