Final Approval for NH Civil Unions Law

CONCORDE, NH -- New Hampshire Governor John Lynch officially signed into law the state's new civil union law Thursday which will allow gay couples to register their partnerships starting January next year.

Couples who enter civil unions will have the same rights, responsibilities, and obligations as married couples. Same-sex unions from other states also would be recognized if they were legal in the state where they were performed.

"We in New Hampshire have had a long and proud tradition taking the lead and opposing discrimination," Lynch said after the signing. "Today that tradition continues."

"I've listened and I've heard all the arguments," said Lynch. "I do not believe that this bill threatens marriage. I believe that this is a matter of conscience and fairness."

"People in committed relationships should not have to worry about visiting a loved one in a hospital, or whether their loved ones will inherit their estate, or the many other legal protections so many of us take for granted," Gov. Lynch said. "How could any one of us look into the eyes of our neighbors, our friends, or our loved ones if we continued to deny them these basic legal protections?

"That is why I am pleased to be here today as we further the interest of fairness, dignity and the strengthening of families.

"That is truly the New Hampshire way," Gov. Lynch said.

Diocese of New Hampshire bishop V. Gene Robinson, the Episcopal Church's first openly gay bishop in its history, also attended the bill-signing. He and his longtime partner plan to have a civil union.

New Hampshire joins Connecticut, Vermont, New Jersey, Maine, California, Washington, and soon Oregon in offering civil unions or broad domestic partnership benefits to same-sex couples. Massachusetts is the only US state that allows same-sex marriage.