New Hampshire Gov Says He'll Approve Same-Sex Civil Unions
New Hampshire's Governor John Lynch had previously not made his opinion known on legislation advancing in that state that would legalize civil unions for same-sex couples.
Lynch has now indicated he'll sign the legislation if it arrives at his desk: "I believe it is a matter of conscience, fairness and preventing discrimination."
The legislation has already passed the New Hampshire House and Lynch says he is "confident" the legislation will clear the Senate when it votes next week.
State Republican Chairman Fergus Cullen balked at the news: "You’re kidding. The Democrats are going too far, too fast and Governor Lynch is going along with them. These are not the actions of a moderate governor."
New Hampshire would join Connecticut, Vermont and New Jersey in allowing same-sex civil unions.
Now that I am out of my Blake Lewis tummy-staring stupor, let me say "YAY!" for New Hampshire. New England rocks. Now let's hope the blue state progress starts leeching inwards....
Posted by: the other jeff | Apr 19, 2007 4:55:27 PM
Yeah, ok Fergus, the sky is falling. Geez...
Posted by: PistolPetey | Apr 19, 2007 5:18:23 PM
Any guesses why the reporting omits references to California's domestic partnerships? When we're all talking about making the relationship as close to marriage as it can be without using the label, you'd think the civil union proponants would be able to get beyond their label of choice as well.
Posted by: Chuck | Apr 19, 2007 5:53:22 PM
Washington, Oregon, and now New Hampshire, the "evil" homosexual agenda is making serious inroads this year. Lets go to the recognition scoreboard:
Recognized - California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, Vermont, Washington (DC), Washington (State),
Still a long way to go, I know. But had you said 1/5th of American states would recognize same-sex unions in 1995, they would've sent you to the loony bin. It was unthinkable at that time.
So...to those who keep on threatening to move to Canada or the EU, I say to you: Progress is being made in this country. We just need to stay the course.
Posted by: John | Apr 19, 2007 5:53:25 PM
great news! amazing how the republican party has been on the wrong side of progress, fairness, equality, and freedom. Look at the Republican party record through-out history on women's rights, black civil rights, interacial marriage, and now gay rights and stem cell research. Not to meantion gun control. Republican's have fooled many ignorant people into electing them to office. Time will tell if America will loose it's place as the world leader. But it appears the Republican's corruption and lies have us on the fast track to making the world worse.
Posted by: vince | Apr 19, 2007 5:55:36 PM
I would love for some of these "too far too fast" people to explain to me what the proper increments of advancemnent or the proper time line is in the pursuit of civil rights.
Here's what they tell their friends when the microphones aren't on: "NONE" is the right advancement and "NEVER" is the right time when it comes to civil rights for gays and lesbians.
Posted by: Zeke | Apr 19, 2007 6:24:56 PM
This is wonderful, but those of us in the Deep South are resigned to waiting for the Supreme Court to rule that a ban on Civil Unions/Gay Marriage is unconstitutional. That doesn't seem to be coming anytime soon, so it's hard to be optimistic down here.
Posted by: mark m | Apr 20, 2007 10:54:11 AM
Things are never going to improve in the South if we stay quite. We have to work harder then we have. Most of us abandon the South for easier lives up North or out in Cali and that's why the South never advances. When all of your activists leave and there is no one left to confront the hate why are we surprised that things don't change. No one ever said these kinds of changes were easy but they are necessary. Even if the Supreme Court declares us equal it will mean nothing to those in the South and they will just see it as the Yankees forcing their culture upon them like they have been doing for 150 years.
Change in the South must come from within. We have the chance in this generation to maintain the best parts of Southern Culture while refining it into a culture of the New South but that will only occur by embracing our culture and our whole past while all groups come together to advance the South together into the future. A New South is rising and if we don't stay and fight then it won't be a South that we want. The answer to the South's problems can be found in its past, just like the source of its problems. However being PC isn't going to get us anywhere we might have to get into people's faces and even challenge things like their views on religion. Southern Baptistism is evil but is easily defeated because certain basic beliefs they hold can easily be shot down by logic; the important thing is to not let our voices be ignored any longer.
At least in Arkansas, there are a large number of liberal leaning people they just need convincing. If we would take time to actually confront their beliefs instead of writing them off; these people who are our neighbors and friends then change would happen. Some of us will die and be beaten for the changes to occur because there are definitely crazies there but there are crazies everywhere and anti-gay violence even occurs in Boston and San Fransisco.
I am currently studying in France but what being here and living with all of the other international students has caused was for me to gain a much deeper appreciation of my culture; Southern culture. The South has a lot to be proud of but you won't learn about it in a government classroom. Just remember that 250 years ago in Boston they were having witch hunts and it was the most puritanical part of the country. Things change but only because people worked to change it.
Posted by: Jason Young | Apr 22, 2007 12:50:04 AM