Today, New Hampshire joined Vermont, California, Connecticut, New Jersey, Maine, Washington, and soon Oregon in offering civil unions or broad domestic partnership benefits to same-sex couples as Governor John Lynch signed a civil union bill.
Said Lynch: “We in New Hampshire have had a long and proud tradition of taking the lead in opposing discrimination. Today that tradition continues…I’ve listened and I’ve heard all the arguments. I do not believe that this bill threatens marriage. I believe that this is a matter of conscience and fairness.”
The civil union bill was passed by New Hampshire’s legislature in late April.
The AP reports that the signing was attended by lawmakers as well as openly gay Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson, who earlier this month said he plans to take advantage of the new law and join legally with his partner of 18 years, Mark Andrews.
