N.H. Lawmakers Approve Gay Marriages
Pastor Dale Morgan
Apr 26, 2:20 PM EDT
*N.H. Lawmakers Approve Gay Marriages*
By BEVERLEY WANG
Associated Press Writer
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) -- New Hampshire lawmakers voted Thursday to
authorize gay civil unions and sent the measure to Gov. John Lynch, who
announced last week that he would sign it.
The Senate passed the bill 14-10 along party lines, Democrats in favor
and Republicans opposed.
"This legislation is a matter of conscience, fairness and of preventing
discrimination," said governor's spokesman Colin Manning. "It is in
keeping with New Hampshire's proud tradition of preventing discrimination."
Three other states already offer civil unions for gay couples: New
Jersey, Connecticut and Vermont. Neighboring Massachusetts in 2004
became the only state to allow gay marriage.
Unlike other states, there was no active court challenge to push New
Hampshire to act on the issue.
In fact, the success of civil unions was an about-face from two years
earlier, when a study panel recommended New Hampshire giving no
meaningful consideration to extending legal recognition to gay couples.
That panel had concluded that homosexuality was a choice, and it
endorsed a constitutional amendment to limit marriage to unions between
a man and a woman. State lawmakers have defeated proposed constitutional
bans on same-sex marriage two years in a row.
Sponsors of the civil unions bill called it a door to marriage in all
aspects but name. Opponents argued it would lead to the collapse of
traditional values.
"Let's just call it what it really is, no sugarcoating," said Republican
Sen. Robert Letourneau. "This creates same-sex marriage. There is no
right to marriage in either the New Hampshire Constitution or the
federal Constitution."
"We don't let blind people drive or felons vote, all for good and
obvious reasons," he said.
State Rep. Jim Splaine, who is openly gay, said time would change those
attitudes.
"As we continue to evolve this discussion, we'll see people not worried
so much about the marriage word," he said. "This is an important
difference. This is not marriage. This is civil union. This does nothing
to impact anyone's marriage."
The measure would take effect Jan. 1, and some couples were already
planning Thursday.
"My partner and I have already spoken to our minister and we will be
having a civil union the instant it is possible to do so," said
Democratic Rep. Gail Morrison.
Washington, Maine, California, New York City and Washington D.C.,
recognize domestic partnerships. New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer this week
pledged to introduce gay marriage legislation in the next few weeks.
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Associated Press Writer Norma Love contributed to this story.