Why is a NH House committee soliciting testimony from a hate group official today?

According to a press release from Family Research Council, Peter Sprigg is testifying today before the New Hampshire House committee on Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs. Sprigg is a conservative Baptist minister employed by a hate group^* to advocate for anti-LGBT policies. Sprigg has no education, training or applicable experience in social science or law.

According to the press release:

Peter Sprigg, Senior Fellow for Policy Studies at Family Research Council, will testify tomorrow before the New Hampshire General Court against H.B. 587, a bill to prohibit minors from seeking the help of a licensed counselor to deal with unwanted same-sex attractions, and H.B. 478, a bill providing special rights on the basis of gender identity (including nondiscrimination law in public accommodations) which would allow biological men to access women’s bathrooms, locker rooms, and showers.

HB587 “prohibits persons licensed to provide counseling services to propose to engage or engage in conversion therapy with a person under 18 years of age.”

HB487 is a measure “prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity.”

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^* Family Research Council has been designated a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

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