Post(s) tagged with "new hampshire"
(via the Nashua Telegraph)
One of the more contentious battles confronting the New Hampshire Legislature when it returns to work in January will be the misguided effort to repeal the 2009 law legalizing same-sex marriages. Put on hold earlier this year so lawmakers could concentrate on more serious issues, such as the state budget, taxes and creating jobs, this pointless distraction is back on the legislative agenda for reasons that escape rational explanation.
New Hampshire is one of six states, along with the District of Columbia, that allow same-sex marriages. Another 13 states permit civil unions. Elsewhere in the country, same-sex marriages and/or civil unions are prohibited by either statute or constitutional amendment. The same-sex marriage repeal legislation up for review next month seeks to bring back civil unions, which were legalized in New Hampshire in 2007, and grandfather existing same-sex marriages. The state estimates 1,800 gay couples have been married here in the past two years.
Make no mistake, the only reason the anti-same-sex marriage legislation exists at all is because conservative Republicans were emboldened by their landslide victory in 2010. Huge majorities in the House and Senate created an irresistible opportunity to push mischievous, oppressive, veto-proof forays into statutory social engineering.
It would be one thing if there were evidence the current law has had negative repercussions for the state or its citizens. There isn’t. No jobs have been lost. No revenues have been compromised. No little children have been traumatized. If anything, the law has bolstered the state’s respected libertarian reputation.
More importantly, the law has broad public support. In April, the University of New Hampshire Survey Center reported 55 percent of state residents support same-sex marriages, while 39 percent opposed them. This followed an earlier poll that found Granite State residents oppose the GOP’s effort to repeal same-sex marriages by 62 to 29 percent.
These results are consistent with other polls. A Public Policy Polling survey in July found 51 percent of New Hampshire voters favor legal same-sex marriages while 38 percent oppose them. It also found 80 percent support some sort of legal recognition of same-sex couples, with marriage favored by 45 percent and civil unions by 35 percent. Only 19 percent of the respondents opposed any legal recognition of same-sex couples.
In total disregard for this overwhelming evidence of public support, Republicans are marching forward with their crusade. The House Judiciary Committee voted 11-6 in October to recommended the bill’s passage. The full House is expected to concur. Passage is expected in the Senate as well, The big question is whether the margins of victory will be large enough to sustain Gov. John Lynch’s promised veto.
Not much has changed from earlier this year when the same-sex marriage repeal effort was pushed aside in favor of more pressing issues. There are still big holes in the state budget, businesses are still struggling to survive and too many people are out of work. What Republicans considered a priority in January is unfinished business today.
The words of House Majority Leader D.J. Bettencourt, R-Salem, ring as true now as they did 11 months ago when he described the same-sex repeal effort as a controversial “assault” on the GOP’s agenda that had the potential to deflect attention from “New Hampshire’s outstanding financial issues.”
![Gay Veteran Steals the Show at Romney Endorsement Event
(via ABC News)
MANCHESTER, N.H. - Mitt Romney had an uncomfortable exchange over same-sex marriage with a gay veteran having breakfast in New Hampshire this morning.
At an event that was meant to highlight the endorsement of Romney by Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas, veteran Bob Garon of Ebson, N.H., asked the presidential candidate, who stopped by his breakfast table, whether he supports the repeal of the New Hampshire same-sex marriage law.
A Republican-controlled legislature has moved toward repealing the law, enacted in 2009 when Democrats controlled the legislature. A vote could come next month.
Romney told Garon, who was chowing down on his everyday staple of scrambled eggs and shaved ham at the restaurant Chez Vachon, that he supports a repeal of the same-sex marriage law, prompting an emotional exchange.
“I believe a marriage is between a man and a woman,” Romney said, joining Garon in the diner booth after shaking hands with several other patrons.
Garon responded, clarifying that what that meant was that if Romney is elected he would not support any legislation that would change the law so that gay servicemen would get the same benefits as heterosexual couples.
“I believe marriage is a relationship between a man and a woman,” Romney said. “We apparently disagree on that.”
“It’s good to know how you feel, that you do not believe everyone is entitled to their constitutional rights,” the 63-year-old New Hampshire resident responded.
“No, actually I think at the time the Constitution was written it was pretty clear marriage was between a man and a woman,” Romney said, just as one of his campaign aides chimed in that they had “to get going” to another Fox interview.
“Oh, I guess the question was too hot,” Garon quipped to Romney and his aide.
“No, I gave you the answer, you said you had a yes or no answer and I gave you the answer,” Romney said, turning back to face Garon.
“You did and I appreciate your answer. And I learned something, New Hampshire is right, you have to look a man in the eye to get a good answer and you know what governor?” Garon said, pausing. “Good luck. You’re going to need it.”
Romney laughed and agreed with Garon that he’d need the luck, shaking his hand before leaving. Garon then held court with the media, voicing his anger of Romney’s answer while also saying that he had “got what he asked for” when he poised the yes or no question.
Asked by reporters after Romney left why he feels so strongly about the issue, Garon grew even more passionate.
“Because I’m gay, all right?” he said. “And I happen to love a man just like you probably love your wife.”
Garon was sitting in a booth with his husband, whom he said he married in June.
“I went and fought for my country and I think my spouse should be entitled to the same [benefits as they would] if I were married to a woman,” he said. “What the hell is the difference?”](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lw3qpnQERC1qc2rbmo1_500.jpg)
Gay Veteran Steals the Show at Romney Endorsement Event
(via ABC News)
MANCHESTER, N.H. - Mitt Romney had an uncomfortable exchange over same-sex marriage with a gay veteran having breakfast in New Hampshire this morning.
At an event that was meant to highlight the endorsement of Romney by Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas, veteran Bob Garon of Ebson, N.H., asked the presidential candidate, who stopped by his breakfast table, whether he supports the repeal of the New Hampshire same-sex marriage law.
A Republican-controlled legislature has moved toward repealing the law, enacted in 2009 when Democrats controlled the legislature. A vote could come next month.
Romney told Garon, who was chowing down on his everyday staple of scrambled eggs and shaved ham at the restaurant Chez Vachon, that he supports a repeal of the same-sex marriage law, prompting an emotional exchange.
“I believe a marriage is between a man and a woman,” Romney said, joining Garon in the diner booth after shaking hands with several other patrons.
Garon responded, clarifying that what that meant was that if Romney is elected he would not support any legislation that would change the law so that gay servicemen would get the same benefits as heterosexual couples.
“I believe marriage is a relationship between a man and a woman,” Romney said. “We apparently disagree on that.”
“It’s good to know how you feel, that you do not believe everyone is entitled to their constitutional rights,” the 63-year-old New Hampshire resident responded.
“No, actually I think at the time the Constitution was written it was pretty clear marriage was between a man and a woman,” Romney said, just as one of his campaign aides chimed in that they had “to get going” to another Fox interview.
“Oh, I guess the question was too hot,” Garon quipped to Romney and his aide.
“No, I gave you the answer, you said you had a yes or no answer and I gave you the answer,” Romney said, turning back to face Garon.
“You did and I appreciate your answer. And I learned something, New Hampshire is right, you have to look a man in the eye to get a good answer and you know what governor?” Garon said, pausing. “Good luck. You’re going to need it.”
Romney laughed and agreed with Garon that he’d need the luck, shaking his hand before leaving. Garon then held court with the media, voicing his anger of Romney’s answer while also saying that he had “got what he asked for” when he poised the yes or no question.
Asked by reporters after Romney left why he feels so strongly about the issue, Garon grew even more passionate.
“Because I’m gay, all right?” he said. “And I happen to love a man just like you probably love your wife.”
Garon was sitting in a booth with his husband, whom he said he married in June.
“I went and fought for my country and I think my spouse should be entitled to the same [benefits as they would] if I were married to a woman,” he said. “What the hell is the difference?”
Source: abcnews.go.com
(great letter to the Corcord Monitor in NH)
I have read for quite some time now how gays are a danger to the core of our families and that, although we may not be affected by it now, the marriage of those of the same sex will bring down our families and our values. No one ever mentions that divorce might be the cause of our losing our core values as families.
I am offended every time I hear someone speak against the families of those with gay children. My family has strong religious beliefs and is as strong and sound as any others. Members of my political party and others know me to be a conservative who believes in God, liberty and family values. What most of you do not know is that I have a gay son.
When I found out he was gay 19 years ago when he was 15, I struggled and asked God to help me. I asked, Why me?
God’s plan was to make me a more tolerant person and a more understanding human being.
If you knew your child was gay would you disown him or her? If you have a strong, loving family, you would accept your child for who he or she is: your child.
I ask those who represent us in the Legislature to think about this when they are ready to vote for the bill repealing same-sex marriage. One out of every three teenage suicides is related to being gay and the discrimination that they face every day. They come from sound, strong and (in many cases) Christian families with the same values as your families. They are here legally, have jobs, pay taxes and, yes, even serve in our military and have made the ultimate sacrifice as soldiers by dying for freedom and liberty.
I am a defender of the values of families, country, freedom and liberty, but I am also the father of a gay son who contributes not only to our country but also to our family. He is just like your son. And like your family, we want to leave him a better country and life, and that includes the same rights as married couples. I believe in freedom for everyone. We are blessed to live in a state where we can all be free to pursue our own happiness.
I’m opposed to using the government to tear apart loving families, and I encourage my fellow Republicans to stand up with me to oppose this harmful piece of legislation.
(JP Marzullo of Deering is Area 3 vice chairman of the state Republican Party.)
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