Jaws drop in gallery as NH rejects gay marriage: Dem gov wants "strongest protection for religion"

[Bluebear]

CONCORD, N.H. — Jaws dropped in the gallery overlooking New Hampshire’s House when members voted on Wednesday to put off legalizing gay marriage.

Among the onlookers was Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson, the first openly gay bishop in the church. He said the House pushed the pause button, not reverse, and is optimistic lawmakers will come up with an acceptable bill this session...

Gov. John Lynch, a three-term Democrat, said last week he would sign a same-sex marriage bill only if it provides "the strongest and clearest protections for religious institutions and associations, and for the individuals working with such institutions."



http://www.bostonherald.com/news/national/northeast/view/2009_05_20_Shock_in_the_gallery_at_NH_gay_marriage__vote/srvc=home&position=recent
http://cnnwire.blogs.cnn.com/2009/05/20/new-hampshire-legislature-reviewing-same-sex-marriage-bill/

[xchrom]

1. wow -- gene was there -- nt

[annabanana]

4. What remarkable equanimity the man has..

I am a big fan of his.

[xchrom]

5. me too. nt

[joeybee12]

2. Hey asshole governor, then look to the US Constitution about the separation of church

and state...all these "religious" amendments and protecting religion are BS...there is no need for them other than for cowards like Lynch to cha.

[wryter2000]

3. Ignoramus

No one is going to force a church to marry anyone they don't want to marry. We just want the state to dispense equal justice.

Gene Robinson is right, although I don't know where he finds the patience to be so charitable.

[JerseygirlCT]

10. I know. He's amazing

I see why the people in his diocese so heartily wanted him as bishop.

[aquart]

6. Yes, bigotry must also be protected. Fair is fair.

[JerseygirlCT]

9. Right? The very idea that someone's desire to

discriminate ought to be given some sort of equal position with basic civil rights... it's mind-boggling.

It always reminds me of some people I've run across online over the years. "You're intolerant!" they rant. "You won't tolerate my intolerance!"

Yeah.

[Arugula Latte]

7. Religion rears its ugly head again. Is this a theocracy?

:grr:

I'll say it, from not funding Gitmo closure to this, Democrats are making me sick today. :banghead:

[JerseygirlCT]

8. I hate that

The sort of "protections" that these groups seem to want are the right to discriminate against gay people. Imagine if the intended victims were black people, or Jews...

No religious group would ever be required to marry a couple, gay or straight. But if they receive public money, they have to obey the law, which does not allow them to discriminate. How is this something that requires writing protection into law?

It's nonsense. I'm glad a similar effort here in CT failed, despite the bigots' huge PR campaign.

[Canuckistanian]

11. How does gay marriage threaten religion?

NOBODY is asking the churches to either marry gay people or force them to recognize such unions.

It's the biggest strawman argument.

[Bluebear]

14. And a Democratic governor holding it up. Disgraceful.

[Tesha]

16. (He's not a real Democrat.) (NT)

[Viking12]

15. The delay is to put specific language in the law that makes that clear

Given that clergy are 'empowered' to create marriages, it is feared that if they don't perform gay marriages those 'powers' could be revoked. The gay coalition is actually on board with the clarification.

Here's the proposed amendment:

I. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a religious organization, association, or society, or any individual who is managed, directed, or supervised by or in conjunction with a religious organization, association or society, or any nonprofit institution or organization operated, supervised or controlled by or in conjunction with a religious organization, association or society, shall not be required to provide services, accommodations, advantages, facilities, goods or privileges to an individual if such request for such services, accommodations, advantages, facilities, goods or privileges is related to the solemnization of a marriage, the celebration of a marriage, or the promotion of marriage through religious counseling, programs, courses, retreats, or housing designated for married individuals, and such solemnization, celebration, or promotion of marriage is in violation of their religious beliefs and faith. Any refusal to provide services, accommodations, advantages, facilities, goods or privileges in accordance with this section shall not create any civil claim or cause of action or result in any state action to penalize or withhold benefits from such religious organization, association or society, or any individual who is managed, directed, or supervised by or in conjunction with a religious organization, association or society, or any nonprofit institution or organization operated, supervised or controlled by or in conjunction with a religious organization, association or society.

II. The marriage laws of this state shall not be construed to affect the ability of a fraternal benefit society to determine the admission of members pursuant to RSA 418:5, and shall not require a fraternal benefit society that has been established and is operating for charitable and educational purposes and which is operated, supervised or controlled by or in connection with a religious organization to provide insurance benefits to any person if to do so would violate the fraternal benefit society's free exercise of religion as guaranteed by the first amendment of the Constitution of the United States and part 1, article 5 of the Constitution of New Hampshire

III. Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed or construed to limit the protections and exemptions provided to religious organizations under RSA § 354-A:18.

IV. Repeal. RSA 457-A, relative to civil unions, is repealed effective January 1, 2011, except that no new civil unions shall be established after January 1, 2010.

The New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition, has endorsed this change. I think it is a politically wise move. It completely eliminates the jesus freak's argument that this imposes on them in some way (although, as we all know, they'll continue to lie for jesus and say it does).

[bullwinkle428]

12. This fucker is grasping at straws, looking for anything he can

in an effort to cover his ass! How transparently pathetic.

[Bluebear]

13. Oh well. My partner & I have waited 24 years. What's another decade to Governor Lynch?