Gay Marriage and Transgender Rights Take Spotlight in New Hampshire

By Julie Bolcer

Bills to legalize gay marriage and to expand nondiscrimination laws to include transgender individuals are expected to be the emotional focus of the New Hampshire legislature this week.

The house judiciary committee deadlocked, 10-10, in voting on both bills last week. The split votes mean that each bill will reach the full chamber floor without a recommendation.

Both bills are anticipated to reach the house floor Thursday and face arduous fights.

Although neither party has taken a formal position on either bill, Minority Leader Sherm Packard told the Concord Monitor that he expects most of his fellow Republicans to vote against the bills. Majority Floor Leader Dan Eaton said Democrats would encourage members to view the issues as a matter of personal "conscience."

Click here to follow The Advocate on Twitter. Page 1 of 1

READ COMMENTS (4) MORE News EMAIL PRINT

RECOMMEND

‹‹Previous Article in Category | Next Article in Category››

Reader Comments

Back to top
Name: rgm
Date posted: 3/23/2009 5:05:00 PM
Hometown: wdc

Comment:
Just to clarify, NH already grants and recognizes civil unions and just like Vermont's legislature NH is considering a bill which if enacted to law will grant full marriage equality to it gay ad lesbian citizens. Massachusetts and Connecticut are the only state in the US that currently makes no distinction between heterosexual and gay marriages. Rhode Island and Maine do NOT have civil unions, though Rhode Island's Attorney General has said the state will recognize gay marriages from other jurisdictions - Maine has a domestic partnership registry.
Back to top
Name: Kevin
Date posted: 3/23/2009 4:54:00 PM
Hometown: Philly

Comment:
I sure hope the "Live Free or Die" State votes for the freedom of marriage equality and protects the rights and dignity of transgendered folks. Maybe I'm crazy and don't realize that motto only applies to straight people.
Back to top
Name: Ben
Date posted: 3/23/2009 12:24:00 PM
Hometown: NY

Comment:
I'm glad that the Democrats of New Hampshire believe that my civil rights should be subject to the dictates of their personal consciences. It's very reassuring.
Back to top
Name: Roger Burr
Date posted: 3/23/2009 11:28:00 AM
Hometown: Marble Hill, MO

Comment:
C'mon, New Hampshire.... With same-sex marriage now the law in Massachusetts and Connecticut, as well as Maine and Vermont taking up the same issue; do you want to be left behind?? I sincerely pray both bills will pass the legislature and be signed into law. One more positive step for LGBT full equality.

PREVIOUS 1 NEXT

More Online Only

Film Teen Spirit

While Native American cultures have long honored people of integrated genders, a new documentary looks at a shocking hate crime against a two-gendered Colorado teenager.

Politicians L.A. Confidential

What's it like to be 33, gay, and one of the most powerful people in America's second-largest city? Stressful, says Matt Szabo, the new deputy chief of staff to Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Commentary Love Bites for Twilight's Gay Fans

Gay fanpires are sure to flock to New Moon, but with questions lingering about author Stephanie Meyer and the cash she gives to the Mormon Church, Mike Albo wonders if we'd be better off tying a clove of garlic around our necks.

Youth Church Opens Doors for Homeless Gay Teens

A church-turned-shelter for homeless youth in Queens, New York is a far cry from sleeping on the streets after a $200,000 renovation and a partnership with the Ali Forney Center for LGBT youth.

Music France's Latest Export

He's opened for Britney and Katy Perry, kept Dita Von Teese company in the front row at Paris Fashion Week, and gets name-checked on Twitter by Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, and Sarah Silverman. So who the hell is Sliimy, anyway?

Prevention New Breast Health Rules Leave Out Lesbians

Now that new government guidelines are out on how to best care for your breasts, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender women are left with a lot of questions.

Marriage Equality Triumph in the Tar Heel State

The loss of marriage equality in Maine was a major blow on Election Night, but down the coast in North Carolina there was an LGBT victory. Pam Spaulding talks to Chapel Hill's mayor-elect, Mark Kleinschmidt.

Theater Puppet Masters

When performance-art drag diva Joey Arias combines forces with master puppeteer Basil Twist, anything — no, seriously, anything — can happen.

News Softball With Oprah and Palin

Dave White recaps as Oprah plays nice with Palin in her exclusive, personality-rehabbing interview. Topics include Katie Couric ("badgering"), Levi Johnston ("Ricky Hollywood"), and step class ("gee, it's fun").

News View From Washington: Frank Tells

This week Congressman Barney Frank laid out a plan and a timetable for repealing "don't ask, don't tell..." and a reminder that he's been saying it would happen in 2010 from the beginning.

News Features Where's Mitrice?

Mitrice Richardson is a 4.0 student, a former beauty pageant contestant, and a lesbian. She’s also been missing since September, and her family and girlfriend want answers.

Theater Seat Filler

The Advocate’s queen on the New York theater scene meets bisexual conjoined twins, pits Sienna Miller against Jude Law, tastes Cheyenne Jackson’s Rainbow, and saves up for a rainy day with Hugh Jackman.

Art Fairey Good

Controversial artist Shepard Fairey spends his creative capital to bring marriage equality back to California.

Books Hot Sheet: Brüno, Ms. Jackson, and 2012

We'll let you decide whether 2012 is spectacular, Armageddon-tinged eye candy or a hot mess. Plus: A new take on gay romance with Dare.

Television Driving Miss Wanda

Love her or loathe her, drag queen Porsche sidekicks The Wanda Sykes Show into shape.

Film Crazy Like a Fox

Hipster actor Jason Schwartzman gets schooled on his gay fans and the Hollywood closet and reveals why he’s never played a gay role.

Television Viki Victorious?

Soap icon and six-time Emmy Award winner Erika Slezak talks about the trials and tribulation of playing Victoria Lord and her run for mayor, gay rights, and the sudden death that rocks Llanview.

Commentary Called to Serve

The military continues to operate under the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, which even the Pentagon says is unsubstantiated. As General McChrystal asks for more troops in Afghanistan, one gay Navy vet offers his service to his country in spite of the policy that would deny him.

News Features Marriage Foe Tied to Pro-Gay Companies
Ford Motor Co. and Reynolds American, two companies that receive consistently high marks from the HRC, have ties with Schubert Flint Public Affairs, the firm that was instrumental in defeating marriage equality in California and Maine.

News Features A Few Good Men

In honor of Veteran's Day, two of the most famous gay vets -- Frank Kameny and Dan Choi -- share their letters from Uncle Sam.