Majority of NH Voters Support Marriage Equality

Calling Sen. Reynolds... (0.00 / 0)

I would say that NH IS ready for equal marriage rights.  Those who will not be swayed by logical arguments need to be left in the past.

"Just because you do not take an interest in politics, doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you" - Pericles, 430 BCE

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by: URSUS @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 11:43:59 AM CDT

Key finding (0.00 / 0)

"The poll also found that when asked only 32% would be "bothered" if gay and lesbians could get a marriage license."

My math says assuming those people probably didn't vote for Lynch this whole argument is whether Mr. 70% goes down to Mr. 68%.

Horrors. Not 68%! Whatever would we do?

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by: Mike Caulfield @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 12:34:52 PM CDT

Excellent -- Now Every Reason To Vote For Equality (0.00 / 0)

The logic supports it, and the polls support it --  Equality.  2009.  Tomorrow.  We can do this.  Nice job, Mo.  

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by: Rep. Jim Splaine @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 12:58:13 PM CDT

here's a quote from D'Allesandro... (0.00 / 0)

...from a 2004 public radio story:

Veteran Democratic senator Lou D'Allesandro of Manchester says there's more to this debate than sexual mores. For D'Allesandro, laws about sexual preference strike at the heart of the state's long-standing emphasis on individual privacy and personal independence.

We say we're good thinkers, we take our time, we make decisions, we make decisions based on the facts, and it's that individual freedom which we guard so dearly. It just seems to me all of this is contrary to that.

D'Allesandro won't predict whether this latest prohibition on same-sex marriage will succeed. He says it's more difficult to discuss an issue when state lawmakers feel there are national implications to the debate.

as the story alludes to, the "all of this" D'Allesandro was talking about was a 2004 effort to codify marriage inequality in NH.

democratic politicians who oppose gay marriage (as lou is apparently leaning) while also opposing additional barriers to gay marriage are nothing new. it's clearly a political sweet spot - or has been in the recent past. but now is the time to ask more from our elected dems.

D'Allesandro was reelected last year with 66% of the vote. now is not the time for political calculation and caution. now is the time, lou, to follow your previously stated principles to their logical conclusion.

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by: palerobber @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 15:13:54 PM CDT

Lou (0.00 / 0)

Can't find a link on their website, but NHPR just ran a Josh Rogers story where he interviewed Senator Larsen and Senator D'Allesandro about marriage equality.  

Senator Larsen, as we know, still is undecided.  

Interestingly, Senator D'Allesandro, when asked, said he was still undecided as to how to vote on this issue and was still thinking it through.  

So keep calling and emailing!!

Electing NH Dems since 2004.

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by: insidethebox @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 17:05:02 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

i mispoke on the purpose of that 2004 bill (0.00 / 0)

it wasn't to codify marriage inequality (which i take it was already on the books), it was instead primarily to prevent any type of out-of-state domestic partnership or its legal benefits from being recognized by NH.  

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by: palerobber @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 18:48:53 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Here is Sen. Sylvia Larsen from 2004... (0.00 / 0)

...speaking on the anti out-of-state partnerships law (SB 427).

Why should we scapegoat a segment of our society and deny them the basic civil rights. I urge my senate colleague to vote against this unnecessary legislation. We represent people, all of us have been elected to represent people, people that have loved, honored, and cherished their partners for a lot longer than my 29 years (of marriage). The only difference between them and us is that they're born with different preferences. And that is the only difference.

pretty strong stuff.

that was how Sen. Larsen closed a statement in which she:
- said bill was unneeded since anti-marriage laws already exist for "those who seek to limit relationships between people."
- said bill would relegate gays to "second class citizenship"
- said bill might be politically motivated to hurt "those of us who stand for civil rights"
- mentioned that she has a gay cousin.

audio of her full statement can be heard here from roughly 03:09:31 to 03:15:52.

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by: palerobber @ Tue Apr 28, 2009 at 18:46:49 PM CDT