New HampshireDepartment of JusticeOffice of the Attorney General

News Release

For Immediate Release
November 4, 2019

Contact:
Kate Spiner, Director of Communications
kate.spiner@doj.nh.gov | 603-573-6103

Sean Locke, Assistant Attorney General, Director, Civil Rights Unit
sean.locke@doj.nh.gov | 603- 271-3671

Injunction Ordered in Gordon J. MacDonald, Attorney General v. Marc Bernier Based on Violations of the Civil Rights Act

Concord, NH – Attorney General Gordon J. MacDonald announces that on November 1, 2019, the Hillsborough County Superior Court – Southern District, issued an order which concluded that Marc Bernier violated the New Hampshire Civil Rights Act, RSA chapter 354-B and thus ordered an injunction against Mr. Bernier.

The trial court found that on March 17, 2019, Mr. Bernier repeatedly threatened to kill another patron at a Planet Fitness in Nashua, New Hampshire after he learned that the other patron was transgender and had used the women's locker room to change. Mr. Bernier threatened to kill her based upon his belief that she should not have used the women's locker room because her gender and Mr. Bernier's perception of her gender.

The court enjoined Mr. Bernier from contacting the victim, from knowingly coming within 250 feet of the victim, and from entering the Planet Fitness located at 18 Northwest Boulevard in Nashua. The injunction will last for one year. In addition, Mr. Bernier is required to pay a $3,000 civil penalty with all but $500 suspended for one year with the condition that he comply with the terms of the injunction.

The Civil Rights Unit enforces state and federal civil rights laws, including the New Hampshire Civil Rights Act and the New Hampshire Law Against Discrimination. Anyone who believes their civil rights may have been violated may file a complaint at https://www.doj.nh.gov/civil-rights/index.htm or by calling 603-271-1181.

New Hampshire Department of Justice
1 Granite Place South | Concord, NH | 03301
Telephone: 603-271-3658