In what must have been a long day in Manchester, a bill clearing the path to same-sex marriage passed both chambers of the New Hampshire legislature and was signed by the governor. The Senate followed by the House passed a bill containing the compromise language worked out in committee to protect the religious liberty rights of gay marriage opponents. Governor Lynch added his signature about an hour after it cleared the final legislative hurdle. The new law will take effect in January 2010.
The new language changes only two aspects of the original bill passed last month:
- It adds a sentence specifying that all religious organizations, associations or societies have exclusive control over their doctrines, policies, teachings and beliefs on marriage
- It clarifies that organizations related to faith groups are exempt from having to provide insurance and other benefits to same-sex spouses if the organization serves charitable OR educational purposes.
Yeah! New Hampshire gives gays and lesbians a chance to marry, while shoving it up the asses of their trans
population. Let's celebrate!
Posted by: runescape gold | June 03, 2009 at 10:34 PM
I don't understand the first comment.
As far as I can tell, as a result of this bill, all trans people who were not already able to marry their partner, in addition to all gays and lesbians, can now marry in New Hampshire. Is there a trans person who can't marry their partner in New Hampshire after this bill goes into effect Jan. 1? I can't see how there could be one.
Sure, this bill doesn't address a lot of issues of discrimination (it doesn't cover anything but marriage) for gays, lesbians, trans people, or anyone else. But in its domain (state marriage law), it ensures the state will not discriminate against anyone, for the first time ever.
Posted by: JR | June 04, 2009 at 02:47 AM