"Spousal Unions:" A Way To Promote Equality For Gays And Lesbians

by: Rep. Jim Splaine

Sun Mar 04, 2007 at 22:00:24 PM EST

Our legislation would provide all of the RIGHTS, OBLIGATIONS, AND RESPONSIBILITIES of marriage to same-sex relationships.  The bill is simple, specific, and accomplishes equality of rights. 

Over two hundred and thirty-one years ago this country began a journey -- a journey on a promise.  That promise is what makes our society different.  That promise is what continues to give our nation hope.  The rights promised to us in the Declaration of Independence and later reaffirmed in the Constitution are what identify us as Americans and as New Hampshire citizens.

To deny any citizen their right to pursue happiness is not the American Way.  Our New Hampshire motto "Live Free or Die" affirms our commitment to the protection of citizen's rights.  It is time we start living up to our promise, and our motto. 

As sponsors of this legislation, we agree with others who believe that we should allow a process for the legal and formal union by gay and lesbian couples.  It is important to encourage people to make mutual commitments with one another, and our Spousal Unions bill provides that to happen.

The democratic process often requires us to fight for equality in steps.  Spousal Unions would be the New Hampshire way of doing so, just as civil unions have done for the gay and lesbian residents of other states.

The House Judiciary Committee is holding a public hearing on our bill this Monday, March 5th, at 11:00 AM in the Legislative Office Building, Room 208.  If you agree with our legislation, please write to the Judiciary Committee members, who can be found on the NH State Government WEBSITE.

I am also in favor of full marriage rights for gays and lesbians with the word "marriage," and will be suggesting to the Committee that if it believes that would pass this year, that HB 437 should be amended to do so.  Regardless, I believe the "Spousal Unions" approach would accomplish much, and is needed now.

Let Democrats Be Democrats? It's Up To You.

by: Rep. Jim Splaine

Wed Jan 03, 2007 at 20:02:26 PM EST

Maybe more New Hampshire State Representatives will join in Blogging.  In fact, new Speaker Terie Norelli has asked me to come up with a set of suggestions on using the Internet for improving communications and openness of the Legislative process, and one of my recommendations will be that Legislators "Blog." 

I'd like to respond to a couple of the questions on my recent Blog post about Spousal Unions, about whether our Democrats in the NH Legislature will stand up for that cause, and some others.

It's a good question:  will Democrats be Democrats?  Will we realize that the voters were saying they want change last November 7th, or will we become so enamored and seduced by our new "perks" that we'll try to become Republicans, moderate our beliefs, and essentially do nothing or do little so we won't rock the boat?

Political "perks" are very seductive.  Now that Democrats have the fancy offices, can hire staff, have the committee titles of "chair" and "vice chair," have the best parking spots, can go on paid nationwide conferences, and be in position to do favors for lobbyists and special interests, thus getting the larger political contributions that come with those favors -- well, it's hard to put all that at risk in 2008.

Personally, I told all the potential candidates for House Speaker that I did not want any "title," nor would I accept any chairship or vice chairship.  I've been in the House and Senate a total of 28 years and I'm there to participate in the process and the dialogue, not to run meetings or control agendas.

I think if Democrats are Democrats, voters will remember us positively in November of 2008.  They'll see that we have some political courage.

We all know that polls tell us things.  Whether or not we should be led by them, polls tell us what to do to win voters' favor, and when not to rock the boat and potentially lose support.  Politicians often become milky and fuzzy because they want to walk the middle ground, and become very cautious on anything controversial. 

Politicians usually don't like to be controversial - - when you are, you "win some" and you "lose some."  Politicians like to be liked by as many voters as possible.

So in answering the questions about what to expect in the NH Legislature with Democrats in the majority, I've been saying that it's up to you.  It's up to YOU to tell your Legislators what you want them to do.

I for one won't be forgetting the things I've fought for through the years, and while I know we won't succeed this year getting tax reform, I'll keep talking about the need for an income tax based on ability to pay and fully dedicated to education. I'm introducing a Spousal Union bill because it's time we take that step toward more equality for gays and lesbians.  I'm introducing another bill to abolish the death penalty because I have long believed we should abolish the death penalty.  I'm sponsoring legislation for a third time to adopt "Granny D's" clean elections public financing concept, because democracy would be the better with it.  I've written a new ethics bill, because we need more ethics.

The dialogue on these issues, and others, must continue.  It would continue in 2007 if Democrats were in the minority.  Now that we're in the majority, the dialogue on those principles needs to continue.

It's up to you, because you can force Legislators to deal honestly and up front on all those issues, and more that you are concerned about.

It's up to you, because you can participate in the discussion - - here in BlueHampshire, on NHInsider.com and other Blogs, at the State House in public hearings, and in your communities with your own House and Senate members.

It is up to you.  Most House and Senate members also have E-Mail addresses, and you can find those on the NH State WEBSITE, www.nh.gov.

Give 'em hell.  Give us hell.  We need to hear from you.  Howard Dean said it:  YOU HAVE THE POWER.

Same-Sex Spousal Unions: It's About Time. The Discrimination Has To Stop.

by: Rep. Jim Splaine

Tue Jan 02, 2007 at 21:41:17 PM EST

There is nothing more important than the way we treat one another.  While we can't cure all of this planet's wrongs, at least we should resolve that here in New Hampshire and now in 2007, we will create equality in our laws for same-sex unions.

I have been openly gay for over 20 years, and I feel discrimination or disapproval just about every day -- in the workplace, or in my community, my neighborhood, or in politics.  It happens.

But worse is the discrimination I see toward others who are gay or lesbian.  It just isn't right.  The discrimination has to stop.

I know many of my gay and lesbian friends want to have the word "marriage" as part of any law allowing unions.  I do too.

But I also know many of my gay and lesbian friends feel that what is most important right now is that those rights, responsibilities, and obligations of union are equally shared.  We have waited too long as it is.

If some 5-10% of our population is gay and lesbian, there are about 70,000 to 140,000 among us in New Hampshire.  The discrimination has to stop.

For years, New Hampshire has been on the crest of providing more equality for our gay and lesbian residents.  Our state is one of just 20 in the nation that provides for civil rights equality in areas of services, housing, and employment.  In most of the country, people can still be fired just for being gay, but in the mid-1990s New Hampshire adopted a law offering protection.

That, and other protections, exist because of the leadership of people like State Senator Rick Trombly, State Representatives Mo Baxley, Ray Buckley, Marlene DeChane, Nick Panagopoulos, Dana Hilliard, and Bill McCann, and Governor Jeanne Shaheen, among others. 

However, official discrimination in our state still exists in many of our relationship and financial laws.  While I am in favor of full marriage equality with the word "marriage" -- a position I have publicly held and spoken out for since the early 1990s -- I feel that we can no longer wait to have equality in those three important words -- "rights," "responsibilities," and "obligations," and that is what a spousal union bill will do. 

Civil unions in Vermont, Connecticut, and now New Jersey are providing a good degree of equality in those states, although I and many others who are gay and lesbian would much more prefer the Massachusetts approach of full marriage equality.  California has just adopted laws providing for marriage equality, again without that word. 

While it will be controversial and there is some hope in some Democratic circles that we avoid certain contentious issues, the time for more open dialogue about full marriage equality is here.  I and others will be introducing legislation to accomplish some important steps in this area, and it is time New Hampshire moves positively. 

It's about time.  People 50 years from now will wonder why we have waited so long already.  The discrimination has to stop.

What do you think?