
New Hampshire to Allow Civil Unions
CONCORD, NH -- A bill that would legalize
civil unions between same-sex couples passed the New Hampshire senate
Thursday, and the measure has now been sent to Governor John Lynch, who
said last week that he would sign it.
"This legislation is a matter of conscience, fairness and of preventing
discrimination," said Colin Manning, a spokesman for the Democratic
governor. "It is in keeping with New Hampshire's proud tradition of
preventing discrimination."
When
the Governor signs the bill, New Hampshire becomes the fourth state in
the US to offer civil unions to gay couples after New Jersey,
Connecticut and Vermont. Neighboring Massachusetts is the only state to
allow gay marriage.
Unlike other states, there was no active court challenge to push New
Hampshire to act on the issue, AP reports.
In fact, a study panel recommended in 2005 that New Hampshire should
give no consideration to extending legal recognition to gay couples,
arguing that homosexuality was a choice. It endorsed a constitutional
amendment to limit marriage to unions between a man and a woman. State
lawmakers have defeated proposed constitutional bans on same-sex
marriage two years in a row.
Civil union registrations will begin January 1, 2008.
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