Moments ago, the New Hampshire House passed a bill that would create Civil Unions in New Hampshire. This puts the state well on its way to becoming the second state to legislate Civil Unions without a court order.
The vote was 243-129.
I’m very proud to be a New Hampshireite today.
More on this bill below the fold.
The bill was sponsored by State Representative Jim Splaine. He has also blogged about his bill extensively on Blue Hampshire:
It's about time that gays and lesbians who are in a loving, committed relationship are treated with all of the same rights, responsibilities, and obligations that a man and woman who are in a loving, committed relationship have.
There is nothing more important than the way we treat one another. While we can't cure all of this planet's wrongs, at least we should resolve that here in New Hampshire and now in 2007, we will create equality in our laws for same-sex unions.
A number of other bills were also sponsored this session seeking to address the issue of Marriage Equality and GLBT Rights. Two other Civil Unions bills were sponsored by House and Senate Republicans. A bill that would separate religious and civil marriage, granting equal civil marriage rights to all persons was sponsored by Represensive Mo Baxley. Though there were several very well attended hearings, Rep. Splaine’s bill has the most support.
From here, the bill will move on the NH Senate, where Democrats control the chamber, 14-10. I suspect it won’t have too much trouble there, because even a few of the Republicans have indicated their support for Civil Unions.
The biggest hurdle the Civil Unions Bill will have is ironically our Democratic Governor, John Lynch:
Lynch spokesman Colin Manning said the governor has been talking with legislators about the issue, but gave no specifics.
"The governor opposes gay marriage however he does believe the rights of all New Hampshire families should be protected. He believes the state needs to do a better job of doing that," Manning said. "It's very early in the process."
While Lynch is remaining irritatingly silent on this issue, his influence is definitely making its impact. Mo Baxley’s Civil Marriage bill most likely failed in committee because Governor Lynch opposes same sex marriage. We’re all hoping that he will allow the Civil Unions bill to become law with or without his signature.
UPDATE: The Governor Comments:
The bill would take effect on Jan. 1, 2008, if the Senate adopts it and Gov. John Lynch signs it. Lynch said today he has not yet taken a stand on the bill.
"I will weigh in on it after I make up my mind on it," he told reporters.
We're waiting, Mr. Lynch.