N.H. Senate Works to Add Amendment to Marriage Bill
Posted on May 19, 2009 at 11:45 am
WCAX-TV
May 19, 2009
The New Hampshire Senate will hold another hearing today to try and tackle a crucial amendment to the same-sex marriage bill. It's one Governor John Lynch says must be adopted in order for him to sign it. The legislation should come to a vote in both houses on Wednesday. (Link)
May 19, 2009
The New Hampshire Senate will hold another hearing today to try and tackle a crucial amendment to the same-sex marriage bill. It's one Governor John Lynch says must be adopted in order for him to sign it. The legislation should come to a vote in both houses on Wednesday. (Link)
New Hampshire Set to Approve Marriage Equality
Posted on May 14, 2009 at 04:58 pm
New York Times
May 14, 2009
Gov. John Lynch of New Hampshire said Thursday that he would sign the state’s marriage equality bill if it was amended to further protect opponents of such unions from having to take part in ceremonies celebrating them.
Legislative leaders indicated they would allow the changes, making it all but certain that New Hampshire will become the sixth state to have the freedom to marry for gay couples. (Link)
May 14, 2009
Gov. John Lynch of New Hampshire said Thursday that he would sign the state’s marriage equality bill if it was amended to further protect opponents of such unions from having to take part in ceremonies celebrating them.
Legislative leaders indicated they would allow the changes, making it all but certain that New Hampshire will become the sixth state to have the freedom to marry for gay couples. (Link)
New Hampshire Governor to Sign Marriage Bill After Language Changes Made
Posted on May 14, 2009 at 03:41 pm
Gov. Lynch's Office
May 14, 2009
Gov. John Lynch released a statement today regarding marriage equality legislation in New Hampshire. He pledged to sign the marriage bill in New Hampshire after language is added to clarify the difference between civil and religious marriage. Action is expected next week in the legislature to return the bill to the Governor's desk for signature.
Here are a few key excerpts from the Governor's statement:
(Link)
May 14, 2009
Gov. John Lynch released a statement today regarding marriage equality legislation in New Hampshire. He pledged to sign the marriage bill in New Hampshire after language is added to clarify the difference between civil and religious marriage. Action is expected next week in the legislature to return the bill to the Governor's desk for signature.
Here are a few key excerpts from the Governor's statement:
“My personal views on the subject of marriage have been shaped by my own experience, tradition and upbringing. But as Governor of New Hampshire, I recognize that I have a responsibility to consider this issue through a broader lens.
“In the past weeks and months, I have spoken with lawmakers, religious leaders and citizens. My office has received thousands of phone calls, letters and emails. I have studied our current marriage and civil union laws, the laws of other states, the bills recently passed by the legislature and our history and traditions.
“At its core, HB 436 simply changes the term ‘civil union’ to ‘civil marriage.’ Given the cultural, historical and religious significance of the word marriage, this is a meaningful change.
“I have heard, and I understand, the very real feelings of same-sex couples that a separate system is not an equal system. That a civil law that differentiates between their committed relationships and those of heterosexual couples undermines both their dignity and the legitimacy of their families.
“This morning, I met with House and Senate leaders, and the sponsors of this legislation, and gave them language that will provide additional protections to religious institutions.
“If the legislature passes this language, I will sign the same-sex marriage bill into law. If the legislature doesn’t pass these provisions, I will veto it.
(Link)
New England’s Identity Bolsters Acceptance of Freedom to Marry
Posted on May 11, 2009 at 09:52 am
Boston Globe
May 11, 2009
New England is a collection of states where media markets overlap and families span borders. As a result, residents have been exposed to both the idea and the reality of legal unions of same-sex couples for almost a decade, since Vermont approved civil unions in 2000. [link]
May 11, 2009
New England is a collection of states where media markets overlap and families span borders. As a result, residents have been exposed to both the idea and the reality of legal unions of same-sex couples for almost a decade, since Vermont approved civil unions in 2000. [link]
New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Delivers 14,000 Signatures Urging Gov. Lynch to Sign the Marriage Bil
Posted on May 10, 2009 at 02:54 pm
Nashua Telegraph
May 10, 2009
The Freedom to Marry Coalition presented Lynch's office Friday with more than 1,000 petitions from residents backing the bill, bringing their number to close to 14,000, according to Executive Director Mo Baxley. [link]
May 10, 2009
The Freedom to Marry Coalition presented Lynch's office Friday with more than 1,000 petitions from residents backing the bill, bringing their number to close to 14,000, according to Executive Director Mo Baxley. [link]
NY Times Editorial: “This Is a Question of Fairness’
Posted on May 08, 2009 at 10:21 am
New York Times
May 8, 2009
This week, the City Council of the District of Columbia voted to recognize marriages between gay people certified in other states. Unfortunately, there already are calls for Congress to once more tread on home rule and block this progress in the nation’s capital. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is right to caution against such grandstanding. Governor Baldacci of Maine heard the people speak. Congress should listen. [link]
May 8, 2009
This week, the City Council of the District of Columbia voted to recognize marriages between gay people certified in other states. Unfortunately, there already are calls for Congress to once more tread on home rule and block this progress in the nation’s capital. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is right to caution against such grandstanding. Governor Baldacci of Maine heard the people speak. Congress should listen. [link]
Maine and N.H. Move to Extend the Freedom to Marry to Gay and Lesbian Couples
Posted on May 07, 2009 at 02:10 pm
Washington Post
May 7, 2009
The movement in Maine and New Hampshire came faster than many had expected and with bipartisan support in both places, suggesting that using gay and lesbian couples' marriages as a "wedge issue" is losing some of its resonance, at least in the Northeast. [Link]
May 7, 2009
The movement in Maine and New Hampshire came faster than many had expected and with bipartisan support in both places, suggesting that using gay and lesbian couples' marriages as a "wedge issue" is losing some of its resonance, at least in the Northeast. [Link]
NH Gov still deciding on marriage bill
Posted on May 07, 2009 at 01:29 pm
WCAX.com
May 7, 2009
"The governor hasn't really made a decision yet," said Colin Manning, Gov. Lynch's spokesman. "We have seen a number of last-minute changes last week. Some we are going to have to take some time to review the legislation, look at exactly what it says. There's a lot of passion on all sides of the issue. The governor's going to do what he always does, talk to lawmakers and the people of New Hampshire." [Link]
May 7, 2009
"The governor hasn't really made a decision yet," said Colin Manning, Gov. Lynch's spokesman. "We have seen a number of last-minute changes last week. Some we are going to have to take some time to review the legislation, look at exactly what it says. There's a lot of passion on all sides of the issue. The governor's going to do what he always does, talk to lawmakers and the people of New Hampshire." [Link]
New Hampshire legislators vote for marriage equality
Posted on May 06, 2009 at 05:16 pm
The Associated Press
May 6, 2009
The New Hampshire Legislature has passed a bill allowing gay couples to legally marry, but the governor hasn't said whether he'll sign it. Gov. John Lynch has said he believes the word "marriage" should be reserved for the union of a man and a woman. But he has not said whether he would sign the bill, veto it or let it become law without his signature. [Link]
May 6, 2009
The New Hampshire Legislature has passed a bill allowing gay couples to legally marry, but the governor hasn't said whether he'll sign it. Gov. John Lynch has said he believes the word "marriage" should be reserved for the union of a man and a woman. But he has not said whether he would sign the bill, veto it or let it become law without his signature. [Link]
Study says New York Latinos support marriage equality
Posted on May 05, 2009 at 04:20 pm
Times Union
May 5, 2009
The University at Albany released a study on Tuesday polling the Hispanic population of New York and surrounding states. The New York Latino Research and Resources Network (NYLARNet) surveyed more than 1,200 Hispanics in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Jose Cruz, director of NYLARNet, said the study found half of Latinos in those states supported marriage equality or civil unions despite only 18 percent identifying themselves as liberal. (Link)
May 5, 2009
The University at Albany released a study on Tuesday polling the Hispanic population of New York and surrounding states. The New York Latino Research and Resources Network (NYLARNet) surveyed more than 1,200 Hispanics in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Jose Cruz, director of NYLARNet, said the study found half of Latinos in those states supported marriage equality or civil unions despite only 18 percent identifying themselves as liberal. (Link)