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.