Wednesday, June 3, 2009

NH becomes 6th state to legalize gay marriage

Gay marriage bill signed into law in New Hampshire

CONCORD, N.H. – New Hampshire became the sixth state to legalize gay marriage Wednesday in a move that reflects the state's changing demographics from reliably Republican and conservative to younger and more liberal.

The Senate and House passed key language on religious rights, Gov. John Lynch — who personally opposes gay marriage — signed the legislation Wednesday afternoon.

Lynch, a Democrat, had promised a veto if the law didn't clearly spell out that churches and religious groups would not be forced to officiate at gay marriages or provide other services. Legislators made the changes.

"Today, we are standing up for the liberties of same-sex couples by making clear that they will receive the same rights, responsibilities — and respect — under New Hampshire law," Lynch said.

Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, Vermont and Iowa already allow gay marriage, though opponents hope to overturn Maine's law with a public vote.


This is awesome. Way to go New Hampshire!!

To the opponents of gay marriage: fuck you. Just because you hate homosexuals and don't agree with gay marriage doesn't mean you should get to dictate what rights they should and shouldn't have. What you think shouldn't matter at all. No one gives a shit what you think. And before you start bringing out the bible bullshit, let me inform you of this: marriage has shit to do with religion. All marriage is, legally, is a piece of paper. Got that? There are many legal reasons for gay couples to get married just as there is for straight couples. Ok? So leave your precious religion out of this. It's not even an issue. If the church doesn't wanna marry two homosexuals, then they shouldn't have to. It's their choice. No one has to be religious to get married anyway, so it shouldn't even be an issue.

I don't understand the opposition to gay marriage at all. If two people, regardless of gender, love each other, then what is it to you? How does that bother you? Why does it bother you? I don't get it. Only answer I can come up with is: hatred.

Gay marriage shouldn't have been on the ballot in California or anywhere else for that matter. Who is the majority to decide what rights the minority should have? I'm hoping that all of these states are able to remain "gay-friendly" and that the homophobes won't overturn the legislation like they did in California. California voting against gay marriage really surprised me. I mean, it is one of the most liberal states in the country. Are Californians fucking retarded? Do they realize what they've done? Their state is in fiscal ruin and they don't realize how gay marriage could benefit their economy and the state's bank book. They have no idea. Instead, they let their hatred rule over all. It's sad. Really sad.

8 comments:

askcherlock said...

Good for New Hampshire! I don't know what is wrong with California. Of all the places! If they don't get their act together soon, they are going to slide right into the ocean.

Sandee said...

I voted no on 8. Yes I live in California. Here's what I keep hearing over and over. The word marriage was the issues. Civil union was okay, but the word marriage was what turned the majority off.

As for the hatred of California. I'm with you. I can't stand most everything that's going on here. Okay, I like the weather and that's about it.

Have a terrific day. :)

Plastic Mancunian said...

I am not gay but I have two gay male friends who are getting married next month. And I say - anybody who would oppose that needs to get a reality check. These two guys are great lads who just happen to be gay - so why not let them get married?

People who disagree do have a problem in my view and need to take a long hard look at themselves.

Here in the UK (and also in Europe) we seem to be more tolerant than the US but I am delighted that things are changing over there.

:-)

Cheers

PM

The BoBo said...

The civil unions are not the problem. When the government recognizes gay "marriage" - then they force the churches and those religions who oppose it to recognize it. That is the reason why the governor of NH added the words that the churches and religions do not need to recognize it. In addition, when a state recognizes the "marriage" over the civil union - then they also have to pay out the same benefits to those gay married couples as they do the hetero couples.

Regardless - this is a moral and social issue. Even though I personally have an issue with it and my religion opposes it - the fact of the matter is that no government should ever have the right to make decisions on moral and social issues.

Also - here's a big issue that no one ever thinks of...being a compliance officer for a large health care provider - in states that gay marriage is not recognized - if one of the "partners" becomes sick in the hospital - unless the sick person specifically states the physicians and staff can keep the other "partner" informed - HIPAA does not allow them to be involved. Additionally, when that person dies - the next of kin is automatically the legal personal representative unless there is an executed will that names someone as the personal representative. This means that for those states where gay marriage is not recognized - a surviving parent or sibling becomes the person who gets to make the decisions about the disposition of the body and has access to all the medical records - not the lifelong "partner."

Just my two cents. Something for gay couples to think about that they never think about until its too late.

Anonymous said...

Yes, when you have gay marriage, you force churches to recognize them, just like Catholic churches are forced to recognize divorce, synagogues are forced to perform Christian unions, and Imams are forced to officiate over Jewish ceremonies.

Stunatra said...

@cherlock, LOL and hopefully taking all of the people that voted for Prop H8 with it.

@Sandee, California is a beautiful state, it's too bad politics have screwed it up.

@Plastic: People hate what they don't understand. They don't understand how two people of the same sex could love each other and prefer to remain ignorant

@Bobo: No one has to get married in the church. The main reason gay couples want to get married is for the legal benefits, like you mentioned. Do they not deserve that right? What is more moral than that? If the government won't do it, then who will?

I would think that the church and everyone else would embrace lovers regardless of sexual orientation.

@Blanca, so much for separation of church & state, huh?

Condoulo said...

Good for NH.

I've been reading in the comments - and to be honest, I believe its up to each individual church to decide, honestly. You CAN get married via the state, so let them do that. They don't need to exactly have a religious ceremony as "marriage" tends to be viewed as.

I mean hey, while I have no problem with them getting married, the government shouldn't be touching religion. I believe that with any religion, and hell, I'm an Atheist. but The Constitution and the Bill of Rights are more important to me than the fact I'm an Atheist.

Stunatra said...

Well said, Condoulo :)