Conservative Blogger: BREAKING: NH Gov. Signs Civil Unions Law...

The Granite State became the first state in our Union to enact a civil unions law without pending legal action.

The official statement by New Hampshire Governor John Lynch (D):

Governor Signs Law Establishing Civil Unions in New Hampshire

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.

This is the first truly significant legislation Lynch has signed in New Hampshire during his two and a half years as Governor. The New Hampshire law also recognizes same-sex unions from other states, provided they are legal in the state they were performed.

For once I completely agree with John Lynch.

I'm not religious and I don't believe that marriage is an "institution." I believe that the Government created this problem in the first place when they started taxing the event of marriage. Think about it...that's what it is when you pay for a marriage license: it's a tax. As soon as The State (that's a big "S" for those keeping track) inserted themselves in the process, this divide was created.

Any union of two people that takes place outside of a church or that is performed by a non-religious official is, by definition, a civil union. It's that simple.

It's about time that Government caught up to its own mistake and rectified the gap in rights that exist for Americans.

William Smith
ConservativeBlogger.com

Posted by WilliamSmith on May 31, 2007 10:54 AM to Conservative Blogger