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The Battle of the Bills- N.H. Debating Opposing Marriage Bills

Posted by: Bridgette P. LaVictoire on February 4, 2009.

One year after New Hampshire legislators granted Civil Unions to the state’s gay and lesbian population, lawmakers will meeting again in the State Capitol to debate dueling bills concerning Gay Rights.

There are a total of four bills impacting same-sex rights in New Hampshire up for debate this week…

One would upgrade New Hampshire’s civil union law to full marriage…

Two regard not recognizing same-sex marriages and civil unions performed outside the state and seek to define marriage as only between a man and a woman, one at present would not only define marriage as being between a man and woman, but strip the state of civil unions as well….

The final one would extend the non-discrimination laws to transpeople.

The author of one bill, Openly Gay Democrat Representative Jim Splaine, sees the issue as one of fairness and said…

There’s a strong commitment on the part of many who want to see us march toward full equality.”

However, an opposing bill introduced by Republican Representative who wants to define marriage as being only between a man and a woman, contains language that also would strip the state of civil unions as well.

However, Pepino says that his bill’s anti-civil unions language was accidentally placed in there by his staff and that he intends to ask the House Judiciary Committee to remove the language stripping the state of civil unions before it proceeds.

Currently, the law in New Hampshire recognizes same-sex marriages performed in other states and the bill sponsored by Republican Representative David Hess seeks to ban recognition of same-sex marriages performed in other states largely to prevent the spread of same-sex marriages to New Hampshire.

Kevin Smith, the incoming director of Cornerstone Policy Research in New Hampshire has said he intends to do everything he can in order to prevent New Hampshire from joining the small list of states that recognize same-sex marriage.

We really think this comes down to what’s in the best interest of a child’s welfare.”

Never minding that various studies have proven that preventing same-sex marriage or full equality have a detrimental effect on children of same-sex couples, Smith’s New Hampshire group has partnered with Focus on the Family and the American Family Association in order to fund ads on New Hampshire television and radio attacking same-sex marriage recognition, a problematic move given that many in the fiercely independent North East find those groups to be rather unsettling and have never liked having outside people poking their noses into state business. A representative of Smith’s group is planning on testifying at the hearing for HB 436-FN-L, the one that would extend marriage to all people any way.

Openly gay Episcopalian Bishop Gene Robinson of New Hampshire has said will be attending the hearing for Spliane’s bill which will extend marriage rights to same-sex couples. The Human Rights Campaigns associate director of diversity, Allyson Robinson, is also expected to testify.

Splaine looking for support of his bill, posted on his site…

If you cannot attend, please consider sending E-Mails, calling, or mailing letters to members of the House Judiciary Committee, or your local New Hampshire State Representatives or Senators.

The list of House members and Judiciary Committee members appears on the ‘nh.gov’ WEBSITE. (On the right hand side of the WEBSITE, click on ‘Legislative,’ then click on ‘House.’ Then click on ‘House Committees,’ then ‘Standing Committees,’ then ‘Judiciary.’ You’ll find all the names of the Committee members, and contact information.)”

Many LGR readers cannot vote in New Hampshire and will have no influence on this; however, our New Hampshire readers may want to get involved in this debate.

The schedule for the debate on these specific bills is as follows:

Thursday February 5th, 10:00 AM – HB 147, prohibiting the recognition as civil unions of marriages between persons of the same sex contracted outside of New Hampshire. Sponsored by Reps. David Hess, Mike Kappler.

Thursday February 5th, 11:00 AM – HB 453, establishing that marriage between one man and one woman shall be the only legal domestic union that shall be valid or recognized in this state. Sponsored by Reps. Leo Pepino, Gary Daniels, John Flanders; Sens. Jack Barnes, Sheila Roberge.

Thursday February 5th, 1:00 PM – HB 436-FN-L, relative to civil marriage and civil unions. (Providing full marriage equality.) Sponsored by Reps. Barbara Richardson, Ed Butler, Paul McEachern, Jim Splaine.

Thursday February 5th, 2:00 PM – HB 415, adding certain terms regarding non-discrimination to the laws. (Adding “gender identity or expression” to our non-discrimination laws.) Sponsored by Reps. Ed Butler, Barbara Richardson; Sen. Martha Fuller Clark.

Sei is a trans-lesbian who lives in Vermont and has a strong passion for LGBTI rights. She has a BA in History and her hobbies include sci-fi, anime, fantasy, action movies, video games, and more. You can visit her Blogger profile here.