New Hampshire
‘Emergency for trans girls in NH’: Young athletes share fears Gov. Sununu could sign ban
CONCORD — Maëlle Jacques was happy after she won the high jump in the New Hampshire high school Division III track and field championships on May 23. But it wasn’t because of the victory.
“It was my favorite thing ever, because I tied,” Jacques said. “It’s like, sharing the experience with the girl, we were both really happy. We got to share the first-place ribbon. That’s my favorite part of it, is just being happy with friends.”
But Jacques also dreaded news articles she expected would follow. Articles like one published by a conservative media outlet after the indoor track championships this winter with a headline that read, “Winner of NH Girls High Jump is Biological Male.”
While she was happy to share the first-place ribbon, Jacques said if her competitor had wanted to keep jumping, she would’ve stepped out. Because for Jacques, who is a transgender girl and a sophomore who competes on the soccer and track teams for Kearsarge Regional High School, sports aren’t about winning. Sports are where she can clear her head, where she can find acceptance, and where she has her closest friends.
“I don’t find a level of acceptance I find in sports anywhere else,” Jacques said. “I mean, I’m part of the team. There’s not really a second thought from my teammates.”
It’s the same for Parker Tirrell, who plays soccer at Plymouth Regional High School. Soccer is where she’s made most of her friendships.
“Soccer is one of the main parts of my life,” Tirrell said. “I don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t play anymore.”
But now in New Hampshire, transgender girls are being forced to consider life without sports. Over the past couple weeks, state lawmakers have passed several bills that would affect transgender people. House Bill 1205 would ban transgender girls from playing on girls’ sports teams from fifth to 12th grade. HB 396 would roll back nondiscrimination protections for transgender people, opening the door to bathroom bans. HB 619 would ban gender-affirming procedures for those under 18 years old, and HB 1312 would expand notice requirements to parents to materials related to gender identity.
All four bills are headed to the desk of Republican Gov. Chris Sununu, who has not indicated whether he will sign them. His office did not respond to a request for comment.
“I think it’s an emergency right now for trans rights in New Hampshire,” said Linds Jakows, a founder of 603 Equality, a LGBTQ+ advocacy organization in New Hampshire. “If any of these bills are passed, that would be the first time that New Hampshire actively took a step backwards for trans legal rights in the state.”
Will transgender youth leave New Hampshire?
For Tirrell and Jacques, New Hampshire is their home. But they, and other transgender people in the state, have had to consider leaving.
The Tirrells have deep roots in their community. Parker’s father, Zach, is on the Plymouth selectboard, and her mother, Sara, does a lot of volunteer work. They said their community has been very supportive and they would rather stay in Plymouth, but if laws started passing that would prevent Parker from receiving gender-affirming care, they might be “forced” to leave. The care, like any medication, is not something Parker can just quit “cold turkey,” she said.
Jakows said she already knows some families who are making plans to move by next school year; in particular, another family whose daughter plays sports in New Hampshire.
“They don’t want to take their chances,” said Jakows. “I think that some people who are on the anti-trans side think that, ‘oh, it’s just a very slight rearrangement of your life,’ like ‘oh, you know, if you cannot play sports, you’ll find another hobby or some other activity.’ But there are people that are rearranging their entire lives and making major moves when they don’t want to otherwise based on these policies.”
More: Why are there so many bills about gender identity in New Hampshire? Experts weigh in
Rep. Alissandra Murray, D-Manchester, one of a few transgender legislators in New Hampshire, has friends who are leaving or thinking of leaving the state because of the legislation. Murray doesn’t want people to leave but understands the desire to move somewhere they will feel safer and more accepted.
“The sad thing is that some families that are here, have already moved here because they left Texas or like another place that they didn’t feel safe. And now they’re feeling like they might have to move again,” said Murray. “That’s really heartbreaking. I hate that we have made our state feel so unwelcoming to such a vulnerable population.”
Murray thinks this isn’t the “norm” for New Hampshire and has “full confidence” lawmakers will be able to repeal these bills within the next couple of years if Sununu signs them. The Tirrells have hope too: after all, New Hampshire is supposed to be the “Live Free or Die” state, they said.
“When I was grew up, they told me that this was a free state and we could do what we want, as long as it wasn’t illegal, and we could pursue our dreams and we could be what we want to be and for me that’s being a girls soccer player,” said Parker. “And they are now telling me that I can’t do that.”
Jacques wants to move, but with two years left of high school, her brother headed to college, and separated parents, she thinks it’s probably not a realistic possibility. Instead, she said her best option is to fight.
“Work with organizations, ACLU, GLAAD, whatever it takes to try and find some other means of getting around this bill,” Jacques said. “If not possible, I have family in Quebec. So I’ll go to college in Canada.”
‘We’re just kids’: Legislation targets a small community, opponents say
For Murray, this legislative session has been challenging. They’ve felt betrayed and hopeless when their colleagues continue to vote for these bills even after Murray has talked to them. While it has been mostly Republicans voting for these bills, 11 Democrats voted for HB 619 and two voted for HB 396 in the House.
“I’m basically having to beg my colleagues to recognize our humanity and listen to the people, like the queer people here in New Hampshire, and not let these national headlines and culture wars impact what actually goes on in our state,” Murray said.
Murray said the bills feel “really targeted,” especially with such a small number of transgender girls playing in school sports in New Hampshire. Jacques only knows one other: Tirrell. On the Senate floor, Sen. Debra Altschiller, D-Stratham, said there were just five.
“So these children that are being really intentionally picked on, essentially, by conservative media and conservative politicians and made to feel like they are a danger somehow to their friends and teammates, and made to feel like they’re wrong and that there isn’t a place for them in public schools, or in schools in general,” said Murray.
Arguments in support of these bills, especially to ban transgender athletes, include ones of fairness and safety.
Jacques said she feels like people make her and other transgender athletes out to be “menaces to be defeated,” when in reality, she said on her team, she is “by far” the least muscular and not close to the tallest. Tirrell and her parents said that people often struggle to pick Parker out in pictures, proving that one has “no idea without having that context.” Their message: Transgender girls are not a monolith.
“I feel like a lot of those people have the perspective that all trans girl athletes are like, I don’t know, like, 6-foot-3-inch football linemen or something that are like a danger,” Jacques said. “Obviously, there are cases where it could be unfair and whatnot. But it’s not all cases and an outright ban is really extreme.”
LGBTQ community members rally outside State House
At 11 a.m. on Wednesday, what looked like over one hundred members of the LGBTQ community and allies gathered at the New Hampshire State House to call on Sununu to veto the legislation. They lined the halls of the state house, chanting and singing things like “Which side are you on?” and “We are fighting for our futures and together we are strong.” They entered the Governor’s office, and told their stories to a staffer one by one.
Tirrell joined the rally. Her mother has been writing letters by hand to Sununu every day. They are optimistic that he won’t “bow to some cultural pressures,” and instead make a decision aligning with the anti-discrimination protections for transgender people he signed into law in 2018.
“Back in 2018, Gov. Sununu chose to do the right thing and protect trans people in NH from discrimination,” said Grace Murray, political director at NH Youth Movement, in a press release. “Now that several horrifying, discriminatory pieces of legislation have come to his desk, it’s time for him to do the right thing again and veto these bills. NH is the ‘live free or die’ state and those values should apply to all people. Trans people should be allowed to live free in this state without the constant attacks to their rights. Gov. Sununu needs to uphold the freedoms we cherish in NH and veto these bills.”
Murray put it more bluntly.
“We’re at this point where Sununu is literally our last hope,” Murray said.
Emily (Em) Madeline Peters, 28, passed away on April 29, 2026 in Boston. Em was born on February 27, 1998 in Rochester, NY. Our family moved to Amherst, NH in 1999.
Em attended school in Amherst and graduated from Souhegan High School in 2016. Em enjoyed photography and art where they demonstrated a talent for painting. Em also enjoyed playing the guitar and ukulele. Em was part of the Amherst Congregational Church Youth Group where they participated in mission trips to serve the communities in Tennessee and New York City.
After high school, Em lived and worked in New Hampshire, Cape Cod and the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston. Em was a devoted friend who dedicated themselves to causes that supported the LGBTQ+ community. Em also was always prepared to help those living with addiction. They carried Narcan with them and used it several times to help someone who had overdosed. They were passionate about equality and fairness in the workplace which led them to take action. Em helped lead workers to organize and form a union at a grocery store where they worked. Em also worked for a non-profit organization providing food, clothing and child care to those that needed help.
Em is survived by their parents, Eileen Marie (Hodges) Peters and David Lester Peters of Amherst, NH; brother Andrew Partrick Peters of Merrimack, NH; sister Katherine MacKenzie Peters of Essex, MA.; and grandfather Gerald L. Hodges, Jr. of Rochester, NY. Em is also survived by many aunts, uncles and cousins. Em is predeceased by her maternal grandmother Mary “Dolly” (Curley) Hodges and paternal grandparents Eugene Monroe Peters and Gloria Shirley (Thorne) Peters.
Some of our fondest and happiest memories were spent together on family vacations. Whether we were camping, visiting Old Orchard Beach, or exploring national parks, we were happy. Em’s time on this earth was far too short. We loved them dearly and they will always remain in our hearts. We will miss their good-natured teasing and many inside jokes. We will miss their creativity, compassion for others, and their beautiful smile.
Family and friends are warmly welcomed to attend calling hours at Michaud Funeral Home, 32 Maple Street in Wilton, NH on Sunday, May 24, 2026, from 2 – 4 pm. A service will be held following calling hours at the funeral home. The arrangements are in the care of the Michaud Funeral Home, 32 Maple St., Wilton, NH. To view an online obituary or leave a condolence, please visit our web site at www.michaudfuneralhome.com
House Democrats have a nearly perfect record of voting against proposed bans on personal income taxes. On Thursday, they’ll face a different dilemma:
Whether to vote in favor of giving the state the power to impose a progressive income tax.
Rep. Thomas Oppel, D-Canaan, plans to bring an amendment to the floor Thursday “providing that: the legislature may impose progressive-based income taxes, and revenues derived from such taxes be used exclusively to fund public schools in order to offset local property taxes.”
Oppel was part of the “Cut Our Property Taxes!” group organized by former Executive Councilor Andru Volinsky to push for the so-called “3-3 Tax Savings Plan” that would institute a 3% income tax for all residents and a $3 tax per $1,000 of equalized property value for all homeowners.
His amendment Thursday goes further, imposing a graduated income tax.
“Any assessments, rates, and taxes imposed on income shall be considered reasonable and proportional if they are imposed at the same rates across the state even though they are imposed and levied progressively; that is, at rates that rise or increase in whole or in part, as the income being taxed increases,” Oppel’s amendment reads.
House rules allow any member to offer an amendment to any legislation, but even if there were procedural barriers, Republicans are happy to have Democrats cast this vote. Democratic leaders like Rep. Alexis Simpson, D-Exeter, and Sen. Rebecca Perkins-Kwoka, D-Portsmouth, have publicly rejected an income tax and can’t be happy to have it back in the election-year conversation. Republicans, on the other hand, greeted the news with delight.
“House Democrats just filed an amendment to push for an income tax and hijack the state constitution,” the House GOP posted Tuesday. “House Democrats know Granite Staters overwhelmingly oppose an income tax. They do not care. Our message has not changed: HELL NO to income tax. Not now. Not ever.”
And House Majority Leader Jason Osborne, R-Auburn, added, “The Committee to Elect House Republicans would like to make Taxin’ Tom Oppel an honorary board member.”
Income taxes are a tricky issue for Democrats, as Joyce Craig demonstrated in her failed 2024 governor’s race. Democrats like Cinde Warmington insist they oppose a broad-based sales or income tax. However, they’re also promising voters they will lower their property taxes.
Volinsky’s approach is to use an income tax to shift about $1 billion from property taxes to income taxes, lowering the property tax burden.
Warmington has yet to say where she would find the money to lower property taxes without cutting state funding to public schools.
Republicans like Rep. Dan McGuire, R-Epsom, head of Granite State Taxpayers, want to tackle high property taxes by controlling spending. They’re pushing a bill to put a local property tax cap on the ballot in every community.
“Our outrageous property tax levels are the result of unchecked spending on schools and, in particular, school administration,” said McGuire. “Well-run states in this regard, like Idaho and Utah, spend half as much per pupil as we do and get similar results.
“Voters in November will get a chance to stem the bleeding if the Senate and House can get together on HB 1300, a school property tax cap bill.”
Polls show more than 70% of Granite Staters oppose an income tax.
This story was originally published by the NH Journal, an online news publication dedicated to providing fair, unbiased reporting on, and analysis of, political news of interest to New Hampshire. For more stories from the NH Journal, visit NHJournal.com.
New Hampshire
Private Island Escape in New Hampshire That Can Be Accessed Only by Boat or Snowmobile Is Listed for Less Than $350K
Jetting off to a private island for the summer may seem like a luxury enjoyed only by the ultrawealthy—but in New Hampshire, that dream is readily available for nearly $100,000 less than the national median home price.
The 7,800-square-foot isle in Milan, NH, which is on the market for just $337,700, is home to a fully-sustainable cottage that was designed as “the ultimate escape from the everyday,” something that is readily achieved by the property’s remote location.
Accessible only by water—or ice during the coldest winter months—the island can be completely cut off from civilization should the next owner desire, a rare feature that has helped the dwelling to bob right to the top of the week’s most popular homes list.
The exclusive off-grid retreat, which is tucked away on Nay Pond in New Hampshire’s North Country, has been outfitted with several eco-friendly amenities that allow it to continue running without assistance from the mainland, including solar power, a backup generator, a water collection system, and a composting toilet.
Designed for buyers seeking a true escape where the only visitors dropping by are local loons, the getaway is accessible during all four seasons. It has a boat dock for access during the warmer months and “direct snowmobile trail access” in the winter.
The home can accommodate eight guests, making it an ideal investment property for investors seeking additional rental income, or it could be used as a family getaway.
Other properties grabbing attention this week are a historic log home with four guest cabins in Montana, an Italian Renaissance Revival home in Louisiana, and a 1902 Georgian Revival and neoclassical landmark in Indiana.
Price: $4,490,000
Why it’s here: It’s a four-bedroom luxury mountain retreat tucked away on 43.92 wooded acres with multiple springs, creeks, and a pond. It’s being sold at auction without reserve on May 23.
The chateau-inspired residence “designed for those seeking the ultimate privacy” offers long-range mountain views that reach Tennessee “on a clear day.”
Designed for grand-scale entertaining, the 5,000-square-foot interior features a luxurious chef’s kitchen with dual refrigerators and dishwashers, a lavish primary suite with marble shower and covered terrace, and a secondary suite with a kitchenette. The lower level could be transformed into a studio, wellness center, or entertainment level.
Multiple covered decks and a covered back porch overlook an outdoor fireplace and offer scenic mountain views.
Teresa Bryant Brown of Teresa B. Brown is the listing agent.
Price: $850,000
Why it’s here: Here’s the chance to step back in time with this 200-year-old hand-hewn log home.
Offering just 690 square feet of space, the tiny two-bedroom residence boasts a vintage-inspired interior with original wide-plank wood floors, exposed beams, vaulted ceilings, a stone fireplace, a Dutch door, and a hand-painted sink. The kitchen features a herringbone-patterned original brick floor along with modern appliances.
A bluestone slate patio found out back overlooks the 6.41-acre lot, which also has a pond and a brook.
Josephine O’Leary Weir of Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty is the listing agent.
Price: $1,549,000
Why it’s here: Calling all investors! Here’s the chance to buy a historic log home with four guest cabins located on 24.25 acres overlooking Trapper Creek. It is currently being used as a fishing lodge.
The “income-producing retreat” is dotted by ponds, outbuildings, outdoor areas, and an expansive deck designed for entertaining and soaking in the tranquil scenery. Offering hunting and fishing opportunities onsite, the property is also located near Lost Trail Powder Mountain and the Bitterroot River.
While the cabins “provide immediate rental potential,” they could also be used to create a multigenerational legacy compound, event venue, or corporate getaway.
Jani Summers of Engel & Volkers Western Frontier – Hamilton is the listing agent.
Price: $499,900
Why it’s here: Built in 1930, this Italian Renaissance Revival home features many period details and modern conveniences.
Original hardwood floors, a grand staircase, and arched doorways can be found throughout the 4,139-square-foot interior. A formal living room surrounded by oversized windows has a gas fireplace with an ornate mantel. Other highlights include a sunroom, a spacious eat-in kitchen with updated appliances, and a light-filled formal dining room.
A large carport can accommodate three vehicles.
Allison M Romaguera of WayMaker Realty is the listing agent.
Price: $1,125,000
Why it’s here: It’s a 160-acre, off-grid, prepper’s paradise nestled near Trinity National Forest. It features high-end finishes and luxurious amenities.
The two-bedroom sustainable residence boasts heated concrete floors, solar power, fire-resistant wood paneling, an outdoor shower, and a private well. Multiple skylights can be found throughout the 3,000-square-foot interior.
A modern kitchen has quartz and butcher block countertops and a built-in dining bench. The sun-soaked living room has a brick fireplace and sliders that open to a covered patio.
A detached three-car garage with electric charging capabilities and a mobile home for guests can also be found on the enormous lot.
Doren Morgan of California Outdoor Properties is the listing agent.
Price: $749,995
Why it’s here: The Charles Over Mansion is a “meticulously restored” 1902 Georgian Revival and neoclassical landmark.
Historic highlights include Corinthian columns, custom millwork, preserved hardwood floors, solid oak and leaded-glass entry doors, original terrazzo floors, crystal chandeliers, leaded and stained glass, coffered ceilings, pocket doors, and five fireplaces.
The 12,892-square-foot residence also features a formal dining room with oak wainscoting, a drawing room, a kitchen with commercial-grade appliances, a grand staircase with dual built-in bench seating, and a third-floor “speakeasy-style retreat” with brick floors, a guest suite, and a hidden ballroom with a stage, media lounge, and dance floor.
An expansive front porch and second-level portico were designed for relaxing.
Shawna Lubus of Compass of Indiana is the listing agent.
Price: $375,000
Why it’s here: Built in 1960 by architect B. Milton Cuppy Jr. as his personal residence, this midcentury home was “rescued in 2023” and restored to its original beauty.
Original terrazzo floors, glass walls, multiple skylights, and period-specific enhancements can be found throughout the 2,280-square-foot dwelling. The four-bedroom residence with a two-car attached garage also features a retro kitchen with 1960s electric range and salvaged original tile lining the 2.5 bathrooms.
A large wood deck overlooks the 1-acre wooded lot.
Christy Kalavsky of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Indiana Realty is the listing agent.
Price: $179,900
Why it’s here: This A-frame residence surprises with its very own private cave carved into a bluff, surrounded by a towering rock wall and tucked away behind the cabin!
Located on 2 acres in the gated second-home community of Aspenhof, the 1,632-square-foot abode features a two-story living room with a wood-burning stove and sliders that open to a wraparound deck. Loft-style accommodations can be found upstairs, offering three sleeping areas. According to the listing, “most furnishings can remain with the property.”
It also comes with exclusive access to four private lakes designed for fishing, swimming, and nonmotorized boating.
Dan Dieckmann of Innsbrook Properties is the listing agent.
Price: $2,639,000
Why it’s here: The Tobias Langdon House pre-dates the Declaration of Independence and still features much of its historic charm.
Built in 1710, the four-bedroom Colonial has been thoughtfully modernized while still preserving many period details. Highlights include custom millwork, original wide-plank floors, built-ins, multiple fireplaces, and dual staircases. A country kitchen has high-end appliances as well as a cooking fireplace.
A lushly landscaped back garden with a brick patio has views of the nearby Piscataqua River and also overlooks a fully equipped outdoor kitchen designed for entertaining.
Patrick Carey of Carey Giampa, LLC/Seabrook Beach is the listing agent.
Price: $337,700
Why it’s here: Here’s the chance to buy a sustainable two-bedroom home and live on your very own private island on Nay Pond!
The secluded sanctuary features a 600-square-foot home where the only neighbors are local loons. The eco-friendly residence designed for “self-sufficient living” features a backup generator, solar power, a water collection system, a composting toilet, and a gas fireplace. Pull-down stairs lead to an unfinished sleeping area.
Designed as a vacation rental or private getaway, the year-round property can be accessed by snowmobiles during the winter and boats during the warmer months.
“No offers will be accepted until May 17, 2026,” according to the listing.
Debi Davis of Re/Max Northern Edge Realty is the listing agent.
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