N.H. House passes civil union bill

[Starbucks Anarchist]

Source: Yahoo

CONCORD, N.H. - New Hampshire moved closer Wednesday to joining neighboring Vermont and a handful of other states in approving civil unions for same-sex couples.

The House 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 Rep. Bette Lasky said.

Opponents, including Republican Rep. 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.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070404/ap_on_re_us/civil_unions

[Demeter]

1. Hell Must Have Frozen Over n/t

[sarge43]

3. Nope, the Democrats just took the state house after nearly a century. n/t

[jody]

2. Civil unions not marriage, is this the compromise that most states will follow? n/t

[Demeter]

4. Let the Religions Keep Their "Marriage Rites"

everybody gets married under civil law, anyway.

[Warren Stupidity]

5. Eventually the state will get out of the marriage business.

Civil unions will be the only form of licensed domestic partnership. "Marriage" will revert to what it should always have been: a religious ceremony of no interest to the state.

[yewberry]

7. In the case of NH

they actually did have both a marriage bill and a civil unions bill in the House. The governor specifically stated that he wouldn't support marriage, so the House eventually settled on something that could pass.

NH progressives aren't giving up on marriage, though.

[Tesha]

9. The Gov is wishy-washy on Civil Unions too.

> The governor specifically stated that he wouldn't support
> marriage, so the House eventually settled on something
> that could pass.

Governor Lynch hasn't stated yet what he'll do with the
Civil Unions bill. You see, he's another one of those
alleged-Democrats who doesn't seem to stand for any
of the party's core values.

Tesha

[WePurrsevere]

6. Good news.. hopefully it will become law. n/t

[Jersey Ginny]

8. Good news

Now there is another state that I can drive through with my family and we are protected. This is all progress and I thank those who have lead the way!