November 20th, 2009
 

365 Gay: News

UPDATE: Lynch signs NH marriage bill

By Jennifer Vanasco, editor in chief, 365gay.com
06.03.2009 4:28pm EDT

Gov. John Lynch has signed the New Hampshire equal marriage bill, making New Hampshire the sixth state to have gay marriage. The law will take effect January 1, 2010.

The Senate passed the equal marriage compromise bill this morning; this afternoon, the House passed the bill 198-176.

“With Gov. Lynch signing legislation passed by the state Senate and House, New Hampshire has become the latest state to recognize that loving, committed couples, and their families, should receive equal dignity and respect under the law,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese.  “No religious institution will have to recognize any marriage under this law, as the language proposed by Gov. Lynch and agreed to by the legislature made abundantly clear.”

Only Rhode Island is the outlier in New England – the very Catholic state will be a much longer fight, even though a May poll showed that most Rhode Islanders actually favor a gay marriage bill.

Five states—California, New Jersey, Oregon, Nevada (effective October 1, 2009), and Washington (as of July 26, 2009, pending possible repeal effort)—plus Washington, D.C. provide same-sex couples with access to the state level benefits and responsibilities of marriage, through either civil unions or domestic partnerships.
Hawaii provides same-sex couples with limited rights and benefits.  New York recognizes marriages by same-sex couples validly entered into outside of New York.  The New York legislature is considering marriage legislation that would permit same-sex couples to marry in those states, and the D.C. Council has passed legislation that would recognize marriages by same-sex couples legally entered into in other jurisdictions (that legislation is going through a Congressional review period).
Same-sex couples do not receive federal rights and benefits in any state.  HRC has an great interactive map of marriage equality state-by-state.

Login or Register to comment.

or Login with Facebook:

Newer Comments »
  • michael Said: June 3rd, 2009 at 5:02 pm

    • two lawyers were hired to overturn prop 8 in california hope it passes the federal court.

  • Sarah Said: June 3rd, 2009 at 4:59 pm

    • YAY! I am grinning ear to ear right now

  • inkky jet Said: June 3rd, 2009 at 4:59 pm

    • Now, when do the conservatives launch a ballot initiative to overturn this?? Bet they’re marching at this very moment.

  • Chris Sullivan Said: June 3rd, 2009 at 4:52 pm

    • Yes, great news indeed! One can’t help but wonder if all of the states that have passed gay marriage since Election Day didn’t in some small way have to do with a backlash against Prop 8 in the eyes of some people – or maybe that it just got more people to thinking about it more fully. In any event, its great that we keep making strides, even in the face of temporary setbacks.

  • pedestrian Said: June 3rd, 2009 at 4:47 pm

    • RI isn’t more Catholic than MA, and it is much less conservative than Maine. It is just stuck with a wingnut governor who is out of sync with the rest of the state.

  • Mike Said: June 3rd, 2009 at 4:44 pm

    • Fabulous!

  • Eddie89 Said: June 3rd, 2009 at 4:42 pm

    • Congratulations to ALL of New Hampshire!!! Let marriage equality freedom ring!!!

  • Vermonter Said: June 3rd, 2009 at 4:41 pm

    • Way to go, NOM!

      New England is beautiful in the autumn. Something tells me we’ll have a good leaf peeping season this year.

  • Will Said: June 3rd, 2009 at 4:40 pm

    • Woo hoooooo!!

  • LJKelley Said: June 3rd, 2009 at 4:39 pm

    • Great news, 6 down with 44 to go! New York do the right thing now!

  • R & R Said: June 3rd, 2009 at 4:36 pm

    • And California is still screwing around – the home of the Christian Taliban.

  • K. Perry Said: June 3rd, 2009 at 4:36 pm

    • Congrats New Hampshire!! I am in California and married my partner of 20 years while it was legal and am fighting to keep it legal for others. I am so happy for you!

  • David Said: June 3rd, 2009 at 4:35 pm

    • From Iowa to New Hampshire: WELCOME to marriage equality!!

      David

  • Tye Said: June 3rd, 2009 at 4:34 pm

    • Wooo Hoooo!
      amazing vitory

  • Mark Said: June 3rd, 2009 at 4:33 pm

    • yay to my home state I miss u

Newer Comments »
 
Login

Register
Lost your password?

or Login with Facebook