Sims: A Missed Opportunity to Protect Women and Girls in New Hampshire

As a woman, athlete, and gymnastics coach dedicated to girls and women, I am disappointed by Governor Kelly Ayotte’s recent veto of House Bill 148, legislation designed to safeguard the rights, safety, and fairness for female athletes and women throughout New Hampshire. This bill was a necessary step toward protecting women’s single-sex spaces—ranging from locker rooms and sports teams to correctional facilities and crisis centers. Instead, Governor Ayotte’s decision is a betrayal of the very women and girls she claims to support.

HB148 was not perfect. I share concerns about the inclusion of “gender identity” language, which blurs the biological distinctions essential to fair competition and privacy. In fact, I believe the bill could have been improved by amending this language to focus solely on sex, ensuring the protection of female spaces without loopholes. But by vetoing the bill outright, Governor Ayotte has left women vulnerable and opened the door for confusion and exploitation.

Governor Ayotte claims the bill is “overly broad,” “impractical to enforce,” and risks creating an “exclusionary environment.” Yet she offers no concrete examples to clarify these concerns. Women are entitled to women-only spaces to change clothes and use restrooms without fear, and protections that are clear, enforceable, and strong—not legal ambiguities that leave us exposed and vulnerable. The real exclusionary environment arises when women are forced to compete against men or share intimate spaces where privacy should be absolute.

She also warns of “unintended impacts” and potential litigation but offers no clarity on what those might be, aside from vague fears. If protecting girls and women invites legal challenges, then so be it—it is a fight worth having. Women’s sports and safe spaces are worth defending, especially when numerous schools in New Hampshire have already neglected their Title IX obligations to uphold fairness in athletics.

Governor Ayotte points to existing state laws prohibiting boys from competing in girls’ K-12 sports as adequate protections. But anyone paying attention knows that these laws are being challenged—and sometimes ignored—in practice. HB148 would have been a stronger, more comprehensive shield.

I, along with a nationwide group of coaches and athletes, took the step of signing my support for an amicus brief in the landmark United States v. Skrmetti Supreme Court case, advocating for the safety and fairness of girls and women in sports. I also lead the New Hampshire chapter of The #WalkAway Campaign, which seeks to unite Americans in civility and common sense, and I serve as a chapter leader for the Independent Women’s Network, an organization committed to policies that genuinely enhance opportunities for women. Finally, I serve as the New Hampshire State Contact for the US chapter of Women’s Declaration International, a global radical feminist organization dedicated to protecting women’s sex-based rights.

I remember Governor Ayotte once proudly standing beside a “Save Women’s Sports” flag before taking office. Her veto of HB148, therefore, does not appear to be a misstep borne of ignorance but rather a calculated concession to transgenderist lobby groups. Her unwillingness to stand firm for women’s rights betrays a lack of courage to confront an ideology that threatens all women and girls living in New Hampshire, including the next generation of female athletes.

Women’s rights, privacy, and safety are not partisan issues—they are human rights. Polls show that over 80% of Americans support maintaining clearly defined single-sex spaces. New Hampshire should be a leader in protecting those rights, not capitulating to the loudest voices at the expense of fairness and safety.

I urge the New Hampshire legislature to revisit HB148, remove the “gender identity” language, and pass a version that unambiguously supports women and girls. Governor Ayotte owes the public transparency about her veto’s reasoning and an honest dialogue on how best to protect women’s rights. Women in New Hampshire deserve better than vague excuses and political hesitation. It’s time to stand up, be clear, and do what is right for the next generation of champions and leaders.

Bronwyn Sims is a New Hampshire athlete, coach, and women’s rights advocate

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