That’s the diary I should have been able to write today.
Instead, we’ve got this:
A civil unions bill moving quickly through the State House hit a jam yesterday, and some are questioning whether Gov. John Lynch, who has been silent on the issue, is behind it.
A Senate spokeswoman announced yesterday a vote on civil unions expected Wednesday had been put off, and she didn't know when it would be scheduled.
Kossacks, we really need your help.
This is a call to action diary. Follow me over the jump.
What went wrong? Two weeks ago today, the bill passed by a wide margin in the NH House, 243-129. It passed through the Senate Judiciary Committee. It was expected to easily pass the State Senate, with a 14-10 Democratic Majority, even a few Republicans were going to vote for it.
The problem, is that progressives aren’t organized. When the bill came before the Senate Judiciary Committee, here’s what happened:
The list of those who signed up to speak on the bill ran roughly 2-to-1 against it, 211 to 94. Senators said they have been sent hundreds of e-mails that are about evenly divided. The committee adjourned after 4.5 hours without hearing everyone.
Now that the Senate is expected to pass the bill, conservative activists have been focusing on the Governor’s Office. John Lynch’s office has been flooded with hundreds of post cards opposing Civil Unions. They’re probably filled with hateful `messages such as this:
Do you really think that two April Nor'easters on the exact same days of the voting of this bill ... are a coincidence? I personally think God is not entirely pleased with the way the state of New Hampshire is voting in regards to gay and lesbian lifestyles. Remember Sodom and Gomorrah?" wrote Isaac Masana of Somersworth.
We need to fight back.
If you are from New Hampshire, contact John Lynch’s office and urge him to support HB 437. Tell him gay and lesbian couples deserve the same rights, privileges, and obligations under the law as heterosexual couples.
Office of the Governor
State House
25 Capitol Street
Concord, NH 03301
(603)271-2121
Or, at the very least, send him an email.
If Civil Unions fail in New Hampshire, we have no one to blame but ourselves.
Cross-posted, with some modification, over at Blue Hampshire