Pass gay marriage bill and end discrimination




Among the more disquieting arguments heard at the State House in recent weeks was one from Plymouth Sen. Deb Reynolds, who said New Hampshire wasn't "there yet" when it came to gay marriage. She didn't say she opposed it. She didn't explain how she knew the state wasn't ready - or when it might be ready or what the Senate might do to help New Hampshire get ready. Instead she implied that there was something fundamentally different here than in Vermont or Iowa or Connecticut or Massachusetts.

If that's the best argument the chairwoman of the Senate Judiciary Committee can make, then the full Senate should have no trouble rejecting the committee's recommendation and quickly passing the gay marriage bill tomorrow. Reynolds's argument is a copout. It's an attempt to signal to gay couples and their supporters that while she doesn't necessarily oppose their efforts, neither will she do anything to help. Her words are rooted not in justice or fairness or courage but in fear. Surely New Hampshire voters can expect more from their elected officials than that.

We have listened closely to this debate since it began several months back. The arguments against gay marriage have only intensified since the House unexpectedly approved the legislation a few weeks back. Not one of them is convincing.

Consider:

• God intended marriage to be between a man and a woman.

Much of the commentary against gay marriage has been couched in religion. But senators must put aside the teachings of their own churches and those of their most activist religious constituents and think instead about civil society. Is there a good reason for the law to treat gay couples different from straight couples?

• Organized religion aside, gay marriage offends the morals of some residents.

Perhaps. But so does the death penalty. So does abortion. So does selling liquor on the highways. So does sex education in the schools. Morality is a tricky thing to legislate. Far better that the Senate concentrate on making New Hampshire's laws fair to all.

• In this economy, legislators should focus on the state budget.

Senate President Sylvia Larsen used such an argument a few weeks back to signal that this wasn't the time to be arguing about gay marriage. That thinking is wrong on two counts: It implies that full equality for gay couples should wait and that the legislation is too complicated to figure out in a busy year.

Actually, a poor economy might just be the perfect time to pass such a bill. As state government cuts services, lays off workers and asks residents to pay more for less, a bill that actually makes life better for their constituents should be embraced by legislators.

In fact, it is never the wrong time to do the right thing.

• The civil unions law isn't yet two years old. Let's take this slowly.

New Hampshire's civil unions law took effect in January 2008. Since then, more than 600 same-sex couples have taken advantage of it, thereby winning many of the same rights as those given to married couples. But is there a compelling reason for state law to create separate institutions for gay couples and straight couples? As African-American activists in the 1960s proved so conclusively, separate but equal is a lie.

• Gov. John Lynch doesn't like it.




CONCORD, NH – 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.