Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Today, New Hampshire

New Hampshire's marriage equality legislation was threatened with veto unless they added some specific language to protect religions, which we discussed before. The NH legislature has passed it. From NY Times:
New Hampshire legislators have approved a measure that would make the state the sixth to allow gay marriage.

Gov. John Lynch is expected to sign the legislation Wednesday afternoon.

He had promised a veto if the law didn't clearly spell out that churches and religious groups would not be forced to officiate at gay marriages or provide other services.

8 comments:

Cany said...

Great news! Maybe +Gene can actually get married now if he chooses.

Whoa... that would be a serious dust up wouldn't it... exploding heads from Gafcon... oy.

Might even change the weather.

Erp said...

And it has been signed. So Bishop Robinson (and others) will be formally married in the eyes of the state when the law takes effect (apparently civil unions will automatically be upgraded to marriages).

JCF said...

With SSM legal in both NH and Iowa, it'll be fascinating to see how this affects the Presidential primary campaigns from here on out (frankly, if Obama hasn't gotten off his butt re DADT and ENDA and DOMA by 2012, I wouldn't mind see a Democratic protest candidate, to put the fear of God in 'im!)

IT said...

On the new NBC show, Obama was asked about gay marriage and said in reply that he supported civil unions.

Of course, he was FOR marriage equality in 1996.

What happened: did he get God, or National Ambition?

Look,federal civil unions would be a start. I don't think I'll live to see more than that. But we have to start.

Erp said...

At least the State Department will apparently soon recognize same-sex couples in the US diplomatic corp. This is significant for those posted abroad as it allows their partners to get diplomatic passports, their travel to and from the posting to be paid for, training, and eligible for emergency evacuation.

IT said...

Meanwhile, of course, don't fall in love with anyone of foreign nationality, because you will have to leave theh country. More here.

Erp said...

I'm well aware. I'm a immigrant myself and though I won't face that particular bind (barring falling in love with someone who is foreign and trans); I know about the barriers that cross-nationality relationships can face even before same-sex gets called into play.

Note that there might not be any country they could legally live together if the other person's country has similar rules to the US.

David G. said...

Gene is already married, ...oops!!