Gay Marriage coming to New Hampshire?

[NorthCarolina]

Rep. Jim Splaine: I will introduce a bill for marriage equality in New Hampshire
Posted on October 17th, 2008 by admin

http://www.gaypolitics.com/?p=826

New Hampshire state Rep. Jim Splaine hopes that his state will become the fourth state in the nation to achieve full marriage equality, coming hot off the heels of the Connecticut Supreme Court’s decision to grant marriage rights to same-sex couples.

While New Hampshire’s civil unions law went into effect this year, Splaine said in a blog post that he plans to introduce a bill to grant full marriage equality for all New Hampshire residents.

According to Blue Hampshire:

Our New Hampshire Civil Unions Law, which went into effect on January 1st at 12:01 AM of this year, has been a success — up to a point. Those of us who fought for it wanted to move the issue along, and it sure did that.

Currently, almost 600 Civil Unions have been celebrated throughout our state. But, the discussion must continue. That’s why I am introducing a bill to provide for full marriage equality for the New Hampshire State Legislature in 2009, if I end up being there again. It will change the “Civil Unions” that were enacted from last year’s House Bill 437 that I cosponsored with Somersworth State Representative Dana Hilliard to full marriage equality. And if I’m not there, I assume someone else will — because it’s only fair, and we have to get there.

The Connecticut Supreme Court said, “We conclude that, in light of the history of pernicious discrimination faced by gay men and lesbians, and because the institution of marriage carries with it a status and significance that the newly created classification of civil unions does not embody, the segregation of heterosexual and homosexual couples into separate institutions constitutes a cognizable harm.”

Here in New Hampshire, we adopted Civil Unions through the Legislature and public discussion, not through the courts. We were the only state to have done this through the legislative process. We could adopt full marriage equality by continuing that discussion.

[racaulk]

1. I look forward to seeing news headlines say "And New Hampshire Makes Four."

Here's hoping that this legislation gets introduced and passed in the NH legislature. :toast: to you Rep. Splaine, and thank you!!!

K&R

[nichomachus]

2. Yes -- hoping we don't lose it in CA

And my partner of 25 years and I -- both former NH residents -- got married yesterday in CA. Yay.

[bigscott]

3. congrats!

people around the country have to help our fellow GLBT's in California. Please donate now to help defeat this discriminatory amendment!

peace

[NorthCarolina]

4. Congrats!