Mass. allows New Mexican same-sex couples to say "I Do"
  Same-sex couples from New Mexico can join those from Rhode Island as the only

5.1.07

Union Leader: Civil unions law's impact on firms expected to be minimal ..read more..

 4.27.07

Concord Monitor: Senate okays civil unions; parties divided..read more..

The Guardian (UK): 18th Century gay-rights activist discovered..read more..

::Click here for more stories on the passage of civil unions in NH::

4.26.07

Associated Press: NH State Senate approves civil unions for same-sex couples..read more..

4.23.07

Concord Monitor: Senior same-sex couples navigate system that doesn't recognize them    ..read more..

4.20.07

The New York Times: Civil unions gain ground as a governor vows action..read more.. (requires free registration)

247Gay.com: Gay Rights Laws In Oregon Pass With Little Debate ..read more..

Bay Windows (Mass.): Conn. lawmaker changes debate by coming out ..read more..

4.19.07

Reuters: New Hampshire governor backs gay civil unions..read more..

::Click here to read more stories about Gov. Lynch's decision to support civil unions::

Associated Press: Interracial marriages surge across U.S.

The charisma king of the 2008 presidential field. The world's best golfer. The captain of the New York Yankees. Besides superstardom, Barack Obama, Tiger Woods and Derek Jeter have another common bond: Each is the child of an interracial marriage.

For most of U.S. history, in most communities, such unions were taboo.

..read more..

4.17.07

Hartford (CT) Courant: N.H. has a new take on civil unions debate

It says something about this "Live Free or Die" state that its legislature might well become the second in the nation to approve a same-sex civil union bill without court order before it becomes the 50th to pass a universal seat belt law.

Just what it says depends, of course, on whom you ask.

..read more..

4.13.07

The New York Times: Two months after New Jersey's civil unions law, problems finding true equality

Nickie Brazier called U.P.S., where she is a driver, to add Heather Aurand to her health insurance the day after their Feb. 22 civil union in New Jersey, knowing it would save them $340 a month. But U.P.S. said no. “They said it was because we’re not married,” Ms. Brazier recalled.

Dr. Kevin Slavin was able to sign his partner up for the health plan at the hospital where he specializes in pediatric infectious diseases but soon learned that both men’s benefits would be treated as taxable income — not the case for his married coworkers — and that his partner could not collect his pension if Dr. Slavin died.

..read more..

Stamford (CT) Advocate: Gay marriage moves a step closer

In an emotional speech capping yesterday's debate on legalizing gay marriage, state Sen. Andrew McDonald recalled fighting to pass the state's civil union law in 2005.

"It was a brighter tomorrow for all of us. Not just those of us who are gay or straight, but all of us in the state of Connecticut," McDonald, D-Stamford, told Judiciary Committee colleagues. "But I also said there was work left to be done, and we're doing that now."

..read more..

Concord Monitor: Senate committee endorses civil unions

A bill that would create civil unions for same-sex couples won the endorsement of a Senate committee yesterday. The judiciary committee voted 3-2 to recommend that the full Senate pass the bill.

The committee's two Republicans - Sen. Bob Clegg of Hudson and Sen. Robert Letourneau of Derry - opposed the measure. The full Senate could vote on the bill as soon as Wednesday.

..read more..

4.3.07

San Francisco Chronicle (CA): Marriage Law Battle Goes to High Court

The state’s ban on same-sex marriage confers second-class status on lesbians and gay men and invites discrimination, the city of San Francisco and 22 same-sex couples argue in briefs filed Monday asking the California Supreme Court to strike down its marriage law.

..read more..

Indianapolis Star (IN): Amendment is in Hands of Committee

Indiana House Democrats have their eraser ready. Today, a key legislative committee will decide whether to use it.

In question is a controversial second sentence of a proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.

Opponents have argued the sentence could hurt Indiana companies’ ability to recruit employees, weaken domestic violence laws and jeopardize domestic-partner benefits.

..read more..

Hartford (CT) Courant: EDITORIAL: Civil union isn't enough

The debate over legalizing gay marriage is as raucous as the reaction to civil unions has been quiet. The recent Judiciary Committee hearing overflowed even the overflow room at the Legislative Office Building. Bloggers and protesters are loudly weighing in on the rights and wrongs of same-sex marriage.

Why push the question? Connecticut has lived with civil unions for a year and a half in utter peace and quiet. Many couples are happy and secure, with virtually all the rights of traditional marriage that the state can confer.

But not happy enough. Gay couples want the real thing. They deserve marriage and the full panoply of legal privileges that accompany it.

..read more..

3.28.07

Hartford (CT) Courant: Crowds jam gay marriage hearing

Replacing Pedro Segarra and Charlie Ortiz’s civil union document with a marriage certificate won’t deepen the Hartford couple’s commitment to one another and it certainly won’t grant them any more rights under the law.

But it would make a world of difference in how the world views their 10-year relationship, said Segarra, a lawyer and a member of the Hartford city council who was one of dozens of people to testify Monday at a legislative hearing on a bill legalizing gay marriage.

..full story..

3.27.07

Concord Monitor: House panel supports civil unions

The House Judiciary Committee voted 15-5 yesterday to support creating civil unions for same-sex couples in New Hampshire. The bipartisan vote gave supporters hope that the bill will pass the full House next week and become law later this year.

If that happens, New Hampshire would become the fourth state to adopt civil unions, after Vermont, Connecticut and New Jersey. California and Maine offer domestic partner benefits. Massachusetts is the only state that allows legal marriage for same-sex couples.

..full story..

The Associated Press: S.C. bans gay marriage

South Carolina officially banned gay marriage Thursday as legislative leaders ratified a constitutional amendment approved by voters in November.

New Hampshire, meanwhile, moved in the opposite direction, with a state House panel endorsing the creation of civil unions for same-sex couples.

..full story..

The Associated Press: Gay marriage supporters out in force at hearing

Gay marriage supporters made a strong showing Wednesday but the outcome is far from certain.

Supporters far outnumbered opponents at a hearing on same sex marriage. Same sex couples, parents of gay and lesbian children and the State Employees Association were among those asking the House Judiciary to endorse the marriage bill; 142 people signed sheets supporting gay marriage, 27 were against.

..full story..

3.21.07

The Associated Press: N.H. House votes to allow gay couples to adopt together

The House voted Wednesday to allow unmarried adults - including gay couples - to adopt children together.

..full story..

2.28.07

The Associated Press: Gay Bishop Says No to Ultimatum

The first openly gay Episcopal bishop, whose consecration has brought the world's Anglicans to the brink of schism, said Tuesday that the Episcopal Church should not give in to demands that it roll back its acceptance of gays.

''Doesn't Jesus challenge the greater whole to sacrifice itself for those on the margins?'' Robinson said. ''Now is the time for courage, not fear.''

..full story..  (requires free registration)

2.22.07

The New York Times: Rhode Island Steps Toward Recognizing Same-Sex Marriage

The Rhode Island attorney general said Wednesday that same-sex marriages performed in Massachusetts, the sole state where they are legal, should be recognized in Rhode Island.

..full story.. (requires free registration)

Peoria Journal Star (Ill.): Lawmaker: Legalize gay marriages

A Chicago Democrat wants Illinois to be the second state to legalize gay marriages.

State Rep. Greg Harris plans to introduce legislation today to permit same-sex couples to get married. Although four states recognize civil unions among gays, only Massachusetts provides for gay marriages.

..full story..

 

2.20.07

Philadelphia Inquirer: Obituary: Barbara Gittings, 75, leader in the fight for gay rights

Barbara Gittings, 75, formerly of Philadelphia and Wilmington, a gay-rights pioneer, died Sunday at Kendal at Longwood, a retirement community in Kennett Square, after a seven-year struggle with breast cancer.

On July 4, 1965, Ms. Gittings helped organize a march at Independence Hall to support homosexual civil rights. "It was both scary and exhilarating," she said later. "We knew we were doing something that hadn't been done before. It was our first in-your-face street picketing."

..full story..

2.16.07

Washington Blade: State Dept. may hire gays fired by Defense

An official from the U.S. State Department called Rep. Gary Ackerman’s (D-N.Y.) office Feb. 7 to tell him they were considering his suggestion to rehire some of the gay linguists discharged from the military under the Defense Department’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.

..full story..

2.15.07

Associated Press: Episcopal Head Refuses To Back Down On Gay Clergy At Anglican Summit

The head of the U.S. wing of the Anglican church, who supports ordaining gays and allowing blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples, will not soften her views even as the issues threaten to break apart the Christian denomination, her aide said Thursday.

..full story..

2.9.07

Rutland Herald (Vt.): Editorial: Toward Gay Marriage

Freedom-to-marry advocates have launched an effort to persuade the Vermont Legislature to approve a bill allowing for gay marriage. Passage of a gay marriage bill will not happen overnight, but it is a cause worth supporting.

..full story..

2.2.07

Concord Monitor: Marriage Debate Shifting

In years past, hundreds of supporters and opponents have filled Representatives Hall to testify passionately about proposed bills or constitutional amendments to ban gay marriage. Yesterday, a similar amendment proposal drew just 50 people for a subdued hearing before the House Judiciary Committee.

..full story..

Pam's House Blend (Blog): Civil Unions: More on Less

Republican NH legislator proposes civil unions, Dems submit "domestic union" bill

At least you can say people on both sides of the aisle in New Hampshire are struggling to positively address the marriage equality issue.  That's more than we can say is happening in other states, where the Republicans not only want to ban the ability of gays and lesbians to marry, but to roll back or prevent any legal protections that resemble civil marriage.

..full story..

1.18.07

Blue Jersey: Check out this series of ads from Blue Jersey discussing civil unions and equality:

Ad 1: Think Equal

Ad 2: Check Equal

Ad 3: Barring Equal

Ad 4: Counsel Equal

::Federal Marriage Amendment Archive::

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Past News:

Army Times: Most Troops ‘Comfortable’ With Gays, Poll Finds ..full story..

Washington Post: COLUMN: Episcopalians Against Equality ..full story..

The Boston Globe: Romney's '94 remarks on same-sex marriage could haunt him ..full story..

The New York Times: Conservative Jews allow gay rabbis and unions ..full story..

BBC News: South African same-sex marriage law signed ..full story..

Associated Press: Gay vets appeal "don't ask don't tell" ..full story..

Study: The Impact on New Hampshire's Budget of Allowing Same-Sex Couples to Marry ..download the study..

Wisconsin State Journal (WI): LETTER: Gay marriage amendment melds into dangerous appeal for theocracy ..full story..

Washington Blade: Sept. 11 introduced U.S. to gay families ..full story..

Nashua (NH) Telegraph: Several Rallies Held Against Illegal Immigration ..full story..

Hartford (CT) Courant: Op-Ed: Rights Denied Same-sex Couples ..full story..

Reuters: Gay Marriage Fights Intensify ..full story..

Gay and Lesbian Medical Association: American Academy of Pediatrics Report says Gay Marriage Good for Kids ..full story..

Chicago Sun-Times: Teen Makes Mark with Gay Rights Project ..full story..

Associated Press: Ark. High Court Backs Gay Foster Parents ..full story..

Associated Press: Prenatal Effect Hinted for Some Gay Men ..full story..

The Village Voice: Bliss or Miss: Getting over the Gay-marriage Jitters ..full story..

Video: Fox News: Anti-Gay Church Protests at Fallen Soldiers' Funerals ..watch it..

365gay.com: The number of gay and lesbian families across the country is growing at a fast pace a new study finds. ..more..

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::NH Constitutional Amendment & Same-sex Marriage Commission Archive::

AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATE SUPPORTS GAY MARRIAGE: "Therefore be it resolved that the APA believe that it is unfair and discriminatory to deny same-sex couples legal access to civil marriage and to all its attendance benefits, rights and privileges  ..more..

2004 POLL SAYS NH RESIDENTS SUPPORT GAY MARRIAGE: According to a new poll, 55% of New Hampshire residents are in favor of "a law that will allow the state to issue civil marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples." Only 41% are opposed ..more..

2003 POLL: NH SUPPORTS MARRIAGE: 54% of New Hampshire residents are in favor of "a law that will allow the state to issue civil marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples," while 42% oppose. ..more..

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