News
2007-04-06
New Hampshire
house passes civil unions bill
Civil unions
advance in New Hampshire
New Hampshire
moved closer Wednesday to joining neighboring Vermo
New Hampshire
moved closer Wednesday to joining neighboring Vermont and a
handful of other states in approving civil unions for
same-sex couples. The state house in
Concord voted 243-129 to give same-sex couples
the same rights, responsibilities, and obligations as
married couples. Same-sex unions from other states
would be recognized if they were legal in the state
where they were performed.
Supporters pushed
a message of equality. ''Help our daughters, friends,
sons, and neighbors live their lives the way I believe we
all want to live with the people we love: in peace and
dignity,'' Democratic representative Bette Lasky said.
Opponents,
including Republican representative Maureen Mooney, said
restricting civil unions to same-sex couples amounted to
discrimination against heterosexual couples,
roommates, and others who might want to share legal
benefits as a couple. Democrats called it an attempt to
confuse the issue.
The bill now goes
to the senate, where Republican Bob Clegg has proposed
legalizing ''contractual cohabitation'' as an alternative.
His bill would give gays and other adults who don't
choose to marry the same legal rights as married
couples.
Gov. John Lynch
opposes same-sex marriage but has avoided taking a
position on civil unions. ''I will weigh in on it once I
make up my mind on it,'' he said Wednesday.
Vermont, New
Jersey, and Connecticut allow civil unions. California
authorizes domestic partnerships with benefits similar to
civil unions. Massachusetts is the only state that
allows gays to marry. (Beverley Wang, AP)
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