New Hampshire legalises civil unions

By Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk • May 31, 2007 - 15:32

The Episcopalian Bishop of New Hampshire, Gene Robinson, who is openly gay, gave evidence to the state legislature supporting same-sex unions.

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The Governor of New Hampshire signed a civil unions bill into law today. It will come into force on January 1st 2008.

The bill previously passed the state's House of Representatives by a margin of 2 to 1.

In April the state Senate approved the bill by 14 votes to 10.

"We in New Hampshire have had a long and proud tradition taking the lead and opposing discrimination," Governor John Lynch said according to AP.

"Today that tradition continues."

The Episcopalian Bishop of New Hampshire, Gene Robinson, who is openly gay, gave evidence to the state legislature supporting same-sex unions.

"This legislation simply has nothing do to with religious bodies and their affirmation or rejection of such unions in the civil realm," Bishop Robinson told a state committee hearing.

"What we seek in the civil realm is the equal treatment by the state government in supporting this development of our relationship with the legal, financial, and societal underpinnings which are afforded married couples at the very moment they say 'I do.'"

Bishop Robinson also announced he intends to form a civil union with his partner.

Massachusetts has legal same-sex marriage and California, Vermont, New Jersey, and Connecticut have allowed some form of civil unions or domestic partnerships.

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