Gay Marriage Bill Passed By Senate (NH)

[SoxFan]

Source: New Hampshire Union Leader

Concord – A bill legalizing same-sex marriage in New Hampshire passed the Senate today on a 13-11 vote.

The bill, amended on the Senate floor, draws a distinction between civil and religious marriage, and says that any two individuals have a right to join together in a civil marriage.

Last week Senate Judiciary Committee chair Sen. Deborah Reynolds, D-Reynolds, opposed the bill and voted with a committee majority that it should be killed. She said voters in her district told her they favor the legislation, and urged the Senate to vote for an amendment that was drawn up Tuesday night.

She said the wording “gives everyone in the state the right to seek a civil marriage … This is a compromise that is respectful to both sides in this debate and meets our shared goals of equality in state laws for all the people of New Hampshire. The people of this sate share the core values of equality for all, tolerance and acceptance regardless of our differences”

Republicans voted in a block against the measure, joined by Sen. Lou D’Allesandro, D-Manchester.

Read more: http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Gay+marriage+bill+passed+by+Senate&articleId=12eb3305-7bf0-4818-9961-30e2118d94bd

[brooklynite]

1. How shockingly...sensible

BTW -suggest you annotate title to indicate it's New Hampshire. The FR lurkers will have a heart-attack otherwise...

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

2. Good news!

I would clarify your title to mean NH Senate, however. Otherwise, thank you for posting this!!

[pleah]

3. K&R

[JayMusgrove]

4. William Loeb will be turning over in his grave!!!

He was the publisher of the once very very conservative Manchester Union Leader. He was a friend of Nixon.

New Hampshire is joining the 21'st century.

[Dramarama]

7. California is falling so far back.

Good for New Hampshire

[Mopar151]

9. Things have been looking up since Benson left.

Sensible is breakin' out all ovah. Plus we tax rooms, meals, and food to go at 8%, so's it don't take too many of them newfangled weddin's to add up to a social worker.

[Towlie]

5. I knew it was too good to be true. I see you edited the title by adding "(NH)" at the end.

[Soylent Brice]

6. awesome news!!

[JerseygirlCT]

8. "both sides in the debate" This drives me nuts

As if there are two equally reasonable "sides" in this debate. As if bigots, religiously motivated or otherwise, have a "side" that ought to be given the slightest consideration.

It only underlines the lies that are spewed by anti-equality people - that the gov't will demand they perform marriages, etc. That was never going to happen. Reminds me of nothing but Phyllis Schlaffly's nonsense during the ERA fight that passage would mean uni-sex bathrooms would be mandated.

There is one and only one legally, constitutionally, valid "side" in this: equality. There is absolutely no interest of the state's (meaning gov't) that would demand limiting the individual rights of gay people to marry. None. There is only bigotry.

Glad it passed, but boy, that phrase fries me!

[Mopar151]

10. Take what you get, smile and wave.

Consider this was printed in the Union Leader, and that we don't yet call it King Day - we're getting better here, but some are startin' from a long ways back.

[greeneyedboy]

11. exactly. some bozo with an axe to grind has an equal stake in MY life? uh, no.

Unless the other side in the debate starts paying my extra federal tax or losing the ability to live with non-citizen spouses, there is no other side of the debate.

And it's not "gay marriage", it's "marriage". Marriage equality vs. marriage discrimination and special rights for heterosexuals.

IMO the use of the phrase "Gay marriage" is one small step better than Miss California's "opposite marriage" babble.

[JerseygirlCT]

16. "Opposite marriage"

The next time my husband and I argue, I might have to remember that one...

But you're absolutely right, of course. Marriage is marriage is marriage, which is why it's so important that everyone have access to *marriage*, not some sort-of-kind-of substitute.

[Mari333]

12. NH Senate votes to allow gay marriage

Source: AP

The Associated Press

CONCORD, N.H. - The state Senate voted Wednesday to move New Hampshire a step closer to becoming the fifth state to allow gay marriage, but made a distinction between religious and civil ceremonies, bringing back an idea the House rejected in March.

The bill, which passed the Senate 13-11, goes to the House, which can agree with the Senate, kill the bill or ask to negotiate something different.

Gov. John Lynch would only see a bill if both chambers agree. Lynch has said marriage is a word that should be reserved for the union of a man and a woman, but he has not specifically said he would veto a gay marriage bill.

"I still believe the fundamental issue is about providing the same rights and protections to same-sex couples as are available to heterosexual couples," Lynch said in a statement Wednesday. "This was accomplished through the passage of the civil unions law two years ago. To achieve further real progress, the federal government would need to take action to recognize New Hampshire civil unions."

Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/wires/ap/news/state/new_jersey/20090429_ap_nhsenatevotestoallowgaymarriage.html

[and-justice-for-all]

13. GO GO GO!!!!

"I still believe the fundamental issue is about providing the same rights and protections to same-sex couples as are available to heterosexual couples," Thank Mr. Lynch!!:applause:

[Mopar151]

18. That's why we like him. n/t

[Myrina]

14. Yay!

:applause:

[xchrom]

15. ...

:applause:

[Dappleganger]

17. The train is gaining momentum...

Woo WOOOOO