New Hampshire to allow gay civil unions

[Mathematician]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18199478/

CONCORD, N.H. - Gov. John Lynch told The Associated Press on Thursday he will sign legislation establishing civil unions in New Hampshire.

New Hampshire thus will become the fourth state to adopt civil unions and the first to do so without first having a court fight over denying gays the right to marry.

"I believe it is a matter of conscience, fairness and preventing discrimination," Lynch said in an interview.

The ball is nudged forward.

 

[Ðanisty]

Well, that's a step in the right direction at least! That's awesome that they didn't have some big legal battle over it.

 

[Comet]

I think I speak for few of us straight white guys, but: I think that is great and a step in the right direction! Our country is supposed to be based on equality and this brings us all a bit closer to the goal. Equality for all!!!!!

 

[Jaymes]

Baby steps.

 

[nutshell]

I suspect the homosexual crowd will be upset it's only civil unions. Many of the fiercest gay marriage proponents see civil unions as a terrible compromise.

 

[Mike182]

I suspect the homosexual crowd will be upset it's only civil unions. Many of the fiercest gay marriage proponents see civil unions as a terrible compromise.

yep but we'll get there in the end.

 

[Darkness]

I suspect the homosexual crowd will be upset it's only civil unions. Many of the fiercest gay marriage proponents see civil unions as a terrible compromise.

It is a terrible but acceptable compromise. I don't understand why they refuse to call it marriage. It is the same thing, just with a different name.

 

[Mathematician]

Federal benefits don't go towards civil unions. This is hardly a compromise, but a start, yes.

 

[Jaymes]

I suspect the homosexual crowd will be upset it's only civil unions. Many of the fiercest gay marriage proponents see civil unions as a terrible compromise.

That might be because they are. But it takes one step at a time.

 

[standing_alone]

Better than nothing, but far from true equality. Those in the opposition better know they can't appease us with table scraps and be done with us. We demand equality--and we will get it. Just a matter of time.....

 

[jamaesi]

I suspect the homosexual crowd will be upset it's only civil unions. Many of the fiercest gay marriage proponents see civil unions as a terrible compromise.

I suspect you meant to say "the crowd that believes in equality and human rights for all" instead of "homosexuals."

You don't have to be a part of a group to support equality and human rights for them.

 

[Gentoo]

The ball is nudged forward.

Yey!! :rainbow1:

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Many of the fiercest gay marriage proponents see civil unions as a terrible compromise.

Like Jaymes said, it's small steps, but you learn to crawl before you walk, walk before run. And since thier wasn't any court battles is definitly a sign it's progressing abit further.

 

[Katzpur]

Good for New Hampshire!

 

[nutshell]

I suspect you meant to say "the crowd that believes in equality and human rights for all" instead of "homosexuals."

You don't have to be a part of a group to support equality and human rights for them.

You assumed my categorical application excluded non-homosexuals.

 

[painted wolf]

I have to say I'm thrilled that my state is living up to its motto: "live free or die".
We hate to have the government in our personal lives, peaking in our bedrooms is a no-no.

but before everyone gets too excited, it still has to pass through the Senate and then the Governor, but he has said he will pass it.
He doesn't like "Gay marrage" but "Civil Unions" is Ok. Same rights, and the religious get to keep Marrage for themselves.
Its a matter of semantics, if you read the bill then the rights are exactly the same, its just a matter of names. With the added bonus that if you have been 'married' or 'unionized' in another state and come to N.H. then it will still be perfectly leagal.

wa:do

ps. we will be the first state to grant same sex couples the same rights as hetero couples without the courts saying we have to.

 

[Moey]

What's wrong with gay marrage? I don't see what the big deal is. If marrage is only meant for the religous then can someone explain why the government has to regulate it? Afterall, there is supposed to be a separation between church and state.

 

[painted wolf]

word can be tricky... most people I know don't care about the word, they just want the same rights and protections.
Heck I'd be just fine for Civil Unions to be for state sanctioned marrage of any kind. (hero/homo) Let the Churches keep marrage for thier specific ceremonies. (Again Hetero/Homo)

wa:do

 

[TurtleGirl]

Just to keep everyone updated, it was announced yesterday that Gov. Lynch signed the bill into law. The first civil unions will be permitted on January 1.

 

[painted wolf]

Now we have to see what happens in the court system. Some yahoo is going to pull the "this infringes on my freedom of religion" bull pucky.
Hopefully it will be slapped down quickly as the joke it is.

wa:do