"We in New Hampshire have had a long and proud tradition taking the lead and opposing discrimination," Lynch said as he signed the bill. "Today, that tradition continues."

elwood :: Lynch Has Signed Civil Unions Law

Update by Dean: Here's the NHDP release, just in:

NHDP CHAIR APPLAUDS GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE FOR REJECTING DISCRIMINATION
CONCORD - Today, Governor John Lynch will sign legislation establishing civil unions in New Hampshire making it the state the fourth to adopt civil unions. New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Raymond Buckley released the following statement regarding the signing of this legislation.
"Today New Hampshire continued its long and proud tradition of opposing discrimination of any kind. New Hampshire was among the first states to oppose slavery, support the expansion of suffrage to women and the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment.
"The passage of this legislation is just another example of the fact that Democrats, Republicans and Independents in New Hampshire oppose discrimination. We, at the New Hampshire Democratic Party, are delighted that our Legislature and Governor Lynch have worked together to pass H.B. 437, the Civil Unions bill.
"In signing HB 437, Governor Lynch will make history by signing a civil unions law that was not ordered by the courts in the process of legal action. All of New Hampshire should be proud of leadership of Senate President Sylvia Larsen, Speaker Terie Norelli and their legislative majorities for passing HB437 and proud of Governor John Lynch for signing it.
"Public surveys of the people of New Hampshire show widespread support for ending the unfair discrimination against same gender families and the adoption of civil unions is an issue that also has wide bipartisan support here in New Hampshire and across the country. Two leading Republican candidates for President support civil unions and George Bush himself has also expressed openness to civil unions."

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Lynch Has Signed Civil Unions Law | 17 comments

Huge news day. (0.00 / 0)

I know there's not much detail on this one, elwood, but the news is so momentous I had exercise my unitary theory of governance and splash this on the front page.

Our state motto's meaning gets re-fulfilled today.

birch, finch, beech

by: Dean Barker @ Thu May 31, 2007 at 08:45:10 AM CDT

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when the boss says (0.00 / 0)

its important... its important.

by: Nicholas Gunn @ Thu May 31, 2007 at 08:48:46 AM CDT

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please clarify! (0.00 / 0)

Do you mean he signed it at 9:45am or did you post at that time that he plans to sign it today? Is it now a done deal??

THANK YOU!!

Paula M. DiNardo
Dover NH

A Blue Hampster since 2007!

by: pdinardo @ Thu May 31, 2007 at 08:57:47 AM CDT

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The link takes you (0.00 / 0)

to the Union Leader, which states he will sign (or signed, at this point) at 9:45.

birch, finch, beech

by: Dean Barker @ Thu May 31, 2007 at 09:02:03 AM CDT

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ALL DONE!! (0.00 / 0)

No matter what else happens this session, it has been momentous - civil unions, the minimum wage increase, election law reform. Elections matter, and do not let anyone claim that there is no difference between the two parties.

by: Frodo @ Thu May 31, 2007 at 09:13:51 AM CDT

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And the Governor's press release (0.00 / 0)

here.

CONCORD - Gov. Lynch today signed legislation establishing civil unions in New Hampshire, furthering New Hampshire's longstanding tradition of rejecting discrimination.
"Dating back to the Abolitionist movement, we in New Hampshire have a long, proud history of taking the lead in opposing discrimination. Today, that tradition continues. Today, we are taking an important step against discrimination. Today, we are acting to protect New Hampshire families," Gov. Lynch said.
"Over the last several months, I have spoken with hundreds of people about this issue, and most of those people support civil unions. Some support civil unions, but feel it may be happening too fast, or too soon. Others oppose civil unions altogether and see it as a threat to marriage.
"I've listened and heard all the arguments. I do not believe this bill threatens marriage. I believe this is a matter of conscience and fairness. And my view is that, it's never too soon to act to prevent discrimination.
"People in committed relationships should not have to worry about visiting a loved one in a hospital, or whether their loved ones will inherit their estate, or the many other legal protections so many of us take for granted," Gov. Lynch said. "How could any one of us look into the eyes of our neighbors, our friends, or our loved ones if we continued to deny them these basic legal protections?
"That is why I am pleased to be here today as we further the interest of fairness, dignity and the strengthening of families.
"That is truly the New Hampshire way," Gov. Lynch said.
The legislation, House Bill 437, was sponsored by Reps. Jim Splaine and Dana Hilliard.

by: elwood @ Thu May 31, 2007 at 09:32:05 AM CDT

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Ah yes, (0.00 / 0)

a big thank you to Jim Splaine is in order here.

birch, finch, beech

by: Dean Barker @ Thu May 31, 2007 at 09:37:14 AM CDT

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The Governor gave Jim the pen (4.00 / 1)

UL update says:

As more than 100 supporters gathered in the Executive Council chambers of the State House, Lynch said, ?Dating back to the abolitionist movement, we in New Hampshire have had a long and a proud history in taking the lead in opposing discrimination.
?Today,? he said, ?that tradition continues.
Lynch signed the bill, declaring, ?This bill is now law,? and handed his pen to Rep. James Splaine, D-Portsmouth, the bill?s chief sponsor.

by: elwood @ Thu May 31, 2007 at 11:21:14 AM CDT

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John Edwards' Statement on Civil Unions in NH (0.00 / 0)

thanks for the press release copy, too. I guess I was being paranoid, looking for real proof it was actually SIGNED (pinch me!).

I also just noticed that John Edwards NH site added a statement about it: http://johnedwards.c...

Paula

Paula M. DiNardo
Dover NH

A Blue Hampster since 2007!

by: pdinardo @ Thu May 31, 2007 at 10:28:25 AM CDT

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Good thinking. (0.00 / 0)

I'll paste it here and add what I find today from others:

"Governor Lynch and the state of New Hampshire have shown true leadership in the ongoing battle against discrimination that so many Americans face every day in this country. By recognizing that committed same-sex couples should have the same rights and responsibilities as other citizens, New Hampshire has taken an important step in the name of two of the most fundamental American ideals -- fairness and equal rights."

birch, finch, beech

by: Dean Barker @ Thu May 31, 2007 at 11:16:34 AM CDT

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Chris Dodd's statement (0.00 / 0)

Senator and Presidential candidate Chris Dodd today released the following statement following Governor John Lynch signing the New Hampshire Civil Unions Bill into law.
"I applaud Governor Lynch and the New Hampshire Legislature for passing the Civil Unions legislation, ensuring that all couples enjoy the same rights and freedoms regardless of their sexual orientation," said Dodd. "With two young daughters of my own, I want to ensure that they grow up in a world that is free of discrimination. That is why I supported Civil Unions in my home state of Connecticut and it is why I am proud to see John Lynch and the State Legislature doing the right thing here in New Hampshire."

birch, finch, beech

by: Dean Barker @ Thu May 31, 2007 at 11:15:34 AM CDT

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Just want to say congratulations (0.00 / 0)

I work in Back Bay, which (pardon the lack of a better term) is the gayest part of Massachusetts outside Provincetown and Northampton, and there is still a noticeable increase in gay visibility since we've had gay marriage. These things matter.

by: JimC @ Thu May 31, 2007 at 12:15:44 PM CDT

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I'm assuming what happened here (4.00 / 1)

was that Lynch quietly worked with supporters to plan the signing on a hush-hush basis. The supporters were sworn to silence, and the media was given only one hour's notice.

As a result they avoided having counter-demonstrations.

by: elwood @ Thu May 31, 2007 at 13:33:25 PM CDT

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no counterdemonstrations? (0.00 / 0)

that's cool.

Because, you know that coverage in the UL, and other conservative outlets would have focused on that...

Good move, Mr. Lynch.

by: Nicholas Gunn @ Thu May 31, 2007 at 14:35:14 PM CDT

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Thank You, Gov. Lynch (0.00 / 0)

by: Dartmouth Dem @ Thu May 31, 2007 at 13:38:03 PM CDT

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It's 5/31, 9:22 EST, (0.00 / 0)

and NH civil unions is the top news story in the English-speaking world according to Google News.

birch, finch, beech

by: Dean Barker @ Thu May 31, 2007 at 20:25:59 PM CDT

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civil unions (0.00 / 0)

New Hampshire once again shows courage and leadership.

Great news.

Imagine

by: BryanF @ Sat Jun 02, 2007 at 08:20:16 AM CDT

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Lynch Has Signed Civil Unions Law | 17 comments

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