NH governor signs civil unions bill

by: Pam Spaulding

Thu May 31, 2007 at 13:00:00 PM EDT

"It's never too soon to act to prevent discrimination," Lynch said at the signing ceremony.

The change came swiftly in a state that had outlawed same-sex marriages in 1987, sailing through the two houses of the state legislature in April. It followed an electoral shift in the state, known for its "Live Free or Die" motto and for holding the first presidential election primaries. Democrats last year gained control of the state legislature for the first time in more than a century.

"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," Lynch said.

"New Hampshire has not only provided family protections in the form of civil unions, but the Granite State has just given us an example of why it is important to elect Democrats to public office," said Jo Wyrick, NSD Executive Director. "This important step towards equal access and responsibility in marriage was only taken after voters elected Democratic majorities this past year to both the New Hampshire Senate and House of Representatives."

In previous years, the Republican-controlled legislative bodies in New Hampshire had made repeated attempts to enact anti-gay legislation, including attempted bans on adoption and marriage for same-sex couples. However, Democratic lawmakers moved quickly to use their new majorities formed earlier this year to enact pro-family legislation such as the civil unions law signed today by Governor Lynch.

?The state of New Hampshire can now proudly be counted among the one out of every five states in this country that are leading the way in recognizing the love and commitment of all couples,? said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. ?Governor Lynch and the Legislature have taken an important stand on the side of fairness, and by doing so New Hampshire is now helping move our country even closer to the realization of equality.

?This law is a significant step toward giving all New Hampshire families the rights, responsibilities and protections they need,? said HRC President Joe Solmonese. ?Thanks to the Legislature, Governor John Lynch and countless supporters of fairness across the state, all New Hampshire families will be significantly more protected by this new civil unions law.?

Solmonese continued, ?This is a major step toward ensuring equality for all families. The conversation about marriage and the rights and protections only it provides will continue. As we are doing across the country, we will continue to tell the stories of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender families in New Hampshire so that soon there will be no need for two lines at the town clerk?s office ? one for GLBT families and one for everybody else.?