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I was asked in a different forum about the other vote that was held this week: the 24-0 shutout vote.
I wish that someone in the know in your state could put together a piece explaining how things went so wrong with the trans protections bill. There has to be more than we're hearing, given the unanimous vote.
Has anyone written at length on this bill here at Blue Hampshire? Or in any other forum (with a link to it)? If not: could someone please make an attempt to do so? I'll freely admit I haven't paid much attention to this, so it would be for my own edification as well. Thanks!
(I think this is the first diary I've ever front-paged while putting what was below the fold, above. Please read through this, and take the call to action if you have received these calls. - promoted by Dean Barker)
My neighbors and I have all received automated calls from that same DC number that called us a few days ago with the push poll. The calls urge us to vote for Jeb Bradley, stating that he is the only candidate that supports marriage between a man and a woman, and other twaddle.
At the end of the call the number that is given as that of the sponsoring organization is 603-228-4794, which is the number of the Cornerstone Policy Research office (although the responsibility is supposedly that of the "Cornerstone Action PAC".)
I called the NH DOJ office and they stated that if we are on the Do Not Call list such calls are illegal, and the gentleman I spoke with said he would be very interested in receiving written complaints about such calls. These can be submitted through their website using the form for consumer complaints at:
http://www.egov.nh.gov/consume...
and who I complained against there was:
Business Name: Cornerstone Policy Research
Business Representative: Unknown
Mailing Address: 136 North Main St. Suit #2
Concord, NH 03301
Phone Number: 603-228-4794
Email Address: cornerstone@nhcornerstone.org
If you have received such a call, won't you join me in complaining? I'd love to see this violation of the law have some serious consequences.
Im so Proud to Support Obama. Reason 1 the guy has a history of Supporting Gay Rights even when other campaings tryed to distract him while bashing him during the McClurking event, but after the event he stood up and showed that he supports the GLBT Community no matter what. 2 He believes in full equality not half. Not just because full equality is demanded by the people but because this is a country of Freedom for all and we need to start living up to its Creed.3rd reason is because he is a hardworker and inspiring person.
For the past 4 years, I have been watching the political landscape for the Presidential campaign develop.
In my work, I also get to talk to a lot of politicos and hear their opinions. Usually, I'd rather discuss string theorey or metaphysics than politics, but today I feel compelled to share my opinion on Barack Obama.
(I agree -- this seems a good faith move, and worth noting. - promoted by Mike Caulfield)
This surprises me, maybe Governor Richardson is trying to make up ground for his slip during the LOGO debate/forum.
An invitation from NH Freedom to Marry and Governor Richardson
Please join us in a conversation with Presidential candidate Governor Bill Richardson and members of New Hampshires LGBT community.
Sunday, September 2nd at 3:45 pm
The Concord Business Center, 124 Hall Street, Concord.
Drive into the Center, through the two buildings and immediately turn right. Enter through the glass door in the middle of the backside of the first building. Second floor. There will be signs and ample parking is available.
Governor Richardson is the first Presidential candidate to speak directly to NH LGBT community.
Its June, and I have noticed a surprising lack of Gay Pride diaries for a progressive blog in a state that recently passed Civil Unions into law. Sure, my post on "Our Democratic Candidates and Gay Rights" could possibly fit the label... but I wanted something else.
Speaking of You Tube, I stumbled upon this something interesting happening over there for Pride.
To date, this video has generated over 800,000 views, 26,000 comments, and 270 video responses.
I was watching the Republican debates last night on Television and I got confused by a comment by Ron Paul who said, ?We don?t get our rights because we?re gays or women or minorities. We get our rights from our creator as individuals. So every individual should be treated the same way. If there is homosexual behavior in the military that is disruptive, it should be dealt with. But if there?s heterosexual sexual behavior that is disruptive, it should be dealt with. So it isn?t the issue of homosexuality.?
As I watched the NH Democratic Debates last night, one of the things I was struck by was the strong, unanimous stance by our candidates against 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'. They seemed to be trying to one-up each other in their support of a repeal, and continued their unified position as they talked about their support of Civil Unions.
As a gay man, and a Democrat, it was great to see my party unified in supporting my right to be, and to be treated equally under the law.
Well, I did some poking around and came across a report from the Human Rights Campaign, a GLBT rights organization, and learned the answer to a question that has been on the minds of many Blue Hampsters:
For the first time ever, all of the announced Democratic candidates stated their support for extending federal benefits and equal tax treatment, currently only available to heterosexual married couples, to same-sex couples who are parties to a union legally recognized by their state. Additionally, the candidates express unanimous support for extending federal benefits for same-sex couples and their children.
This groundbreaking and unified position of all Democratic candidates would override Section 3 of the so-called ?Defense of Marriage Act,? which provides that for federal purposes, "The word ?'marriage' means only a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife, and the word 'spouse' refers only to a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or a wife." (1 U.S.C. Section 7)
Any one of our candidates, if elected, would support a repeal of the part of DOMA that prevents equal treatment for GLBT couples under federal law. And, it doesn't end there.
According to the HRC Scorecard (warning, PDF), our Democratic candidates are unified in their support of a whole host of gay rights issues such as ENDA, hate crimes legislation, civil unions, coverage under FMLA, access to survivor benefits, equal tax treatment, domestic partner benefits, adoption, funding for HIV / AIDS, and comprehensive sex education.
Everything, in fact, except gay marriage. Dennis Kucinich deserves props for being the only candidate to support full marriage equality for Gays and Lesbians. But, personally, I can live without a president who supports full marriage equality in the short term as long as we get DOMA repealed.
So, now I'm in a pickle. I still very undecided, and gay rights issues won't help me decide.
The news from Governor John Lynch that he will sign House Bill 437, which creates Civil Unions in New Hampshire, if it reaches him is fantastic -- but the job is not yet done. The State Senate will be voting on the legislation next Thursday, and that follows the bipartisan vote of 243 to 129 in the House two weeks ago.
A great deal of work has already been done, but there is more to do. Please, contact the State Senators -- sending personal E-Mails or letters to each of them if you can, at least to those in your part of the state. They will be hearing from many others, for and against.
We also have to keep contacting Governor John Lynch to voice our support. You can mail them to Governor John Lynch, The State House, 25 Capitol Street, Concord, NH 03301. Or feel free to call and leave your message at 603-271-2121. His FAX is 603-271-7680. His office receives E-Mails through the State of New Hampshire WEBSITE, nh.gov, clicking on "Governor John Lynch," then "Contact Governor Lynch."
Please pass this message onto those who you know are supportive of Civil Unions and are for equality for all of our New Hampshire residents.
For your further information, the bill appears below the fold. It is streamlined and simple: it provides for all of the same RIGHTS, RESPONSIBILITIES, and OBLIGATIONS which are currently given to differently-gendered couples in "marriage" to same-gendered couples as "Civil Unions." One of my previous posts includes the contacts for all of the State Senators. Thank You!
CONCORD, N.H. - Gov. John Lynch said Thursday he will sign legislation establishing civil unions for gay couples in New Hampshire.
"I believe it is a matter of conscience, fairness and preventing discrimination," Lynch told The Associated Press.
New Hampshire would become the fourth state to adopt civil unions, following Connecticut, Vermont and New Jersey. Massachusetts established gay marriage.
Lynch had previously declined to take a public position on civil unions, though has supported expanding health benefits to same-sex partners of state workers. He came under fire from both sides for not weighing in - especially after a delay last week of the Senate vote on the House-passed bill.
The Senate votes next week, and Lynch said he is confident the legislation will pass. It would authorize civil unions beginning next year.
Update by Laura: Via a press release from the NHDP, Ray Buckley's statement on this:
"I am grateful for Gov. Lynch's decision to sign H.B. 437, the Civil Unions bill. Once again, the Governor has demonstrated that he supports all New Hampshire families and reminded us all of the Granite State's long tradition of opposing discrimination in any form.
"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.
"The adoption of civil unions is an issue that also has wide bipartisan support. In Connecticut, Republican Governor M. Jodi Rell signed civil unions into law in her state and at least two of the Republican candidates for President also support it."
That's the diary I should have been able to write today.
Instead, we've got this:
A civil unions bill moving quickly through the State House hit a jam yesterday, and some are questioning whether Gov. John Lynch, who has been silent on the issue, is behind it.
A Senate spokeswoman announced yesterday a vote on civil unions expected Wednesday had been put off, and she didn't know when it would be scheduled.
Blue Hamsters, we really need your help.
This is a call to action diary. Follow me over the jump.
Per today's Union Leader, the Senate leadership has postponed a vote on the civil unions bill indefinitely, for no known reason, and people suspect it is at the request of Governor Lynch.
Senate President Sylvia Larsen said the decision was hers. "I didn't want the senators to be rushed when it came time to be voting on civil unions," she said...
Spokesman Colin Manning didn't answer directly when asked yesterday whether Lynch was involved in the delay.
Now, Larsen was not worried about Senators having enough time to consider Lynch's constitutional amendment, approved weeks after its unveiling.
My question: are Larsen and Lynch trading Senate approval of civil unions for House approval of his amendment? If the House approves it, will the Senate calendar suddenly free up?
The State Senate Judiciary Committee voted this past Thursday morning to approve House Bill 437, which passed the House last week by a bipartisan vote of 243 to 129. The Committee vote was 3-2, and followed a 5 1/2 hour public hearing this past Tuesday in Representatives' Hall. The bill, sponsored by Somersworth State Representative Dana Hilliard and myself, will be reported to the Senate floor next Wednesday.
If you support the Civil Unions bill, which is printed in full in an earlier Blog post under my name, please contact the State Senators -- sending E-Mails or letters to each of them is important at this point, at least to those in your part of the state. They will be hearing from many others, for and against. You can visit the New Hampshire WEBSITE, nh.gov, for a listing of all Senators.
It is also very useful if you could send a letter to Governor John Lynch. You can mail it to Governor John Lynch, The State House, 25 Capitol Street, Concord, NH 03301. Or feel free to call and leave your message at 603-271-2121. His FAX is 603-271-7680. His office receives E-Mails through the State of New Hampshire WEBSITE, nh.gov, clicking on "Governor John Lynch," then "Contact Governor Lynch."
We are so close to passing Civil Unions legislation in New Hampshire. Last week's historic House vote was the first step in bringing equality to thousands of New Hampshire families, but it is not the last. HB 437 still has to pass in the State Senate, and then the Governor gets to weigh in. Unlike the House, however, we don't have months to discuss the issue and urge our State Senators to support Equality.
The Senate will hold its public hearing on HB 437 this Tuesday. This means that potentially, the full Senate could hold a vote on the bill the following Thursday. We have less than two weeks.
We need to let our Senators know where we stand on this issue. We need to contact them and urge them to support equality for all of New Hampshire's families. This will make it much more likely that they will pass the bill.
Well, things are happening fast in the effort to adopt Civil Unions for New Hampshire. Last Wednesday the House voted in an astounding way, 243 to 129, in favor of House Bill 437 (copied below). The debate was over 2 1/2 hours long, and was passionate on both sides. But the bipartisan result (most of the Democrats voted for the bill, and we picked up 27 Republican votes) was a historic moment for New Hampshire and the nation.
The cause continues: This coming Tuesday, April 10th, the State Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a public hearing on House Bill 437, which I'm sponsoring with Somersworth State Representative Dana Hilliard. It will begin at 1:15 PM in Representatives Hall, which for orientation purposes is directly under The Golden Dome at the State House in Concord.
PLEASE E-Mail your thoughts to as many State Senators as you can, and CALL those in your part of the State. Let them know how this bill will help the cause of greater equality. Tell your story. Tell your friends stories. Contact information appears below.
The Senate Judiciary Committee:
Senator Joe Foster Chair (Democrat)
Senator Dave Gottesman Vice Chair (Democrat)
Senator Deb Reynolds (Democrat)
Senator Bob Clegg (Republican)
Senator Bob Letourneau (Republican)
Please tell your story in E-Mails or over the telephone, or bring a written statement or testify at the hearing.
Please treat everyone who is present with respect. People in the audience who are today's opponents could be tomorrow's friends and supporters. The education process continues.
The copy of HB 437 and a list of NH State Senators appear below.
As I was reading through the multitude of articles about the passage of the Civil Unions Bill, something really irked me. A common theme through the various arguments of the opponents really got under my skin.
You see, many Republicans voted against this bill because they were suddenly concerned that it wasn't true equality:
Other opponents said the bill was "discriminatory" because it would create special rights for unmarried same-sex couples that would not be available to other adults who want to live together and share legal benefits, such as friends or siblings - a position the House Republican office reiterated in a statement after the vote. But the House rejected a series of attempts to send the bill back to committee, expand the scope to cover all adults or otherwise amend it.
[?]
Others said they could not support civil unions unless they were extended to all people. "This bill would prohibit two elderly brothers wanting to live their life out together or two same-sex cousins who want to live their life together so they get the benefit of health insurance," said Rep. Robert Rowe, an Amherst Republican. "That is simply wrong. It is discrimination."
This is what it's all about. This is the same reason we're working on a Civil Unions bill, not a Marriage bill. It's all about power. It's all about putting same sex couples in their place.
You see, Rep. Splaine proposed a bill that would allow same sex couples in loving, committed relationships to have those relationships recognized by their state, by their society, and be afforded the same rights and privileges as opposite sex couples.
Republicans wouldn't have any of that.
What they are trying to do, is devalue our commitments. They are trying to say that our love is of no significance. Two random people, who happen to be of the same sex, signing a legal contract for tax benefits. They can't stand the idea of saying that our love, our bond is equal to heterosexual couples.
Power.
Senate Democrats: Don't buy it. Don't do it. Don't pass a single one of their amendments. Don't put this bill back into committee. Pass this bill exactly as it was written by the House.
This is a bill about weather you think same sex couples deserve the same rights, privileges, and responsibilities under the law as heterosexual couples. Do you? Or, do you think we're just two random people signing a contract for tax benefits?
(Watching this makes me proud to live in NH. - promoted by Dean)
In the long debate last Wednesday, over whether or not to amend our Constitution to prohibit same-sex marriage, Rep. Carole Estes (D-Plymouth) delivered a final speech before the vote, leaving Representatives Hall in a frenzy of applause I have never before witnessed...
Carole's words were featured in this week's edition of the House Democratic Caucus's newsletter.
Honorable Mention: Rep. Maureen Baxley, who after Carole's speech showed what a real parliamentary inquiry sounds like:
Madame Speaker, If I know that the Constitution is the document that protects our civil liberties and that this documents has never been amended to restrict or take away the rights of minorities, would I now press the green button and support the committee recommendation?
House Bill 437 will be up for a vote in the NH House of Representatives this Wednesday. It would provide all of the same rights, obligations, and responsibilities of marriage currently granted to differently-gendered couples to same-gendered couples.
If you favor this legislation, please contact your favorite Legislators. A list of telephone numbers and E-Mails can be found on the New Hampshire WEBSITE, nh.gov. Go to "legislative branch" and click on "House."
It's about time that we bring this higher degree of equality for our gay and lesbian residents. If gays and lesbians represent 5-10% of our population, that would mean that some 60,000 to 120,000 New Hampshire residents would benefit. Same-gendered couples in a loving relationship could make their lifetime commitment to one another, and that is a good thing for society.
It is good for New Hampshire when gays and lesbians join the ranks of "married people." That will hurt no one, and will only enhance the importance of marriage and will expand family values.
Vermont, Connecticut, and New Jersey currently provide civil unions, and Massachusetts provides full marriage equality for gay and lesbian residents. All that has happened of any "negative" consequence is ... the price of gasoline has gone up!
