Gay Union "Buffet" in N.H.

[Ian David]

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

From the outside, a wealth of choices seems to overwhelm New Hampshire legislators, possibly leading to passage of one or two gay-positive bills. The three that are up for discussion starting today, would be huge advances in a state traditionally hostile to both gay rights and marriage equality.

Numerous versions of bills for same-sex marriage, civil (spousal) unions, and recognizing out-of-state legal unions and marriages are in the hopper. This is beginning to look like the family sitting down in front of cable TV with remote in hand. They don't ask is there anything worth watching, rather what's the best thing on now?

This is encouraging. Perhaps other states, at least in the Northeast and West Coast, can replicate this process and its choices.

The first one up is recognizing SSM and civil unions from elsewhere -- other states and countries. With over two centuries of comity, honoring other Colonies' and then other states' laws, New Hampshire should and may well edge ahead of Rhode Island on this one.

In a pleasant surprise, many lawmakers think that spousal unions have a good shot this session. Surely that must relate to having full SSM marriage in the wings with another bill. While the chief sponsor of full SSM, Rep. Maureen Baxley, disdains any union version as inferior, her bill could be the impetus for quick passage of spousal unions, as a more palatable alternative for squeamish lawmakers.

More:
http://massmarrier.blogspot.com/2007/03/gay-union-buffet-in-nh.html