All politics are local 

Today is town meeting day in a large number of New Hampshire towns. Voters in towns across the state will be asked to support a non-binding resolution to instruct lawmakers to amend New Hampshires constitutional to define marriage whether in name or effect, as the union of one man and one women.

This would not only repeal marriage equality but would also make civil unions and or any other type of relationship recognition for gay/lesbian couples unconstitutional.

This amendment has already been defeated by a vote of 201 to 135. These votes will not change New Hampshire law in any way. These non-binding resolution are an attempt to turn neighbor against neighbor and trick citizens into supporting this constitutional amendment.

Attend town hall meeting and vote to kill this hateful resolution. 

This resolution has already been defeated in Rindge,Rye,Winchester,Alstead,Deerfield, Bethlehem, Goffstown,Wolfeboro,New Hampton, Hudson,Kensington,Barrington, Wolfeboro, Deerfield and Merrimack.

It is up for a vote in the following towns.

Alexandria, Allenstown, Alton, Amherst, Andover, Antrim, Ashland, Auburn, Barnstead, Bartlett, Bedford, Belmont, Benton, Boscawen, Bow, Bradford, Brentwood, Bristol, Brookline, Campton, Center Harbor, Charlestown, Chesterfield, Chichester, Clarksville, Colebrook, Conway, Dalton, Danbury, Danville, Deering, Dublin, Dummer, Dunbarton, Easton, Effingham, Epsom, Farmington, Francestown, Franconia, Fremont, Gilford, Gilmanton, Gilsum, Gorham, Greenfield, Greenland, Greenville, Hampstead, Hampton, Hampton Falls, Hancock, Hebron, Hill, Hillsborough, Hinsdale, Holderness, Hollis, Jackson, Jaffrey, Jefferson, Kingston, Lancaster, Lee, Lincoln, Litchfield, Littleton, Londonderry, Loudon, Lyman, Lyndeborough.Marlborough, Marlow, Meredith, Merrimack, Milan, Milford, Milton, Monroe, Mont Vernon, Moultonborough, Nelson, New Boston, New Castle, New Durham, New Ipswich, New London, Newbury, Newmarket, Newton, North Hampton, Northumberland, Northwood, Nottingham, Ossipee, Pelham, Pembroke, Peterborough, Pittsburg, Pittsfield, Plainfield, Plaistow, Plymouth, Richmond, Rumney, Salem, Salisbury, Sanbornton, Sandown, Seabrook, Sharon, Shelburne, Stark, Stewartstown, Strafford, Stratford, Stratham, Sugar Hill, Sullivan, Surry, Swanzey, Temple, Thornton, Tuftonboro, Wakefield, Walpole, Washington, Weare, Westmoreland, Whitefield, Wilton, Windham, Windsor

Repeal effort Defeated

CACR 28 (Constitutional Amendment Concurrent Resolution):  

Defeated by a vote of 201 to 135

    "Providing that the state shall only recognize the union of one man and one woman as marriage."  To pass, a constitutional amendment needs the support of three-fifths of both the House and the Senate, and then approval by two-thirds of state voters. Similar amendments were defeated in 2006 (Republican leadership), 2007 (Democratic leadership).  

HB 1590: Repeal marriage equality and civil unions

Defeated by a vote of 210 to 109

We thank the members of the New Hampshire House of Representatives for joining the majority of New Hampshire        voters in refusing to take away marriage equality for gay and lesbian families. 

We appreciate the thoughtful and respectful way the majority of Representatives  have conducted their deliberations during this process, and the dedication to their office demonstrated by their ability to listen to the quite voices of their constituents as opposed to the loud and sometimes bulling atmosphere that some have tried to create.

We at New Hampshire Freedom to Marry have been speaking to the people of New Hampshire about this issue for almost ten years now. We know that New Hampshire does not support discrimination or different laws for different types of people.

 “The vast majority of people wish their families to be healthy and secure and wish this for their neighbors as well” Said Mo Baxley Executive Director  

Local repeal efforts

Let NH Vote: Conservative Political Action Committee effort to raise money for November elections and pressure for passage of CACR 28 through non-binding town meeting resolutions stating: The citizens of New Hampshire should be allowed to vote on an amendment to the New Hampshire Constitution that defines “marriage”.  These are non-binding resolutions and do not impact the marriage equality law.

Please check with your town clerk and notify us at info@nhftm.org if your town has a repeal warrant article.

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Ringing in the year of Equality

Marriage Equality Law takes effect.

Join us New Years Eve at the State Capitol in Concord as we celebrate equality and witness history taking effect as the first gay and lesbian couples get married in New Hampshire at 12:01 A.M.

If you want to get married or volunteer e-mail info@nhftm.org

Fenty signs bill legalizing same-sex marriage in D.C.

By Tim Craig and Nikita StewartFriday, December 18, 2009; 11:53

Mayor Adrian M. Fenty on Friday signed the bill legalizing same-sex marriage in the District, clearing the way for the law to take effect in mid-spring after a congressional review period. Read full story

Video

Fenty signs gay marriage bill D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty signs the same-sex marriage bill at All Souls Church on Friday in front of councilmembers and supporters of the bill. » LAUNCH VIDEO PLAYER

Thank your legislator

There are legislators who have stood up for equality every step of the way and should be thanked.

Click here to see if your Representative should be thanked.

Click Here to find your elected officials phone numbers.

Click here to write a letter to the editor. Show your public support for equality.

Governor Signs Marriage Equality into Law

 The New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition celebrates the passage of marriage equality in New Hampshire and recognizes Governor John Lynch for allowing New Hampshire’s live free or die tradition of individual liberties and religious freedom to prevail. New Hampshire has always stood on the right side of history and today that tradition continues. We applaud The Senate President and the Speaker of the House along with their majority teams for their outstanding leadership on this issue.

A majority of New Hampshire voters support equality, and have since polling on the subject first began in 2003. We are thankful for the consistent and dedicated support of New Hampshire citizens to our fundamental Granite State values of equality and freedom.

“Today the State of New Hampshire told its lesbian and gay citizens across the state what they have never heard before; you are equal and we value your loving, committed relationships and families” said Baxley.

We also congratulate the many members of the New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition,

and we want to thank the many organizations that helped pass this legislation including but not limited to Granite State Progress, American Friends Service Committee, Planned Parenthood of New England and NHCLU, SEA.  

 “Ultimately it was the majority of New Hampshire voters who actively called for equality and elected people to public office who are ready to lead us into the future and leave the old prejudices of the past behind. I am thankful to live in a State that values Freedom and Liberty” said Baxley.

The passage of marriage equality in New Hampshire is a huge victory for the people of our state, and a step closer to equality across America.

Court upholds Prop. 8 but lets marriages stand

5/26/09

California Supreme Court today upheld California's constitutional process of referendum and allowed Proposition 8 to stand while stating that marriages obtained before the referendum stand.

California voters legally outlawed same-sex marriage when they approved Proposition 8 in November, but the constitutional amendment did not dissolve the unions of 18,000 gay and lesbian couples who wed before the measure took effect, the state Supreme Court ruled today.

NH House votes to finish the job!

Today by a vote of 207 to 168 the New Hampshire house voted to create a committee of conference with the Senate to work out the details of the two different versions of HB73. The committee will be made up of members of the House and Senate who support passage of HB73. They will meet in the coming weeks to work out the difference's.  

New Hampshire Freedom to Marry remains confident of final passage of the marriage bill this session. We very narrowly missed today, but the House voted by a wide margin to keep the bill alive and to work out remaining concerns. We expect to see another vote in the next two weeks, and there is very good reason to remain positive. Please continue to contact your House and Senate embers. Stay tuned!

Governor Supports Marriage Equality if

House and Senate finish the job!

Today the Governor asked the House and Senate to amend a bill currently in the Senate, so he could sign the marriage bill.

The amendment is a religious protection amendment that protects religious organizations,associations or society's or individuals who are managed, directed, or supervised .............

Join our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter @NHfreedom2marry

Watch our new TV ad!

Click here to watch the ad on YouTube

NOM Television ads.

The National Organization for Marriage is raising money to run Television ads in States fighting for marriage equality and has targeted New Hampshire. They have already run radio ads.

Click Here to see the ad.

  Click Here to see the failed auditions for the actors

Maine's Gov. Baldacci signs marriage equality bill into law!

Maine becomes 5th state to pass marriage equality. Check back for further information read more

Vermont House overrides Governors Veto!                                                      Passes Marriage Equality

This morning the Vermont House of Representatives voted to override the Governors veto to pass marriage equality. 100 votes were necessary to override the veto. The vote to override was 100 yes 49 no. We congratulate Vermont Freedom to Marry. Vermont now joins Iowa, Connecticut and Massachusetts in offering marriage equality.

D.C. Council Votes to Recognize Other States' Gay Marriages

The D.C. Council voted today to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states, on the same day that Vermont became the fourth state to legalize same-sex unions. read more

Iowa has Marriage equality!

Historic Victory for Marriage Equality in Iowa!

High Court clears the way for committed gay and lesbian couples to marry. Today the Iowa Supreme Court ruled in a unanimous decision that committed gay and lesbian couples must be allowed to marry in Iowa. We congratulate One Iowa and Lambda Legal on this victory.

Read the full decision

This is a joint statement from Iowa Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal and Iowa House Speaker Pat Murphy on today's Supreme Court decision:

"Thanks to today's decision, Iowa continues to be a leader in
guaranteeing all of our citizens' equal rights.  "The court has ruled today that when two Iowans promise to share their lives together, state law will respect that commitment, regardless of whether the couple is gay or straight. 

"When all is said and done, we believe the only lasting question about today's events will be why it took us so long.  It is a tough question to answer because treating everyone fairly is really a matter of Iowa common sense and Iowa common decency.

"Today, the Iowa Supreme Court has reaffirmed those Iowa values by ruling that gay and lesbian Iowans have all the same rights and
responsibilities of citizenship as any other Iowan.

"Iowa has always been a leader in the area of civil rights.

"In 1839, the Iowa Supreme Court rejected slavery in a decision that found that a slave named Ralph became free when he stepped on Iowa soil, 26 years before the end of the Civil War decided the issue.

"In 1868, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled that racially segregated
"separate but equal" schools had no place in Iowa, 85 years before the U.S. Supreme Court reached the same decision.

"In 1873, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled against racial discrimination in public accommodations, 91 years before the U.S. Supreme Court reached the same decision.
"In 1869, Iowa became the first state in the union to admit women to the practice of law.

"In the case of recognizing loving relationships between two adults, the Iowa Supreme Court is once again taking a leadership position on civil rights. 
"Today, we congratulate the thousands of Iowans who now can express their love for each other and have it recognized by our laws."

           

Vermont House of Representatives                  votes for Marriage Equality

MONTPELIER — Vermont’s House of Representatives gave preliminary approval tonight to a historic same-sex marriage bill, setting up a showdown with Gov. Jim Douglas.

After nearly four hours of passionate debate from supporters and opponents of the measure, the House approved the bill by a vote of 95-52 shortly after 9 p.m. The legislation, S.115, gives same-sex couples the right to marry in Vermont.

The bill will be brought up again Friday for final approval, then return to the Senate, where changes to language must be approved. Should the Senate OK those changes, the bill will head to Douglas’ desk and a promised veto.

That veto — which Douglas declared last week he would deliver — would not kill the legislation. Instead members of the House and Senate will try to override the veto by securing a two-thirds majority of support in each chamber. The Senate would need 20 votes; the House would need 100 with all members in attendance. read more

New Hampshire House of Representatives          votes for Marriage Equality

Today the House voted 186 to 179 to pass HB436 to extend marriage equality to gay/lesbian couples.

In what was an extremely close vote the house ultimately passed marriage equality on to the Senate.

The bill lost by one vote on the first attempt and went though several other votes on various motions until the motion to reconsider the first vote and than went on to pass the bill 186 to 179. The bill now moves on to the Senate.

This was a very close vote and we succeeded only because so many of you contacted your elected officials.

The opposition is mounting a full fledge attack, radio ad's, phone banks and door to door canvassing.

We need to match their efforts call for call, and that will take resources.

Please give generously!

 Click here to Take Action

HB436                          

Granting marriage equality to gays and lesbians.

 Tell your Representatives that you want to end discrimination and the segregation of gay/lesbian families by passing HB 436 and marriage equality.

• Marriage is more than a collection of legal rights; it tells the community that two people love each other and are a family. Since everyone understands and respects this, it makes being married something important, something we aspire to, and something that protects us in daily life as well as times of crisis.
• Civil unions are a legal status created solely for gay/lesbian couples. Evan if there were not the significant inequities in the way the law treats marriages and civil unions, the fact that a civil union remains a separate status for gay people represents real and powerful discrimination. Our constitution requires legal equality for

“I think we'll get to the point where we should be insisting that liberals support marriage. I mean, nobody believes that they're really personally against it. They're just being political. I'd rather have them admit that. I think it's now time to start pushing people on marriage.”

— Congressman Barney Frank

New Hampshire House of Representatives voted to kill the anti-discrimination act for gender identity and expression. 172 to 157.

This is a respectable vote considering this was the first time the issue had ever been discussed in the NH legislature.

The bill will be reintroduced in 2011.

Vermont Legislative Leaders Announce Intention to Pass Marriage Equality Bill

Vermont Senate President Peter Shumlin and House Speaker Shap Smith announced their intention to pass a bill to ensure the freedom to marry in Vermont. A public hearing will be held on March 18th at the Capital in Montpelier and the bill is expected to move through the legislature in the next four to six weeks.

Connecticut Ends Gay Couples' Exclusion from Marriage

Connecticut joined Massachusetts as the next state to end the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage with the Connecticut Supreme Court ruling to uphold the freedom to marry in Kerrigan and Mock v. the CT Department of Public Health on October 10, 2008.

Conn. ballot masks a battle

Convention vote could lead to ban on gay marriage

By Gregory B. Hladky Globe Correspondent / November 3, 2008

HARTFORD - The jubilation that gay couples felt just three weeks ago when Connecticut's Supreme Court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage has been replaced by Election Day jitters.

Their worries are focused on a ballot question asking voters if they want to authorize Connecticut's first convention in more than 40 years to revise the state constitution. read more

Gay marriage votes may show changing U.S.

By Peter Henderson

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Gay couples are not hiding any more and that has made all the difference, said health care administrator Linda Merkens before Tuesday's vote in California that will decide the legality of same-sex marriage there.

It's one of several important ballot measures voters will face in states across the country on Election Day.

"A lot more gays are more open about their relationships, and a lot more people are willing to accept it," Merkens said in downtown Los Angeles recently. Other passersby disagreed. "Same sex marriage is a sin," said city planner Kim Chan.

Tuesday's results will show how far attitudes to gay marriage have changed. Florida and Arizona will join California in voting on whether

to stop gay marriage.  read more

Connecticut Supreme Court rules that Gay/Lesbian Couples Can Marry

The Connecticut Supreme Court has ruled 4 to 3 that same-sex couples must have the freedom to marry. Connecticut is now the third U.S. state, after Massachusetts and California, to institute marriage equality.

STATEMENT OF ANNE STANBACK, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LOVE MAKES A FAMILY On today’s ruling in Kerrigan & Mock et al v. Connecticut Department of Public Health.

We are overjoyed that Connecticut’s highest court has fulfilled the hopes and dreams of so many by ruling that same-sex couples are

free to marry. Thanks to the Supreme Court’s momentous decision in Kerrigan & Mock et al v. Department of Public Health, Connecticut is now a fairer, more equitable place for all. This historic ruling will provide additional security and respect to the thousands of loving, committed same-sex couples and their children living in our state.

Love Makes a Family applauds the wisdom and fairness of the Connecticut Supreme Court. More importantly, however, future generations will recognize this court’s foresight, which once again establishes Connecticut as a national leader in treating all its citizens equally in the eyes of the law.

Mo Baxley of New Hampshire Freedom to Marry stated, "Today's decision will have an effect on all of New England. Connecticut has had a civil union statute like New Hampshire and other states in the region. Today, the Connecticut Supreme Court said civil unions do not and cannot provide the equality of real marriage -- that civil unions don't work in the real world and that they don't provide the dignity and respect of marriage either. Today, Connecticut said, civil unions, with all their myriad of problems, are not enough".

This decision can't help but have enormous persuasive impact on New Hampshire.

"New Hampshire Freedom to Marry salutes all the organizations involved in bring marriage equality to Connecticut, including our sister marriage equality organization in Connecticut, Love Makes a Family and Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders

Lesbian rights pioneer Del Martin dies at 87

Rachel Gordon, Chronicle Staff Writer

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Lesbian rights pioneer Del Martin, whose trailblazing activism spanned more than five decades, most recently in the battle for same-sex marriage, died Wednesday, just two months after she made history again by wedding her longtime partner in San Francisco City Hall.

Ms. Martin, an author and organizer, died at UCSF Hospice after a long period of declining health. She was 87 and was admitted to the hospital nearly two weeks ago with a broken arm.

Ms. Martin's crusading began in 1955, during an era in America known more for social conformity than for rebellion, when she co-founded a lesbian social-turned-political organization, Daughters of Bilitis, named after a 19th century book of lesbian love poetry.

This year, on June 16, she and her partner of 55 years, Phyllis Lyon, were legally wed. San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom officiated. Theirs was among the first same-sex nuptials in California. read more

View More Images

NH Freedom to Marry Staff Attends Meeting of State, National Leaders; Baxley Re-Elected to Equality Federation Board

8/11/2008 - The staff of NHFTM returned on Sunday from the annual Summer Meeting of Equality Federation, the national alliance of state-based equality organizations. Participants included 120 leaders of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender civil rights movement from 34 state organizations and 21 allied groups.

Hosted this year by Federation member organization Equality Ohio, the Summer Meeting is the largest gathering of leadership in the lgbt movement.  NHFTM has been a member of the Equality Federation since its founding in 2001.

“Every year the Equality Federation meeting is a time for the best minds in the movement to come together to strategize and energize for the year to come,” said Baxley. “We left with great new ideas to strengthen our work in New Hampshire and an incredible network of friends, allies and resources across the nation.”

“State organizing and advocacy work is critical to our movement’s ability to achieve full civil rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans,” said Federation executive director Toni Broaddus.  “Our state leaders founded Equality Federation to ensure that our state organizations have the resources necessary to do their work, and our annual Summer Meeting is the place that we gather to learn from each other, to plan our strategies for success, and to build a national agenda for lgbt equality.” read more

New Mass. law let's out-of-state gay couples marry

By GLEN JOHNSON
Associated Press Writer  

Boston (AP) -- Gay couples from outside Massachusetts are now free to marry in the state. read more

Out-of-state gay marriage a step closer in Massachusetts

BOSTON (Reuters) - Clearing the way for out-of-state same-sex couples to marry in Massachusetts, state legislators on Tuesday voted to repeal a 1913 law that bans the state from marrying couples if their marriage would not be valid in their home state. 7.29.08 read more

Opponents of gay marriage say they'll sue over changed wording in Proposition 8

After a tweak by the state attorney general's office, the initiative now seeks to 'eliminate the right' of same-sex couples to marry, wording that the measure's proponents say could prejudice voters.                 By Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer July 29, 2008

read more

Police: Man Shot Churchgoers Over Liberal Views

By DUNCAN MANSFIELD

Police found a note indicating that the man who opened fire and killed two people in a Knoxville, Tenn. Unitarian church did so out of hatred for gay people and the progressive values of the church.

Tuesday 07.29.08 read more

Slim Majority of California Voters Would Uphold Gay Marriage, Poll Finds

By Jessica Garrison and Dan Morain

A new Field Poll found that a slight majority of likely Calif. voters oppose an amendment to the state's constitution that would ban marriage for gay couples. Supporters and opponents of Prop. 8 interpret these results differently.

Monday 07.21.08

The survey shows that 51% of 672 likely voters oppose Proposition 8, the November ballot measure that would amend the state Constitution to define marriage as only between a man and woman.

read more

Tuesday 07.01.08

SAN FRANCISCO—Gay marriage opponents are urging the California Supreme Court to let voters consider a November ballot measure that would ban same-sex nuptials.

In court papers filed Monday, five California residents asked the high court to toss out a lawsuit filed earlier this month by a group seeking to remove the measure from the ballot.

Equality California says in the lawsuit that the signature petitions used to put the measure, called Proposition 8, on the ballot were misleading. It also says Proposition 8 is a constitutional revision rather than an amendment, which would make it improper to put before voters.

The gay marriage opponents dispute those arguments, saying that any legal challenges should be brought after the election rather than before it.

In another court filing Monday, the attorney general’s office said the state takes no position on the issue.

California Marriage Equality

click here to read the court’s opinion (PDF)

An unforgettable day for gay/lesbian couples and advocates of fairness and opportunity across the nation! The California Supreme Court has ruled that the state may no longer exclude same-sex couples from civil marriage. We are so proud.

Lead counsel NCLR, Lambda Legal, the ACLU and Equality California have been fighting for this victory for four years and today made history!

Today’s historic decision in California is a victory for all Americans who cherish fairness and opportunity. This victory energizes our own efforts to continue working for fairness and equality for families in New Hampshire.

Two people in a committed, trusting and loving relationship deserve the dignity and support that come with marriage. They deserve the same equality as all California couples now have.

We look forward to the day when committed couples in New Hampshire have the same chance to legalize their marriages. New Hampshire Freedom to Marry will continue to work for fairness for all families here in New Hampshire

The California Supreme Court did its job today: to ensure that all Californians are treated fairly and equally under the law according to their state constitution. New Hampshire Freedom to Marry will continue to work for a day when all in New Hampshire are treated just the same under New Hampshire law.

Gay Couples Celebrate California Court Ruling

Slide Show

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA)

“I respect the Court’s decision and as Governor, I will uphold its ruling.  Also, as I have said in the past, I will not support an amendment to the constitution that would overturn this state Supreme Court ruling.” 

"Barack Obama

has always believed that same-sex couples should enjoy equal rights under the law, and he will continue to fight for civil unions as President. He respects the decision of the California Supreme Court, and continues to believe that states should make their own decisions when it comes to the issue of marriage."

On the issue of constitutional amendments, Senator Obama has been on record for some time: He opposes all divisive and discriminatory constitutional amendments, state or federal. That includes the proposed amendments in California and Florida.

"Hillary Clinton

believes that gay and lesbian couples in committed relationships should have the same rights and responsibilities as all Americans and believes that civil unions are the best way to achieve this goal. As President, Hillary Clinton will work to ensure that same sex couples have access to these rights and responsibilities at the federal level. She has said and continues to believe that the issue of marriage should be left to the states."

Taxing Times

Exclusion from marriage causes tax time to be even more expensive and time-consuming for same-sex couples across the country who are doing the work of marriage every day by taking care of their families.

As the tax deadline approaches, Evan Wolfson notes, “We all have an obligation to contribute, and, equally, the just expectation that our government and the tax system will treat us and our loved ones fairly. Denied the freedom to marry, gay Americans are not just deprived of precious security and respect for their loving commitments.  They are also unfairly taxed.”

• Unequal Taxes on Equal Benefits

N.Y. Governor David Paterson Pledges to Bring Full Marriage Equality to New York

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, April 7, 2008

Honored at a Task Force dinner, NY Gov. Paterson reiterated his support for marriage equality and said in a video statement, "I am proud to have run on a ticket...that became the first ticket in this country to actually advocate for marriage equality for all citizens, and to win on that premise, and last year we passed a marriage equality bill in the Assembly...marriage equality in New York may not come just this moment, but it is no longer an issue mostly for conviction, it is an issue for courage...We will push on and bring full marriage equality to New York state."

Gay couples unite under new state law

By Adam Leech January 02, 2008 6:00 AM

PORTSMOUTH — Jim Verschueren leaned his elbow on the shoulder of

his partner of two years, Carlo Nittoli, as they sat among the 250 people gathered at South Church Tuesday to celebrate the legalization of civil unions in the state. Read more

Slide Show

United at midnight

Same-sex couples, supporters celebrate as a new year beginsBy ANNMARIE TIMMINS Monitor staff

Rita Lamy and Linda Archer came to make their three-year relationship legal. Anne Marie and Debra Menendez are already hitched but wanted to be supportive. And three friends home from the West Coast figured there was nowhere better to celebrate the new year. Read more

Civil union ceremonies worthy of Celebration

Monitor staff- January 03, 2008 12:26AM

Yes, it was 23 degrees outside. Yes, it was way past our bedtime.

But the scene outside the State House on New Year's Eve was so joyous, so much fun and so long overdue that the crowd was warm and awake and abuzz with excitement. Read more

Civil unions worthy of celebration

January 03, 2008 6:00 AM

The Portsmouth Herald has long supported civil unions, and our heartfelt congratulations go out to those pioneering couples who took advantage of New Hampshire's new law and tied the legal knot Jan. 1.

Read more

Civil N.H.

The Keene Sentinel - January 03, 2008                                               It was fascinating to observe live-free-or-die New Hampshireover the

  New Year’s holiday calmly transition into a state that authorizes and

  recognizes civil unions. Read more

Gay marriage ban challenge OK

Judge says vote's wording "constitutionally defective"

Mike Miller  —  11/29/2007 11:37 am

A University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh political science teacher's legal challenge to a state constitutional amendment banning gay marriage and civil unions can proceed, a Dane County circuit judge ruled Wednesday, throwing out a motion by the state to dismiss the lawsuit.

read more

STATEMENT ON THE HOUSE VOTE ON THE EMPLOYMENT NONDISCRIMINATION ACT

For the first time, the United States House of Representatives passed an employment nondiscrimination act that, if enacted, would ban discrimination against most lesbians, gay men, and bisexual people in the workplace. Equality Federation acknowledges three decades of work by our allies in Congress and by national and state lgbt organizations who have been passionate and determined to bring this civil rights legislation before Congress.

Many lesbian and gay people will celebrate the passage of this legislation, and it certainly reflects progress in the long march toward equality. However, New Hampshire Freedom to Marry and the Equality Federation remains steadfast in its opposition to this bill – not because of what it purports to do, but because of what it fails to do. This bill does not ban discrimination based on gender identity – despite the fact that transgender people experience phenomenally high unemployment rates and are the members of our community most in need of employment protections.

Over the past few weeks, Equality Federation and 40 state organizations have stood with over 350 national, state, and local lgbt groups in the United ENDA coalition to urge Congress to pass legislation that bans discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender workers. Federation member groups educated their constituents about the importance of inclusive legislation, and tens of thousands of equality supporters from across the country contacted their congressional representatives urging passage of an inclusive ENDA.

Equality Federation and state leaders are profoundly disappointed that these voices were not heard. But we are not defeated. The legislation passed today will not become law. Instead, it will be debated and reintroduced in a future session of Congress. Equality Federation and state organizations will continue educational and lobbying efforts to ensure that the ENDA finally enacted will be an inclusive law.

Twenty states and the District of Columbia already ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Only seven of those states do not ban discrimination on the basis of gender identity. Our movement has a great deal of experience passing non-discrimination laws at the state level, and our experience is clear: while it sometimes takes additional time and effort to pass inclusive laws, it is far less certain that laws excluding transgender people will be amended even with significant additional time and effort. Yet transgender people are the members of the lgbt community with the highest unemployment rates – and the greatest need for protection against discrimination.

Today we acknowledge the difficult achievement of taking a key congressional step toward the goal of passing a federal employment nondiscrimination law. Tomorrow, Equality Federation will begin work with all of our allies – both within and beyond the United ENDA coalition – to achieve the goal shared by all organizations within the lgbt community: passage of an inclusive employment discrimination law that protects lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.

Lambda Legal’s Analysis of Stripped Down Version of ENDA:

Gender Identity Protections Gone and Inadequate Protections for Lesbians and Gay Men ‘You can’t be fired for being a lesbian or a gay man, but you can be fired if your boss thinks you fit their
stereotype of one.’

(New York, October 1, 2007) — Lambda Legal’s preliminary assessment
of the revised version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act shows
the bill to be riddled with loopholes in addition to failing altogether to
protect transgender people against discrimination.

“Leaving out protections for transgender people is unacceptable, and
passing a bill riddled with loopholes will make it harder to achieve
equality on the job,” said Kevin Cathcart, Executive Director at Lambda
Legal. “You can’t be fired for being a lesbian or a gay man, but you can
be fired if your boss thinks you fit their stereotype of one.”

“After working together for so many years on a bill to provide protections for the LGBT community on the job—we can do better than this,” Cathcart added. Preliminary Analysis Summary:

As a point of clarity for the community: The recent version is not simply the old version with the transgender protections stripped out—but rather has modified the old version in several additional and troubling ways.

- In addition to the missing vital protections for transgender people on the job, this new bill also leaves out a key element to protect any employee, including lesbians and gay men who may not conform to their employer’s idea of how a man or woman should look and act. This is a huge loophole through which employers sued for sexual orientation discrimination can claim that their conduct was actually based on gender expression, a type of discrimination that the new bill does not prohibit.

- This version of ENDA states without qualification that refusal by employers to extend health insurance benefits to the domestic partners of their employees that are provided only to married couples cannot be considered sexual orientation discrimination. The old version at least provided that states and local governments could require that employees be provided domestic partner health insurance when such
benefits are provided to spouses.

- In the previous version of ENDA the religious exemptions had some limitations. The new version has a blanket exemption under which, for example, hospitals or universities run by faith-based groups can fire or refuse to hire people they think might be gay or lesbian.

More than 350 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender organizations tell Congress: Don't leave transgender people behind!

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 — More than 90 national and state lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) organizations have signed a letter hand-delivered this morning to Congress that urges lawmakers to reject substitute legislation that removes transgender protections from the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) and instead get back to work to pass H.R. 2015, an ENDA bill that provides job protections on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Last Thursday, Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) announced that he was introducing new legislation that would only provide protections on the basis of sexual orientation. In the three days since his announcement, there has been widespread community objection to this strategy. The letter delivered to Capitol Hill today makes this point clear.

The letter follows:

United opposition to sexual-orientation-only employment nondiscrimination legislation

October 1, 2007

Dear Madam Speaker and Representatives:

The undersigned represent the vast and celebrated diversity of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in this country. Some of us are national leaders of organizations with tens of thousands of members and constituents, some of us run the only local organization in our state. But we are united in a common cause: We ask you to keep working with us on an Employment Non-Discrimination Act that protects everyone in our community, and to oppose any substitute legislation that leaves some of us behind.

We ask and hope that in this moment of truth, you will stand for the courage real leadership sometimes demands. You each command enormous respect from all of us and we do appreciate the difficulty of balancing a variety of competing demands. But the correct course in this case and on this legislation is strikingly clear. We oppose legislation that leaves part of our community without protections and basic security that the rest of us are provided. 

You told us you supported a fully inclusive ENDA and would bring it up for a vote this year. We expect that you will honor that commitment and we look forward to working together to pass a bill that we can all be proud to support.

Sincerely,

Organizations

October 3, 2007

STATEMENT OF EQUALITY FEDERATION

ON PROPOSED REMOVAL OF PROTECTIONS FOR TRANSGENDER AMERICANS

FROM FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT NON-DISCRIMINATION ACT

The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community has been working for over thirty years to pass the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), a bill which would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation, perceived sexual orientation and gender identity or expression in the workplace.  Late last week, Congressional leaders put forth a version of ENDA which would omit protections based on gender identity and expression -- a move neither sanctioned nor supported by the vast majority of lgbt organizations.  The stated justification for this modified version of ENDA is that Congress will not pass the bill if it includes protections for transgender Americans.
read more

Senate passage of the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act

The Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act passed the U.S. Senate today by a vote of 60 - 39.

The Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007 provides federal funding and support to local law enforcement agencies who are investigating and prosecuting hate crimes.  In addition, it removes the restrictions that previously made this funding available only to people engaged in a federally protected activity such as voting or going to school. The legislation is supported by twenty-six state attorneys general as well as 230 law enforcement, civil rights, civic and religious organizations.

The following is a statement by NH Freedom to Marry Coalition Board member Brian Rater regarding this important development. 

“Today our country moved closer to the moment where LGBT people can feel some level of protection, knowing that their government opposes violence against them. New Hampshire passed similar state legislation in 1992 under than Governor Gregg. We applaud New Hampshire Senator Gregg for his longtime, consistent position against discrimination and violence.”

We at New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition know all too well how much this legislation has been needed for many years. This legislation will provide much-needed resources, services and attention to victims of violence. As the Congress has taken a stand it is now the President’s turn to take the same stand and sign this legislation at the earliest opportunity.” 

CA legislature again passes bill giving same-sex couples choice to marry           

Equality California September 7, 2007 For the second time in two years, the California Legislature has passed legislation that would grant same-sex couples the ability to marry. With a 22-15 vote, the Senate on September 7 approved AB 43, authored by Assemblymember Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, and sponsored by Equality California.

 PRESS RELEASE: Stonewall Democrats' statement  on support of IA platform

Stonewall Democrats September 4, 2007 National Stonewall       Democrats strongly supports the platform of the Iowa Democratic  Party, which clearly states that Democrats recognize the freedom of all Iowans to marry. We call on Governor Culver to affirm the freedoms laid out by the Iowa Constitution and the platform of the Iowa Democratic Party which were articulated in the Polk County

FAIRNESS WINS IN LAWSUIT SEEKING MARRIAGE EQUALITYFOR SAME-SEX COUPLES
District Court Grants Equal Treatment to Same-Sex Couples

DES MOINES, IA - The Iowa District Court for Polk County District has issued its decision in a lawsuit seeking marriage equality for same-sex couples: Iowa same-sex couples deserve equal treatment under law.

"We're thrilled by this decision," said Carolyn Jenison, One Iowa's Executive Director. "This is a great day to be an Iowan and a monumental day in Iowa history."

A recent poll by the Des Moines Register found that a majority of Iowans support equal rights for same-sex couples in the state, 49% to 38%. Additionally, studies in New Jersey, New Hampshire, California,
and other states have shown that equal marriage increases business and tourism revenues, contributing millions in new tax dollars to the state.

"This judgment is reflective of Iowa values," said Jessica Brackett, Director of the Marriage Initiative at One Iowa. "Iowans believe in fairness and equal rights for all of our citizens."

Current Iowa law provides no access for LGBT people to the myriad rights, protections, and responsibilities provided by marriage. One Iowa advocates for equal access to civil marriage, meaning religious marriages would still be left to individual churches to decide.

One Iowa is working with Lambda Legal to provide education surrounding the Iowa Marriage Equality lawsuit, which was filed in November of 2005 by Lambda Legal on behalf of six same-sex Iowa couples.
 

EQUALITY Maine's supreme court(called the Law Court) ruled today that a same-sex couple may legally adopt children!

The Law Court ruled that Ann Courtney and Marilyn Kirby, as a couple, may legally provide a permanent home to two children they have cared for and nurtured for the last six years. The Court said that Ann and Marilyn may jointly adopt “M” and “R” because it is in the best interest of the children to remain in the only secure and stable home they have ever known.

Today’s ruling marks the first time in Maine history that a same-sex couple can jointly adopt a child. Until now, only a married couple or an unmarried person has been allowed to petition to adopt a child.

EqualityMaine applauds Attorney General Steven Rowe for supporting the adoption. The Attorney General knows that there are many Maine children in foster care who need loving, stable homes like the home that Ann and Marilyn have given M and R. 

M and R (sister and brother) were removed from their home at a very early age after DHHS determined their biological parents were unable to care for them. They were placed in the care of Ann and Marilyn, a committed couple with foster parent and adoption experience. For the last six years, Ann and Marilyn have devoted much of their time to addressing the children’s emotional, learning and developmental challenges.

Zogby Poll:  Six months into New Jersey civil unions, voters say change the law to real marriage equality

By 63% to 31%, New Jersey voters say they’d be fine with the state legislature upgrading civil unions to marriage equality.

By 72% to 21%, New Jersey voters say state legislators would be in no electoral danger if they enacted marriage equality.

By 61% to 29%, New Jersey voters say they expect the state to enact marriage equality within just a couple of years.

Zogby asked the baseline question – do you favor marriage equality versus civil unions – in two ways.   Results are 48% to 45% for marriage equality in one question, 48% to 30% in another.

And a significant 35% of respondents said they would be less likely to do business with a company that denies equal benefits to gay employees.  20% said “much less likely.”

As New Jersey marks the six-month anniversary of the civil unions law this Sunday, August 19, a new statewide Zogby Poll shows majorities of voters favoring changing the law to full marriage equality for same-sex couples.  The poll of 803 New Jersey voters was taken from August 8th through 10, 2007, with a margin of error of +/- 3.5%.  Though Garden State Equality commissioned the poll, Zogby collected the data independently.

With news organizations reporting on the failure of the New Jersey civil union law to consistently provide equal rights to same-sex couples – and with statistics showing the law failing at least 1 in every 7 times – the poll asked:

 read more...   

Justice

Published: August 5, 2007

This story has a happy ending.

United Parcel Service agreed last week to offer health benefits to partners under New Jersey’s civil union law. The company had said previously that it would not do so because the couples were not legally married, and therefore did not qualify under the union contract.

The turnabout followed pressure from Gov. Jon Corzine and the state attorney general’s office, who maintain that the New Jersey law gives partners the same legal rights as married couples. The State Supreme Court ruled last fall that all couples must be treated equally, and gave the Legislature the option of achieving that either through same-sex marriage or civil unions. Legislators opted for the latter.

Since then, gay-rights advocates say, more than 200 gay couples have complained that their companies have not recognized the civil union law regarding benefits. Like UPS, some of the companies have reversed their policies after coming under pressure, but many have not. New York Times.. Read more

ENDA, hate crimes pushed back to fall by Democrats

The long-awaited Employment Non-Discrimination Act is slated for a House vote in September, according to a spokesperson for Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. Meanwhile, in the Senate, the gay- and transgender-inclusive hate crimes bill, which was attached to defense legislation pulled by Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., is unlikely to get a vote until September, or even later in the fall. Washington Blade (7/26)

Analysis: Democratic Congress not delivering on key LGBT promises: 

The Democratic-led Congress has made frustratingly little progress so far in passing key LGBT priorities such as the hate crimes bill and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, and only managing a relatively small increase in funding for the Ryan White CARE Act, according to this article. Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco) (7/26)

Hate Crimes

Iraq war debate delays vote on hate crimes bill

Senate Democratic leader withdraws ‘vehicle’ for measure

By LOU CHIBBARO JR. | Jul 18, 4:45 PM Washington Blade

A vote in the U.S. Senate on a gay- and transgender-inclusive hate crimes bill was put on hold this week after Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) abruptly withdrew a controversial defense authorization bill to which the hate crimes measure was to be considered as an amendment. Read more

 ‘Matthew Shepard Act’ Submitted as Amendment to Defense Reauthorization;

WASHINGTON – Senators Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and Gordon Smith (R-OR) filed the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (S. 1105) as an amendment for consideration to the Department of Defense Reauthorization currently being debated before the U.S. Senate.  The bill, commonly referred to as the “Hate Crimes Bill”, could receive a Senate vote as early as today.  The virtually identical House version of the bill passed overwhelmingly on May 3rd, 2007 with a bipartisan vote of 237 to 180 – with more than 20 Republicans voting in support of the bill.  

Take Action

In Denying Benefits, Firm Says Civil Union Not Marriage's Equal

By Robert Schwanberg

United Parcel Service's refusal to offer health benefits to couples     with a New Jersey civil union illustrates the many problems facing couples whose civil union is being treated as less than marriage.

Sunday 07.08.07

Civil Union Laws Don't Ensure Benefits

Same-Sex N.J. Couples Find That Employers Can Get Around New Rules

By Anthony FaiolaWashington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, June 30, 2007; Page A03

When New Jersey became the first state outside liberal New England to approve same-sex civil unions, Craig Ross and Richard Cash were among the hundreds of couples who hurried to get their licenses. With Cash unemployed and his private health insurance costing $480 a month, the couple hoped the new law would be their financial white knight -- compelling Ross's employer to give his partner the same spousal benefits as heterosexual married couples.

Read more

Poll: Gay Marriage Not An Issue For N.H. Republicans
Read entire poll here

A new poll shows that New Hampshire Republicans do not consider same-sex marriage to be a concern.

The survey, in the the state with the first primary in the nation, found

that among registered Republicans gay marriage did not factor in a list of issues concerning them.

"This poll of Republican voters confirms what many of us in the GOP

already knew-the GOP primary election should focus on the issues

rank-and-file Republicans care about and same-sex marriage isn't one of them," said Log Cabin Republicans President Patrick Sammon in a statement on Wednesday.

"Republican candidates should focus on issues that unite our Party,

instead of using marriage as a wedge issue in this campaign,"  Sammon said.

The poll was conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center for CNN and WMUR-television.

It asked likely Republican primary voters in New Hampshire, "In your

opinion, which one issue is most important to your vote in the

presidential primary? Which is next most important? What is the third

most important?"

It found that the war in Iraq topped the list at 36 percent, followed by illegal immigration at 11 percent and then the economy at 9 percent.

Same-sex marriage was 17th on the list with the number of replies too low to measure.

"Our Party is hungry for leadership on the big issues of the day such as the war in Iraq, reforming immigration, homeland security, and keeping our economy strong," said Sammon.

"New Hampshire primary voters have long distinguished themselves as astute voters who understand the nation's priorities," he said. "GOP Party leaders and all candidates for elected office should listen to these voters in the first-of-the-nation primary. 2008 will be a

critical election that demands attention on important issues-not

divisive politics."

::Click here to write to your local paper and tell them you support equality!::

Civil Unions in the news

NEW YORK TIMES, June 7, 2007

Editorial

The Inadequacy of Civil Unions

A potentially groundbreaking legal battle over Connecticut’s exclusion of gay people from the state’s marriage law has catapulted the debate over same-sex marriage to a new level. read more

Visit our news page for some of the articles that have been written about New Hampshire's journey toward equality: www.nhftm.org/newsroom. 

Connecticut Moves Closer to Marriage Equality!

On Friday, the Judiciary Committee voted 27 to 15 to pass a marriage equality bill!  Just two years after legalizing Civil Unions, Conn. is now on the way to full marriage equality! 

For more information, read the news story here. 

UNH Polling Data

A new UNH Granite State Poll conducted in February 2007 finds increased support for civil marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples.  When asked “Would you favor or oppose allowing gay couples to go a justice of the peace and get a marriage license?” 61% of New Hampshire Residents say that they would support such a law. 

Additionally, when asked “would it bother you if gay couples could go to a justice of the peace and get a marriage license,” 74% said it would not.

::View the chart of polling results here::

::Download additional polling data here::

Watch the NH House debate the Constitutional Amendment

Click here to watch the streaming video -- the debate on CACR 1 begins around the one hour, 45 minute mark (1:45:00).  The video requires Windows Media Player or Real Player, and does not work on all versions.  If your video does not work, click here for some solutions. 

Victory!

The NH House of Representatives has voted 223 to 124 to kill CACR 1, the Constitutional Amendment which would ban all recognition of gay and lesbian partnerships. 

Click the link below to see how your Representatives voted, and be sure to thank those that voted against this amendment!

..Voting Records for CACR 1..

..keep reading..

"On some positions, Cowardice asks the question, 'Is it safe?' Expediency asks the question, 'Is it politic?' And Vanity comes along and asks the question, 'Is it popular?' But Conscience asks the question 'Is it right?' And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must do it because Conscience tells him it is right." 

- Martin Luther King, Jr. 

"Democrats say to gay people, 'What do you care [about marriage equality]?  You can still live together, we're not stopping you, we're not breaking into your bedroom.' My answer is, 'F**k you. We're all equal, or we're not."

- Bill Maher in The Advocate, January 16, 2007

::Click here for information on NH civil unions