New Hampshire poll finds solid support for keeping marriage equality

A new poll of New Hampshire adults finds nearly two-thirds oppose ending marriage equality in the state, with 66 percent of independents saying lawmakers should leave the law alone.

Marriage repeal not among priorities for New Hampshire GOP

Republican leaders in New Hampshire did not include a repeal of the state's marriage equality law on a list of their top legislative priorities, but those opposed to same-sex couples marrying say that doesn't mean the state Legislature won't vote on the issue. "The gay marriage issue will come up at the appropriate time," said Kevin Smith of Cornerstone Action.

New Hampshire is next battleground in gay marriage fight

National anti-gay groups are set to descend on New Hampshire in an effort to reverse the state's marriage equality law, according to this article in The Concord Monitor. 

"I think long term the people of New Hampshire support marriage equality, and support equality period ... In the short term, I think we've got a battle on our hands," said Mo Baxley, executive director of New Hampshire Freedom to Marry.

Quote of the Week: GLAAD's Neil G. Giuliano

"Gov. Lynch's signing of the marriage equality bill grants legal protections for same-sex couples in New Hampshire to take care of and be responsible for each other,” said GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano. “As people get to know the loving and committed couples at the heart of marriage equality, our culture is moving to equality.”

That was fast! New Hampshire Gov. signs up for gay marriage

The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, today applauded the state legislature and Gov. John Lynch for passing legislation to recognize marriage equality for same-sex couples under state law. The senate voted 14-10 earlier in the day in favor of the bill. The house followed later in the afternoon, voting 198-176. The law will take effect January 1, 2010. For a comprehensive summary of HRC’s work in New Hampshire, including a video and photo slideshow, visit: www.HRC.org/NHMarriage.

“With Gov. Lynch signing legislation passed by the state Senate and House, New Hampshire has become the latest state to recognize that loving, committed couples, and their families, should receive equal dignity and respect under the law,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “No religious institution will have to recognize any marriage under this law, as the language proposed by Gov. Lynch and agreed to by the legislature made abundantly clear.”

“When the National Organization for Marriage [a group opposed to marriage equality] started making $50,000 ad buys in New Hampshire, I put out a call for help and HRC answered. We could not have done this without them,” said Mo Baxley, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition.

HRC made a significant commitment of resources to the successful efforts to achieve marriage equality in New Hampshire. Working with the New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition, HRC provided substantial field and communications expertise in the weeks leading up to Gov. Lynch signing the bill. HRC deployed 10 field staff to New Hampshire, hired three New Hampshire-based consultants to assist with field organizing efforts, and mobilized HRC members and supporters through online action alerts and telephone calls.

New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition speaks out about New Hampshire decision

In a decisive vote, the New Hampshire House of Representatives followed the Senate's lead in approving a bill aimed at securing religious liberties. Grouped with two previous pieces of legislation advancing the freedom to marry for gay and lesbian couples, the bill's passage was the last major procedural before the Governor is expected to sign all three bills into law.

"Today's vote is in line with the majority of Granite Staters who support the freedom to marry," said Mo Baxley, the executive director of the New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition. "The legislature has upheld the New Hampshire values of individual liberty, freedom and fairness. We applaud the legislature for continuing to strongly safeguard religious freedom while making sure that all loving, committed couples have the freedom to marry."

When Governor Lynch signs the marriage-related bills, New Hampshire will become the sixth state to recognize marriage for gay and lesbian couples. Governor Lynch has indicated that he will sign the legislation when it reaches his desk.

Marriage equality bill passes New Hampshire State House and Senate

The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, today applauded the New Hampshire State House and Senate for passing legislation to recognize marriage equality for same-sex couples. The senate voted 14-10 earlier in the day in favor of the bill. The house followed later in the afternoon, voting 198-176. The bill now moves to the desk of Gov. John Lynch where it is expected to be signed into law.

“We look forward to Gov. Lynch signing the legislation passed by the state Senate and House that would make New Hampshire the latest state to recognize that loving, committed couples, and their families, should receive equal rights and responsibilities,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “No religious institution will have to recognize any marriage under this law, as the language proposed by Gov. Lynch and agreed to by the legislature made abundantly clear.”

At this time, five states recognize marriage for same-sex couples under state law: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont (effective September 1, 2009), and Maine (effective September, 2009, pending a possible referendum). California recognized marriage by same-sex couples between June and November of 2008, before voters approved Proposition 8, which amended the state constitution to prohibit marriage equality. The Proposition 8 vote was challenged, but the state supreme court upheld the amendment last month. The 18,000 marriages of same-sex couples performed before the passage of Proposition 8 remain valid.

Hundreds rally at New Hampshire Statehouse for marriage equality

Hundreds of people gathered at the Statehouse today just prior to the legislature taking up HB73 - the last bill in a series of bills necessary to guarantee religious liberties for all Granite Staters and the freedom to marry for gay and lesbian couples in New Hampshire.

"The recent public discussion on this issue has shown that marriage is more than a legal right," said Mo Baxley, the executive director of the New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition. "Civil unions require unfair treatment in an unequal institution, and they diminish liberty and freedom for all Granite Staters. It's clear that a majority of people in New Hampshire know that it's time for our legislature to act on this issue."

Five other states, including all three states that border New Hampshire, already allow gay and lesbian couples the freedom to marry. Since 2003, polls have consistently shown that a majority of New Hampshire voters approve of granting the legal protections of marriage to gay and lesbian couples.

Will compromise gay marriage bill pass in New Hampshire tomorrow?

The New Hampshire Legislature is scheduled to vote Wednesday on a compromise marriage bill that contains exemptions for churches and religious groups and is intended to win the support of Gov. John Lynch to sign the measure into law. The Senate last week approved a similar version of the bill, but it failed in the House.

New Hampshire legislature reached marriage equality compromise

On Friday the house and senate committee of conference in the New Hampshire legislature voted in favor of a compromise bill that will advance the freedom to marry while ensuring religious liberties.

HB73 is a bill that will uphold the Constitutional right to freedom of religion, while complimenting previously passed bills that grant marriage equality to same-sex couples. Today’s committee of conference decision treats gay and lesbian people as well as people of faith with dignity and respect. The conference committee report on HB73 is expected to be voted on by the full legislature on June 3rd.

"We remain confident that marriage equality will become law this year, and HB 73 is an important final step in that effort," said Mo Baxley the Executive Director of New Hampshire Freedom to Marry. "Individual equality and religious freedom are New Hampshire values. We expect the House and Senate to now vote for HB 73 as reported out by the committee of conference. This is a very positive step and we remain optimistic that we will see legal protections for thousands of gay and lesbian couples signed into law by the Governor."

The freedom to marry for gay couples, partnered with religious protections in HB73 is supported by Governor Lynch, the State Senate, the committee of conference, and the majority of New Hampshire residents.

New Hampshire House fails to pass marriage equality bill - could vote again in as little as two weeks

The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, just released the following statement from National Field Director Marty Rouse, who is on the ground working in New Hampshire:

“In a series of votes today, the New Hampshire House displayed a definite willingness to pass a marriage equality bill - evidenced by a very strong vote of 173-202 when presented with a question to indefinitely postpone consideration of the issue (in other words, to kill it).

“While the House voted not to adopt today’s version of the amended marriage bill by a very close vote of 186-188, clearly the members of the House want to see marriage equality passed based on the strong vote not to kill it entirely. The House will now convene a conference committee to hash out differences in good faith in order to schedule another vote perhaps as soon as in the next two weeks.

“We will of course keep you updated and New Hampshire residents should continue contacting their legislators to tell them to support marriage equality."

The path toward marriage equality

The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, issued the following comments after Governor John Lynch provided a written statement this afternoon on a bill passed by the state legislature that would permit same-sex couples to marry in New Hampshire.

“We are encouraged by the Governor’s comments outlining a specific path to achieve marriage equality in New Hampshire,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “The Governor has made clear that he will sign a bill that allows same-sex couples to marry while also protecting religious liberties. We thank the legislature for their efforts to date and the Governor for his thoughtful deliberation. We urge the legislature to work with the Governor to make this important bill a reality. This legislation will strengthen New Hampshire families and give meaning to the promise of equal rights for all.”

Read more after the jump.

The New Hampshire House and Senate have both voted in favor of HB 436, legislation that would allow same-sex couples to marry in New Hampshire. The bill has not yet reached the Governor’s desk.

In his statement, Governor Lynch said, “I have heard, and I understand, the very real feelings of same-sex couples that a separate system is not an equal system… a civil law that differentiates between their committed relationships and those of heterosexual couples undermines both their dignity and the legitimacy of their families.” The Governor further acknowledged that “we must act to protect both the liberty of same-sex couples and religious liberty” and provided language aimed at expressly protecting religious institutions, stating that “if the legislature passes this language, I will sign the same-sex marriage bill into law.”

New Hampshire currently recognizes civil unions for same-sex couples. Five states have recognized marriage for same-sex couples under state law: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont (effective September 1, 2009) and Maine (scheduled to be effective mid-September 2009 pending possible referendum challenge).

New York recognizes marriages by same-sex couples legally entered into in another jurisdiction. California recognized marriage by same-sex couples between June and November of 2008, before voters approved Proposition 8, which purports to amend the state constitution to prohibit marriage equality. The Proposition 8 vote has been challenged in court; a decision by the state supreme court is expected by June.

This week the New York Assembly passed legislation that would permit same-sex couples to marry under state law. The bill will now be considered by the State Senate. Same-sex couples do not receive federal rights and benefits in any state. To learn more about state by state legislation visit: www.hrc.org/state_laws.


New Hampshire state Senate votes in favor of gay marriage

The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, praised the New Hampshire state Senate’s vote today in favor of legislation that would permit same-sex couples to marry. The Senate voted 13-11, on second reading, in favor of an amended version of House Bill 436, which would allow same-sex couples to marry under state law. The bill passed the House last month by a 186-179 vote. Since the Senate voted on an amended version, the bill will return to the House after third reading in the Senate.

“Just one month ago, there were only two states where same-sex couples could marry. Now, with this vote in New Hampshire, we are on the verge of having five states that recognize marriage equality for same-sex couples. It’s been quite a month, and we look forward to more states joining this group,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “We congratulate Senate President Sylvia Larsen, Senate Majority Leader Maggie Hassan and Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Deb Reynolds for their leadership in reaching a positive result. We also congratulate GLAD, PFLAG New Hampshire, the New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition, the many activists, including HRC members, who have been working to build support for this legislation, and the majority of New Hampshire voters who support marriage equality.”

“The votes in the House and Senate simply recognize that same-sex couples who form committed relationships and loving families deserve the same level of respect and dignity afforded to other couples. The Senate's amendment protects the religious freedom of clergy and religious organizations, while respecting the rights of same-sex couples to protect and care for their families. I hope the House will concur with the amended version by the Senate, and that Gov. Lynch will join the legislature and the majority of New Hampshire voters and allow this important legislation to become law,” Solmonese said.

Majority of New Hampshire voters support gay marriage

A poll released today by New Hampshire Freedom to Marry shows that 55% of New Hampshire Voters support marriage for lesbian and gay couples, while 39% are opposed. The poll, conducted by UNH Survey Center, surveyed 491 New Hampshire voters from April 13 through the 22.

“New Hampshire has a live and let live attitude. These strong numbers in support of marriage equality are not surprising. A majority of New Hampshire voters have supported marriage equality since polling on the subject began in 2003. We hope that New Hampshire can soon join our neighbors in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont, and enact marriage equality,” said Mo Baxley, Executive Director of New Hampshire Freedom To Marry.

The poll also found that 63% of Independent and 34% of Republican voters in New Hampshire support marriage for lesbian and gay couples. The poll also found that when asked only 32% would be “bothered” if gay and lesbians could get a marriage license.

House Bill 436, which would recognize marriage equality for lesbian and gay couples under New Hampshire law, passed the House of Representatives last month and is pending in the state Senate. Last week, a Senate committee voted 23 against the bill. A vote by the full Senate is expected on Wednesday.

New Hampshire gender identity legislation passes by one vote

The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, praised the New Hampshire State House of Representatives for its 188-187 vote today in favor of legislation updating existing anti-discrimination and hate crimes laws to cover gender identity. House Bill 415, which now moves to the Senate, would add gender identity and gender expression protections to the state’s anti-discrimination statutes and would also update state hate crimes law to ensure that perpetrators of hate crimes against transgender people are subject to the same extended sentencing terms as perpetrators of hate crimes based on other prohibited bases, such as race, religion, sex and sexual orientation.

“We applaud the New Hampshire’s House of Representatives for voting to update existing anti-discrimination and hate crimes laws to include protections for gender identity or expression,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “We congratulate Representatives Ed Butler and Barbara Richardson for their leadership in sponsoring this bill in the House, as well as GLAD, PFLAG New Hampshire, and the many activists, including HRC members, who have been working to build support for this bill. This legislation is simply about making sure that everyone in New Hampshire receives equal protection under the law. We hope that this bill will pass the Senate and these important protections will be enacted into law.”

More after the jump.


HRC Associate Director of Diversity Allyson Robinson had traveled to Concord to testify on behalf of the non-discrimination bill.

“Hundreds of our transgender brothers and sisters have lost their lives to targeted hate violence,” said HRC Associate Director of Diversity Allyson Robinson. “Passing this important legislation will help determine the way of life for future generations of transgender New Hampshirites. For some, it will make the difference between life and death. I thank the lawmakers who supported House Bill 415 for affirming their basic humanity, and mine, by advancing this important legislation.”

For the latest updates, visit the HRC blog, www.HRCBackStory.org.




New Hampshire passes Marriage Equality Bill

The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, praised the New Hampshire State House of Representatives’ passage of legislation that would permit lesbian and gay couples to marry. The House of Representatives voted 186-179 in favor of House Bill 436, which would allow lesbian and gay couples to marry under state law.

“This is a very proud day for New Hampshire and a very proud day for every American who believes in the promise of equal rights for all,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “We congratulate Representatives Ed Butler, Paul McEachern, Barbara Richardson, and Jim Splaine for their leadership in sponsoring this bill, as well as GLAD, PFLAG New Hampshire, the New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition, and the many activists, including HRC members, who have been working to build support for this legislation.”

More after the jump.


Solmonese continued: “The New Hampshire State House of Representatives recognized that lesbian and gay couples who form committed relationships and loving families deserve the same level of respect afforded to straight couples. We hope that this bill will pass the state Senate and be enacted as law.”

This year, HRC has mobilized members to support House Bill 436. In 2006, HRC worked closely with legislators, community groups and local leaders to help elect fair-minded majorities to both the New Hampshire House of Representatives and Senate, which subsequently voted to pass civil unions legislation in 2007.

Two states, Massachusetts and Connecticut, currently permit gay and lesbian couples to marry under state law. New York recognizes marriages by gay and lesbian couples legally married outside of the state. Earlier this week, Vermont’s state Senate voted 26-4 to pass legislation that would allow lesbian and gay couples to marry in Vermont. New Hampshire or Vermont could be the first state to adopt marriage equality legislatively. (California’s legislature has twice passed bills that would have permitted gay and lesbian couples to marry, but each bill was vetoed).

In addition to New Hampshire, seven states plus Washington, D.C. have laws providing at least some form of state-level relationship recognition, short of marriage, for gay and lesbian couples. Four other states—California, New Jersey, Oregon, and Vermont—plus Washington, D.C. provide gay and lesbian couples with access to the state level benefits and responsibilities of marriage, through either civil unions or domestic partnerships.

Maine, Washington and Hawaii provide gay and lesbian couples with limited rights and benefits, not all the rights provided to married couples.

Gay and lesbian couples do not receive federal rights and benefits in any state. To learn more about state by state legislation visit: www.hrc.org/state_laws.