Subscribe to Breaking News
Loading ...NH gay marriage bill goes to governor
05.06.2009 5:45pm EDT
(Concord, New Hampshire) Will he or won’t he? That’s the question being asked of New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch about a same-sex marriage bill that passed in the House Wednesday. Lynch has avoided saying if he will sign or veto.
The bill was approved by the Senate last week. The House voted 178-167 after debating for about an hour.Lynch has said he believes the current civil union law works, but has avoided questions this week on what he will do when the marriage bill hits his desk.
“I recognize that the issue of same-sex marriage is intensely passionate and personal, and raises strong emotions on all sides,” the Democratic governor said in a statement following the Senate vote.
“I still believe the fundamental issue is about providing the same rights and protections to same-sex couples as are available to heterosexual couples. This was accomplished through the passage of the civil unions law two years ago. To achieve further real progress, the federal government would need to take action to recognize New Hampshire civil unions.”
Lynch could sign the bill, veto it or let it become law without his signature.
Last week, the University of New Hampshire Survey Center released a statewide poll that found 55 percent of New Hampshire residents support gay and lesbian couples right to marry, while 39 percent oppose it.
If Lynch signs the measure, it would make New Hampshire the sixth state to legalize same-sex marriage, and the fifth in New England, leaving only Rhode Island in the region without marriage equality.
Earlier on Wednesday, Maine legalized gay marriage. Gov. John Baldacci signed into law a marriage equality bill minutes after it received final passage in the legislature.
In addition to Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut, same-sex marriage also is legal in Iowa.
I want the names of these so-called gay friends…do they really exist? I find that hard to believe….ps all of Joe’s contact information is on his Facebook page at the bottom. Telephone no. and website information and address….ask/tell
“Equal protection” requires “Equal”, not something else. Either every couple must be allowed to marry, or no couples may marry. As long as some can and others can’t, the two classes do not have “equal” rights. Lynch knows this. His assertions to the contrary are transparent lies.
I sincerely doubt that “civil union” would be acceptable to most couples.
It takes 30 days for it to become law if he does nothing. He seems to be a good guy and is obviously worried about the effect of signing it (backlash from the right) and vetoing it (starting a fight with the legislature and his own party). I think he might do nothing, but it won’t be a short wait.
I sent the letter below the Govenor office:
Dear Gov. Lynch,
Please do the right thing and sign the Civil Marriage Equality Bill. If you do so, you will be remembered and honored in generations to come for your courage and foresight.
The tide of history is on the side of equality for all Americans. Civil Unions are nothing more than another form of legal segregation. It is shameful in the 21st Century in America that some people still feel that they must create social ghettoes for those they fear or do not understand simply because they refuse to accept the full humanity and equality of their fellow human being.
Someday, soon, the last vestiges of discrimination will end — and you, Governor, can today make a monumental contribution to this historic inevitability.
Thank you.
Most Respectfully Yours,
“Bud” E. Lewis Evans, M.A.
I already wrote to his office asking why does he think NH civil unions are working when NJ civil unions are a failure.
And that I will give my tourisn dollare to the neighbor New England states with marriage equality.
Interesting turn of events here. Let’s hope Lynch has the intelligence AND compassion to do the right thing. I strongly, STRONGLY suggest that we all do our utmost best to contact his office and very “enthusiastically” encourage him to vote in our favor. Peace out.
I don’t think he will veto the bill. He will simply not sign it.
He will simply not sign on the bill.
He would be foolish IMO to veto it.
Given the recent events in Vermont and Maine, he’s going to look pretty foolish vetoing marriage equality.
The bill becomes law after 10 days if he doesn’t sign or veto it.
Ride the wave Mr. Lynch. Be part of history or stand in the way of progress!
Contact the Governor and encourage him to sign marriage equality into law.
http://www4.egov.nh.gov/governor/goveforms/comments.asp
Francesco: I believe it’s 5 days. At least we won’t see this drag on endlessly…
Does anybody know how long would it take for the law to enter into force without the governor’s signature?
If Lynch is so amenable to Civil Unions, would he like his marriage turned into a Civil Union? I didn’t think so. There’s his answer on what the right thing to do is. Since this impacts GLBT lives, I would listen to them.