Same-sex couples
plan to celebrate New Hampshire's new civil unions law
by holding a group ceremony the minute the law takes effect
January 1, organizers said Wednesday.
Democratic state
representative Gail Morrison and Jen Major said the
event is to take place just after midnight on the statehouse
steps. Both are former board members of the New
Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition and said they
plan to get civil unions with their own partners that
night.
''My partner and
I have been talking about wanting to do it the minute it
was possible, and where else do you celebrate those state
accomplishments?'' said Morrison. ''It's a combination of
very private dedication to one another, but within the
context of a historic state event, so the statehouse
steps seemed absolutely the perfect place to be.''
The two said
couples who previously obtained licenses from town and city
clerks and want to participate can sign up beginning at 11
p.m. on December 31.
''It's the time
to get together and celebrate our small victory,'' Major
said.
State vital
records officials are estimating 3,500 to 4,000 couples will
get civil unions in 2008. That's roughly double the 1,704
unions performed in Vermont in 2000, the first year
they were offered.
The legislature
passed a civil unions bill this year allowing same-gender
couples to enter civil unions and have the same rights,
responsibilities, and obligations as married couples.
Gov. John Lynch signed the bill in May. (Beverly Wang,
AP)
