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Loading ...NH Senate takes up gay marriage
04.15.2009 5:30pm EDT
(Concord, New Hampshire) Supporters and opponents of same-sex marriage filled a New Hampshire Senate hearing room Wednesday as the Senate Judiciary Committee began hearings on marriage equality legislation.
Nearly 500 people showed up for the hearing, with crowds spilling out into a hallway.Among the speakers in favor of the bill was Gene Robinson, the openly gay Episcopal Bishop of New Hampshire.
Robinson urged senators to support the bill and not fear political consequences from opponents of gay marriage.
“I know and understand that some of you are worried about your next election, fearing that your doing the right thing now will cost you. But not doing the right thing will also cost you, not just in the next election but also in your soul’s self respect,” he said.
Roman Catholic Bishop John McCormack, in a written statement to the committee said that marriage can only be entered into by a man and a woman.
“Marriage is not simply a matter of emotional intimacy between two people, a lifestyle choice, or a purely, private relationship protected by the state. Civil society benefits from a stable marital order.”
Crowds began arriving at the Legislature early Wednesday morning, splitting into two camps – those for and those against same-sex marriage.
“Civil rights,” said Tom Keeler, a Concord gay activist, speaking through a bullhorn. “That’s all there is to this. There is a minority being oppressed by a majority.”
At one point, an opponent of gay marriage tried to block the megaphone.
Several minor skirmishes were also reported.
The bill narrowly passed the state House last month. Gov. John Lynch (D) has said that he opposes gay marriage and believes the civil union law is fine. Two years ago, the Legislature approved, and Lynch signed, the civil unions bill.
Some 600 same-sex civil unions have been conducted in the state. But same-sex couples have complained the law has created two separate forms of unions resulting in discrimination.
Although Lynch opposes the marriage bill, he has skirted question over whether he would veto the bill.
The Senate committee is eventually expected to approved the bill and send it to the Senate floor for a vote. Its future there, however is less certain.
*fingers crossed*
already invited to several engaygements….that’s the new word! best parties in the world!
FOR LOVE OF ALMIGHT GOD, STOP SAYING “Gay Marriage” use the term Marriage Equality.
Every single goddamn*d time someone says gay marriage as opposed to MARRIAGE EQUALITY, we lose support. If you support marriage equality then call it marriage equality. If you want our side to continue to lose for another 100 years, then by all means keep refering to marriage equality as gay marriage.
When a candidate is asked “Do you support gay marriage?” it is easy for him/her to say NO, but I support “equal” rights. When you ask a candidate “do you support marriage equality” it makes it harder for them to weasel out and the mere use of the term “marriage equality” dispels myths in the minds of those who are convincible.
One POWERFUL myth that the anti-marriage equality forces have, is that “gay marriage” is opposed to traditional marriage. When we say “We want gay marriage” in their minds, it’s as if we’re saying down with traditional marriage. So, our solution is clear as a bell, if you are inteligent, and that is use the term marriage equality NOT gay marriage.
Rodney, I like the term Marriage Equality. Your argument makes sense. In the past some conservatives used semantics, turning of a phrase, slogans, and euphemisms way better than we did. A lesson in talking points and how to phrase is much appreciated. Thanks.
“Marriage Equality” is a much better, and more accurate, term. I agree with you completely, Rodney.
Now, if we can just get people to understand (especially those who have religious issues with marriage equality) that the religious sacrament is “Holy Matrimony” and “Marriage” is a legal term, we might make more headway faster.
One can legally become “married” without the religious sacrament. Non-religious people do it all the time. It is a civil, legal contract that is governed by the State.
“Holy Matrimony”, however, is the Ecclesiastical aspect, during which the union of the two parties is given the blessing of God and the Church, and is usually a part of a religious marriage ceremony, but is NOT required to make the marriage legal.
Our culture tends to meld terms together or use words interchangeably to mean the same thing when they don’t. This is most likely because we tend to be lazy speakers, in general. This is a prime example.